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Three Tips for Trade Show Photography

by: Dick Wheeler

Trade show photography has one of the largest formats of all photography.  Because of this, the professional trade show photographer can magically make the client’s logo jump out on the trade show exhibit, have the trade show display look modern and contemporary, and can reproduce beautiful artwork in some of the biggest displays and settings that photography is used.

When you are planning to have a trade show exhibit, it is essential to pre-qualify photographers who have experience in trade show display shooting.  Your photographer must be familiar with and can handle the demands of producing oversized, exciting, compelling and crystal clear trade show display images.  The effective trade show exhibit professional photographer is able to capture very large photo images in a dramatic way. Ideally he/she will shoot with top- of- the line Nikon, Canon or medium format digital cameras that purposefully translate images to large formats.

Christian Tanimoto, trade show photographer, re-toucher, and graphics production assistant at Professional Exhibits & Graphics of Sunnyvale, California –a premiere trade show display company, says that because of the large size requirement, trade show photography must adhere to special requirements.  He gives advice on the three most important ingredients for shooting trade show display images. They are:

1. The size of the digital file is key--the larger, the better.
   All photos used for trade show displays need to be on a file that is ideally 12 to 16 or more mega pixels.  It is always best to begin with a large scan from file or large digital file in order to achieve a sharp output.  

2. Use an uncompressed raw file.
   It is best to use a file that has does not need to be compressed so that you can have large prints that do not look pixilated.  The images must look sharp.  By using an uncompressed file, you will avoid the posterized or rasterized appearance.  Your trade show display design panel artwork will be crisp, clear and have many levels of tone.  If photography is not shot in a large digital format, the artwork needs to be converted from either film, slides, or negatives.  The images then need to be scanned, downloaded and compressed into a digital file.
3. Attach color profiles to digital files.
   By having a large enough color pallet with a wide range of colors, you will be able to select and print true color.  Accessing a color profile, the designer can interpret the correct color.  You will then be able to accurately communicate color and color match your website and collateral materials seamlessly.

Eye catching, stylish trade show photography can be used on a vast spectrum of trade show displays--  from the small trade show kiosk exhibit to the custom free-standing multi-story trade show exhibit with integrated office, meeting room and theater arenas.

Trade show photography is some of the most exciting photography displayed and needs to always look beautiful and exciting, advises Tanimoto.  This is equally true if you are purchasing stock photography for your trade show exhibit. Having a large digital file is the key, whether the artwork is used in a custom trade show exhibit, a custom modular trade show display, or a rental trade show booth.

About ProExhibits
ProExhibits is an award-winning event and exhibit design, fabrication and management agency serving clients worldwide. ProExhibits is well-known for turnkey, cost-effective solutions. They also create unique events, in addition to custom, modular and portable trade show exhibits and rentals. ProExhibits specializes in exceeding client expectations, exemplified by a 99% customer satisfaction rating. ProExhibits has assembled a highly experienced team of experts. They welcome the opportunity to utilize their combined talents, resources and industry knowledge to guarantee your success.

ProExhibits | 1188 Bordeaux Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089 | (408) 734-3600 | www.proexhibits.com