Help! - DPChallenge Forums

05/02/2005 12:03:45 AM · #1

hi all, i am asking you guys because i know you will be completely honest with me. I have been offered a site for a 4 day long weekend market to sell some photos. It is only going to cost me $25 for the 4 days. My questions to you guys are:
1. Are ANY of my photos sellable? (I have no idea, and i dont care if you tell me that they arent, just dont want to make a fool of myself on the day)
2. If yes some are sellable, which ones and how much do you think?
3. I am not sure what size i can print to for my camera (nikon 4100) without losing detail.

I really appreciate anyone who has time to look at my portfolio and be really honest. I personally dont think they are good enough, but dont know if i am being too hard on myself and shouldnt let this opportunity pass by or they are simply cr*p. Thanks all, Lisa

05/02/2005 12:14:56 AM · #2

bump

ergo

05/02/2005 12:45:15 AM · #3

Hi there,
I really like some of your flora shots, and would definitely buy one or two if they're priced right.
In terms of whether or not to get the stall, well, I'd think it would depend really on what you'd be comfortable with. If I were in your position, I'd pay the $25, put up some prints of my favorite shots, tag them really cheaply, and spend the weekend focusing on interacting with/photographing the people who visit the market. I feel this would be a good chance to people watch, and practice shooting.
I could also act like I was one of those instant photo machines that are put up in public places, and offer to have portraits done for people for a small, small price (maybe the cost of paper and printing). Set up a backdrop, and if you've got it, a laptop and printer, and do the printing on the spot. If not, then offer to email people the finished product in a day or two and do it at home.
The whole thing could be a fun experience, and you never know what positive encounters you might find, or what you'd learn from it. If people act in an insulting way, well, that's just too bad for them.
Whatever you choose to do, good luck, and if you do choose to enjoy the four days at that market, post up some pics :) Good luck.
-Rob

05/02/2005 12:49:45 AM · #4

thanks Rob, i am really quiet scared to do it. I will have another photographer with me who is a friend (she is the one that offered me the spot) I am just not sure what to do.

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

05/02/2005 12:52:47 AM · #5

I saw your stuff.

My opinion is differant than the next.

I suggest this, there are inexpensive places out there where you can create a portfolio, ie. Myportfolio.com, and the such. Do research.

Put together what you think is your best stuff. Cream of the crop.
Matte a couple of examples so people can get an idea of what your pix will look like if framed.

Get your stall, take your matted pix, your portfolio, and show off what you can do.

Make some sort of a price structure, what the market can bear. Research competitions prices.

If people like what youv'e got, they will purchase.

Good luck.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/02/2005 12:55:56 AM · #6

Don't tag them "cheaply" -- you need to coordinate on pricing with your friend, whom I would guess felt that your stuff could sell or she wouldn't have asked you. Why not trust the judgement of someone who knows the specific market you're targeting?

If you don't have to travel too far, then $25 is very cheap tuition for a four-day seminar on the retail marketing of photography.

05/02/2005 12:58:14 AM · #7

hey, thanks for answering. The market is 20 minutes from my house. It is a HUGE market too. Lots of people visit it.
Any ideas how big i can print with my camera?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/02/2005 01:00:16 AM · #8

At least 8x10 or 11x14; with careful resampling and not too much cropping you can very likely get a 16x20 or so.

05/02/2005 01:05:31 AM · #9

thanks Paul. My friend has a photography store and she has offered to supply the matting and not charge me for it till after the markets. She really wants to try and give me a head start.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/02/2005 01:14:07 AM · #10

With that kind of help available even I'd probably give it a try : )

You'll have a great time and learn a lot, even if you don't rake in the cash this time. Besides, you never know ... you may well get better sales if your photos are overpriced than underpriced.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

05/02/2005 01:16:24 AM · #11

i think it is the whole thing with me that i am never good enough (when you are told that enough growing up you start to believe it). I am packing it. LOL. I want so desperately to give it a go, just have to get past the fear. I have never sold anything, and even if someone did buy something i would have a very hard time believing that they really wanted it.

nico_blue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/02/2005 01:17:31 AM · #12

images i like (hence would calssify as sellable :-), not the best guide in the world though) -

- There was light
- Hibiscus
- The runway becomes small
- Loneliness (the framed one)
- Rose
- flower1
- streetsigns
- pelicans
- kookabura
- beach

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

05/02/2005 01:19:45 AM · #13

you are very kind. :) Which one is the runway becomes small??

srdanz

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

05/02/2005 01:44:02 AM · #14

Lisa,

here is a sample of what people might like (based on my sense of nice - you can question it of course)

-S.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

05/02/2005 01:49:37 AM · #15

That gulls-on-the-beach shot is a natural-born seller. Looks sharp enough to print up sizeable, as well. be sure to feature that shot, and GO for it.

Robt.

David.C

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/02/2005 01:54:45 AM · #16

You have some great images.

If this is something you will kick yourself for if you don't go, then go. It sounds like you have nothing to loose and everything to gain.

Aside from the prints, be sure to make it noticable that you can make more so people don't walk away when you sell out. ;)

David

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/02/2005 01:59:58 AM · #17

Originally posted by Britannica:

Aside from the prints, be sure to make it noticable that you can make more so people don't walk away when you sell out. ;)

Note that you can fit three standard-sized business cards on a standard (cheap) 4x6 print -- consider printing up a few business cards with a couple of the same images on them.

And maybe an order form and/or a mailing/emailing list.

Message edited by author 2005-05-02 02:00:50.

05/02/2005 02:03:06 AM · #18

wow, you guys are nice. :) I am not good enough to have a business card. The more i think about it the more scared i am becoming. I have never even tried to sell anything, let alone going to a market. A big market at that. Should i print a few of each pic? Like 4-5 maybe?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/02/2005 02:11:07 AM · #19

EVERYBODY has a business card : )

You gonna make me design it for you too? Do you have a site displaying your photos in addition to your listed email?

srdanz

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

05/02/2005 02:12:22 AM · #20

Lisa,

You'll definitively want/need to print a portfolio, perhaps a 8x12 size photos. Then, you can make a bunch of 2x4 - by placing 3 on 4x6 photo thumbcards - I invented a word!!! - to give to people. The card would contain a photo ID and of course your email and the web site where you can sell them the image. The photo ID might as well be the ID of your DPC member area photos, and you can also use DPCPrints (lentil.dpcprints.com) as a selling medium.

Just a suggestion.

ps. congrats on your 1000th post. Stupid statistics, I know. And go make a few comments to be able to enter the invitational...

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/02/2005 02:12:34 AM · #21

I'm not sure what sort of market it is....... but, as well as the prints, what about printing some of your shots as cards? Just a thought.

Go along and have fun, you've got some great images in your port.