Bloke With A Camera wins massive export order

[simpo two]

Well kind of!

For some time I'd been eyeing the stuff in the local craft shop/art gallery and thinking I might approach them.

So this morning I rang the owner, and he sounded disinterested to say the least. 'Everybody thinks they can take pictures' he said, 'Everybody's doing it - I turn most of them away, bah humbug mutter' etc. Negative to say the least!

Undaunted, half an hour later I turn up in his shop with a big box of Bloke's mounted and framed exhibition photos. He goes through them one by one...

Pause. He likes the first one:)
He likes the second one:)
He really likes the third one:)
- and on it goes until the box is empty.

He apologises for being a bit brusque. And he will be happy to display my mounted prints in his shop :D

[406]

simpo two said:

Well kind of! For some time I'd been eyeing the stuff in the local craft shop/art gallery and thinking I might approach them. So this morning I rang the owner, and he sounded disinterested to say the least. 'Everybody thinks they can take pictures' he said, 'Everybody's doing it - I turn most of them away, bah humbug mutter' etc. Negative to say the least! Undaunted, half an hour later I turn up in his shop with a big box of Bloke's mounted and framed exhibition photos. He goes through them one by one... Pause. He likes the first one He likes the second one He really likes the third one - and on it goes until the box is empty. He apologises for being a bit brusque. And he will be happy to display my mounted prints in his shop

Nice one Jon, want an agent

[simpo two]

406 said:

Nice one Jon, want an agent

The gallery is already taking a big enough slice thanks! But you can have 10% of any other work you get me

[406]

simpo two said:

406 said: Nice one Jon, want an agent The gallery is already taking a big enough slice thanks! But you can have 10% of any other work you get me

[GetCarter]

Excellent. What town? - I'll send in the local disposabe income friends.

[V6GTO]

This "Bloke with Camera" sounds good, John, perhaps you should copy him.

Martin.

[rude girl]

I'm delighted for you John. Your stuff is great, and even better than that is the way you share your passion for photography - often in a low key way that doesn't get you loads of credit and good press.

I suspect I'm not the only one who's had help from you when the whole topic feels like hitting your head off a brick wall.

I hope your stuff sells really well.

[_dobbo_]

A double winner - your stuff on sale, and also an endorsement of your work from someone who clearly gets people trying to hawk their stuff through him all the time!

[beano500]

If they're of the standard you displayed at Manningtree, I'm not surprised you turned the guy around upon sight of them.

Well done

How about getting them along to a few touristy spots - Aldeburgh springs to mind - that isn't far from you is it? (...or is that the next county - that'd truly be an "export" wouldn't it?)

[simpo two]

GetCarter said:

Excellent. What town? - I'll send in the local disposabe income friends.

Great idea! Actually they'll get a better deal contacting me directly - no middle men!

V6GTO said:

This "Bloke with Camera" sounds good, John, perhaps you should copy him. Martin.

I have done! I've ordered 10 of everything he sells and asked him to send the bill to you: 'Martin, No-fixed-abode, Somewhere in the Med'

rude girl said:

I'm delighted for you John. Your stuff is great,

Doh, I've gone all shy now
I just do it because I like it. When someone else likes it too, that's wonderful, and if they're prepared to hand over £10 etc to have one for themselves, I'm dumbfounded. Thankyou.

rude girl said:

and even better than that is the way you share your passion for photography - often in a low key way that doesn't get you loads of credit and good press.

The Simon Cowell of the forum eh? Gav's 'CuisineDriven' deserved it - transparent market segmentation dressed up as a premium product. Dear me, I wrote tosh like that for clients!!

beano500 said:

If they're of the standard you displayed at Manningtree, I'm not surprised you turned the guy around upon sight of them.

Actually, they do bear a marked resemblance!!

beano500 said:

How about getting them along to a few touristy spots - Aldeburgh springs to mind - that isn't far from you is it? (...or is that the next county - that'd truly be an "export" wouldn't it?)

You're right, that is the next county. Unfortunately in Suffolk they use different currency. Pigs mostly, and hens for small items. But local scenes do sell best, and I don't have many of those. Most of the gallery's visitors are 60+ so I shall choose banker shots like pretty flowers, not b/w V8s!

We decided not to frame them: people might like the photo but not the frame, and he doesn't have the wallspace anyway. So I can either get some more A4 prints made (if I can find a place tailored to making A4 prints of flowers and has the latest HoochiCoochi Splodgemaster 4200i) or just shell the ones I have. That will save me cutting mounts again (phew) but leave me wiht a pile of frames... hmm.

Now - research time. I need to choose 25 photos from here: www.photoboxgallery.com/blokewithacamera/1185886

or here: www.autograph.uk.com/bloke/creativeindex.htm

So, imagine you're 60, or buying a present for someone who's 60 - birthday, Christmas etc - maybe your parents - and you're exporing a cute market town when you happen upon a small gallery that looks ideal for an affordable impulse purchase (£22 to be precise). Which images would have you reaching for your wallet or purse?

>> Edited by simpo two on Monday 26th September 17:11

[te51cle]

Well done the Good one, but how do we get in to your gallery ? All I can see is the thumbnail images down the right hand side.

[simpo two]

te51cle said:

All I can see is the thumbnail images down the right hand side.

Thanks for trying O evil twin: you click on a thumbnail and it should give you a medium-sized image in the middle. Can take a while to load. The thing is that PhotoBox has one selection, Bloke has a slightly different one, 'cos they evolve! Witness an old image given a new spin:

[te51cle]

Photobox is working for me today, don't know what was going on yesterday but when I clicked on the thumbnails nothing happened (I had actually worked out by myself that I needed to click on them for something to happen ! )

I'd say the most commercial images for your target market are Beachwalk, Bridge to Monochrome, Chimp, Daisy, Dandelion Flame, Flying Day, Jaguar, Poppies, Post, Summer Tea, Surly Clouds, The Young Author (got a model release I hope) and Water Poppy. Naturally other people will say they prefer different images but I'd say they're safe to try - be interested to see which ones you'd choose though.

[simpo two]

te51cle said:

I'd say the most commercial images for your target market are Beachwalk, Bridge to Monochrome, Chimp, Daisy, Dandelion Flame, Flying Day, Jaguar, Poppies, Post, Summer Tea, Surly Clouds, The Young Author (got a model release I hope) and Water Poppy.

Thanks tesicle, all very useful feedback. 'Young Author' is the son of a friend, so while I like the atmosphere of the shot, I can't think anybody would want it on their wall. No model release form (it was just a grab shot one Christmas that evolved) but I'm sure I could get one if required.

By contrast another PHer (you know who you are!)absolutely *detests* 'Bridge to Monochrome' so I'm hoping he'll buy 10 copies so he can enjoy destroying them

[Hughesie2]

I had a flick through the website last night and ticked some of the ones i liked, i spent quite a lot, but will need to narrow it down before i can swing it past shmbo...

[simpo two]

Hughesie2 said:

I had a flick through the website last night and ticked some of the ones i liked, i spent quite a lot, but will need to narrow it down before i can swing it past shmbo...

If you'd like several I'll order them for you so you can save 10% (avoids PBox commission)

[Hughesie2]

simpo two said:

If you'd like several I'll order them for you so you can save 10% (avoids PBox commission)

Cheers i'll mail with what i'm interested in having, about time we decorated the walls in our new pad with some original art !!

[chris.mapey]

simpo two said:

beano500 said: How about getting them along to a few touristy spots - Aldeburgh springs to mind - that isn't far from you is it? (...or is that the next county - that'd truly be an "export" wouldn't it?) You're right, that is the next county. Unfortunately in Suffolk they use different currency. Pigs mostly, and hens for small items.

OI!



As someone who is born 'n' raised in Suffolk aroun' these 'ere parts

its Pigs for large purchases (agricultural machinery by prior arrangement)

Geese/Hens/Ducks/brace of general game for medium puchases

then eggs or sheaves of corn for small change.

Get it right please.

I might have to venture south of the border to look at this gallery & see waht he'll accept for that piccy "Bloke" took with the red phone in it...



Well done & congrats etc on getting "representation"

If you decide on a sojourn to Aldeburgh, if you want a pint en-route, drop me a mail.

Chris

[simpo two]

chris.mapey said:

I might have to venture south of the border to look at this gallery & see waht he'll accept for that piccy "Bloke" took with the red phone in it...

I have a mounted and framed copy ready to go right here! Please note we do not accept animals as payment. Well, possibly a Bengal kitten...

chris.mapey said:

If you decide on a sojourn to Aldeburgh, if you want a pint en-route, drop me a mail.

YHM

[chris.mapey]

simpo two said:

Please note we do not accept animals as payment.

?

How can I pay then?



I have an old ride on mower.....

You'll have to collect it & I'll need at least a duck back as change though.



Chris

I have replied to YHM!