Need advice from those that have sold their photos UPDATE pg 2

[Tuffcookie]

Next week is the Cherry Blossom Festival in our town. I took the following picture last Sunday. I am real pleased with it. I had planned on having a yard sale during the festival because I live right downtown, where the festival and parade take place. I would like to print some out in 8 x 10s, frame them, and sell the day of the parade. It is a picture of the town's gazebo. I don't know what to charge for it. I figured with ink, paper and frame I have about $6.00 in each print. Is $20 unreasonable?????

TC

 

[Kelly Grannell]

You should charge whatever you feel like charging. I've charged 20"x30" picture of Ayers Rock (Australia) for $500 framed, I've charged 12"x18" picture of The Twelve Apostles (Australia) for $200 unframed.

At the same time I've sold a B&W 8"x10" for $300 unframed and 20"x30" landscape picture for $50 (yes, only fifty, didn't even cover my print cost).

 

[manning]

If you know how to do it and have the software try removing the picnic table with the clone tool.

You've got a good eye!!

 

[Tuffcookie]

Manning, Alas, I do not have the software but I do agree with you! When I print it out to 8 x 10 the picnic table practically blends into the steps of the gazebo so it's really not that bad! I think $20 is reasonable so I'll see how it goes!
Thanks for your opinions!

TC

 

[Dan Murphy]

Beautiful, TC. Colors are really nice. $20 sounds like a reasonable price.

 

[jfulcer]

If you know how to do it and have the software try removing the picnic table with the clone tool.

You've got a good eye!!

You probably couldn't take the table out and still keep it from looking 'touched' in an 8x10 or larger. But it could look something like this:

(I even took the dandelions out of the grass. )

 

[ducklite]

My only concern is what is the market for the print? I'd hate to see you spend money making the prints and then not sell any. You might be better off taking orders and instead of framing them, just offer a matted print that can be mailed for under $1.

I sell my work unframed/unmatted for $5 for a 4x6, $20 for an 8x10, and upwards from there, by order only, and my copyright, though smaller than it is on the web photo's, stays intact. I sell quite a few photo's at these prices, and larger sizes are available, price on request (it's ranged from $40-150 depending on who's asking.) Now that's only for non-commercial use. (I've got a few people who have bought a LOT of my work, and I've gotten to know them, and every now and then I'll toss 'em a bone and throw in a freebie )

Prices for commercial use (max-res and no copyright displayed on image--although they are required to give photo credit per contract and do not own the copyright) go much higher, although I let most bands use the lower res copyright intact images off my web site on their official band sites and myspace sites for free, provided they ask first. It's actually good PR with their publicists/management, and good advertising for my work.

Fan sites are case by case--if it's some sucky site hosted on Angelfire or something, the answer is always "I'm sorry, no, but you are welcome to link to my site." If it's a well done fan site, particularly if it's band sanctioned like shallowbay.com or flyleafonline.com, I'll generally let them use a few images for free, copyright intact of course. I really make my money from selling to record companies and print publications.

Anne

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Quite honestly, and please don't take this as a put down, I don't see the point of interest in that picture. Is it the gazebo? is it the flowers? One should be able to see 'it' without thinking.

Maybe you want to:

push the red to the max,
then desaturate,
then add soft filter

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I'm talking about this.

If you like it, I can make a hi-res version of it so you can print it to 8x10 no problem and I'll e-mail it to you.

 

[manning]

You probably couldn't take the table out and still keep it from looking 'touched' in an 8x10 or larger. But it could look something like this:

(I even took the dandelions out of the grass. )

I like it.

One thing that makes this picture is the framing. Lot of people would not think of doing that.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Kelly, I appreciate your input,and I liked your version too! However, the focal point, of course, is the gazebo and I feel the cherry blossoms, in their original color, give the photo some much needed color balance. There is also a lake behind the gazebo, which I don't want to get lost.
This gazebo is the setting for free Friday night concerts in the summer so I think there's sale potential. I understand where you are coming from ducklite! I think I'll make as many as I feel comfortable about spending, and if/when they sell, I can always make ordering available.
Thanks, again, everyone!

TC

 

[jfulcer]

Kelly, I appreciate your input,and I liked your version too! However, the focal point, of course, is the gazebo and I feel the cherry blossoms, in their original color, give the photo some much needed color balance. There is also a lake behind the gazebo, which I don't want to get lost.
This gazebo is the setting for free Friday night concerts in the summer so I think there's sale potential. I understand where you are coming from ducklite! I think I'll make as many as I feel comfortable about spending, and if/when they sell, I can always make ordering available.
Thanks, again, everyone!

TC

You could always use all of our newfound skills at selective colorization and make a B&W that just has the flowers on the trees colored...

 

[Dan Murphy]

Of all these, I still like the original the best. It does have 'mood'. And the picnic bench, I think, is a nice touch too, empty at the moment, in the quiet afternoon, but there to be used by people and enjoy the setting. I think it is a very nice picture.

 

[Dznefreek]

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hey, I want to PS too.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Dan my man, since when you take up stitching classes?

 

[manning]

Hey, I want to PS too.

That's interesting. What program did you use??

 

[roger_ramjet]

I'm talking about this.

If you like it, I can make a hi-res version of it so you can print it to 8x10 no problem and I'll e-mail it to you.

I'm not too sure about the soft focus here, and the colours appear a little too washed out. The normal colours are good though a bit of saturation wouldn't hurt. The soft focus kind of makes the scene depressing....

I've sold a couple of pictures myself, 8x10's for $20. I just sold them to a person I knew who liked the photos so it really depends what your market is, and who you think you want to sell to. you need a way for people to see your work.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I Like Dan Murphy's version the best... seriously!

 

[Tuffcookie]

Well, I sold 7 of my gazebo prints! $140. Not too shabby for 1 picture!!!

TC