What is the proper or accepted "protocol" for submitting and ultimately displaying photographic works in a gallery? I realize many member run and co-op galleries and camera club galleries can be very flexible towards rules, but to be taken seriously by the fine art and collector-type galleries, how do you come across professional even if you are an amateur hobbyist like myself? (Leaving out the question of whether one has what it takes, for now....)

Are portfolios on slides taken seriously? If you do submit portfolio on slide, will they want to see the prints before they decide? Should the show be printed and framed ready-to-hang before you even walk in the door?

Is there a proper way to mat and frame prints? Is anything shy of archival taken seriously?

What does "in recto" and " in verso" mean when referring to signatures?

Do you always only sign in pencil? On the mat or on the print? Which side?

If a print is of an edition (ie 1/20) does the negative still exist?

Should you have several prints available or is it amateurish to say you'll print one for a sale? (Is it bad form for the one hanging on the wall to be the only good FB print you own right now due to the cost of hanging a show?)

Writing the "artists statement" probably intimidates me the most. I'm far too straight froward and no good at esoteric. Any pointers?

I could go on.... If there are any pointers you can hink of that I left out, please feel free.

Thank you,

Don Minton

PS Check out my stret photography at www.geocities.com/soho/studios/6051

-- Don Minton (minton2@mindspring.com), July 19, 1998

Answers

Many of these questions are addressed in the book Taking the Leap by Cay Lang, which I have found to be very helpful. You can find information on this book at the Chronicle Books web site (www.chronbooks.com) and you can buy it for less than $15 at www.amazon.com. The author is a photographer although the text addresses showing art in general.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeffs@hyperreal.org), July 20, 1998.

I've never done a gallery show, but I've seen a lot :-) so keep that in mind when reading my answers...

I've seen one or two photographers bringing portfolios to a gallery. They were mounted (possibly matted) unframed work carried in a large portfolio case. Slides may be accepted for a first look, but I'm sure no decision would be made without seeing actual prints.

I would expect that the show should be printed, but not necessarily framed.

Some say that negs should be destroyed when an edition is printed out. Ansel Adams destroyed a couple and later said he regretted that. There is, of course, an obligation to make no more prints.

Sign on the print. Either side is acceptable, but if you dry mount, sign on the front.

Galleries are stating that archival processing was done. Mount materials should also meet archival standards. I believe many gallery contracts require this. Framing for shows is usually plain narrow dark metal or dark wood frames.

Artist's Statement: don't write one. Your photos should speak for themselves.

good luck!

-- mike rosenlof (mrosenlof@qualcomm.com), July 22, 1998.

artist statement

I have taken two courses about approaching galleries. One was by an artist the other a gallery owner and both emphasized the need for an artists statement and also a curriculum vitae in addition to a simple portfolio. The statement is an important part of the process and should include something about you, your reasons for the show and also perhaps future plans. The best way to find out what a gallery wants is to call ahead and make an appointment with the director or assitant and ask; many places may already have clear instructions on submissions. Never walk in without an appointment and leave the attitude at home (ie my work speaks for itself).

-- Andy Laycock (agl@intergate.bc.ca), July 24, 1998.

I agree with most of the previous answer. Yes, you should make an appointment and find out what the gallery wants/requires and have those items available. It does occur to me that a gallery may want an artist's statement, but not include it in the show. Part of being professional is knowing who you're selling to.

Shows that I've seen at well established commercial galleries (mostly Camera Obscura in Denver, Silver Image in Seattle) rarely, if ever, included any artist's statement, but often have the photographer's CV somewhere. Shows I've seen at university art departments have statements maybe 50% of the time.

-- mike rosenlof (mrosenlof@qualcomm.com), July 28, 1998.