I am applying for a place on a photogrqaphy degree course next September. The class size is only 40 and last year there were nearly 500 applicants so competition will be tough.
Part of the applciation process is an interview where you need to take a portfolio. I have some ideas of what I would like to include in it but I know that I have a lot of emotion attached to my photos which could cloud my judgement.
I would really appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to have a look through my albums and suggest any which you think I should include.
I am also considering some photos which I haven't added to 365, I'm hoping to have chosen the photos I want to use and arrange for them to be printed by the end of this month so I have some time before I need to make my final decision.
Thank you in advance for anyone who takes the time to have a look.
Emma
I think you'll need a range of stuff Emma. I'd suggest some landscape, architecture, B&W, portraits etc. I'm revising atm but when I have a break later I'll go through and write a quick comment on any I particularly think would be good. You're lucky in that you have a great variation in your work and also have some edited shots that show your abilities in that respect xx
@emmar84 Do you just want to use photos you've taken with your DSLR? I'll go through later and write PORTFOLIO on any I think will be suitable...although obviously I'm no expert xx
@psychographer thank you Lisa, they don't have to be only from my dslr, i expect most will be but i won't discount one just because it was taken with my (now broken) p&s
@jasehoad Thank you Jase, I was considering that one but I'm not 100% sure I'm happy with the focus, I don't know how well it will look printed at a larger size (i was planning 12x8 or 15x10)
@shadesofgrey Thank you, it really has helped, many of the images which people have taken the time to highlight are not what I would have considered so it is making me rethink a lot.
I have made a seperate folder on my computer where I'm storing all the suggestions so I can sort through them.
Unlike some people on here I know I don't have a recognisable style or prefered subject for photography. Does anyone know/think if this will this count against me?
Dont know if it helps, but I did a degree in photography, film and TV and my interview I showed them a mixed bunch of photos - but none of any family members, children or my pet dog! It didnt harm that I'd got a 3 month stint assisting shooting a christmas catalogue for a large toy chain a year before and that I'd done city and guilds as a night class (I went as a mature student, no A-levels) They didnt question any of the photo's I took just said it was all fine. But..
I did get marked down on my interview due to my lack of reading, and the books they like you to read I found dull. May be worth having a gander , if you havent already, before your interview? Anything to give you a heads up over your other contenders I say! I did get a place, but they mentioned that it wasnt good that I hadnt read any. Anyhow, the three (of a few) books I can remember were:
Susan Sontag - On photography
John Berger - Ways of seeing
Graham Clarke - The Photograph: A Visual and Cultural History
Picking pictures is really tough. Everyone has their own opinion and no one agrees on anything. They probably just want to see if you are serious about taking pictures. So, whatever you choose should be fine. Good luck!
I honestly think that it will help you that you don't have a defined style. I know that in other venues of life, you are considered un-hireable or less desirable if you have a sole focus of experience rather than a broad base. I think that if you pick a range of photos it will show your ability to transition between genres/styles. You may not be a master of all of them but if you have the talent, (which you do) they will see that. You will be seen as teachable and moldable, not entrenched. IMO
Like @blightygal says...read up! If you can find out the books the course teaches out of and browse over them, it will help you in the interview when you find a place to tie in that you read xyz in this book and feel that you were able to apply it in xyz way in your photography. It doesn't matter that you had no idea at the time you applying that, only that you can express that you applied it to the given situation and you are aware of it...just some tips I've picked up during/after interviews I've done.
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I agree that I should include a range of subjects, I was planning on using 20-30 photographs, providing I can choose enough of a good enough quality.
@psychographer
@jasehoad Thank you Jase, I was considering that one but I'm not 100% sure I'm happy with the focus, I don't know how well it will look printed at a larger size (i was planning 12x8 or 15x10)
I have made a seperate folder on my computer where I'm storing all the suggestions so I can sort through them.
Unlike some people on here I know I don't have a recognisable style or prefered subject for photography. Does anyone know/think if this will this count against me?
I did get marked down on my interview due to my lack of reading, and the books they like you to read I found dull. May be worth having a gander , if you havent already, before your interview? Anything to give you a heads up over your other contenders I say! I did get a place, but they mentioned that it wasnt good that I hadnt read any. Anyhow, the three (of a few) books I can remember were:
Susan Sontag - On photography
John Berger - Ways of seeing
Graham Clarke - The Photograph: A Visual and Cultural History
Good luck on your place! @emmar84
Like @blightygal says...read up! If you can find out the books the course teaches out of and browse over them, it will help you in the interview when you find a place to tie in that you read xyz in this book and feel that you were able to apply it in xyz way in your photography. It doesn't matter that you had no idea at the time you applying that, only that you can express that you applied it to the given situation and you are aware of it...just some tips I've picked up during/after interviews I've done.
This one because its B&W and interesting
This one just because
This one because it is a nicely coloured landscape