Get Out Your Entrepreneur Glasses
Posted on 16 February 2010
How do you look at cool photographs? Specifically what I mean is, if you see some special effect or some unique approach to photography, do you think of it as something you might do to make a little money on your own? Maybe you should.
I saw this column at Holy Kaw yesterday and thought it looked kind of cool, though considering where I work, it wasn’t especially shocking or dramatic. I figured I could easily do some shots like the three displayed. Still, I thought they might be somewhat compelling to show to some prospective clients. So first I showed it to some photographers I know, who are also Photoshop experts. There were a couple who acted like I had just shown them a snapshot of grass taken by a 2nd grader with a point and shoot. They were totally unimpressed. On the other hand, I showed it to a photographer friend who’s also a small business owner and his “wheels” started turning. He was thinking how he could adapt the concept to what he does with images.
Honestly, you might not make a nickel directly on something like this, but if it’s an image in your portfolio, it might just be the kind of thing that gets you a job or two. It sure shows off more than just the ability to handle a camera and capture a frame.
Could you turn something like this into a profitable offering to your clients?
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2 responses to Get Out Your Entrepreneur Glasses
Larry in the case of those particular images probably not but, the point is still well made. One of the remarkable missed opportunities of the current day is HDR, “Harry Potter” type, images. If you talk to many shooters you’ll get a mixed bag of responses but these type of images are selling very well. At a recent SWPP show in London many of the specialist printers and framers had at least one HDR type image on display.
Sometimes I think we know too much. We know how such manipulations are created and because they are relatively easy we dismiss them as valueless. Big mistake. They might be very valuable to our clients even if they are old hat to us.
Bernie-
I like how you think! You’re right on target with the HDR. Plus, that applies to a number of other techniques and effects.
It’s just a little different spin on the old adage, ‘The customer is always right.’
-Larry