How many images in a printed portfolio?

[tbirke]

Hi,

I am just about to finish a printed Portfolio to show to galleries and want to get your opinion on the optimum number of images to put in it. I am shooting for something like 20, but also heard of people including much less or more, some even making a photobook.

As form of presentation I think about gluing the images on black cardboard and put them loosely into a nice box to allow easy flipping without touching the actual prints - any opinion on that?

thanks, Thomas.

[Walter Calahan]

There is no set number. Your portfolio is only as good as the weakest image. Play to your strength, not to a number.

[Jim Noel]

Most gallery owners dislike black mat board, and certainly black cardboard. Don't go for a number, go for your very best images presented in a professional manner.

[Frank Petronio]

For an in-person gallery interview, I'd do at least one image using the size and presentation that you wish they would use for display and sale.

While traditionally photographers have used matted prints in boxes for gallery presentations, if your work is large or expensive to produce it may make sense to do one large sample and put the rest of the series in a sequenced portfolio book.

Portfolio books are much better if you show your work a lot. Individual matted prints in boxes are easily damaged when many people look at them, and most commercial clients such as ad agencies do not wish to be responsible or careful with "precious" work. They flip through books much faster than you might like, but at least they look. Many won't bother with fancy presentations, they just want to see good pictures quickly and easily.

[tbirke]

Most gallery owners dislike black mat board, and certainly black cardboard. Don't go for a number, go for your very best images presented in a professional manner.

Why is that? Most images are shot at night and look best against a dark background. Any obvious reson I don't see?

Otherwise, thanks for the advice. I think I will go with my current selection, since it's all what I would consider 5 Star images...

[Capocheny]

Thomas,

Aside from Frank's recommendation of the portfolio book, you might also want to take a look at the Folio cases that Jim Becia was offering up "For Sale" here on the fourm a short while back.

They're terrific folios and Jim is a great fellow to work with.

Cheers