Application worries...

[Snorkack]

Hi everyone... O.O

I'm a real newbie to these forums, so I'm sorry if this question has already ben asked or is supposed to go somewhere else.

The art school that I want to go to next year here in Auckland wants every applicant to submit twelve 35mm photographic colour slides of our work. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to make these slides? Or even if I'm supposed to make them myself? If I'm not, where do I go to get them done? :confused:

I'm scaring myself in advance here and I know that I'm possibly not thinking clearly, so I would really appreciate any help.

Also, once they've viewed the slides from every applicant, they're going to invite some applicants to an interview with the full staff of the school to determine whether they are suitable for it.

They say that "a presentation of recent work will provide the focal point of their interview. This should indicate the nature, scope and depth of their interest in the arts. Whilst no strict format for the presentation is given, candidates will be expected to present between eight and ten individual items in their final medium. Items may be separate from each other and vary in size and proportion."

They go on to give examples of what could be brought to the interview, (sketch books, films, craft-work, paintings, prints, designs etc.), but I was wondering what you would recommend to bring? Would it matter if nearly all the items were of the same type and only a couple were different, for example bringing six paintings and three something elses? Should they all be different, or what?

Also, what do you think I should expect from the interview? What sorts of things are they likely to ask?

I'm on my summer holidays now and instead of sitting at the beach, I'm sitting at the computer and worrying myself unreasonably, but I can't help it. Thanks very much to anyone who helps me or gives me some advice, even if it just to go and lie down. :D

[saralindsey]

first off about the 35mm slides, you can buy slide film and use a regular camera to take the pictures. i tried this didn't turn out so well for me i'm sure there are other methods but that is the one i know of.

there is actually a thread started about portfolios, that axl wrote from her own experience and that is basically what the school is asking you to bring to the interview and that should be helpful.

i don't know what to tell ya about the interview process didn't really got through that myself.

[Snorkack]

That's cool. :)

Thanks for the help. I'll definitely look at the thread you mentioned.

[darkangel]

I know you already got the help (I have a habit of answering late lol)

I just took some slides last night (more at like 5am) of my work. It was a photography project though. Get some color slide film and shoot it normal and then take it wherever they process slides to get it done. (I'll be leaving for London Drugs in a few here) Hope mine turn out *crosses fingers*

[papercuttoes]

hi snorkack ... i just recently started taking slides for my portfolio and i've tried photographing them myself using tips from this website http://www.arts.ufl.edu/ART/advise/portfolio/page4.html... it was pretty helpful :) .. if you're shooting outdoors i've heard it's best to shoot on an overcast day ...

if you don't want to do it yourself i am sure there are some places in your area that will be able to do it for you... you might want to check out some of the college campuses near you if they're easily accessible... they do it at my school for cheaper than at most professional places... anyway... good luck with your slides! :)

[Axl]

You might wanna check around art schools close to you. Here we can sign out slide making equipment from the photography department, and the school can then even make the slides for you too so it's really handy when you have to make slides and they provide all the equipment for you (it's basically fool proof the way they have it set up here, designed for people who've never taken photography or anything) so some phone calls to places in your area could find you a solution that's inexpensive, and works good for you! That website looks really good for tips and tricks. so just do your research, and use a tripod! :D

[pinkbubelz]

Also, usually for 3-D work, several slides of the work from different angles are requested....And, you can get slide film in a variety of speeds these days. I believe most people suggest that you "bracket" your pictures (i.e. take 1 under exposed, one "regular" and 1 over exposed shot. That way, you can do everthing at one time, and pick the best out of the 3 shots....

For paintings and 2-D work, watch out for glare (bright spots) on your works...
Yes, shooting on an overcast day works well. You get a softer light with lesser chances of glare or hot spots on your works.

Oh, and make sure you don't photograph in a cluttered area-- it can be very distracting!! You want to make sure that the focal point is your work not the environment around it!

I got lucky, I changed my major while I was at a 4-yr liberal arts University, so I didn't have to go through the slide taking... however, I'm now considering grad school, so I will eventually have to photograph my own work!

--Iris