How to get a picture noticed for publication

04/27/2004 04:13:27 AM · #1

Greetings all,
I have a shot I took that is absolute material for a poster (or similar).
How do I start? A release is obvious. Where does one go to pose the picture to publishers or get it noticed? I know we all think we have something special, but this is different - very different!

04/27/2004 04:20:52 AM · #2

And no, it's nothing I have posted here.
:)

jonpink

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

04/27/2004 05:04:26 AM · #3

depends what it is and who your expecting to target with your poster (ad)

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

04/27/2004 05:18:43 AM · #4

Hi J P,
This is a 3/4 view of a marine in full dress, holding his 3-month old baby girl. Strong side lighting, baby well lit. Kind of shot that would make a great poster.
Here is a smaller version: //www.ourautoshop.com/HomelandSecurity.jpg

Message edited by author 2004-04-27 05:28:41.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

04/27/2004 06:01:39 AM · #5

Great shot ( I do love it), but the thing is FINDING WHO WANTS IT. Don't want to bring you down or anything, but I have seen many shots (sorta) like it. (also, as you said, we all have something special). You have to find the person or company that thinks it is something they MUST have.

garlic

Canon EOS-10D

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Canon

04/27/2004 06:06:50 AM · #6

ItÂ´s a nice image but I canÂ´t help you about how to sell it.

04/27/2004 06:16:30 AM · #7

Originally posted by dacrazyrn:

Your last statement is the key here. I can see this hanging on a wall or in the airlines in-flight catalog...
:)
At least the proud Dad is jazzed!

jonpink

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

04/27/2004 06:21:43 AM · #8

I presume you have his permission?

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

04/27/2004 06:23:04 AM · #9

Originally posted by jonpink:

I presume you have his permission?

A release is in hand.
:)

willem

Sony Alpha a6700

04/27/2004 06:24:44 AM · #10

Just from my own limited experience :

Either actively approach the people who might want to have an interest in using your image or wait for them to come to you (which is of course a more unsure approach).

Brainstorm who might be your possible target groups, do your research, find contact names, decide on best way to approach them, put yourself in their position, think about why would they be interested and use that as sales arguments to them. Send them a sample to raise interest.

I only have limited experience in this : I approached the Copenhagen metro company with my image of the metro tunnel (winner round challenge). I looked at their internet sites for contact names, browsed through their image database to see whether they already had similar images, sent them a e-mail with resized image, including some statements of what the image could express, and suggestions for use. They were interested but in the end had no specific use at that moment to justify their purchase. A positive dialogue anyway. I did not pursue it with others companies.

Or the other approach, publish your image in different photo sites and hope it gets noticed (photosig, photo.net). A picture research agency, preparing for books about digital photography, approached me after seeing my pictures on the net and we are now progressing use of some of my images. But you have to be lucky to get noticed. It is better to take initiative yourself.

just my 2 cents

RiderGal

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/27/2004 08:14:30 AM · #11

I'm not sure about it... but you might try contacting the Marine's recruiting agency, market it to them as a proud father going to protect what he cares about most, something like that... they may be interested in buying the rights to it as a poster. If not... they may be able to point you in the right direction towards someone who they know sells a lot of posters to Marine type people (just an idea).

BTW great shot... I really like it, and I like what you did with making the background black and white and him and the baby in full color, it really makes them pop out. Beautifully done. Also you could try submitting it to some of the stock companies, and seeing if any of them are interested... I'm not sure how that works though.

If you do sell it to, say the Marines, watch your rights... don't give full out rights to the photo unless you are paid a proper ammount. Definitely don't give away your work. If they want to make posters, work on a price for X ammount of posters that satisfies both you and them, with no other publishing without further payment etc.

Hope this helps!

jdw91479

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

04/27/2004 08:38:11 AM · #12

Go to a book store. Look at or get the book "The Photographers Marketplace." Its updated every year, and it has lists of magazines, stock agencies, newpapers, poster/greeting card companies, etc. It also gives a brief statement of how the companies want the pictures submitted. I think there is also a version of the book just for digital photos.

vsmed1968

Gateway DC-T50

04/27/2004 09:01:11 AM · #13

[quote=RiderGal] ... but you might try contacting the Marine's recruiting agency, market it to them as a proud father going to protect what he cares about most, something like that... they may be interested in buying the rights to it as a poster. If not... they may be able to point you in the right direction towards someone who they know sells a lot of posters to Marine type people (just an idea).

I was going to sugggest the same thing. I could picture it in the recruitment office. good luck. very nice. :)

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

04/27/2004 11:20:57 AM · #14

You mentioned having a release in hand, and I assume that is from the Marine in the picture. I'm not sure, but you may need a release from the Marine Corps itself since he is in uniform.

It's not exactly the same situation, but my brother-in-law is a K9 officer with the county Sheriff and had his portrait done with his partner (dog). The photographer wanted to use the shot in a promotional piece and since my brother-in-law was in uniform, the photographer had to get a release from the department.

I don't want to rain on your parade, but it's an issue you should investigate sooner rather than later.

Message edited by author 2004-04-27 11:22:18.

alanbataar

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Lensbaby 1.0 (The Original)

04/27/2004 12:57:38 PM · #15

One of my former clients was an ad agency that produced printed materials for The Air National Guard and The Army Reserve. The armed services typically have their own photographic staff, and have a photographic collection that ranges into the millions of images (and historical stuff from the very conception of the military, which is quite fascinating.). They DO use outside photography in their advertising, but it's a hard sell, as it's usually something very specific.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/27/2004 02:23:44 PM · #16

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

THANKS!
That's something I hadn't thought about! I do have a release from the Marine, now to take on the Corps.
:)

Message edited by author 2004-04-27 14:24:09.

mirdonamy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/27/2004 07:25:03 PM · #17

Great shot. I have a question though, and I am sure this is the wrong place to post it. How do you so perfectly get the background in B/W and the subject in color? I do this in photoshop, but always have trouble getting it to look this perfect. Any suggestions or links you can send me to to teach me?

Arie

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

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

04/27/2004 07:43:02 PM · #18

This tutorial addresses the same idea, only in reverse, using a DPC-legal method.

The easy way is to mask off the part you want to remain color, and use any adjustment layer (e.g. Channel mixer) to remove the color from the unmasked part.