S&W photos to S&W?

Lil' LadySmith · #1 10-02-2013, 06:14 PM

Silly/dumb question but going to ask anyways.

Awhile back I took a photo of a M60 Ladysmith and my dad is urging me to send it in to Smith & Wesson. I was wondering if anyone knows if S&W appreciates getting photos from people and if so, any idea if there's a preferred email/address to send it so it wouldn't get lost with all the other stuff they get?

I know some companies could care less or have specific places to send certain things (warranty vs. general questions vs. ???) so I thought I'd ask. I'm really pleased with the photo myself and would like to share it with them. (could be good for PR towards women I think)

Any thoughts/info appreciated! Thank you!

rags · #2 10-02-2013, 06:19 PM

I'm not sure, but can't wait for the answer. Good idea.

Nframecollector · #3 10-02-2013, 06:21 PM

Why not share it here first?

Smith357 · #4 10-02-2013, 06:26 PM

I'm not sure about the S&W company, but we sure love pictures here. And we will sometimes link to picture threads from the Forum's Facebook page.

diamonback68 · #5 10-02-2013, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smith357

I'm not sure about the S&W company, but we sure love pictures here. And we will sometimes link to picture threads from the Forum's Facebook page.

I didn't know we were on Facebook. Where?

rags · #6 10-02-2013, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamonback68

I didn't know we were on Facebook. Where?

Facebook!

PM sent Dick....

gjamison · #7 10-02-2013, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smith357

I'm not sure about the S&W company, but we sure love pictures here. And we will sometimes link to picture threads from the Forum's Facebook page.

When did this happen?

timn8er · #8 10-02-2013, 07:06 PM

The Forum is as close to Facebook as I care to get!

pace40 · #9 10-02-2013, 09:05 PM

Can someone clarify the facebook thing please. If I or anything I post here shows up on facebook, I'm done.

Lil' LadySmith · #10 10-02-2013, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nframecollector

Why not share it here first?

I was considering it.

I've had picts stolen in the past so I get a little nervous sometimes.

I just put it up though so you guys can see what I'm wanting to send. I'd prefer it not go to facebook though. (I really don't trust/care for that place and am careful about what goes up on it.)

raljr1 · #11 10-02-2013, 09:46 PM

I've never had anything I post here show up on Facebook and I don't want it to. I post things here because I believe there is a level of trust amongst those of us who appreciate firearms and that those of us who go to the effort to share information on this forum, recognize that we are communicating with people who respect the fact that we don't want the whole world to know specifics about what we collect.

shouldazagged · #12 10-02-2013, 10:08 PM

Very nice photo! It would be great if you could sell it to S&W's ad agency.

As for Facebook, I want nothing at all to do with it, and would be very upset to learn that this forum is linked to it in any way.

JSR III · #13 10-02-2013, 10:29 PM

I don't know if its because I'm a member here and have legitimate access to the posts, but many times when I GOOGLE a S&W topic, like M&P Shield, I find many references to posts made here.

Be very careful what you put on the old interweb if you don't want it to come back and bite you in the butt.

Lil' LadySmith · #14 10-02-2013, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shouldazagged

Very nice photo! It would be great if you could sell it to S&W's ad agency.

As for Facebook, I want nothing at all to do with it, and would be very upset to learn that this forum is linked to it in any way.

Thanks Shoulda!

That would be very cool! I couldn't even find a contact for them when I looked awhile back. (basically I got the SW store and repair service. Neither of which would probably care and/or get it to the right people who *might* be interested in it)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSR III

I don't know if its because I'm a member here and have legitimate access to the posts, but many times when I GOOGLE a S&W topic, like M&P Shield, I find many references to posts made here.

Be very careful what you put on the old interweb if you don't want it to come back and bite you in the butt.

Actually that's how I found you guys. I was doing research on an old revolver (trying to ID my dad's) and all the good info came from you guys! I wasn't a member then but became one soon after once I realized this seemed like a good place. I'm still careful with certain info though.

357-RevolverGuy · #15 10-03-2013, 02:04 AM

I don't think the S&W company will care much for photos. If you send one in, my guess is it will end up in the trash.

They use to let users post pictures to their Facebook page. I remember because I had done it a few times, and then about two years ago they decided to close that option and only post photos that the company chooses (which are usually very boring shots of some of their famous competition shooters, who are always wearing their outfits with the logo.) I wrote to complain about the change and never heard back. In my opinion when users shared pictures it built a community. In fact after that decision it's what led me here to this forum. I closed Facebook and haven't looked back.

Texas Star · #16 10-03-2013, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil' LadySmith

I was considering it.

I've had picts stolen in the past so I get a little nervous sometimes.

I just put it up though so you guys can see what I'm wanting to send. I'd prefer it not go to facebook though. (I really don't trust/care for that place and am careful about what goes up on it.)

See if Guns or American Handgunner will buy it for use with a story or as a cover shot. It's good enough!

If they decline, it may be because most magazines choose cover photos to plug whichever advertiser's gun is being promoted that month.

Wait: Women & Guns may buy it, but I'd probably try the others first. I'd also try, Gun Digest.

I've sold articles with photos to all, and the big ones pay better. W&G is published by The Second Amendment Foundation.

The photo appeals mainly to a female theme, and many male gun owners would be irritated or embarrssed to see it on a gun mag. cover. But W&G might just grab it.

If you want to run it by S&W, find out the name of the current in-house writer contact person. The company operator should connect you. He or she can tell you if they'd have any interest, and how.

H Richard · #17 10-03-2013, 11:03 AM

Anything that you post on any internet forum can be accessed by Google. As was mentioned before, Google a particular S&W that you know has been discussed here and I'll bet some of the posts show up. They won't be on facebook unless someone puts them there.

45Wheelgun · #18 10-03-2013, 02:05 PM

That is a very beautiful photograph. I really like it. I doubt that S&W would be interested, but I know folks here have enjoyed it. Thank you for posting it.

For those with questions about our Facebook page - Please see here:

Facebook???

walnutred · #19 10-03-2013, 02:56 PM

Given the quality of photographs, photographers and unusual items that are on this board I wonder if we'll ever see a S&W Forum Fundraising calander.

cowart · #20 10-03-2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Star

See if Guns or American Handgunner will buy it for use with a story or as a cover shot.

Its not formatted to be a cover shot. Cover shots need to be in portrait format to fit the cover, and they need clear space at the top for the magazine's logo, and they need clear space on the right side for story blurbs.

Texas Star · #21 10-03-2013, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowart

Its not formatted to be a cover shot. Cover shots need to be in portrait format to fit the cover, and they need clear space at the top for the magazine's logo, and they need clear space on the right side for story blurbs.

Can it be re-formatted? I haven't worked with digital photography.

Lil' LadySmith · #22 10-03-2013, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Star

See if Guns or American Handgunner will buy it for use with a story or as a cover shot. It's good enough!
...
Wait: Women & Guns may buy it, but I'd probably try the others first. I'd also try, Gun Digest.
...
W&G is published by The Second Amendment Foundation.

The photo appeals mainly to a female theme, ... But W&G might just grab it.

If you want to run it by S&W, find out the name of the current in-house writer contact person. The company operator should connect you. He or she can tell you if they'd have any interest, and how.

Thanks for the ideas/info TS. I hadn't really thought about that. I was thinking more along the lines of PR towards women in general since there seems to be growing interest there. I know sometimes it takes that little extra something for women to feel like this can be for them as well and not just a boys club.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Star

Can it be re-formatted? I haven't worked with digital photography.

It would be difficult to reformat it for a cover shot. Would probably have to work it into/with another graphic. (maybe take a photo of a desk or something and have this in a "picture frame" on the desk type thing?) Could be done but difficult as a stand alone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 45Wheelgun

That is a very beautiful photograph. I really like it. I doubt that S&W would be interested, but I know folks here have enjoyed it. Thank you for posting it.

Facebook???

Thank you 45Wheelgun and everyone else for their kind comments and ideas! Any other ideas are more than welcome!

Lil' LadySmith · #23 10-03-2013, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walnutred

Given the quality of photographs, photographers and unusual items that are on this board I wonder if we'll ever see a S&W Forum Fundraising calander.

Hmmmm... now *there's* an idea! Wonder how much interest there would be? I use to do calendars for the offroad club I was in but that was a fundraiser to feed the photographer back in the day!

I don't know about producing enough for a fundraiser here but I'd be more than happy to help out (layout and a picture or 2, or 3, or....

) at least. Just not sure if I could get production cheap enough to make it a worthwhile fundraiser.

sipowicz · #24 10-03-2013, 11:06 PM

I would think sending pics of guns to Smith and Wesson would be like sending pictures of rice to China.

Retired W4 · #25 10-03-2013, 11:32 PM

That is a really great photograph. It gets your point across. Good luck!

Lil' LadySmith · #26 10-04-2013, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sipowicz

I would think sending pics of guns to Smith and Wesson would be like sending pictures of rice to China.

LOL! That's possible Sips. I've known companies that could care less/not want stuff like this as well as companies that absolutely love it. I've no idea which way S&W is.

venomballistics · #27 10-04-2013, 12:36 PM

about the only error in the photo that I can see is the front sight got mostly lost. the composition is stellar.
take more pics of various guns in these settings and plug every manufacturer and gun mag you can find for "air time"
You seem to have the stuff for it

Cooter Brown · #28 10-04-2013, 02:59 PM

That's an excellent shot. Very nicely composed and lit.

I belong to an upland bird hunting site and there are some very good photographers there. One in particular does stellar work. A couple of years back people started swiping his photos and posting them as their own--some I think in commercial applications.

He now watermarks all his photos.

You might want to send a PM to Bill Bates on this site. He is a professional photographer (another one of the stellar photogs on the upland site) and all the photos of his you see on this site and others have a watermark and copyright stamp. He should be able to tell you about how best to protect yourself from internet picture thieves. I realize I am volunteering him but Bill seems like a heck of a nice guy and probably wouldn't mind your reaching out to him about this.

A Google search on how to protect photos online would likely yield pretty good results as well.

Lil' LadySmith · #29 10-05-2013, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by venomballistics

about the only error in the photo that I can see is the front sight got mostly lost. the composition is stellar.
take more pics of various guns in these settings and plug every manufacturer and gun mag you can find for "air time"
You seem to have the stuff for it

Awwe, thanks VB!

I've been getting a lot of encouragement in general so we'll see! Gonna be a challenge to get more like that but I'll be trying.

Lil' LadySmith · #30 10-05-2013, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooter Brown

That's an excellent shot. Very nicely composed and lit.

I belong to an upland bird hunting site and there are some very good photographers there. One in particular does stellar work. A couple of years back people started swiping his photos and posting them as their own--some I think in commercial applications.

He now watermarks all his photos.

You might want to send a PM to Bill Bates on this site. He is a professional photographer (another one of the stellar photogs on the upland site) and all the photos of his you see on this site and others have a watermark and copyright stamp. He should be able to tell you about how best to protect yourself from internet picture thieves. I realize I am volunteering him but Bill seems like a heck of a nice guy and probably wouldn't mind your reaching out to him about this.

A Google search on how to protect photos online would likely yield pretty good results as well.

Thanks for the suggestions CB. I've researched it on and off but been awhile. PM sent and will be researching options again though a quick search there still isn't much you can do. Doesn't help that photoshop makes so many things so easy now!

Bill Bates · #31 10-05-2013, 06:27 PM

L'LS i like the photo. The lighting and composition are good. The front sight does get a little lost, not a big deal. The background ending and cutting across the top left corner hurts a little too. Somebody that is very skilled with Photoshop editing could fill that gray background area in but it would be work. Again I like the photo; so, enough with the critique.

As I said in PM. When it comes to photos on the web pretty much don't worry about them being used without permission, that is comes with the web. Some sites you load your images onto when you dig down into the terms of use for the site will tell you right up front if you load an image their they can use it. Some are worse and if they want to use and sell your image they can if you upload to that site.

Keep the image resolution low so the images won't make a decent print. You can add tags and scripts to disable hot linking and right click saving but most of those can be defeated by the tech savvy user. There are companies like Digimarc that put scripts in to your photos that phone home and will notify you about unauthorized use. Also if you do lots of photos and you do it for a living or think you might want to register your copyrights with the government copyright office. It is easy and cheap.

Most legit outfits and magazines won't use your photo without a usage release. They have deep enough pockets they worry about being sued. A little warning here; read submission and use rules before sending a photo off. Many places and most news agencies have full rights if you send them a image or video. You send it to them and they own the image. As the paparazzi know some images can be worth huge paydays. If you get something that might be worth huge bucks let them know what you have and start negotiations.

When it comes to web image theft it isn't all that common but it will happen. Most websites will remove images when asked. They don't want to be sued either. People that steal images are jerks but heck lots of people are jerks. More often people will ask if they can use a photo which is nice.

If an images stolen be happy someone thought your work was good enough to steal. If they have deep pockets and the image is registered look at it as a really nice payday.

Thanks for the kind words Cooter. Oh and today was good in the grouse covert. Here is an I-Phone snap from this morning.

Lil' LadySmith · #32 10-05-2013, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Bates

L'LS i like the photo. The lighting and composition are good. The front sight does get a little lost, not a big deal. The background ending and cutting across the top left corner hurts a little too. Somebody that is very skilled with Photoshop editing could fill that gray background area in but it would be work. Again I like the photo; so, enough with the critique.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the critique and all the advice Bill! It's appreciated very much! (and considering what I've seen of your work I'm flattered!

) )

I've thought about working on the background (to fill in that corner) and enhancing the area of the front sight (photoshop is kinda my thing.

) but in general I'm funny about keeping my photos as photos and my photoshop work as photoshop work. I see them as 2 different art forms and take pride in getting a decent shot without it having to be photoshopped.

(Got a lot of work ahead of me but as long as I'm improving I'm happy!)

Maybe I'll do a fixed up version for kicks and post it up!