Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Mitch Weiss is a prime
example of a professional
photographer who is
comfortable with website
development and has
given significant thought
to how he presents his
work online. His site
enhances and showcases
his strengths in portraits
and commissioned work.
established pros. By creating an enormous searchable library, Flickr has made it diffi-
cult for a photographer to justify building their own portfolio of stock images, which
was a major way to drive online income for professionals only a few years ago. In this
new environment, photographers' portfolios must stand out, both in the type of
work they contain and the sophistication of their presentation.
Graphic artist | for license or freelance
Illustrators and fine artists often use the same tools, but to different purposes.
Unlike fine artists, illustrators create artwork on assignment. Like artists, they must
project a unique stylistic identity and approach. They must be not only talented and
skilled in their media, but also good at interpreting and executing client ideas.
Like for fine artists, style is the most important element in this type of portfo-
lio. But the bar is much higher in the concept and execution of a graphic artist's web
portfolio than it is for a fine artist. Graphic artists should consider splitting their
material between a site like Flickr, where they can post volumes of work that can
range from experiments to commercial work for inexpensive licensing, and a personal
site for higher-end commissioned and concept work.
A freelance illustrator's portfolio should complement the artist's style the way a
good matte and frame enhance a 2D graphic. The concept is very important. In both
cases, technology and craft must be fluid but largely invisible.
