Portfolio review- Max Ferguson

I had a portfolio feedback tutorial with Max Ferguson who is a picture editor for Splash and Grab and also a freelance photographer. I showed him the progression of my project over the last month and this is the key advice he gave for my work:

• The gaze looking back is interesting

• Subtle way of showing domestic spaces

• Good technical skills in images- can’t tell difference between what’s shot in studio or at home.

• He asked if I had considered using text in with the images, and that I could possibly bring elements of the objects or fabrics in an installation.

• The hand painted fabric is the strongest.

• Surrealist

• Think about what a book offers and an exhibition offers.

He gave me a list of artists to research that are similar to what I am showing in my work. He was very interested in self-portraiture as a genre of photography so he found that my work was very different and interesting, similar to other surrealist photographers.

He also gave me advice on what I could do post-course as a freelance photographer.

• Reach out to people and ask friends, family if they need photographs doing- help out at shows or events.

• Assist photographers- reach out to photographers and other people in the industry.

• When you’ve built a portfolio, then go for more experienced roles.

• Don’t lose the fine art, surrealist style in your work if you want to pursue a commercial career.

All the feedback given by Max is very helpful in my decisions for my work and also post-course.