Mission impossible for anyone near a Menard's...

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom

04/26/2006 10:26:16 AM · #1

If you live near a Menard's home improvement store (primarily in the Midwestern US and Canada) and are willing to take a few shots, send me a PM. I only need a couple, but I can pay you for the trouble.

MQuinn

Olympus OM-D E-M1

04/26/2006 10:27:47 AM · #2

What do you want pictures of? Several of them around here. Even the newest biggest one being build a few miles away.

Canon EOS-20D

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

04/26/2006 10:33:33 AM · #3

Outside or inside? One down the street here.

Message edited by author 2006-04-26 10:33:44.

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

04/26/2006 10:49:28 AM · #4

I need a photo audit of the "grout" section... basically a shot of the aisle as you approach from one side, then the other, and a few from straight-on. At the very least, I need to have a sharp, complete image of the grout section so we can retouch items into it and see how they'll look. If there are any signs overhead or other related materials, I'd need shots of those, too. Close-up shots of anything interesting would be a bonus. The purpose is so we can design packaging and merchandising and show the client what their materials will look like on the shelf.

We do these audits all the time, but there aren't any Menard's around here. I need a couple of different stores and can pay about $200 for the trouble. It's not corporate espionage (we could simply buy the competitors products if it were), but you usually have to sneak because managers get nervous about cameras in the store (hence, "mission impossible"). Unless you're friends with the store manager, you need a "stealthy" point and shoot camera with no flash (sometimes we get caught and they just tell us 'hey, no pictures'). The tiny, low-light-capable Fuji Finepix F10 is great for this, but any camera will do if you can keep it steady and not call attention to yourself. I'd like to have a couple of stores covered by the end of the week.

Message edited by author 2006-04-26 11:40:19.

muckpond

Nikon D200

04/26/2006 11:22:54 AM · #5

oh, i've got a menard's manager who lives across the street from me. anything you need you just let me know. :) :)

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

04/26/2006 11:38:46 AM · #6

Hey... $200 for about 5 minutes of work, go for it Rob! I've updated the details below, but anyone interested should let me know because I only need a couple of stores.

muckpond

Nikon D200

04/26/2006 02:00:47 PM · #7

OK, awesome. my day is pretty crazy tomorrow, but i will get them on friday morning. will that work?

i can hit two stores on friday, actually. they're both right by where i need to be anyway.

Canon EOS-20D

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

04/26/2006 02:02:42 PM · #8

No, I wanted to do it! Muck already has a million jobs and piles of cash.

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

04/26/2006 02:12:04 PM · #9

Rob, it's probably better to divide and conquer since two stores so close to each other are more likely to be identical. I'd like to account for the possibility of different looks, signage or products in different areas if possible. Since you know a manager, maybe you can talk to him and get better access with a D70 (much better quality, but not exactly stealthy).

mk, you're more than welcome to take the other store- just let me know. I need to get a couple, but I don't want anyone to go to unnecessary trouble if others are already working on it.

muckpond

Nikon D200

04/26/2006 02:17:18 PM · #10

ok, i think that's a great idea.

and then you have to judge the two and tell us whose is better. :) :)

Canon EOS-20D

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

04/26/2006 02:19:58 PM · #11

And just remember, I punch harder.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

04/26/2006 02:22:56 PM · #12

hmmm. reckon i could take a pic of lowe's or home depot and you could get by with it?

hahah