How to Make an E-Portfolio of Photography

Convert your paper portfolio into an e-portfolio.

An E-Portfolio is an electronic filing cabinet where you can store lots of work. You can include text, graphics, sound, video and hyperlinks into an E-Portfolio. An E-Portfolio of Photography is especially convenient because you don't have to tussle with stacks of physical photos. The process to create a photography E-Portfolio is lengthy but will be worth it in the end.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Word processor
• Scanner
• CD-R, DVD-R or flash drive

Instructions

1. Right click on your desktop, choose "new," "folder" and create a folder called "EPortfolio." You can save all of your work in your newly created folder.

2. Open up your word processor and type up a brief artist statement you can include in your portfolio. You should also type up a title list of the photographs included in your E-Portfolio. You should also include an updated resume. Save these three files separately. Navigate to "file," "save as" and save three documents ("artist statement," "title list" and "resume").

3. Scan in a copy of each of your photographs. Place each photograph face down on your scanner and close the bed. Open the scanner software on your computer and select "preview." Click "scan," name the file and save it in your "EPortfolio" folder on your desktop. All images should be saved as JPEG files. Documents should be saved as PDF documents.

4. Burn a copy of your E-Portfolio to a CD-R or DVD-R. Insert a disc into your computer's drive. Drag your "EPortfolio" folder to the disc's window and select "burn." If you don't have a CD-R or DVD-R, use a flash drive. Insert the flash drive into your computer's outlet. Once the flash drive icon appears on your desktop, drag the "EPortfolio" folder to the flash drive icon and wait for your file to copy.

Tips & Warnings

• An E-Portfolio can include hundreds of pages, but try not to over stuff your portfolio with too many documents. Many people are turned off by excessive digital documentation.

• Make sure you save multiple copies of your E-Portfolio. Never rely on one copy because technology isn't always cooperative. Save a copy on your computer, a flash drive and a CD-R or DVD-R. You can also e-mail a copy to yourself.

References

• How to Create and Use Your ePortfolio Version 4.0
• Luminous Landscape: Aesthetics and Photography; How to Create a Portfolio of Your Work, Alain Briot
• Creating An Electronic Portfolio; by Lisa Spencer
• Education World: e-Portfolio Fever; by Lorrie Jackson
• Adobe: Creating Electronic Portfolios with Adobe Acrobat