What is a Portfolio Challenge and why should I be interested?
This activity was initiated so that club members would have the opportunity to learn what it takes to put together a cohesive body of work and exhibit it as if they were having a show at a gallery or museum. The operative words here are, cohesive body of work. It is not just a collection of various images that you have photographed over the years. A portfolio for an exhibit must have a common theme, a continuity of printing and presentation and an artist statement. If any one aspires to have an exhibit or a show at some time, this is an excellent venue for you to learn what it takes and what you need to do. And if you don’t have the desire to have an exhibit, you should still participate because it will help you expand your photographic horizons and abilities, and give you a new appreciation for an exhibit when you view it. The Portfolio Challenge program is not just an exercise. It is a vehicle for you to learn and improve your photography.
The time frame for this project is from January to the first meeting in October. Instead of the Club’s usual October Program night, there will be an exhibit of the work of all the participating photographers. It is open to the public so invite family, friends, relatives, neighbors and members from other photography organizations. All the participating photographers will meet again, on the following night (Wednesday), at the Doss Activities Center, for a one on one review of their portfolio. There will be five to seven reviewers, depending upon the number of participating photographers. All participants will have the opportunity to sit down with a reviewer, on a one on one basis, and have their portfolio reviewed and discussed by various established photographers, educators, curators, etc. Participants, normally, will have the opportunity to meet with at least three reviewers during the evening.
The Portfolio Challenge and the monthly print competitions are probably two of the most important opportunities that the Club offers its members.
Still not convinced that you should try this. The follow is a commentary from one the Club’s long time members.
“When it was suggested to me that NWHPC should conduct a portfolio review, I was more than slightly skeptical. When we had a presentation on writing the artist statement, and told how it would guide, and even make you change the direction of your work on your chosen subject, I may have even laughed to myself. To be honest, I participated mainly to help out with having enough people to make this well attended enough to keep our club from being embarrassed. But after participating, my mind is 180 degrees from where I started. I for one found that the act of thinking out a subject, executing it, and writing the artist statement to help people understand what I was doing, has elevated me in my hobby better than anything else I have attempted. In fact during the last showing of the HPS Portfolio Review, I was disappointed in viewing people’s work who had not written an artist statement to help me understand their point of view or motivation.
I enjoyed this experience more than I anticipated. I found the reviewer’s comments to be very helpful, and I am already planning for next year. Give it a try, you will be rewarded.”
Terry Connors
Club Newsletter Editor
Some of you may be familiar with FotoFest. For those of you who are not it is an annual spring venue in Houston where you can view other photographer’s work, attend workshops and seminars. It is the largest photographic exposé in the world. You can also show your portfolio to museum and gallery curators, buyers for card companies and advertising people, just to name a few. This is not available for free. It costs $300.00 per person per day and in one full 8-10 hour day you probably will only get a chance to see three reviewers.
Now here is the BIG ADVANTAGE of the Club’s Portfolio Challenge. You have the same opportunity here at our club to show your portfolio to museum and gallery curators established photographers, educators, etc. for no cost - except that of your annual dues and you won’t have to spend a whole day doing it – only one evening. What a deal and what an opportunity. Isn’t this why you want to join a photo club – to have this kind of opportunity?
At least come visit us as our guest – you will be glad you did.