Marketing Proposal for Showcasing Photos for Saddlework

[seveneves]

I agree that taking some decent photos does make a saddle stand out from similar ones. Now whenever I finish a saddle I go to town in photoshop and add text, different backgrounds etc. I think it helps bring it to life. It's the sizzle that sells the steak right? Here's an example of what I recently did for a an ad.

[GrampaJoel]

Well now that this thread is opened up again I'll ask.

Where did the photos and the pdf file go to?

[gtwister09]

Jared,

You are so right about photo editing software (I like to use Photoshop as well). In fact one of the things mentioned is the use of combination or composite shots which you just about have to use software to do that unless you perform the physical layout with the photos and airbrush them after you glue up the mockup (old school layout work). Jeremiah has several examples of that type of photo editing work. I certainly did not go into actual photography techniques or photo editing techniques because that would have required volumes to cover the subject and there are LOTS of informaiton, books, CBTs, etc out there on both subjects. This has actually garnered little interest except that there has been quite a few views.

Joel,

To answer your questions about the pictures and PDF. The PDF was never put on here because an organization didn't want the use of their members pictures used (actually they stated that they would prefer that they not be used) even in a document that fits into their generic vision of furthering the craft of saddlemaking even though credit was given by stating the following. "All pictures are the property of their respective owners. These are unedited photos from their respective sites and forums and are only intended to convey the intent of the proposal." Of course they did want to know if money was exchanged for this endeavor. All I did was laugh...because very few people even requested the PDF proposal or provided any additional feedback. Thanks to those who did!

Now as to the pictures..... Here's one of my issues about not including photos with threads (Unfortunately in this instance they were NOT my photos to use.. I was only compiling from sources to show intent for the proposal). When you use external sources you are at the mercy of the other websites including Photobucket and so forth. I don't know how many of the other forums that I am on (engraving, woodworking, bits, spurs, ranching, etc) that have no photos left because they have been removed or changed. Even forum members remove or rearrange files from time to time and then you have NO information to draw from on photos. In fact this is actually a pet peeve of mine on sites that state some sort of learning in their vision, mission or purpose and don't include photos unless they link to other web sites for ideas and consideration - copyright law is a wicked taskmaster. Bottom line is that if they are our photos then we need to include them in the thread so that they are there for future reference.

For instance....Just as an example... Try to find Steve Mecum's work on the TCAA site today. Gone! Likewise any time someone makes changes to their sites then those links are gone.

Here's the original reasons as stated above for not including the photos in the thread (only links - which it appears that some still work) or the PDF.

However I did not want to get the site in trouble with having others' pictures embedded in the forum. Therefore I took the time to create one that only had links and not the actual photos in the post to the forum. The PDF is obviously more impacting with the pictures included. The intent is to benchmark others examples and incorporate them into your own marketing and photo gallery strategy. I was only trying to establish a framework from which to work with.

I can continue to forward the PDF as others request it so that it keeps the site out of hot water. Likewise sending it upon request gauges the actual interest as well. I then can use these interested parties to continue to refine the process/proposal going forward.

I personally capture a lot of information from this site and various others just due to the fact that information is lost (sites change, links are broken, photos are deleted or moved to a gallery even on sites like photobucket and God forbid computers/forums crash). So I archive information as I can into PDFs. On forums I create scripts that reformat the html files, clean them up and then generate PDFs for archival purposes. I make sure in the copyright notice that this is only for archival purposes and that all information and photos are the property of their respective owners. I like to have tickler files for inspiration and also to capture techniques.

Off my soapbox...:zzz:Sorry.

Regards,

Ben

Edited March 25, 2011 by gtwister09

[GrampaJoel]

Oh...

Yeah I know that problem. I still think it was a good idea.

Joel

[gothcowboy]

From a buyer's perspective, I want to see the saddle dead on from the side, in addition to front and back. I want to see how the seat profiles sitting absolutely level, with no twist toward the camera whatsoever (which is the most common problem I see in "for sale" photos). I don't want the distortion of looking down on the seat, and guessing how it profiles, either. I found by crouching a little bit, and making sure the saddle was posed straight from head to tail, I could get photos like this. I see a lot of saddles on this forum posed dead on from the side, and in my mind, that's exactly how it should be. I can tell right off the bat if the seat has the profile I like.

The other thing I want to see, is the saddle on a rack with "withers." Saddles posed dumped downhill skew the line of the skirts, and again misrepresent the seatwork. Drives me nuts. If I'm buying some undiscovered gem off Craigslist, fine, but I think it's pretty obtuse for someone who advertises their great seatwork and professional skirt design not to show it off.

Pose the stirrup leathers where they're supposed to hang, not jacked forward like some 1969 Simco ad. I don't want to guess how if I'm not "spurring 'em in the shoulders", where the heck are my legs going to go the rest of the time? I'm not buying a saddle bronc saddle, for crying out loud. Most cutting and reining saddles are going to hang a little forward, but yanking them up there to pose it makes me wonder where they really want to be.

I haven't made any saddles (yet) but I've restored a bunch, and bought and sold quite a few over the years. It's so irritating to ask, "Hey, can you send a GOOD photo from the side?" and then get one of those twisted seat, dumped down, fenders pitched forward photos that still tell me absolutely... nothing.