Behind the Booth
How to Prepare Artwork Images for a Juried Show Application
Make artwork images that represent color, scale and detail honestly while meeting a juried show's file rules.
Jury images are often the first way a show sees your work. Their job is to communicate the artwork accurately in the small amount of time a reviewer has. Good files begin with a deliberate selection of pieces and end with a check against the specific show's technical rules.
Choose a coherent set of work
Read the application instructions before you select images. If the show asks for a recent body of work, do not pad the set with an older bestseller that no longer represents what you will bring. Put candidate images side by side and look for consistent quality, medium and presentation. A close-up can help when permitted, but it should not replace the full view a reviewer needs to understand the piece. The booth photograph guide covers the overall display; this task is about each artwork.
Photograph without changing the work
Use even light and a stable camera position. For flat work, keep the camera parallel to the artwork so rectangles stay rectangular. Watch reflections on glazing and shiny surfaces; moving the light or camera slightly is usually better than trying to erase a large reflection afterward. For three-dimensional work, choose a view that shows form and construction, and use a second angle only if the application allows it. Remove distracting backgrounds but do not digitally replace the object or exaggerate its color.
Prepare clean files to the required specification
Export copies rather than resizing your only originals. Follow the application's pixel dimensions, file format, color profile, size limit and naming convention exactly. A file that looks sharp on your monitor may be blurred when enlarged, while a huge file may fail to upload. Open each exported copy at full size to inspect edges, dust and color. Keep a record of the artwork title, medium, dimensions and year so captions match the photographs.
Check the whole application before sending
Preview the images within the application if the platform allows it. Confirm their order and make sure each caption belongs to the correct piece. Your artist statement should describe the same current body of work. After submission, save the confirmation and a copy of the exact image set. That record prevents a later portfolio update from obscuring what a particular jury saw.