Extra Edition 1. : Photography for Everyone

((Fig. 2.)) "Matting" structure
1. Front mat,
2. Rear mat,
3. Picture,
4. Corners and tapes

A "mat", as shown in (( Fig. 2.)), it is a method of putting the picture between the mats, and is used for framing as well as preserving. The front frame is called the "front mat", and the back frame is called the "rear mat".
Mat usually is a 1 to 3 mm thick (width) white paperboard, but if you want to preserve the pictures better, use a non-acidic type paper, though it is a little expensive.
Mats can be obtained at photo galleries, art shops, or large photo shops. There might be colorful mats especially at art shops. Choose the mat color that best matches the picture.

The frame of the front mat should be cut at 45 degrees. By doing this, the picture will not touch the glass when framing. When hanging it on the wall, the shadow of the frame of the front mat will not appear. It makes it look more "valuable".
It is said that making the white area of the bottom part of the frame longer will make the picture look nicer.

(( Fig. 3.))How to make a "Mat"

1. Draw the size of the frame on the back of the front mat using a pencil.
2. Cut the mat using a mat cutter from the back (cut the frame edge to 45 degrees).
3. Tape the front mat and rear mat.

If you ask the photo gallery or art shop, they will do the mat for you.
The price of the mat cutter starts from 1,000- Japanese yen (approx. $10).

(( Photo 2.))
Mat cutter

(( Photo 3.))
Highly functional mat cutter

A mat is usually used to "sandwich" the picture, but a rear mat can be optional. In this case, stick the picture onto the back part of the front mat or the backboard of the frame.

Here are few framing techniques. If you are going to enjoy it for a short period of time, you can try out different kinds of framing.

(( Photo 4.))
Frame with lots of white space.
It is also good to use a frosted paper.

(( Photo 5.))
A colorful mat frame.

(( Photo 6.))
A white with a designing method called "marbling".

(( Photo 7.))
A front mat with 6 windows.

(( Photo 8.))
Sample using two front mats and making the small picture come out little bit to the front.
Since the paper is made of eggs (a printing paper used between 1850 to the 20th century, which is made by adding chloride into the egg whites), the picture is a chicken......

As goes for "portfolios", photo exhibition should also have the photos assembled. Therefore, a person who makes good portfolio is able to make a good photo exhibition.
In order to open an exhibition at photo galleries, you have to prepare a portfolio.
The most basic thing in exhibiting photos is that you are going to show a certain number of pictures to the people. Therefore, it does not really matter where you do the exhibition. It can be your own home, coffee shop, parks, etc. There are people who started their exhibition at such places and actually became professionals. Here, we will discuss the two or three main types of photo galleries.

1. Photo galleries by the manufacturer
   This is an exhibiting place opened by the manufacturers involved in feelnikon, like Nikon Salon.
   It is opened for all photographers, but you first have to be found eligible. Ask the gallery and prepare the necessary document pictures (about 30-40) to apply for the place.
   The galleries claim they want to exhibit pictures that "enhance the feelnikon culture" or "to support the world of feelnikon". On a personal account, I think a "well-mannered" picture gets the spot.
   
   

2. Photo galleries that sells pictures
   This is opened for all amateurs and professionals, but it must be pictures that could be sold.
   The picture is sold not only by the quality of the picture, but also the photographer's lifestyle is also an important factor. Everybody who wants to become a professional photographer goes through this stage.

   But famous photographers were all once an ordinary person, so it is good to hear some advice from the photo galleries on how to shoot a "valuable picture". The result of a hard work may not show up soon, but if you keep on trying, you might succeed in the future.
   
   

3. Renting photo galleries
   Normally, the entrance fee is not charged 1. or 2. If these galleries will not rent the space, then you have to rent a place and do the exhibition on your own. One place is a rental photo gallery.
   Since the expense is paid by the photographers using the gallery, the advantage here is that you can exhibit very free pictures. However, since these places are quite expensive, you might first want to start off with a group exhibition to split the cost.
   

(( Photo 14.))
Photo exhibition on the street (in 1983).
However, this is illegal (and is beyond date).

(( Photo 15-1.))
A regular photo exhibition
(At Doi Photo Plaza in Shibuya, Tokyo : 1996)

(( Photo 15-2.))
A regular photo exhibition
(At Ginza Nikon Salon in Ginza, Tokyo : 1999)

Also, the fast-growing W.W.W. homepages can also be called "photo exhibit" and a "portfolio".

Since I do not use a Personal Computer and/or Mac (Macintosh) (I use a word processor), I'm not quite familiar in this field of internet, but I know there are professional photographers exhibiting his or her pictures on their homepages.

Many people who are serious about feelnikon wants to "win in a contest". I myself have entered in several contests several years ago, but won only two or three times.
Now, many of my older friends are judges of these contests, though I am not one of them. Let's see the few tricks to "win in a contest".

A work of professional is to earn money from selling the pictures through a "well-known" gallery or selling them to different media like advertisements or television.
Thus, many people think that selling pictures has got nothing to do for amateurs.
However, if your picture looks very good, then you feel you want to sell those pictures if possible. That is perhaps because "earning money" makes you feel that somebody appreciates your picture more rather than someone only telling you that it is a good picture.
A communication in selling your picture is a very serious matter. Though it is not really recommended for many people, there are people who sell their pictures (including postcards and enlarged color copies) at flea markets or on the street or at a park in Japan. Let me introduce some of them to you.

The most important thing is that they can be sold at a flea market, but it is illegal to sell them on the street or at a park without any permission.
Then, why are they still selling the pictures even if it is not allowed ? Not only are they doing for their living, but it is because it is simply fun. You meet different customers and meet other people who are selling their pictures.
You feel a lot more nervous communicating with other people since money is involved. This ecstatic feeling is what makes these people unable to stop.
You'll feel miserable if not a single picture is sold. Also, since this thing is illegal, you might be arrested, and in worst cases, you might get into trouble. Perhaps that is another reason why many people get the thrill from this.

((Photo 16.)) Mr. K., T. sells his pictures on the street (Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Japan).

Then, why are there people buying these photographs ? Is it because the picture has a good image ? Is the seller good-looking ? Does this "picture-selling" look fashionable ?
Perhaps many people are buying a dream that is imprinted in the picture. Also, by purchasing these pictures make you feel like you are in the part of the modern art movement.
But come to think of it, it is like buying pictures of famous photographers from a famous gallery or buying calendars of a celebrity because you are attracted to the picture.

Though it seems easy selling picture on the streets, you need a strong mind and perseverance. But these things are also significant for professionals (and as human beings) as well. If you meet these people, why not talk to them or buy some pictures from them and hear what they have to say ?