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I assume it is a flash function.
iPad as a Portfolio Review
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photony texas
Light Sensitive
I was recently asked to submit my photos to a very “Exclusive Local Photo Group” for a critical review of if they would consider me as a member. I went to the presentation with nothing but the ipad, they were stunned that I didn’t bring Prints.
After a brief explanation of who I was and what I was doing with my pictures I passed the ipad to one of the first reviewers of five in the session. She started flicking through the portfolio pic by pic and pausing when she had questions. All the others were waiting in anticipation of holding and reviewing my work with this “New Device”. All of the reviewers could easily figure out how to walk through the pics with no previous experience.
The quality of the Black and Whites was very, very good on the ipad and the review team was impressed with the new presentation method. We talked at length on how the images would transfer to print and the overall critique went very well using the ipad as the initial portfolio review.
One thing I can comment on is the off-axis viewing is a lot better than a laptop, two to three people can look at it at once. I borrowed the ipad for this review/critique but when I get some extra $$$ this thing is first on the list…
I got invited back to the next session so I assume the ipad worked its magic 😀
After a brief explanation of who I was and what I was doing with my pictures I passed the ipad to one of the first reviewers of five in the session. She started flicking through the portfolio pic by pic and pausing when she had questions. All the others were waiting in anticipation of holding and reviewing my work with this “New Device”. All of the reviewers could easily figure out how to walk through the pics with no previous experience.
The quality of the Black and Whites was very, very good on the ipad and the review team was impressed with the new presentation method. We talked at length on how the images would transfer to print and the overall critique went very well using the ipad as the initial portfolio review.
One thing I can comment on is the off-axis viewing is a lot better than a laptop, two to three people can look at it at once. I borrowed the ipad for this review/critique but when I get some extra $$$ this thing is first on the list…
I got invited back to the next session so I assume the ipad worked its magic 😀
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filmfan
Well-known
I am using my neighbor's iPad right now and images certainly look amazing on this thing.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
For showing people photos, in person, it is ideal. When the new "retina display" makes it to the next gen of iPads, it will be even better. The screen is brilliant, clear from all angles, and absolutely consistent, and there's TEN HOURS of battery life on a charge. Seriously--it is PERFECT for showing clients/friends your work on the fly. Pictures are very likely to look better on your iPad than they do on other people's computers.
Piewacket
Established
Great point, I hadn't even thought of that.
Another good thing, I have had no trouble uploading large tiff files and these look phenomenal!
DRabbit
Registered
Ya know... I replied over in the Mac forums and didn't make the connection until I went to your Blog and realized I already had it bookmarked 😉
flip
良かったね！
The best camera is the one that is with you.
Perhaps this applies to display as well as capture.
Perhaps this applies to display as well as capture.
jordanstarr
J.R.Starr
As a film photographer, I couldn't imagine showing anyone my work in a serious capacity on anything but paper if I had to meet them in person. I think having prints shows how dedicated you are to the entire process. Having it on an iPad is fine for showing informally, but seems a little overkill (I thought the iPhone was overkill, but that's just me). If I were a serious photography critic, the iPad just spells out lazy to me unless the photographer was shooting digital.....[insert bad joke here]
S
sfaust
Guest
I would have no qualms about showing my portfolio on the iPad. The display is stunning, the presentation can be tailored to each client easily and at the last minute, and the image can be tailored accurate for the iPad display when exporting. Further, you can have hundreds of images prepared for showing that can be called up instantly if a client has a question about technique, creativity, approach, etc, and one of your images not in the presentation covers that. Its nice to be able to pull it and and continue the discussion with the example image in front of them.
I think putting the iPad in the clients hands and letting them 'swipe' and 'pinch' through your portfolio adds a new dimension of uniqueness compared to the turning of pages in a printed portfolio that they have done for 20 years. Standing out in the crowd has its advantages as well, and this is a very new and unique presentation offering.
I don't see the iPad as replacing printed books since you wouldn't want to mail them to clients. However in a face to face meeting I would always prefer to put an iPad in their hands and let them browse. But I would also have a printed book there in case they prefer the prints. Having both is a great way to tackle the meeting.
But a good point has already been made. Commercial photography is largely digital today. My books are collecting dust, while new clients are asking for PDF or on-line portfolios so they can send them to their client in a remote city, or just pass them around the office faster. Books are slower when the agency in Boston was to send it to the client in Chicago for review. When they want to scrutinize an image, they ask for a full res file and view it on their calibrated monitors. All done at the speed of light, and in the format which the project will be delivered as well.
Some clients will love and embrace the iPad. Some clients will prefer a printed book and poopoo the ipad. No different from when some clients wanted slides, others wanted prints. Nothing new here. Read the clients preferences, and go with their preference. Having both obviously is a step ahead of the photographers that don't.
I think putting the iPad in the clients hands and letting them 'swipe' and 'pinch' through your portfolio adds a new dimension of uniqueness compared to the turning of pages in a printed portfolio that they have done for 20 years. Standing out in the crowd has its advantages as well, and this is a very new and unique presentation offering.
I don't see the iPad as replacing printed books since you wouldn't want to mail them to clients. However in a face to face meeting I would always prefer to put an iPad in their hands and let them browse. But I would also have a printed book there in case they prefer the prints. Having both is a great way to tackle the meeting.
But a good point has already been made. Commercial photography is largely digital today. My books are collecting dust, while new clients are asking for PDF or on-line portfolios so they can send them to their client in a remote city, or just pass them around the office faster. Books are slower when the agency in Boston was to send it to the client in Chicago for review. When they want to scrutinize an image, they ask for a full res file and view it on their calibrated monitors. All done at the speed of light, and in the format which the project will be delivered as well.
Some clients will love and embrace the iPad. Some clients will prefer a printed book and poopoo the ipad. No different from when some clients wanted slides, others wanted prints. Nothing new here. Read the clients preferences, and go with their preference. Having both obviously is a step ahead of the photographers that don't.
imajypsee
no expiration date
I've been using it as portfoliio
I've been using it as portfoliio
ever since I bought it. If mobile me would update the gallery interface for iPad (it still shows an iPhone size interface) that would make a decent way to get stuff organized without syncing... I HATE syncing... but then I also hate iPhoto...
At present, when I'm showing examples of my photo ideas/skills/etc. I use the interface at
http://www.stonelakephotography.com/
the built in slide show works just dandy, and any gallery that I want to show also has a slide show function (which I set for 5 second delay otherwise I get "shaky" pics). For once, (well mostly all the time) Pbase outshines flukey Flickr.
Offline is never a problem since I have a Mifi 2200 for connectivity.
I've been using it as portfoliio
ever since I bought it. If mobile me would update the gallery interface for iPad (it still shows an iPhone size interface) that would make a decent way to get stuff organized without syncing... I HATE syncing... but then I also hate iPhoto...
At present, when I'm showing examples of my photo ideas/skills/etc. I use the interface at
http://www.stonelakephotography.com/
the built in slide show works just dandy, and any gallery that I want to show also has a slide show function (which I set for 5 second delay otherwise I get "shaky" pics). For once, (well mostly all the time) Pbase outshines flukey Flickr.
Offline is never a problem since I have a Mifi 2200 for connectivity.
Piewacket
Established
I shot film exclusively for over twenty years. I learned E6 & C41 processing and am a master b/w printer. In all those years I never new what "dedication" was till I started shooting digital. The post processing work I do is far more involved than it ever was when shooting film. I also don't believe that any experienced art director would estimate skill by the presentation format. The content is all that matters. Just as a more expensive camera will not make you a better photograher neither will shooting only film. You can only learn the science not the art.
jke
Well-known
Seems like from the discussions above that some people probably don't have a need for it and some people find that it absolutely fits into their daily work. I would guess that it was always thus.
I know that recently a photographer friend went for a job interview and when he handed the person there a portfolio of prints, the guy said, "No CD?" Fortunately he had a CD, and the guy put it into a computer and blasted through the images on the screen. No time for paper prints (a NYC phenomenon maybe.) The job was catalog shooting with images used online as well as in a mail-order catalog.
There are also artists' grants and artists' organizations that won't even look at a CD. Or prints. They want slides.
The only challenge I can see with the iPad would be due to the nature of its backlit screen. If you showed images to a client on an iPad and its gorgeous screen, and they hired you to produce prints, I could see where a client might be disappointed because the prints would not benefit from the backlighting that the iPad screen has. They might be luminous prints, but they would not have their own illumination.
I know that recently a photographer friend went for a job interview and when he handed the person there a portfolio of prints, the guy said, "No CD?" Fortunately he had a CD, and the guy put it into a computer and blasted through the images on the screen. No time for paper prints (a NYC phenomenon maybe.) The job was catalog shooting with images used online as well as in a mail-order catalog.
There are also artists' grants and artists' organizations that won't even look at a CD. Or prints. They want slides.
The only challenge I can see with the iPad would be due to the nature of its backlit screen. If you showed images to a client on an iPad and its gorgeous screen, and they hired you to produce prints, I could see where a client might be disappointed because the prints would not benefit from the backlighting that the iPad screen has. They might be luminous prints, but they would not have their own illumination.
Piewacket
Established
I found a great cover, perfect for presenting your iPad to clients and for general use. I reviewed it on my blog today...
Abas Cover
Abas Cover
back alley
IMAGES
i bought 3 covers so far and much prefer the apple one so far.
the other 2 are a leather sleeve type and a zippered neoprene one.
the other work but the apple one works well.
the other 2 are a leather sleeve type and a zippered neoprene one.
the other work but the apple one works well.
jcrutcher
Veteran
I'm thinking of using an Ipad to show off my photo's to friends, I'm only an amateur and it's too difficult to haul a lap top. My question is do you story photo's on the Ipad or use the 3g or Wi fi to access Flikr and then show off what you have in Flikr?
Thanks
Jim
deirdre
Well-known
You can store them on your iPad, but you can also put them on Flickr (or wherever). I use a combination of both, but I do keep several galleries on my iPad.
I keep:
1) Last one to three months, depending (less if I'm going away with only my iPad and no laptop so I have more space to import photos).
2) 3-4 albums
back alley
IMAGES
i have about 4 sets of images that i keep on the ipad and show those. as i gather more images i add another set. eventually i will do a more critical edit and have fewer sets.
the ipad is still the best show and tell on the market for a 'budding' amateur like myself.
Frank Petronio
Well-known
http://jasminedefoore.com/portfolio-review-dos-and-donts/
http://www.aphotoeditor.com/2010/11/02/photoexpo-2010-portfolio-reviews/
These blog posts from a couple of days ago point out that some of the photo buyers don't appreciate iPad portfolios. I wonder if it is more of an age-factor though?
Especially now that so many jobs are for internet use, it seems kind of silly to make prints to demonstrate you can shoot for online content.
Also, I think some people do mail iPads to clients, with return shipping of course. When you look at a portfolio from Lost Luggage or one of the professional builders like http://www.brewer-cantelmo.com/ they can easily cost just as much as an iPad. I'd probably just put a big sticker on the iPad and call ahead to make sure it is OK to send, get a delivery receipt signature for sure.
Last time I shipped two 11x14 books with 80 prints total in a Tenba portfolio case it was over $50 each way. Shipping an iPad would cost $16.
Personally, I just use a Blurb book for sent portfolios. They cost me $60 and are inexpensive to ship, present well, and if it's a decent client they can keep it.
Of course the best way to show work to clients is from a website. That is what works for me 99% of the time.
For art shows and grants, imho they all have their heads up their a$$es. You would think they could at least create common sense requirements but half the time they ask for "72 dpi" jpgs with no clue as to pixel counts, profiles, anything....
http://www.aphotoeditor.com/2010/11/02/photoexpo-2010-portfolio-reviews/
These blog posts from a couple of days ago point out that some of the photo buyers don't appreciate iPad portfolios. I wonder if it is more of an age-factor though?
Especially now that so many jobs are for internet use, it seems kind of silly to make prints to demonstrate you can shoot for online content.
Also, I think some people do mail iPads to clients, with return shipping of course. When you look at a portfolio from Lost Luggage or one of the professional builders like http://www.brewer-cantelmo.com/ they can easily cost just as much as an iPad. I'd probably just put a big sticker on the iPad and call ahead to make sure it is OK to send, get a delivery receipt signature for sure.
Last time I shipped two 11x14 books with 80 prints total in a Tenba portfolio case it was over $50 each way. Shipping an iPad would cost $16.
Personally, I just use a Blurb book for sent portfolios. They cost me $60 and are inexpensive to ship, present well, and if it's a decent client they can keep it.
Of course the best way to show work to clients is from a website. That is what works for me 99% of the time.
For art shows and grants, imho they all have their heads up their a$$es. You would think they could at least create common sense requirements but half the time they ask for "72 dpi" jpgs with no clue as to pixel counts, profiles, anything....
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deirdre
Well-known
For going in person to an event like that, I would definitely bring print pieces with some extra on an iPad.
Piewacket
Established
Well since starting this thread I have had a couple of meetings using my iPad. I present it as a supplement to my printed portfolio. So far it has been really well received. I think it is a great addition to your regular portfolio presentation...
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