Congrats to Coop.

When I require outstanding imaging, there is only one go-to guy ---- COOP!!

Alot of people just do not realize what having his image quality can do for the resale value of a knife. I happened to closely watch an Ebay auction of a small D'Holder Coop was selling from his own collection. It brought about $500 more than the market would generally have supported (before the "downturn").

I think today it is especially important to have Coop do any imaging on high end knives for all sorts of reasons. First and foremost, I love his quality - the best. Second, I know that if I decide to sell, I will get a better price with his images than with mine.
 
Well, I am glad to see this thread having some discussion other than me. :thumbup:

But, while we're on the subject.... ;) Yes, the makers I represent are getting VERY good coverage. It's no secret: Editors like good, clear, emotionally- gripping photos and when they are hand-delivered to them with ALL the appropriate information, the odds of selection are increased substantially.

More interesting to them are the knives themselves, and to that end, I have no input. The makers deliver something the editors find appealing.

And, not just in American magazines, but internationally, too. I have a consistent gallery display with Japan's Knife magazine, and a good writer friend, Francis Anglade from France, has used my images often in (2) French magazines, and even a Russian one. We're all over. :)

A bit of behind the scenes will help you understand what it takes. Shooting the images and getting the lighting correct is about 15% of the work. Editing is yet another 15%. Correspondence with clients, and packaging/shipping the knives back is around another 30%. (You makers know how much time is spent in dialog... ;))

The final 40% portion of the workload is spent on submissions:
Printing the contact sheets with large images and filenames clearly read. Gathering the information from emails, or scanning Show forms, to compile it into a Word document for a template which I will print onto individual 3x5" stickers (or a large page) for each photo sheet. (Geez this takes a LOT of time!) And then adhering the info directly onto the backside of each sheet.

The less work a busy editor has to do to gather the info HE needs, the better the chances.

All my editors receive this information and a CD that has the large hi-resolution file for their selection. I applaud the editors for allowing this better system. In the past the photos had to be large enough for them to scan. Now with enough resolution supplied, I don't have to use a ginormous amount of paper, ink, and time, printing this costly resource.

This post is timely, as I spent all of yesterday doing just that. Here is my work:

orig.jpg


The display of photos and backsides is multiplied times seven. That is one package for one editor.

And so, like a knifemaker showing a bit of his shop and a work-in-progress, I give you a taste of what I, and all the other good photographers go through, to get images into print.

A final caveat: I offer a less-expensive package that does NOT include this work. This is the reason.

Thanks for supporting, and allowing me to share my work. :D

Coop (Who hasn't gotten his Tactical Knives issue, but was enjoying the Blade/Knives Illustrated/Knife World coverage this month.)
 
We routinely speak of what knife shows, the knife media and the INTERNET has done in regard to grow the custom knife industry, however where would it be without the caliper of photography we are discussing here. Yes in deed, Coop, Chuck, Eric, David, Buddy and others deserve a lot of the credit. :thumbup:
 
I see Coop's work all over the internet in various forums, stores, auctions, Blade, Mr. Darom's books, and it is ALWAYS excellent.

Coop works hard and it shows.

Peter
 
Congratulations, Mr. Cooper.
Success happens for those who work the hardest.
From your "bar-raising" photographs, to the work put in after the picture, and the promotion of the maker's work along the way...

The accolades given you are well earned, as well as, deserved.
Keep up the great work - God bless!
 
I had an idea how much work went into the submissions. Now I KNOW. Whew.

Keep doin' what you do, bro.

Roger
 
Coop,
Can't add much to what's already been posted except..
Dude, you rock so hard ! :cool:

Doug :D
 
But Coop, I must caution you that you may be slowly slipping into OCD madness. You are now taking exquisite, professionally done pictures..........of your exqusite, professionaly done pictures:eek::D
 
jdm61 said:
But Coop, I must caution you that you may be slowly slipping into OCD madness. You are now taking exquisite, professionally done pictures..........of your exqusite, professionaly done pictures
Click to expand...
Hi Joe. He he he! So, you noticed! Funny, I am so familiar with the processes, that I like the diversity and can do it quickly. I also am rebuilding a website soon, and I will have a page dedicated to my client's exposure in publications. This would help the viewer understand. So, I spent the time while I had the stuff ready to go. Fortunately, I hadn't sealed them, as I have a couple of stragglers I am finishing today that need inclusion.

Michael Starr said:
Congratulations, Mr. Cooper.
Success happens for those who work the hardest.
From your "bar-raising" photographs, to the work put in after the picture, and the promotion of the maker's work along the way...

The accolades given you are well earned, as well as, deserved.
Keep up the great work - God bless!
Click to expand...
Hi Michael. Those are powerful thanks, and the most insightful of statements. This is my second full-time job. Believe me, I have often put my work in front of my family time. It's a balancing act I am constantly trying to manage.

severedthumbs said:
What types of photography do you enjoy outside of work?
Click to expand...
Hi severed. I will tell you that I rarely, if ever, take my studio camera away and use it. My current camera will be a backup camera after my new Canon EOS-5D mkII arrives in the next couple of weeks, and then I will really have time to shoot.

That said, I pack a LOT of moments into my Canon pocket digicam. I work as a rowing coach, and some of my best work are around boats and water. Here are a few:



And I made a collage for a woman who rows in my club. (I took these while sitting in MY racing shell, out in the harbor. Careful not to flip!)


I did take my good camera out last year to a local car show. I specialize in hood ornaments and the like when I shoot there:



Lastly, what good is ANY camera unless you take family photos, especially when you have an energetic young boy and a lovely wife?

orig.jpg


What is more fun than digging in the black mud? Why do we look elsewhere...?
orig.jpg


Here is a recent rare shot, where I ventured my DSLR out into the backyard:
orig.jpg


(The camera distinction is apparent. Look at the single strand of hair on the top of his head--if, you can get past that devilishly 'innocent' smile. Oh, the terror within! ;))

And so, yes, I do step out of my studio with an eye in the viewfinder. On occasion. Thanks again.

Coop
 
Coop,

Besides great knife photos you must have a super family album.

Jim treacy
 
Coop, that last photo is fantasic. I always love the ones taken in the fall where the leaves match the hair.
 
If one can remain unblinded by the photo dazzle, another Coop virtue can be found just beneath the surface froth--thoughtful, sophisticated, edifying, articulate posts.

Some mistake his mellow, contrite style as cumbaya to which I say cumbaya like a man-eater crocodile lying just beneath the surface froth in ambush for the shrill Philistine seeking the water's edge to admire his reflection. We don't ordinarily view Coop as violent because he takes his victims non-violently by virtual dismemberment with words so subtle yet surgically sharp that there is no hemorrhaging or notion that one has just been filleted. That speaks of character and a skill I so admire.

ken
 
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