First time at a flea market...cc please :)

bostoncowgirl · Jul 29, 2011

So I'm renting space at a flea market next week to hopefully not only sell some of my photos, but also to get my name out there. I plan on bringing my portfolio to show some of my portraits and other work, but Im not sure what to print and frame to sell. What do you think? Would you buy these? Any input would be appreciated!

Malone · Jul 29, 2011

#1 I think you were going for the symmetric/abstract feeling here; I think the entire frame should be filled with the flower center, the bottom two corners are distracting
#2 My fav of the bunch; simple and elegant
#3 I wish there was more in the picture, more cupcakes
#4 I wouldn't buy a print, no. I just don't find it that interesting; maybe it's because it's small, but it seems soft
#5 I don't care for the B&W conversion; it has a very hazy feeling to it, instead of crisp

Just MHO, I'm sure others will vary.

Do you have a Flickr account or some sort of gallery?

tirediron · Jul 29, 2011

To be honest, no, I probably wouldn't buy any of these. Technical reasons aside, if you're selling at a market of any type, you need to think about your potential clientel. First off, flower pictures are a very tough sell unless they are spectacular. Most people have flowers in their yard, or nearby and aren't too likely to pay for pictures they think they could take themselves.

Food in only likely to appeal to a VERY select crowd, and this image leaves a bit to be desired; there are far more out of focus elements than there are focused ones, and it seems a touch under-exposed.

A tighter crop on #4, especially removing the background blooms, and it might work, but as-is there are too many distractions.

This one is consusing; what is the subject? The person, the trees or the scene? I would be inclined to crop it to include just ther person and the bit of church. Also consider dropping your contrast a bit.

Good luck!

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

mickmac · Jul 29, 2011

I dont see any fleas

tirediron · Jul 29, 2011

mickmac said:
I dont see any fleas

Well... d'uhhh... of course not. You have to go to the market!

MSnowy · Jul 30, 2011

The funny thing is you never know what people will buy, especially at a flea market for the right price. Do you have a website? If your trying to get your name out, why not bring your gear and take some shots of the people who stop by to look. Hand them a business card and tell them to go to your site and check themselves out. Most likely once they see themselves they'll facebook all their friend to go check it out. Gook luck and by the way I'm over in Scituate area.

KmH · Jul 30, 2011

You're going to have to hustle if you're going to print and frame in time to have sellable product to have on display in a week.

Actually, most successful sellers in that type of a selling situation do better with selling matted and bagged prints rather than framed prints, but framed prints ;look good for display. If you do frame, use simple, metal frames. I recommend Nielsen metal frames. They are available from most frame sellers.

Few people wil buy based on looking through your portfolio. At a flea market you have to rely on impulse buyers and your selling skills so people can walk away with your product in hand.

bostoncowgirl · Jul 30, 2011

tirediron said:
To be honest, no, I probably wouldn't buy any of these. Technical reasons aside, if you're selling at a market of any type, you need to think about your potential clientel. First off, flower pictures are a very tough sell unless they are spectacular. Most people have flowers in their yard, or nearby and aren't too likely to pay for pictures they think they could take themselves. Food in only likely to appeal to a VERY select crowd, and this image leaves a bit to be desired; there are far more out of focus elements than there are focused ones, and it seems a touch under-exposed. A tighter crop on #4, especially removing the background blooms, and it might work, but as-is there are too many distractions. This one is consusing; what is the subject? The person, the trees or the scene? I would be inclined to crop it to include just ther person and the bit of church. Also consider dropping your contrast a bit. Good luck! Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary. ~John

I appreciate you (and everyone elses suggestions! Unfortunately, I already went out and took some more before I signed on today! I figured I would post a couple and see what you all thought...Here they are...(click to enlarge) Thanks again! <IMG id=vbattach_3334 class=previewthumb alt="" src="http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3334&stc=1" attachmentid="3334"><IMG id=vbattach_3335 class=previewthumb alt="" src="http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3335&stc=1" attachmentid="3335"><IMG id=vbattach_3336 class=previewthumb alt="" src="http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3336&stc=1" attachmentid="3336"><IMG id=vbattach_3337 class=previewthumb alt="" src="http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3337&stc=1" attachmentid="3337">

bostoncowgirl · Jul 31, 2011

MSnowy said:
The funny thing is you never know what people will buy, especially at a flea market for the right price. Do you have a website? If your trying to get your name out, why not bring your gear and take some shots of the people who stop by to look. Hand them a business card and tell them to go to your site and check themselves out. Most likely once they see themselves they'll facebook all their friend to go check it out. Gook luck and by the way I'm over in Scituate area.

Thanks so much! I was actually thinking of doing that (the "find yourself on my page" idea). I do have a website- its just a starter one, but its www.photosbystacy.webs.com I love Scituate, my dad actually used to live there!

mrstravis · Jul 31, 2011

I would buy the ones of flowers, but only bc they look like nice bathroom/over the bed pics. Like pics that you would see in a doctors office. But as others have said, you never know what people will buy at a flea market. I would definitely do as someone else suggested and do cheaper frames. I can't speak on composition, lighting, etc, as I'm a noob and am still learning, sorry.