Q - The Collection Pic Of The Day

Beautiful!

Fantastic work

A critique would be inappropriate here, because the photographer hasn't requested one, but just out of interest - why did you choose this particular photo?

It's a very beautiful photograph indeed. When I zoom into it there is a lot of noise etc. I saw that in some of your other selected works, Gunter.

Pic of the day http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/vivienne-gucwa.html

This image is available on Fine Art America. Please click on the image to see the countless options of paper, canvas etc., and frames.



About Vivienne Gucwa
New York City photography and writing by Vivienne Gucwa featuring the landscapes, architecture and neighborhoods of New York City. As a native New Yorker currently living on the Lower East Side, her photography and writing explore the ever changing urban landscapes of the five boroughs. In a city that changes and evolves at a fast pace, documenting these changes is a major focus of her work.

Her photography has been featured in a variety of publications online and in print, as well as TV: The Biography Channel, cover art for the book A Killer's Essence by Dave Zeltserman, cover art for the anthology It's Animal, but Merciful, cover art for the 'Lucky Now' single by Ryan Adams, Cover of the inaugural issue of the Lo-Down Magazine, Gallery showing - Mars Bar Retrospective - at Plush NYC, ABC News Online, NBC News Online, The National Endowment for the Humanities Magazine, Io Donna - Corriere Della Sera, on a billboard screen in midtown Manhattan during the summer of 2012, NY Times - Local East Village, Digital Journal, Huffington Post, Travel and Leisure, BoingBoing, My Modern Met, Gothamist, Curbed, Eater, Time Out NY, Racked, Yahoo News, Manhattan User Guide, BlackBook Magazine, Kate Spade NY, Newsweek Online, Village Voice Online, Buzzfeed, NabeWise, Neighborhoodr, NearSay, The Lo-Down NY, Bowery Boogie, EV Grieve, The Frisky, and Schmap Guide Sixteenth Edition.



Q - the collection

is this that advertising your were talking about?

---Mike Savad

Yes,

and this: http://www.qthecollection.com
and this: https://www.facebook.com/QTheCollection
and this: http://blog.qthecollection.com/
and this: https://www.facebook.com/groups/423104211112827/
and many more to come ..............

We did not even get started yet and everything is under construction, the response and traffic are unbelievable.

Pic of the day:

This image is available on Fine Art America. Please click on the image to see the countless options of paper, canvas etc., and frames.




About Jean Noren
Jean Noren has won recognition from the Smithsonian Magazine and the National Wildlife Federation. Her dragonfly photo was displayed in the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Jean has also received awards and honors from the New York Institute of Photography, The Nature Photographers of the Pacific Northwest, The Columbia Council of Camera Clubs, The Northwest Challenge and the Forest Grove Camera Club. Her work has been selected for exhibition in the state and international divisions of the Oregon State Fair where she routinely receives honorable mentions. Jean’s pictures have been published in the book The Best of Photography for 1996 and 2007, The Alert Diver Magazine, and can be seen on the Smithsonian and National Wildlife Federation web-sites. Her Wine in a web photo graces the back cover of Oregon's Blue Book for 2009-11. Her photos appear on a line of note cards and calendars and her art can be found on the walls of schools and professional offices in Washington County, as well as in resorts in Belize, The Bahamas, Honduras, and Fiji. Her artwork is available for purchase through Fine Art America.

The wonderful capture, beautiful color, composition, visual interest and animal sensuality override any slight noise issues that appear when you click on the green box. Sometimes it's not about the technical expertise, but about the photo itself. And "Salad Greens" is simply delightful.

Very well said Patricia, where have you been all the time, THANK YOU :)



Q - the collection

I love your choices in pics of the day! What an amazing bio, Jean! Congrats for all your acomplishments!

Thanks Michelle :)

first ad for Q - the collection

and that ad will bring customers here? how so? will they know what that means?


---Mike Savad

I'm beginning to have a problem with this whole thing. First - I'm looking at all the images on Q. And I realize it's your judgement of whats there and I'm not questioning the quality of any image - I'm questioning the saleability of the images. National Geographic or some travel mag to Africa might want that - but unless your camera broke while you were on safari and you lost all your images of the gorilla's - why would you purchase this image? I also realize it's my "artistic/aesthetic" taste against others and I've seen what some people purchase and always wonder if they really paid that much to get that image on their wall. I realize I have these same kind of images in my galleries - and I'm always questioning my judgement on putting them up there.

On my recent trip, all those snow pictures; hmmm, there might be two that are salable, like this one



why are the rest there?

I know Mike, how about this one, does that make sense to you?

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly." - Albert Einstein -

@ Ron, something to research

http://www.stocksy.com/
this is one of the most desired sites to be part of for photographers at the moment. I'm not doing the work for you but if you research you will find out. And yes, they do have Gorillas.
There are art lovers and people who like photography, there are travel agencies who would buy that picture and many other businesses. There is a market for everything. I know many places and people which would never hang a flower on the wall. Any good photograph is saleable.

the ad:

get to the point - your pushing artists with high quality standards. don't mix up an ad for facebook quotes. you have about 3 seconds to capture the attention of someone and about 10 seconds for them to parse the data and want to move on. if the ad doesn't say what it's about people will totally ignore it. because Q is meaningless and the quote is grabbed. any good advertisement won't leave people scratching their head, humor works best but it has to be original. ever see those crazy perfume commercials? where they try to be artsy, but fail because i have no idea what they are selling at all. it's like that. quoting from Einstein makes even less sense. mostly the ad is lost, and i don't know what it's pushing. concentrate on art, and that's it.


also realize that stock - and art - are two different things. a zoo might want a gorilla like this. but i can't imagine it in any other spot, picture can be nice, but they also have to line up with a decorators taste, and unless they are doing a congo theme, that kind of picture, as nice as it is, won't fit in anywhere. travel agencies would look for this on a stock site first because it will be less money. the people that come here are decorating their home or office. decorators and framers shop here for the most part.

---Mike Savad

Her is the full ad

http://fineartamerica.com/groups/q-collection.html?showmessage=true&messageid=1200332

BTW: Travel agencies and hotel resorts buying tons of prints for office and lobby. Only for print media, web and mass produced images like for the rooms they buy stock.

How do we know those two dogs are gay?

Gunter, unfortunately it doesn't work as an ad yet. There's no headline (headlines are 80% of an ad -- they are that important), no call to action and no contact information. Bad quote, too. You can't insult an audience into action.

Oh, let's just go all the way. On first glance the photo looks like a baby pacifier.

Where are you planning on running this? Who is the intended audience?

Dan Turner
Dan Turner Fine Art
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online
To Enjoy Dan Turner's Pinterest Boards, Click Here

Mike,

As I studied at university, there are different kind of publicity. Your are talking about the publicity tells what it is selling but you exemple of perfume publicity, that don't tell what they are selling, it is because they are not trying to get more buyers but only reassuring their presence, name, etc to those who know already.

Those comercial you call artistic are actually concepts. They are not selling the perfume it self but the perfume concept for those who know the brand already. They don't mind those who don't know the brand or the concept because they are not their public.

but they don't spend much on it. because they buy in bulk usually or have a framer make it, they won't spend hundreds on each, they will spend a set amount for the rights then print a ton of them. that's usually the mistake many people make. it's rare to find a hotel that wants art in this way. they buy in bulk, same with banks and the others.

the ad makes no sense. if you want to quote something put it on the bottom. the smallest hardest to read multi color type in a font that's hard to read, is on the bottom. and the only way people will see it is if they see the full size ad. most people use a phone, if they turned the images on they would have to scroll side to side to read it. ads should always be simple

Title
what your selling
why you should buy from me. anything else is a distraction. if you saw an ad like that, would you want to click on it and view it further? no, probably not. there is a reason why AD agencies charge so much. and why it's pretty hard to be a graphic artist.

first start with a small ad - something that would fit on the size of a business card. see what you can fit in there without making the font 4pt. then we will see what can be put on there. you aren't making a bill board. in fact the best bill boards have the fewest words. because people have a short attention span. many think that the large the ad the better. and the bigger the ad, the more words you can push on there.

and last - where will this ad go? there are no ads on a site that large. and if there was it would be really expensive. most of them are tiny ads or a banner. but most of those are killed by ad removers. i know i see very few of them.

think simple and to the point. don't use black as a background with white letters its hard to read, and i don't know what that orange thing is on there. or how it represents art.


---Mike Savad

concept selling doesn't work well actually. it's like a commercial that has music only and then they flash the name on the screen, but your either peeing or getting a snack or a mixture of both to really be paying attention. which is why those companies go out of business so fast. no one ever hears the name. or they do it the other way around and it's all audio, when you mute it, you don't hear a thing.

while it might be a form of brand reinforcement, people who already buy it are clearly hooked. commercials are used to reel new people in.

when it's time for advertising, getting to the point is the best thing. and usually funny wins, but it's hard to do right and not be too annoying about it. i would cite examples but i doubt they play in other countries.


---Mike Savad

what does any of that have to do with art? and do you think violence is the best way for someone to reach into their wallets? and why is there a plate of donuts there? is that dinner? can't you just say - we sell art, nice art, buy some art? and not have your own name splashed across it?

and remember think small. that's quite huge.

---Mike Savad

Mike, I'm building a brand, this ad is not designed to have somebody pick up the phone and order.
here's the link to the second ad with full text

Remember Nike for an example :Just do it!

http://fineartamerica.com/groups/q-collection.html?showmessage=true&messageid=1200518

forget about building brands. building a brand can take years and years. get people to understand that that blinding red square has something to do with art. the full ad is impossible to read. all the important stuff is on the bottom with that bad color choice and i know i can't read it. and i have screen magnified a few times. no one will look at the large version and most won't get past the thing on the top, and then the food which has no relation.

start with advertising what is actually there - the content.

of course this does open the question - how well do you sell here? and do you use the same methods to attract attention to yourself?


---Mike Savad

I see your idea. I like the logo -- it's quite nice. I don't know much about advertising, and I do know that high impact ads get people's attention. However, here is another idea in case you want to go in a quieter direction: How about combining the logo with a black and white photo (perhaps this one?) with the words, "Fine Art Photography," and in smaller letters somewhere "Waiting for the Ring" by Gunter Nezhoda. What do you think?

two words

Art
Quality

those are the only 2 things that should be pushed. just like i push certain words.


---Mike Savad

@Patricia, SPLENDID, thanks for your help, that's the next one I do, love it, if you would like to come up with a quote, I'd love to use it and put your name under it, it's yours.

@Mike, remember, we are only 8 days old, by the time I'm done with this many people will think of art and quality by only looking at the letter "Q", no matter where they see it.

no they won't. who will see it?

people won't know to look on an outside site. the ads make no sense. the Q is not apparently linked the message. there are very few images actually listed there. there are no themes for people follow. you can't just have quality and a loose random assortment of images. that helps no one. people look for themes, they won't wade through dozens or hundreds or thousands of random images. that's where it will really fail. plus because you have no guidelines for artists to follow, buyers don't have that same guide. and they want to know why this group is better than the others - provided they look at the others.

people will look at the Q and think - Question - what is this thing i'm looking at? i don't think they will see an advertisement, they will see a random quote just like you see on facebook. Q doesn't mean anything right now. if you want people to associate Q with Quality - it MUST be written in the ad. otherwise it could stand for anything at all.

Mike Savad means - Quality art that looks like a painting. Fine nostalgic times from yesteryear, a wide variety of items, that has the look of the masters. that's what Mike Savad means to the buyer, and that's what i push. i don't float around quotes or toss random pictures into giant ads. i keep it simple.

as i asked, has this association worked for you in the past? does it make you sell well? i would assume you would use the same tactics on the group as you would yourself, right? makes sense to me.


---Mike Savad

What is this Mike, does it make sense, tells you right away it's computers, right.
It is much more effective to make people curious than tell everything in an ad, creates much more traffic. And my ad certainly makes you curious.

i think of junky overpriced computers. but when an ad runs they have

the name - and a simple phase.

always coca-cola
have a coke
coke is refreshing.
do the dew

stuff like that is stuck in your head. but here's the big thing - unless you plan on putting this on every sign post across the world, no one will know what your ads mean. not to mention the apple thing didn't happen over night, but over many, many, many years. and more than that, they gave away free computers to movie sets, tv shows and comic strips. it was an easy way to advertise and put apple back on the shelf. if they didn't i don't think anyone would care. keep it simple, keep it clear. and most importantly - where are these ads being listed at? not this site i hope- we know about that group.

your ads don't make anyone curious, most will stop reading after the 7th word and move on to the next thought. the links you showed the main ad - the punch line was in fine print, who will look there or associate violence and death with quality art. it doesn't make sense. stick with the basics.

and can you make your images a bit smaller, no one should have to scroll to see a picture, it kills the effect.

---Mike Savad

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES, and if you would have actually looked at the logo, it says, Q - the collection

right, Q has no meaning. it can mean anything at all. you know what it means, but there is no real clear reference to either art or quality on these ads. anything that is, is tiny to read. not to mention the only thing i see is a giant white Q. the collection part is far to small in that ironically gigantic ad.

i'm very observant when it comes to things that i see and recognize. and i know that if i can't find the point of what i'm reading, i toss the whole thing. i don't click to see what it's all about and even if i did i would still be just as confused. you can make excuses all you want and you can look the other way, but the reality is, the ad won't work the way you think it will work. and i still don't know where you would place this thing. i can't imagine a blog wanting something that takes so much space. where does this ad go?


---Mike Savad

"tells you right away it's computers, right."

It sure does, and a whole lot more. If you spend 37 years and literally billions of dollars on graphic design, advertising and marketing, your brand will be recognized in an instant, too.

"Just Do It" had millions of dollars behind it. If Nike was expecting to build a brand with $3000 I would have advised them to "Just Forget It."

Dan Turner
Dan Turner Fine Art
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online
To Enjoy Dan Turner's Pinterest Boards, Click Here

Today - you recognize that as "Apple" - but that logo didn't just happen and how long was it before it was the 'hot' recognizable and there were no other words needed. You can say the same thing for McDonald's Golden Arches.

I think the red square with the Q could become a recognizable brand for "fine art" photographs - not stock prints. But you got to build that brand - "fine art photographs" will have the quality.

Helter skelter quality photographs that few would purchase - are going to bog down your "recognizable brand".

"I" don't care for FAA's blue ink splash logo - and I don't think it really says much for what FAA is trying to do - they are pretty determined in the output quality of their business - what is often hurting them is poor quality photo's and art that are allowed to be scatter-shot across their site with spam tags and key words as well as being put into categories where they don't belong. "I" am along apparently for the ride because of this. FAA is NOT checking the input until someone orders. You are trying to check the input and are willing to let FAA worry about the output quality - which is fine. It's just, and I repeat, the disparate scattered range of the photographs aren't coherent within your group. The dressed up dogs are cute - and will probably sell. What the heck is with the Gorilla - he ain't cute, cuddly, and who's gonna hang it on their wall? I want to know who the audience is - corporate, home decor, ????

I don't mean to be testy - and I know you began this project just 8 days ago. Take your time - think it through - listen to what's being said - take it for what it's worth, NOT as slamming the idea, but as to how to improve your product. Put aside being defensive and don't let me or Mike or anyone else draw you into argument. Look at it and say - hmmmm - is that really how it's being seen - can I improve it? If at the end of consideration YOU believe you are right - it's your baby - raise it how you want - we can go have our own babies if we disagree to the point of dissolution.

FWIW rd

apple changed its logo dozens of times. put it on everything. all these logos did the same thing. but they didn't start with a long pitch like that, they kept it simple. no poems, quotes, etc. just basic information. or they used a catch - like the mc donald clown, the ham burgerler, mayor Mc cheese, etc. people associated the product with the logo. but this is a different story. you know what it means, the common buyer - won't have a clue.

i suggest you start by redoing that logo - you don't want a strong red background, on my screen it's like a screaming cherry color that's right in my eyes. and that makes me want to avert my eyes and not want to look at it - and that's very bad. the Q being large is ok, but the main part - collection and quality has to be listed in a large type face that it's to see fast. then create a simple to read ad, that's small. it shouldn't fill the page. it shouldn't dominate the screen. and the art parts must not be written in fine print. it's harder than it looks to create an effective ad. ........but then it depends where you list this thing. where will that be? - and no it can't be on this site.


---Mike Savad

Agree with many things you say Ron, and I know that I cannot compare to apple, it was an example, I'm sure I could find a better one, but don't want to spend the time. You are right, we are only 8 days public, but I started thinking about it a while ago. Regarding the collection and the scatteredness (don't know if that even is a word), a good photograph is a good photograph, subject does not matter. Of course I'm defensive, if I would not believe in this, I never would do it. To me this is worth to be defended. All the personal attacks, I ignore as you can see.
All I can say, there are of course a few people who don't like it, but the rest jumped on the train, and I already know it is working.


The group is 8 days old and rated high active and high ranking, the discussion thread is extremely active and a mayor subject (people watch this like a soap opera) of interest, and artists already reported increased views.


As of rejections and artists and art not included, there is room for 1000's, and why are they not in, you mentioned it in your post. But a couple might already be out shooting just to increase the quality of their images.

So, I try, but I don't understand what's so wrong.

"So, I try, but I don't understand what's so wrong."

I only know you from this discussion, Gunter, so I've just picked up on the high quality image you are wanting to portray. All I'm saying (and some of the others) is that your ad doesn't say High Quality. Quite the opposite. And I know a lot about what works and what doesn't when it comes to advertising.

It's early in the game. You can still change it, or (better) hire a professional who can design the image/campaign you're looking for.

Dan Turner
Dan Turner Fine Art
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online
To Enjoy Dan Turner's Pinterest Boards, Click Here

it matters greatly. a great image that might look great in a magazine - will look terrible in a livingroom. the same one that looks good in your kitchen might make a terrible stock photo. and a good stock photo may not look good anywhere but advertisements. i don't see decor based images in this collection, and that's the problem. decorators go to this site, and they are the ones getting these things, so the images should be lined up that way. i don't know what your deciding process is, but the quality is inconsistent.

these are not personal attacks by the way, just constructive criticism. like you passed on two of my images that i sold a number of times, so it probably doesn't fit - a good photo is a good photo.

the artists i spoke to told me the opposite, that their images have not gained any attention at all since joining. and since they don't know where the hits are coming from, no one can confirm it was your group.


---Mike Savad

subject may not matter - but it MUST be a 'fine art' quality photograph - I don't care if it's of a pot holder ( the little padded square that you hold hot cast iron skillet with - or a person with a "roach" in their mouth). The fine-ness quality of the photo has almost no bearing if it is an image that people - the general art buying public - won't hang on their wall - and they just might hang the picture of a pot smoking person - who's to say? I'm certain that if this was prints of paintings or even my digital abstracts - this would be easier. Then you could have everything from Grandma Moses to Rembrandt and Michelangelo. but you chose photographs - so do fine art quality photographs - They can be cute like the dogs - or landscapes or a sailor kissing a girl - but they most assuredly must be photographs that people would hang on their wall for decoration.

If you willy-nilly put up photographs simply because they are good quality - this will be a loser. Not to toss out good quality photographs - but we that submit should think carefully about the images we put up. I took over sixty images/photographs today - not one of them is worthy of hanging on anyone's wall - they may become worthy after I've toyed with them - but then they will no longer be photographs - they will be digital abstracts - if they survive my slicing and dicing before trying to squish humpty dumpty back together again.

looks like more people think, they are negative, deleted all and will change the text.

I used to be part of a radio show and that's how I always opened, with the breaking news like that, never got a negative reaction.
I do not like mainstream news and always think that they drive people crazy. People will say that things are getting worse because of media. Think about violence 200 years ago. Communication wasn't that good, but violence was much worth. I always thought media and news should be balanced, besides that, they blow everything out of proportion.

Whatsoever, if I offended anybody, I apologize

A good photograph is a good photograph - but it doesn't necessarily make it salable or even good as a print to hang on your wall. There are very many very fine quality "good photograph's" of weddings - but they are only of interest to relatives and very good friends - they are not images that would sell to the general art buying public.

whatever you do - don't give up. Your idea is a very good one. I don't think anyone is attacking you personally. As I said before - consider every piece of advice - if it fits take it to heart - don't throw your idea out like a baby with the bath water. I almost wish you weren't trying to do this alone. {don't look at me - I gave up on art several years ago}.

Gunter, there are very few people giving their opinions and advice on this thread. You need more input before you make drastic decisions. Give it another day and see if more people will contribute.

Thanks Roy, it's not only me, Greg does all the website and blogging which is still under construction, and no worries, I never give up, unless I cannot get proof of concept.
Will make new ads tomorrow. thanks for the kind words, and sorry you gave up on art, me too, move over to the photographs, they sell and the market grows each year.

@Patricia, no I see their point, that beating children, even if it says not beating could be taken wrong, new ones tomorrow

Gunter, I like your spirit. It is a great idea and I know you are passionate about it; which is awesome. All group admins should be so passionate. It is also very good that you are so willing to help others along the way.

My only problem with your idea is it is based completely on only your opinion of what is quality art. Which puzzles me too, to be honest. I'm not clear on the criteria of what makes the pieces in your group highest of the high quality. To me, quality is a combination of things: composition, color representation, clarity of the photograph, story telling ability, and in this case, sellability Many of the images in your group are good, but not many are superb; which is what you are trying for, right?

Yes, this is just my opinion, but it seems it is also the majority too. There is something to be said for what the artist's have been saying to you. After all they are all very talented and have good taste too.

Perhaps having a panel of judges would be better and give you a bit of a break too.

Good luck with your venture. I wish on you wisdom in your choices and this venture of yours.

@Dan, looked at your website, very clean and tasteful, impressive. See that you are in the music biz too.

Here's a version of "Boom Boom Boom" I'm playing bass on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6xxUxLULq8
hope you enjoy it

Thanks for all the input
Gunter

@Jani, thanks for your uplifting words. Here's the first thread:
http://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=1186923

you will see how humble I started out and then see how it went in the opposite direction.
I mentioned that I would wish to have multiple admins in a group. I hate to judge. If I accept everything the result would be a collection like global FAA has it now.
And yes, I'm trying for superb, and I do have a lot already, hopefully the collection will improve even more. I totally agree, most of the artists are very talented, but they cannot get into NG or any of the major stock or photo collections either. I do have some skills and know a lot about photography, but the rest is my opinion, don't know how else to do it. That's why I said from the beginning, I don't accept art (paintings etc.) I do get also plenty of good feedback, but that is mainly inboxed, not many people speak up, and thank YOU for doing it. Negative is much more popular.

And of course I'm willing to help others as I want to be helped, but I strongly believe that we all will make money on this too. Endless possibilities.

This is perhaps the worst comment I got, speaking of not being personal:

Louise Reeves: I give this group a few weeks before it putters and dies. You "chose" someone's crooked image yet rejected a lovely kitchen scene because you didn't like the half-pepper? You claim you go by the archaic-and-seldom-followed-by-pros "rule of thirds", yet you yourself have offset images. FYI, many pros now use "quadrants" in their image set ups.
Methinks this is about your own promotion ("look at me, I'm an online group admin").

Thanks again Jani, I promise I do my best

Gunter, that RAWKS! Great bass playing, super recording. And Leslie West - wow!!

Dan Turner
Dan Turner Fine Art
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online
To Enjoy Dan Turner's Pinterest Boards, Click Here

glad you like it Dan,

Here's a couple more, just for you, nobody else is allowed to click:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVSvlNDQG1o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EfumUeRcMc

This is perhaps the worst one I got, speaking of not being personal:

.............. Louise Reeves: I give this group a few weeks before it putters and dies. You "chose" someone's crooked image yet rejected a lovely kitchen scene because you didn't like the half-pepper? You claim you go by the archaic-and-seldom-followed-by-pros "rule of thirds", yet you yourself have offset images. FYI, many pros now use "quadrants" in their image set ups.
Methinks this is about your own promotion ("look at me, I'm an online group admin").


The worst of what, Gunter? PM, email, comments? The worse of what?

How about this one, inspired by Patricia Strand, it's a draft, not sure if it would work with the phone

@Christine comment

Maybe better

Gunter, I like the bottom half (change "Live is a Dream" to "Life is a Dream") but you are right that the phone image should be replaced with something else ... something dreamy, I guess. I wouldn't use all the dream lines, only one. Keep it simple. But I'm no expert ... I'm sure you will hear from them shortly.

I originally suggested the phone image because it's a good photograph (which is what you are selling), and the black and white image goes well with the logo. The addition of dreaming takes it in another direction.

Edit: I think I still like my original suggestion, which is just the black and white photo, the logo and the words "Fine Art Photography." That's it, nothing more.

ok, I do agree on the image, it does not match the message.
Life is missspellled, Thanks

All 5 lines, to me, carry the dreamy message.
The lennon quote is broken down in the dream part and the resolution is Q - the only one, which is also from the quote.

At first I had "Art will help you live your dreams. But it was not enough make to me think.
The other one I had was "Art is Peaceful"
So we see what others say


And Mike please don't write back" Imagine there is Q and nobody shows up". I got that one by myself

All the best guys
Gunter

Edit: I think I still like my original suggestion, which is just the black and white photo, the logo and the words "Fine Art Photography." That's it, nothing more.

ok, I try it, I think I have those letters in photoshop

I like it so far, what else,

The telephone one looks great. One suggestion would be to make the grey box smaller and drop it down so it does not obstruct the photograph as much, I like the very clean look of it!

@Chaline, will do, thanks for the input

Now we're talkin' !! I agree with Chaline. Much cleaner. You could change up the background photograph from time to time, keeping the bottom graphics of course. Well done! (imho)

Good call Chaline

ok, I start with the phone, clean it up tomorrow and post it, thanks for the help all :)

Fantastic! :)

the simpler ones are better but they are still gigantic. if you made that smaller, much smaller, the Q will be gone and the tiny collection will be a blur. and in the end if people go to the group and don't see anything that they consider quality, they will go to the main search anyway. like just saying fine art photography - isn't descriptive enough to say why your group is any more special then my entire gallery.

if you use the phone - straighten the image, because i don't get the quality from that.

also if you don't want people calling you out - there's a reason for this: you have no rules set. if you can describe what your criteria is that you use to judge an image i think people would be more satisfied. but you don't have that listed. sometimes it's based on avatar, or bio, or description, and the pictures vary quite a bit. if you tell people that the criteria is:

it needs to be:

straight, clean looking (no noise etc), clean crop, can't be a snap shot. fine art and not stock images, etc. then it would make some kind of sense. because i am not seeing quality. i'm not seeing story. in your head its obvious but it isn't to me. and it won't be to a confused buyer. this is why specialized groups would do better because if a buyer wants an owl, they would look for that group.


as for the phrases above - art isn't a dream. a million dollars is a dream. and art won't change your life that much, which is what your implying here. and again, the size of that image is huge, make i business card size.


---Mike Savad

Being really picky, a few suggestions for cleaning up the image - remove all the dust specks from the phone and table top, fix the blown highlights on the left hand candlestick and the lens flare from the top left, and remove the hand written number from the bottom of the phone. It's attention to detail that makes the difference between a special photo and a lucky snapshot.

Dan said: "Gunter, that RAWKS! Great bass playing, super recording. And Leslie West - wow!!"

Gunter - I listened too, and I can't say it any better than what Dan said except, HOLY SHIT!! WOW is right! :)
I'm going to click on the links made specifically for Dan :P and you can punish me later.

while on the topic of that phone, you might want to clone out or blur out the reflection of that umbrella in the hand piece. it offsets the old qualities of the phone.


---Mike Savad

Donna! Where you been girl! So good to see you.

Gunter - I have one question, how much Graphic Design experience, training or education do you have?

@Jane McIlroy

Being really picky, a few suggestions for cleaning up the image - remove all the dust specks from the phone and table top, fix the blown highlights on the left hand candlestick and the lens flare from the top left, and remove the hand written number from the bottom of the phone. It's attention to detail that makes the difference between a special photo and a lucky snapshot.

We were brainstorming yesterday and I posted those pics for input, and they are all drafts, hence the name. I also stated in my post underneath that I have to clean up the final version. Thanks for reminding me though.

@Donna: lol, Glad you had fun

I like draft 5. Why would you remove the hand-lettering from the phone? It's part of the photograph and adds to its appeal as a vintage item. This photo could be replaced with another more perfect, straightened, sanitized or heavily-hdr'd photo, that is true. You could pick one from your group. Gunter, it's up to you. Not all photographs need to match Mike's style to be appealing, however. I do see how the logo could disappear if it were to be made smaller, so perhaps there is a graphic designer here who could offer practical advice on the logo.

I like what you're doing here Gunter, and so far I think you have gone above and beyond in all aspects of administering and promoting the group! Thanks :)

Add a little opacity to the grey logo bar. not the Q, jut the grey bar. Just a suggestion ;O) Maybe a gradient opacity fading to the right.

Awwwwwwwwweeeeeeee, Christina, if it works out as planned it will benefit all of us, even the ones who are not in the group. I love this site, who else gives you all these features for $30 a year. FAA is based on mutual promotion. There is no risk in what I'm doing and we can't lose. If it brings in one more buyers, we win. I have fun doing it and believe it will be great, if I fail, so what. I know Twitter and others don't work for most unless you have targeted following, and a lot of it. My concept COULD be successful. Greg Norrell is doing the website and is helping in unselfishness and spent lots of his time already. Thanks to him too.
Thanks for seeing the vision Christina, it will be great .............

Gunter

Good idea Bob, will try how it looks

Well.. Of course I like it ;O)

still crooked, still too huge, Q still has no meaning, and that glint of light on the bottom is bugging me. there is a lot of loss around the lettering, and a telephone doesn't make sense unless there is a reference to why it's called fine art.


---Mike Savad

actually you can lose. if the ad doesn't look professional, and the group is based in quality, then it's a poor reflection for the place.

like, if you had a tea house, the finest china, everything very elegant, but served tea leaves that tasted like tobacco juice. well, you will fool them once but never again. if everything is quality, everything should look that way. if the product is poorly represented, then it doesn't go anywhere. but in the end - where will this giant ad be located?

and how is this targeted? and to who?

i know it sounds like i'm attacking, but i usually play devils advocate for a reason, it's often easy to be blinded to ideas that you thought were good or had good intentions. the fact that the guy entering your contest didn't know what Q stood for, even though it was on the page, and even you answering him, you didn't tell him what it meant - that's not a good thing. he was looking for a one word answer and you gave him a pitch.

first you have to decide, where will the ad be presented. this will tell you the style it should be in, the wording, and the size of the ad.

then you create the ads for those places. i don't rely on ads, i rely on my work to sell itself and that works pretty well. but knowing where to put these things - targeting is still just as important. as a buyer, what in that ad makes me want to click on it?


---Mike Savad

Pic of the day:

Shane Bechler. Since my childhood, I have enjoyed the outdoors and love to spend my time taking photographs of nature and the outdoors. My passion is nature photography and digital art. I also enjoy using my photographs to create mixed media images. If I have a picture in mind that I would like to photograph, but cannot get the shot, I will often take some pictures, then use software to edit them and generate the image I have in mind..




Q - the collection

Thanks Gunter,

I appreciate all your efforts and I'm honored to make your "Pick of the day"

Reading through all the discussions from Mike, Dan, and others in this thread, I was playing around with the idea of an add for your group. I took into account trying to use simple and catchy phrases that might make people want to take a look. I tried to create something where the Q stands for Quality. No image distraction, just a simple logo. Something smaller, simple colors, etc. Here was what I came up with.



I started making this yesterday before you came up with your newer posts. I like your latest posts the best for your adds. Since I started working on this last night, I figured I would go ahead and post it, even though you've already come up with newer ideas that you've posted today.

Shane, thank you so much for putting the time in, it's great. I love the uality in the Q, I had "the collection" in that little leg, but did no think of your version. I think that is a winner and I will use it in some. Great input, very creative, thank you

I like the sound of 'The Q collection' better than Q - The Collection. Especially after Shane's version of the logo.

Tagline suggestion: superb quality photos

Whatever logo or tagline you choose, know that simple is best. Not too wordy or busy looking. It needs to be repeatable, by the viewer, after only a glance. I like the red background better than black. It's much more eye catching.

Also, if you were to be in a situation to describe the group, think elevator speech. You have only a couple of minutes if not less to describe the group before you lose the audience.

This is just me... but "you know you want some" somehow not appropriate. But like I said, this is just my immediate impression, And I like the RED.

Hi all,

Think the idea of a moderated collection is great but has anyone checked out if your logo is being used by anyone else, as it looks too close to comfort to the one used by the major UK based music magazine Q.

http://www.qthemusic.com/

All the best

Ian

It's not just you, Bob. I agree. There should never be anything on the logo that can be misconstrued. In this case, I see that phrase as opposite to the word, quality. Instantly degrades the quality in my eyes. Sorry, Shane. Nothing personal.

Ouch, Ian - it looks the same.

Gunter, I think what spoils it IS the red logo. Silver would be very tasteful imo. :)

https://www.google.com/search?um=1&safe=off&hl=en&biw=1914&bih=860&tbs=ic%3Aspecific%2Cisc%3Ared&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=q+logo&oq=q+logo&gs_l=img.3..0l10.8849.9468.0.9698.5.5.0.0.0.0.184.459.2j2.4.0...0.0...1c.1.12.img.ZDlyQRatL3U

many other Q logos you want to avoid. they would probably send a cease and desist order.


---Mike Savad

@Ian great catch.
It looks VERY Simular, luckily it is a different Font and it is in England. I see that they even have Q - the music, I swear I haven't seen it.
I know about this, http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quick_(Zeitschrift) but it is german. This magazine is decades old and would be the first one to speak up. I think we are good. If somebody sends me a DMCA, I change it.
I also would go with the red and believe it really pops.
"the collection" to me is a much stronger statement and much more hip than Q - collection.

Great input everybody, thank you.

Something else: The letter Q was chosen with the word quality in mind, but is still negotiable. The letter stays but what it means is still negotiable.
So if anybody has a creative idea, and it could be anything, one word of course, I would love to hear it.

"Superb quality photos" is to clear for me, I like things like "the other side of the lens" although that one is to old.
I really like "Frozen Light" but did not use it yet, not sure. I would love to use the word light.
And very important, I want to build a brand, so everybody, at least in the industry knows, and there is no explanation needed. I know, far out, but I always reach for the stars.

I have the feeling, that at least everybody in here already see's the letter Q differently and recognizes the logo immediately. Browse FAA buttons for groups and contests etc. you might notice that it already means something to you. Now, all we need to do is grow it.

Gunter

Mike, None of them has a registered or trademark icon

Just made a phone call, the letter Q or any other single letter cannot be trademarked. What can be registered is a letter in an original font or a color pattern or original look, our font comes with Windows and is public domain. A solid color can also not be trademarked only a combination of multiple colors and that is tricky.

Verdict is out, the logo stays as is. For all members of Q, it is available to download here:
http://www.qthecollection.com/images/Q-logo.jpg

If you are a member and take pride in it, please use it freely on your website. Example: proud member of .... featured in ........... pic of the day etc.
You don't have to link back, but if you do, we would love it. this would be the address:
http://fineartamerica.com/groups/q-collection.html

If you have a blog and would like to mention us, aaaaaaaaaawesome
If you are a member you can paste your blog in here:
http://blog.qthecollection.com/
Contact Greg if you have questions regarding the blog

Thanks
Gunter

There is also the separation of content. One is about music and one is about fineart, no conflict. they are going after different customers.

well said Bob

Just hit 250 images, I don't care what people say about me, you guys are awesome, thaaaaaaaaaaaaaank you everybody, keep them coming.
Tap yourself on the shoulder, we got lots accomplished already and it was great teamwork.

Gunter

BTW: I need a press release, something like a one sheet. As you all know my English is limited. Anybody good in that and willing to submit one?

Inbox me and I give you keywords, or don't if you think you got the idea write it post it here and we get input from everybody.

Gunter

it's not the letter, it's the design and how the letter is used in that design that is trademarked. but take your chances. you don't need a trademark icon, you just have to defend that trademark. because if you don't you can lose it. you won't see a trademark symbol on everything. the fact that a few people already asked what the Q means - already shows that they have no idea what it means.


but if this whole method has worked for you in the past, and you sold lots of things before, i'm not stopping you.


---Mike Savad

@Mike ...... Thank you soooooooooo much for not stopping me

no problem, that's just what i do.


---Mike Savad

This is such a fun discussion to read ;O)

@Bob
Party like a photographer :)

Our first contest. OPEN TO ANYBODY Winning image will be included in Q - the collection

http://fineartamerica.com/contests/for-faa-members-who-are-not-in-q--the-collection.html?tab=overview

Read some interesting threads here and can't believe what I saw

This is not really my business unless it's my photographs, but in case somebody want's to know about public domain photographs: here it is

http://fineartamerica.com/groups/q-collection.html?showmessage=true&messageid=1202627

Face book banner for members to download, perfect size, isolated, delete the white put any layer underneath. If .png needed email me

https://www.facebook.com/QTheCollection

The Press Release


Click here to download the PDF

Maybe you don't know but everyone here at FAA has a special place to post press releases.
Just go to behind the scenes - public profile - press release. Good luck!

Thanks Victor, this is different, I take the luck though

Gunter

One more channel for promotion.This one is targeting audience out of FAA circle.

There is an audience outside FAA ??????????

I would change it to " from the comfort of their home or office " instead of "the convenience of the seat of their computer."

@Bob - agree, to deep in it though, next one we'll do it, it's not to big of a deal, thanks

@Gunter - the press release looks great and the phone photo is good now as well. I'm sorry if I sounded too critical before, you're putting a lot of work into the new group and it's much appreciated!

@Jane, no problem at all, critic is good if it is constructive, keep telling me. I want the best I can do and appreciate all help. Thanks for the input and keep them coming.
Gunter