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Applying to a Juried Book Opportunity - Think Strategically.

This is Part 2 of a two part series on applying to a juried book opportunity and how to improve your chances of selection.  I'm using a specific example, the book 500 Silver Jewelry Designs by Lark Books, which has an application deadline of Dec. 4, 2009.  But if you're reading this at a later time, the same process is applicable for any juried book prospect.

The value of being in a book is the free publicity, visibility and long term credibility that you will receive.  This is certainly worth investing some time and money; first in your professional quality photos (Part 1), and second, in a deliberate plan for your application.  This blog post will cover thinking about your application strategically. In addition, I recommend you review the TOP TEN TIPS for Getting Into a Juried Exhibition, Show, Book or Magazine in the Professional Guidelines 

Begin by carefully reading the purpose and goals for the book. In the description for 500 Silver Jewelry Designs, it says:

"Lark Books seeks images to publish in a juried collection of international studio jewelry. Each piece must prominently feature silver. Materials other than silver, such as stones or other metals, may be included, but silver must be the focus and should occupy at least 80% of the piece. We wish to showcase a wide range of techniques, textures, and finishes. All jewelry forms, such as rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches, necklaces, and pendants, will be considered, and all design styles are welcome. There is no entry fee." 

Now analyze the statement with creative interpretation.  The most important point is, don't rule yourself out because you don't think you fit perfectly.  Instead, try to construe how any of your work could fit the stated premise for the book with a little creative interpretation.  This may seem like a contradiction but here is what I mean in this case. 

500. That means lots of opportunity, but they don't want repetition.There will only be room for so many earrings, brooches, bracelets, necklaces and rings. If you can invent some other kind of jewelry form that is a little more unusual, good for you!

Silver. The primary factor for this book submission is that the material must be 80% silver. It doesn't say argentum, sterling silver, fine silver, reticulated silver. It just says "silver."  In my mind that leaves lots of room for interpretation.  We don't know the jurors' aims or restrictions, but I would stretch the limits of the definition of the silver material, (i.e.  shiny, matte, oxidized, reticulated, textured, sandblasted, patterned, silver leaf, silver shot, silver grain, etc.). Does Silver mean a color or a material? How knows?  S t r e t c h the definition of silver!

Jewelry. Keep thinking....think different.  It says, "All jewelry forms, such as rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches, necklaces, and pendants, will be considered..."  Extensive range of opportunity here. This is especially true if you make something outside the usual expectation for traditional jewelry forms. Think about an unusual format or design. Redefine the usual parameters for jewelry.

Consider the format for your photo. For example, why do earrings need to be a picture of two matching earrings....why not a series of earrings all worn at the same time? With so many people who have multiple piercings, either in their ear or elsewhere, jewelry images seem stuck in a rut with the one earring per ear lobe photographs. Anyone who sends a great image with an ear lobe full of earrings (all designed to go together) definitely has half a chance of getting into the book on the merits of being unusual, never seen before, and the only photo like it.  To be in the book, think different.

That was just one example, but I hope you get the idea. The jurors will definitely be looking for the unusual, the striking image, a new approach.

Design. That was a really important word to me when I read the statement; "...all design styles are welcome."  Lark Books could have stuck with a title like 500 Silver Jewelry, but they didn't. The title is 500 Silver Jewelry Designs. This is a sure indication that the design aspect is a major criteria in the selection process. 

What does the word "design" mean to you? I think of many possibilities:

• repetition of forms
• repetition of elements
• ornamental design
• graphic design
• aesthetic design
• modern design
• rectilinear design
• ethnic design
• native American design
• architectural design
• holloware design
• CAD-CAM design
• Design Sponge
• furniture design
• industrial design

Can you add to my list? Please do in the comments for this blog post.

They are definitely looking for design qualities, but "design" is difficult to define precisely. So it leaves plenty of possibilities for work that will stand out. They will be looking for novel structures, interesting appearance, and original concepts. Showing your artist’s voice with a truly creative object will serve you better than showing your technique. Innovate with different kinds of jewelry, different shapes, sizes, arrangements, purposes, and imaginative designs.  

Repeat this process, this way of thinking, regularly for other juried books and exhibitions. It does take a little extra effort but it will improve your odds of selection. Although you never really know how jurors will react, you do need to help the jurors to find a reason to select your work.  

And the most important action is APPLY, otherwise you have zero chance of being selected for the book.

Good luck with your application.    

Harriete
www.harriete-estel-berman.info

UPCOMING EVENT
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, the local Metal Arts Guild will be hosting a evening discussion "How To Succeed Applying to Lark Book call for entries?". This will be Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 7:00p.m.. This will be held at Revere Academy. Arrive early at 6:45 for a tour of the studio.Address:760 Market St # 900
San Francisco, CA . I look forward to seeing you there.

Applying to a Juried Book Opportunity - Quality Photos Greatly Improve Your Chances

Image credit: Allyson Bone

This is Part 1 of a two part series on applying to a juried book opportunity and how to improve your odds of selection.  I'd like to use a specific example, the announced book 500 Silver Jewelry Designs by Lark Books.  The deadline is Dec. 4, 2009, so as of this posting, you still have time to prepare your application.  But if you're reading this at a later time, the same process is applicable for any juried book prospect.

The value of being in a book is the free publicity, visibility and long term credibility that you will receive. I strongly recommend that you review the TOP TEN TIPS for Getting Into a Juried Exhibition, Show, Book or Magazine in the Professional Guidelines. I am not going to list all of the "TIP TEN TIPS" in this short post, but just refer to the first two by number. 

TIP #1.  DAZZLE THE JURY WITH AMAZING IMAGES!  is the most important tip. The jury only looks at photographic images (not the actual work) to make their selections, so your images must stand out from the competition.

Williams Sonoma Bracelet
from the California Collection
Photo Credit: Philip Cohen

Your images need to be spectacular professional quality images.  Owning a digital camera does not make you a professional photographer. Not all photographers are equal.

If you're wondering how to find a photographer for jewelry, look on the SNAG web site for a list of photographers.   You can also use the Professional Guidelines document titled, Guide to Professional Quality Images, to evaluate the photographer's portfolio before you ask them to photograph your work.

One more consideration is that you need to work WITH your photographer. By that I mean, discuss in advance the type of image you want, the angle of the piece, for example, and/or the side or view that you prefer.

Fulsome Game
Photo Credit: Philip Cohen

I often make a sketch of the image that I have in mind for my photographer, Philip Cohen.  He is welcome to experiment with his own ideas, too, but I usually have a good idea of what I want to see in the final image and make every effort to make my expectations clear. (Phil lives in the San Francisco Bay Area 510.652.4944 and has done fantastic photography for me for over 21 years!.)

TIP #2  Dynamic Detail Images are key.  Lark Books allows one full view and one close-up image for each object submitted on the application.  Your detail image should be able to stand alone on its own merits AND be a companion image to your full view.  The detail should convey additional information, but not necessarily a technique, technical aspect, or favorite component, etc. Carefully consider the meaning, content, story, or inspiration behind the work and try to capture this in the detail photo.  (This is definitely where your sketch for the photographer may be helpful.)

Fulsome Game (close-up view)
Photo Credit: Philip Cohen

Finally, your detail image must be in focus.  Yes, I mean the entire close-up photo needs to be in focus!  This is very challenging when photographing your artwork, especially if it is only a few inches in size (as is typical with most jewelry).  The F-stop must be high and the exposure long (often one full second or longer).  A handy dandy "quick shot" camera will not have the macro lens necessary to get close and stay in focus. A close-up is definitely one of the most challenging shots there is and it must be a great photographic image if you want to be included in a book. 

The time and money required to produce your professional quality images is relatively small in comparison to all the work you put into a finished piece.  The pay off comes from the free publicity, visibility and long term credibility that you receive when you are included in a published book like LARK Books' 500 Silver Jewelry Designs!

Read the next post on how to improve your odds for selection in a juried book opportunity by evaluating the theme with strategic thinking.

Harriete
www.harriete-estel-berman.info

UPCOMING EVENT
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, the local Metal Arts Guild will be hosting a evening discussion "How To Succeed Applying to Lark Book call for entries?". This will be Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 7:00p.m.. This will be held at Revere Academy. Arrive early at 6:45 for a tour of the studio.Address:760 Market St # 900
San Francisco, CA .