Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 15, 2007 - 11:38pm PT
|
Hey Dirtbag or even Semi-cheapskate brothers and sisters. In the interest of both community service and scraping by until the spring, I thought it might be time to revive the "Dirtbag special" Here's a cut and paste of the old deal, same as the new deal. Don't be shy...
Personally, I couldn’t afford my own goods and services. I thought it would be cool to provide a window of opportunity for folks who can’t ordinarily afford my prints to get them at the price that feels right.
So, for my dirtbag friends everywhere, here’s the deal,
Pay what you want to pay.
I’ve always had good results with the honor system. Here’s how it applies to this deal:
Look through my galleries, see what you want, then email me what prints of what sizes you would like from what galleries, and what you want to pay. You know your disposable income. I’ll lower my prices on those items for a few days until you can purchase them. It just has to be at my cost or above. (which is pretty cheap, 16% above printroom.com’s retail list since I have to pay them commissions and credit card fees.) Sorry, it’s not within my power to reduce shipping charges.
Their retail prices are at
http://www.printroom.com/prices.asp?
Don’t be shy, ask for what you need.
For those like to work for their deals, we can do this work exchange:
I’m a little close to my work and never have a clue what folks will like or not like, or the type of image they are more likely to buy. I also don’t know what aspects of my website are frustrating or drive folks off. While you are checking out my galleries, if you would take the time to make a list of the images you thought were particularly striking or lame, that would help me weed the good from the bad. Just use the gallery number and picture number so you don’t have to type too much, and use whatever rating system or words you like. Just do as much as you are inspired to do. Basically, feedback is helpful.
Economies are like environments, make a change and it can have unexpected consequences. This deal might be a bit offensive to some other pro photographers since competition, good amateurs, and technology keep driving down the prices that many can get from their work. They have trouble buying their gear, and making a living as it is. That’s why I’m offering this to climbers only, and only from now through September. It’s designed for folks who wouldn’t ordinarily buy “fine art” photography anyway
My online sales gallery are located at
http://www.printroom.com/pro/peaklight
There is introductory info and hype at the front end of my website at
http://www.peaklightimages.com/PhotoHome.html
I hope this offer will be a good opportunity for those who need it. I’m sure I’ll benefit somehow too, because I think that’s the way things works. For those who feel that this is spam, I understand, flame away. I can’t think of another way to make this available to climbers. (besides, your flames will bump the thread)
Peace
karl
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 15, 2007 - 11:57pm PT
|
Hi Jody
Thanks but don't really know what you mean. The dirtbag price is "whatever you want to pay but at least cost" and I know your costs aren't half of mine. The prices on the site are my regular prices, the deal is "tell me what to lower them to" and I'll lower them online in time for you to order.
But it's true, there's a whole Ju-Ju weirdness to art sales. Folks are crazy for not buying your cheap but beautiful images.
There's an issue of folks like you, (and at the moment me) killing the market with underpriced images but that's the reality now that lots of talented hobby photographers have access to great gear, printing tech, and distribution electronically. Since you never sell anything, I'll exempt you from this indictment, but god help anybody who wants to scrape by doing outdoor photography unless they have a special niche of some kind. Some micro-stock photography sites are paying people pennies per shot.
Peace
Karl
|
|
marky
climber
|
|
|
Nov 16, 2007 - 12:23am PT
|
most outdoor photogs really do suck, typically by being more important than the photo
I've seen shittty photos praised on this web site, so I know mine is a minority view
|
|
marky
climber
|
|
|
Nov 16, 2007 - 12:42am PT
|
just to be clear, "this web site" = the taco
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 16, 2007 - 01:11am PT
|
No worries Jody. Nobody in particular is undercutting my business, it's just the dynamic that's happening in that industry at the moment.
But I have to start some kind of smack talk to keep my thread bumped. I'm sure others will have their opinion.
My problem is that I'm lazy. If I think I can scrape by for the year, I don't market my photos, I write for free and don't drum up my other business. I just like things the way they are and can't stand to "Strive" for bigger and better.
Peace
Karl
|
|
marky
climber
|
|
|
Nov 16, 2007 - 01:18am PT
|
karl, may I humbly suggest "The Striver" for a future FA?
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 16, 2007 - 01:52am PT
|
Jody you softie.
Sounds like you're the liberal in creep's, I mean sheep's, clothing!
The billboard without permission use is a pretty big stretch. I'm tempted to think of diplomatic ways to redeem that situation but I suppose if the guy really is a friend, it's best to just shrug your shoulders and consider a drop in the karmic bucket. I suppose when you pull him over for DUI he'll expect a free pass as well.
;-)
Karl
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 16, 2007 - 03:24am PT
|
I recommend the pro_luster. The glossy is nice and shiny but it's hard to mount it without showing every imperfection in the mounting. I never ordered the Matte so I can't speak for it, Luster is nice.
I've never had a problem with their print quality, but there's a money back guarantee (except for shipping) and I would encourage anyone who didn't get what they hoped for to use it.
Peace
Karl
|
|
Jaybro
Social climber
The West
|
|
|
Nov 16, 2007 - 03:26am PT
|
Good luck Jody, that sounds like an uncomfortable position to be in.
Karl, I'll be in touch, my nephew's new family might be just the ones to appreciate your art/ largess-they know their uncle/grand uncle is a dirtbag, but with reasonable taste, I think they would appreciate your work.
|
|
L
climber
Right side of the Brain, Left side of the Road.
|
|
|
Nov 16, 2007 - 12:39pm PT
|
"I've seen shittty photos praised on this web site, so I know mine is a minority view" ~ Marky
Not a minority view Marky--an opinion. Beauty's in the eye of the beholder, after all. Just because an image doesn't meet your technical standards doesn't mean it can't be appreciated by others.
Jody, from having been in the professional image-making environment for several years, both in filmmaking and still photography, I humbly suggest that you have a heart-to-heart talk with your friend about the "extraneous" use of your photo.
If you come from a compassionate, yet business-oriented place, I think you'll be honoring both your talent and his understanding of giving value for value received. In the world of images, this is how you feed yourself and your creative infrastructure.
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 16, 2007 - 07:12pm PT
|
Thanks Fatty!
Actually, I think your order cost $1.23 more than you offered so I'm not quite a pig yet. (Due to that bugaboo of tax, let's eliminate ALL taxes and just print money!)
Maybe a Javelina or something
peace
Karl
|
|
Jerry Dodrill
climber
Bodega, CA
|
|
|
Nov 16, 2007 - 09:41pm PT
|
Hey,
Here's a Dirtbag Special:
Pick one of Karl's prints, double the price (that's right: X2), and place your order. You're still getting a great deal, and doing a special thing for a dirtbag (-no offense in that Karl).
:-)
Good luck with your special, Karl.
|
|
hossjulia
Trad climber
Eastside
|
|
|
Nov 16, 2007 - 10:58pm PT
|
hey Jody, who printed your friends card, and how was the pre-press handled? Image could have gotten nabbed anywhere along the line there.
|
|
jiimmy
Boulder climber
san diego
|
|
|
Nov 17, 2007 - 01:07am PT
|
Get a job Karl and you wont have to scrape by.....
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 17, 2007 - 03:45am PT
|
"Get a job Karl and you wont have to scrape by....."
That's like saying cut off your arm and your finger won't hurt anymore..
Life is good.
And more than just a little good
Peace
Karl
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 20, 2007 - 11:20am PT
|
Here's another Couple EL Cap Shot. (I'd been thinking EL Cap was getting short changed in it's own gallery although I posted some EL Cap in my portfolio and supertopo galleries.
Some of these are pretty similar but never can decide which ones to kill and like having different aspect ratios available for different size prints.
Peace
Karl
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 28, 2007 - 05:06pm PT
|
Hi Lois
You're thinking of this shot. Always thought of doing something with it like a postcard that says "You think YOU'RE having a BAD DAY?" But never had
Thats from my Thailand gallery at
http://www.printroom.com/ViewGallery.asp?userid=karlb&gallery_id=192428
Hey Fatty
This is the one you're thinking of. I loaned it to a mortgage company for a friend's office and just picked it back up this week. I also picked up some framed images from the Bank of America and will be clearing my images out of the Redwoods Cabins conference room in Wawona before Spring. So if anybody wants framed and matted prints at a good to great discount, I've got more than I can put on my walls. This one in a 24x36 inch silver frame could go for $225 if anybody wants to pick it up in Yosemite (or I'll be through the bay in a couple weeks)
It in my printroom gallery here
http://www.printroom.com/ViewGallery.asp?userid=karlb&gallery_id=391055
I should note that the folks who used the dirtbag special have been extraordinarily generous in not asking for a discount or only getting a small one. It is the holiday season and I just want to encourage anyone that needs a severe discount, don't be shy. I can't afford this stuff either!
peace
Karl
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 8, 2007 - 09:42pm PT
|
I'm canceling the dirtbag special and going completely pinko.
Looking at the world and it’s problems, it really seems to me that the Capitalist model needs to evolve from it’s current expression for the sake of the planet.
The need for constant growth and expansion is unsustainable and can only lead to depletion of resources and pollution.
Corporations are soulless entities, legally required to maximize shareholder profit as the first priority. They can actually be sued if they make any meaningful sacrifices intended for the greater of mankind, except as publicity or charitable gestures.
The model of competition by all practical means concentrates more power with the powerful and creates a disincentive to consider the best interests of Community.
The Problem with positive change, of course, is that it inevitably seems to require people to sacrifice some of their wealth, power or comfort for the sake of others and for the future.
Naturally, everybody believes that sacrifice needs to start with somebody else.
I try to ask myself, particularly around the holidays, “What big or small thing do I have to offer my community of humans? How can I “Be the Change” I would ask others to contemplate?
One of the things I do is landscape photography. Living in Yosemite affords me beautiful vistas that I can capture at their best.
Around the holidays in the past I’ve often run a “dirt-bag” special that suggested that I’d sell prints to people on a sliding scale, based on what they felt like they could pay.
I felt good about that but I’m afraid many folks might not have felt comfortable negotiating with me for a lower price.
It occurred to me that maybe I should just have more faith in people and give just a bit more. So for the rest of the holidays, and perhaps even forever, I want to try something different.
I’m going to reduce the price of all my prints in all my galleries to the cost of printing and shipping alone without any profit for myself. For example, an 8x10 that used to cost $27.99 (plus shipping) now costs $3.56 (plus shipping)
My customers can supply my profit later by using paypal to karlbaba@yahoo.com or by mailing me a check.
Karl Bralich
PO Box 2184
Wawona, Ca 95389
They don’t need a paypal account to send me cash.
My customers can supply the “profit” portion of my work once they have received their print and when they can afford to.
For folks who need a baseline to guage things with. I’m including a list of what my prices used to be Here:
http://peaklightimages.com/oldprices.html
Use it if you need it but be aware, I expect people with little money to pay far less, and people who are blessed can pay more.
This is basically the model of shareware software. There will be some tempted to abuse a system like this and they can abuse my offer. That’s ok. I don’t have a lot of money and often use shareware that I haven’t contributed to. It’s only fitting for me to give something to those folks that are in my shoes.
I’m acting on faith here and won’t allow businesses to order large numbers of prints for resale without contacting me first.
My main reservation is that making art affordable to all according to their means will further undercut the livelihood of other starving artist photographers. I regret if this deal contributes to that phenomena but I have seen the writing on the wall. Digital Photography and Internet distribution has already begun to radically change the business of outdoor photography. Just as any band can produce their own CD and distribute it via cyberspace, without the endorsement of a record company. Any talented photographer can sell and distribute work without a gallery.
Of course the most talented and business savvy musicians and photographers will always have a lucrative niche at the top. On the other hand, community minded people may like to support the musicians and artists they know locally.
I envision a time when the structure of our empire begins to crumble and when people look to each other for contributions, each according to their skills and capacity. The future is in cooperation, contribution, and collaboration, not competition.
I just redid my photo site. Check it out and the new prices at
http://www.printroom.com/pro/peaklight
This is one way I’m experimenting with contribution.
Peace and Happy Holidays
Karl
PS for holiday shopper types, here’s the deadlines my printer gave me.
First class mail: order by December 12, 2007 to arrive in time for the holidays.
Priority mail: order by December 17, 2007 to arrive in time for the holidays.
Overnight mail: order by December 19, 2007 to arrive in time for the holidays.
|
|
Robb
Social climber
Pick Up Truck Heaven
|
|
Bump for the babba......
thanks for leaving me the open union position at night housing.
PS: His shots are available at a bargain! And I might add, well worth the affordable price!!!
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!