Offering knife photography services in exchange of knives

[kokkionglow]

A crazy idea pops up:

Offering knife photography services in exchange of knives

(especially for knife maker)

Works simply:

1) you send me the knife, (note: i am located in Singapore)

2) I take the photos of the knife and send you all the photos I take (at least 30)

3) I select up to 10 photos to do photoshop touchups, or adjusting colors

4) All copyright remains with me, as each photo is marked with my copyright.

5) you may add your own logo if you provide me the logo

6) you may use the photos to put onto your website to help sell your knife, the photos are yours to use. However, you may not sell the photos.

7) The knife is mine to keep after I send out the retouched photos.

8) My email: pegasusphotos@gmail.com

9) Other negotiations /proposals are welcome, as each case is unique, as we do not want to make it too rigid.

10) It benefits you as you get the photos for your website.

11) It benefits me as I get to collect the knife, and I get to practice on knife photography! Win-Win situation!

12) check out photos on my page

http://www.iknifecollector.com/photo...=0rnnyyk60sdtw

13) Restrictions: Automatic knives spring loaded types, Balisongs, Dual edge daggers are not allowed, as these are not permitted entry into Singapore.

[Sonnydaze]

I looked at your photography and I think it is very well done. However, high-quality photography has developed quite rapidly with ubiquitous programs such as PhotoShop and clones. One person, armed with imagination, a mid-priced camera, a decent lens and software, can achieve rather marvelous results within a reasonable period of time.
Nevertheless, I wish you well.
Sonny

[godsmyjudge]

I'll trade 3 spyderco tenaciouses for your camera

[jeepin]

I dont think your going to find many people that are willing to take you up on your offer, as you have only 15 posts and zero feedback. Do you have any references, or feedback somewhere else??.

[cziv]

I think you should be made to purchase a provider's membership. Photographs of that quality are not hard to obtain with a 4 megapixel or above, decent lighting and some knowledge of PhotoShop.

[RevDevil]

This has the potential to work, however not as a trade service. We have photographers thwt have paid memberships as Service Providers/Craftsmen. Also, as mentioned, you might have to generate some references before people start shipping out items overseas to a person they don't know anything about (newcomer to the community).
I'm moving this thread to Tech Support for further discussion.

[Haze]

I don't have a single knife I would be willing to trade for a few digital pictures. You are right in that it is a win/win situation for you, but largly a lose/lose situation for the other party, IMO.

[skyhorse]

I normally send my knives off to a guy in Beijing China but thanks for the generous offer.

[AKC]

Yeah, it's a crazy idea alright....

[Bladenoobie1]

It may sound like a good idea to you, but its more like wishful thinking. People aren't going to risk losing a knife overseas just for some photographs. Also considering the costs of some knives, 10 photos ain't going to cut it. Maybe if they shipped cheap knives the trade off may be more reasonable, but the shipping costs to send something overseas probably won't be worth it for a cheaper knife. Then again why would someone want to have a cheap knife photographed.

[RevDevil]

Let's not allow this to degrade to trolling. Keep things constructive.

[kokkionglow]

Dear all , it is just a sincere albeit crazy idea and if it works then it is fine. for the time being no references yet.
i will have to continue to shoot and post the photos to improve on the photography for now.

[Haze]

This is a non starter unless it's a way for you to acumulate cheap knives. It doesn't matter how amazing you become at photography pictures are never going to be worth much. All that will happen is that you will just have piles of pictures of cheap knives that no one cares about or wants to see pictures off. No individual is ever going to be sending you a CRK, Hinderer, or a J.S./M.S. stamped custom knife in exchange for a few pictures. A business is also not going to send you knives to keep in exchange for pictures they may be able to use on their web site. They can do that them selves and basically for free.

I'm not trying to put you down but go and have a look at what top line pro knife photographers can produce and mull the prices they charge...

Dear all , it is just a sincere albeit crazy idea and if it works then it is fine. for the time being no references yet.
i will have to continue to shoot and post the photos to improve on the photography for now.

[SharpByCoop]

I have bartered my work for knives on a number of occasions. But, this process is always for a number of images of various knives COMPLETED, well-before asking the maker to build me mine. I work with great clients and this has worked well for me: Don Hanson, Jeffrey Cornwell, Jerry Hossom, RJ Martin, Kevin Casey...

Your images are clean, but one knife for a series of shots is going to limit you.

That and a cryptic screen name. In good business we need to be completely transparent and immediate in communication. I suggest you pay for a Service Provider membership and build your portfolio slowly. I almost gave it away in getting my foot in the door to start.

I wish you well.

Jim