Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello kingsnake folk-

I wanted to get some feedback on a new web site I'm developing. I am putting together a site that collects donated, high quality nature photography that will be sold to raise money for conservation causes. The idea is simple - many of us are using quality cameras taking great photos of wildlife, scenery, etc. But most of us have little to do with them. This site will produce a catalogue of print quality photographs available for sale with all the funds going to specific causes.

I plan to pay for the development and professional server space, deal with all business related issues and funnel the cash to the conservation agencies. The photographer will retain the ownership of the photos and will always be fully credited. The organization will be a non-profit with all financials clearly stated and updated regularly.

I feel that this might be an opportunity for some of us to give back to the organizations that help preserve, or conserve the wilds we all appreciate. Who the specific organizations will be is under consideration. It may be possible for individual photographers to designate specific organizations to benefit.

I will be placing any photos I've taken up for sale along with any of you who would like to contribute. I believe there would be a tax incentive - you may be able to deduct the fair market value of your donation. I would have to enter all sales info into a database that would produce receipts for all sales for your records.

I would also have to reject photos that don't meet certain quality standards, which wouldn't be a lot of fun. Anyway, feedback?

Sounds like a very good idea. Just make you sure you pick your conservation agencies carefully or people might be less enthusiastic about donating their pics. Good luck though and I would love to see how the site and project turn out. Andy
-----
Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

That did occur to me. I am considering allowing the photographer to designate the society, group or organization the profits would go to, or at least offering a significant list of possibilities they could choose from. Of course that waters down the benefit to any one organization.

What groups do suggest I include, or stay away from? I wouldn't consider any controversial groups like PETA. I did consider limiting donations to the Nature Conservancy, which seems to enjoy pretty broad support.

Thanks for the input,

>>What groups do suggest I include, or stay away from?

No HSUS!
-----
Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

A good idea might be the different herp society's. Maybe select a different one over a different period of time. Other ideas might be nationwide herp programs(maybe something like that IHS?), herp depts at colleges, or even noteworthy research projects.
-----
Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

in terms of resolution, size, species, and what not? I would be more than happy to send you a few digital files. I own a wild herp photography forum that has many very talented photographers that might be interested in something like this, feel free to post this request/inquiry. here's the url http://groups.yahoo.com/group/herp-pix/

that I would be happy to donate. Not the best shot ever, but I find it somewhat aesthetically pleasing.

-----
Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

Thats a good shot. I like it because it shows the animal clearly but also says something about its behavior. If you don't mind, I'll incorporate it into my test site. With credit, of course. Can I ask what its original resolution was? (I assume you scakled it down for the web?)

I'll have to incorporate a database that allows those who donate to see exactly who has purchased their images, for how much money, and where the money raised ended up. If/when I get incorporated as a legal non-profit you should be able to deduct the fair market value of the image. (I think, check with your accountant to be sure)

Thanks!

hmm...Honestly I am not sure one the res. because the original was destroyed when my comp. crashed and somehow deleted all of my herping pics. And about the deductibles, I couldn't care less. I am a highschool student and thus have no reason as I am still a minor.
-----
Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

Thats a good question. I suspect sales would be to print publications primarily, web and multimedia secondarily. Print generally asks for resolution around 300 dpi, depending on a number of factors. Obviously, any image can be scaled up to 300 dpi but with a loss of clarity. I suspect most publications would be happy with a clear, 3 mega pixel image, although I know Reptiles magazine (for example) isn't interested in digital images and insists on slides that they scan at high res.

So images would be prefered at the 3 megapixel plus range, but smaller res images would be acceptable, though not as marketable. I have access to a high quality slide scanner, so I could make slides available at very high resolution.

The image itself would have to be similar to what you would see in professional publications. I've seen many such images on this site, but I suspect many who are taking advantage of the digital revolution in photography are like me - they take a hundred mediocre photos for every one thats publishable. thats why one site that markets a lot of people exceptional shots might work. I would never go to the trouble to try to market the few shots I've taken that are marketable, but I would be happy if they could raise a few bucks for wildlife.

I'll keep you all posted with developments. I'll have a prototype site up this month. Thanks.