Free photos of your custom car.

[GravenImages]

Hello there!

I hope posting this here is not out of line. I am a Chicago photographer and auto buff who would like to offer members of Chicago Velocity the opportunity to get some free professional photography of your beloved cars.

I want to expand my portfolio of pictures of classic, collectible, custom, and racing cars and would like to shoot your car for use in my stock photography library. Photos in my stock library may end up illustrating book or magazine articles, but will not be used for advertising.

If you have an interesting vehicle and would like high-quality prints and digital photos of it, let me make you the following offer:

In exchange for your time at a photo shoot (which should not take more than an hour or two) I will offer you two 8x12 prints of your car, professionally printed on Kodak photo paper (a $50 value at my usual rates), as well as a high-resolution JPEG of every quality photo from the shoot. Additional prints, should you want them, will be available now and in the future for an extra charge. I will also notify you should your vehicle appear in print.

For a sample of my automotive photography, you can view some photos taken at this year's Chicago Auto Show here. Other samples of my photographic work are available in my online portfolio

If you are interested, please PM me here or respond via email to rob@gravenimages.us with a description of your vehicle and times in the coming month when you might be available.

Please feel free to pass this invitation on to anyone else you know who might be interested!

Thanks.

[djnarush]

is there a release form involved? stock is not exacally "advertising", but if you do submit the photos, you can potentially make some good money.
Does the 8X12 print come with a frame as well? im sure you know you cant just go to target and get a frame this size.

I would also suggest trying craigslist for such a post.


and this is me trying to be nice


edit:

YOU DO PHOTOGRAPHY FOR A LIVING?!?!?!
and also, you charge $25 for an 8X12?!?!?!?
and $250 for a 20" x30" ?!?!?!?!?!?

why such the odd sizes.. just to charge some poor sap for your custom framing as well?
I can get a 24" X 36" for TWENTY BUCKS..


holy crap dude, i usually try to keep a positive outlook, but this post offends the hell out of me. I would hate for you to take advantage of anyone here, making money off of their vehcile photos for stock photography, while you give them a print you can get for less than $5

you my friend give photographers a bad name. because people like you, make it harder for people who actually make an effort, take time, and spend thousands, and thousands of dollars on equiptment and gear to make any type of money.
you expect someone to pay $250 for a small poster size print of a portrait like this!?!?!?


if anyone chooses to hire you, with those prices, they deserve what they get
good luck with your career dude

[djnarush]

going to the lincoln park zoo, botanical gardens, navy pier, and a few spots downtown does not make a portfolio.

with all due respect, your photos suck more than your web site

[midnight]

djnarush, you're my hero.

[GravenImages]

Alrighty, wiseguy. I thought about just deleting this thread, but no. It's more fun to skewer idiots, so here we go.

A) Add a few capital letters and remove some excess punctuation, and it might be easier to take you seriously. Bad grammar: Strike 1.

B) No, I don't expect anyone to pay for that portrait. If you bothered to read text put before you, you'd see that my portrait photos are not for sale. Failed reading comprehension: Strike 2.

C) If you'd bother to do some basic market research, you'd see that my rates are on the low end of what serious professional photographers charge. If you want to shop on the high end, you can find people charging 2 to 4 times as much. And yes, that's without framing. Talking out your ass: Strike 3.

That's already 3, but I'm on a roll, so let's keep going.

D) Any photographer worth your time knows damn well that it's not the price of your equipment that matters, it's what you do with it. If someone who has spent "thousands and thousands of dollars" on his kit is offended by what I do, I feel no sympathy for him. Make your name based on your images, not what's in your bag. Falling for the "money is skill" fallacy: Strike 4.

E) Any photographer with a basic knowledge of digital photography will realize that the 2:3 aspect ratio that I list for my prints is very common on digital SLRs. I'm not the only photog who sells in that format. If anyone wanted an 8x10 for easier framing, I'd be more than happy to work with them on it. That's what getting a professional gets you. Not knowing what the hell you're taking about: Strike 5

F) I can be an internet expert, too, and looking at only a small sample of your images, I have decided that you suck.. Your pictures ain't exactly winning any awards for composition themselves. All three photos in that thread have horrible dynamic range, static, boring composition, and mistake arty pretension for actually having talent. Living in glass houses: Strike 6


...

I could go on, but it's not worth the effort. If my work is really that bad, and I'm never going to sell it, who would I be "taking advantage of" exactly? If you really thought that lowly of my work, you'd laugh it off, rather than taking the time to express how outraged you are.

In short: whatever, dude.

The offer still stands for anyone who isn't a mouthbreather.

[Joeychgo]

I would like to know more about this. Take a look at my photo gallery and see if my car is one you would be interested in shooting...

[GravenImages]

Originally Posted by Joeychgo

I would like to know more about this. Take a look at my photo gallery and see if my car is one you would be interested in shooting...

Your '98 is extremely sharp looking. Very tasteful. I'd be glad to spend a little time getting it from its best angles.

To answer the question asked above, I would prefer that people sign a property release (which simply gives me permission to use the photos for any purpose at a future date without asking for additional permission first), but if that's a big deal for folks, I'm certainly not going to tell them no. I'm not trying to sell my auto photos as advertising stock, anyway, so it's not really needed.

I'll also up my offering to 4 8x12s, and make them 8x10s instead, if you prefer. Just for djnarush.

Send me a PM or an email, and I'll work out a good time for us to get together. If you have any other general questions that you feel others would benefit from an answer to, I'll be glad to answer them here.

[MK4LIFE]

Let me know if you'd be interested in doing my car. I have pics in my gallery and wouldnt mind some pictures taken from another persons perspective.

Thanks

[GenXisT]

OH FFS!

fuckin internets...

[GravenImages]

Originally Posted by MK4LIFE

Let me know if you'd be interested in doing my car. I have pics in my gallery and wouldnt mind some pictures taken from another persons perspective.

That... is a nice ride. I'd most definitely be interested. Once I catch my breath.

Do you ever track that thing? That's a vehicle that deserves to be captured in motion.

[ry@n]

Graven, your name sounds familiar.

Did you ever do pictures of cars at GLD doing wheelstands and whatnot?

[GravenImages]

Nossir. I actually lived in Austin until last year. Most of my automotive action shots came from autocross and road race events there.

[djnarush]

Originally Posted by GravenImages

Alrighty, wiseguy. I thought about just deleting this thread, but no. It's more fun to skewer idiots, so here we go.

A) Add a few capital letters and remove some excess punctuation, and it might be easier to take you seriously. Bad grammar: Strike 1.

This is an internet forum.. nuff said

B) No, I don't expect anyone to pay for that portrait. If you bothered to read text put before you, you'd see that my portrait photos are not for sale. Failed reading comprehension: Strike 2.

Ok, now i am not marketing, advertising guru. BUT, i would assume the use of a photographers website would be promote himself, and his work, for business reasons, and or personal reasons. Being you included rates on your site, i would assume you are interested in income as well.
SO, it would make sense, to add your BEST photos which would convince potential clients that you are worth your posted rates.
Now, if i wanted a photo of myself, poster size, i would want to see your work to justify the money out of my pocket.
That "portait" i posted from your own web site, doesn not convince me of a $250 photo.. but its just me.

C) If you'd bother to do some basic market research, you'd see that my rates are on the low end of what serious professional photographers charge. If you want to shop on the high end, you can find people charging 2 to 4 times as much. And yes, that's without framing. Talking out your ass: Strike 3.

I know all about research.. i had to stop shooting for a few months to do just that. research. and as i said, i dont think your work justifies your rates.

That's already 3, but I'm on a roll, so let's keep going.

D) Any photographer worth your time knows damn well that it's not the price of your equipment that matters, it's what you do with it. If someone who has spent "thousands and thousands of dollars" on his kit is offended by what I do, I feel no sympathy for him. Make your name based on your images, not what's in your bag. Falling for the "money is skill" fallacy: Strike 4.

once again, for someone who claims to be a pro.. you work sux.
ameture, the photos are fine. but to do it as a profession, they suck

E) Any photographer with a basic knowledge of digital photography will realize that the 2:3 aspect ratio that I list for my prints is very common on digital SLRs. I'm not the only photog who sells in that format. If anyone wanted an 8x10 for easier framing, I'd be more than happy to work with them on it. That's what getting a professional gets you. Not knowing what the hell you're taking about: Strike 5

I know all about ratio, and the digital sensors these days. I also know that the general public wants things easy. an 8X12" print, is not an "easy" frame to find. so now im getting yelled at by the client because they went to wallmart, target, and a camera store,and couldnt find a frame for the photo they just spent $25 on.
SO, when i offer photos to clients, i give them 8X10's. you can find an 8X10" frame anywhere. even in someones basement, or garage in a box somewhere

F) I can be an internet expert, too, and looking at only a small sample of your images, I have decided that you suck.. Your pictures ain't exactly winning any awards for composition themselves. All three photos in that thread have horrible dynamic range, static, boring composition, and mistake arty pretension for actually having talent. Living in glass houses: Strike 6

OK, now about my night life photos, let me quote myself

im still working on my technique for shooting nightlife.

i like to think outside the box. i want to stand out to be different.

im not convinced, but its all i have right now. hopefully ill do a better job next friday

1: when have i ever said that i am a pro
2: I said im still working on my nightlife technique
3: i admited myself they are great images

I have not misrepresented myself in anyway shape or form on this site, or any other.

4: im not trying to steal from people as you plainly stated, as what you want to do with the photos of their cars

[djnarush]

Originally Posted by GravenImages

I could go on, but it's not worth the effort. If my work is really that bad, and I'm never going to sell it, who would I be "taking advantage of" exactly? If you really thought that lowly of my work, you'd laugh it off, rather than taking the time to express how outraged you are.

the reason of my "outrage" s due to the fact on how you plainly posted how you do in fact want to take advantage of the people here.
THATS what pissed me off. these are your own quotes

Photos in my stock library may end up illustrating book or magazine articles

I would prefer that people sign a property release (which simply gives me permission to use the photos for any purpose at a future date without asking for additional permission first),

Ok, so first you said these photos might show up published somewhere.
PUBLISHERS PAY PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR USE OF THEIR PHOTOS. THATS WHAT "STOCK" PHOTOGRAPHY IS.
So, THEN you state that there actually is a release, to use the photos in any way shape or form. like. i dunno.. STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY?!?!?!

THEN you say

I'm not trying to sell my auto photos as advertising stock, anyway, so it's not really needed

wait, you just said they could show up in a magazine somewhere. THEY CAN ONLY BE IN A MAGAZINE IF THEY ARE SUBMITED SOMEWHERE. And youll have it on paper, you can sell the photos to who ever, when ever for what ever reasons.

First you say they will pop up somewhere, then you say you are not trying to sell images.. if you cant get your thoughts together, why would someone on here trust you with the photos.

[djnarush]

CHICAGO VELOCITY MEMBERS, WHAT STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY IS, IS WHEN A PHOTOGRAPHER SUBMITS A PHOTO TO A DATABASE. MAGAZINES, PUBLISHERS, AND OTHER COMPANIES LOOK THROUGH SUCH DATABASE'S TO PURCHASE IMAGES FOR USE OF ANY TYPE OF PUBLISHING

THESE COMPANIES LITERALLY PURCHASE THE USE OF THE PHOTOS TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER. SO THE PHOTOGRAPHER GETS PAID, AND WELL, YOU DONT.

YOU SPENT ALL THIS MONEY ON YOUR CAR, JUST SO SOME GUY WITH A CAMERA AND JUMP IN A FORUM, TAKE A PHOTO OF EVERYONES VEHICLES, AND SUMIT THEM INTO STOCK.. AWAITING, AND HOPING TO BE PURCHASED

this guys words were "could show up in a magazine"
then he says "im not going to sell them"

do you really want to work with someone like this?

its not hard to take advantage of people if you own a camera, and i would hate it to happen to any of you here

[midnight]

I repeat, my hero...

[Jackson]

He wasn't claiming to be a pro at night life photography, he was experimenting.

I say both of you post up your best work and duke it out.

Nakia you want in on this?

[sickmint79]

i have a job, i really don't care if you get some cash for publishing a pic of my car, but i want to know if it gets published.

http://www.developer10.com/users/mike/pics/

i have the sti and the miata - all the miata pics are not so hot. each car may be in a random state of cleanliness. i may do an ice race before march is over (wi dells) i will be going to plenty of autocrosses/road tracks once it is warm, let me know if you're interested!

[Thunderstruck]

well, if he does sell the photos...he does get paid...part of that release should have a partial amount included in in how much the the person would make in exchange for thier picture to be released to the general public...this is a simple understanding as when you go to radio stations and/or get your face on the news, they have you sometimes sign a release stating that they can use your voice, or likeness at anytime without any more profits to be shared, or due recoursive action being taken against them...

when models go on a photo shoot, they sign releases after getting paid certain $ and then if another company likes the ad's or pictures being used, they can buy them and the profits can go straight to the photographer...because the release was signed...

if you guys would want your cars pics taken, then have the release adjusted so that if any pics are sold, then x amount of profits are to come to you (say like 30%)...otherwise, talk to this guy about doing a profile with your cars, and have the release state that why he may use them in his portfolio, he is not allowed by law to release them publically...or just have him do a photo shoot with your car for your own personal reasons/wants...and he is to never release the phots either publically or privately..

[djnarush]

Originally Posted by Jackson

He wasn't claiming to be a pro at night life photography, he was experimenting.

I say both of you post up your best work and duke it out.

Nakia you want in on this?

im not going against Nakia.. are you crazy?!?!? :P