I love it when people–especially members of this community–take ideas and run with them. This one is no exception…
A couple months ago, I was approached by blog reader and founder of a company called Trade Secret Cards, Zeke Kamm. He had a business proposition: He’d come to Seattle, pick my brain about various different pictures in my portfolio and then he’d put together a pack of 22 glossy, high-end cards that illustrate “how to” re-create each picture. Soup to nuts. Diagrams, equipment used, what I was thinking, etc. He sells ’em and gives us cut.
We agreed to his proposal and for about $20 you can–starting today–buy these illustrative card packs here at www.tradesecretcards.com or at national photo retailers like Midwest Photo. Cool idea on Zeke’s part – 100% his thingie.
And, fwiw, what’s with our 10%? I’m giving it away. Here’s the fun twist. I’m putting 100% of our cut back into the photo community. Zeke has printed 5,000 sets of cards. They go for roughly $20 each. So if my math is correct, we’ll give every dime of $10,000 bucks back into photo community if Zeke sells all his cards.
How shall I put this money back into the community? You tell me. I’m all ears. Let’s not put the cart before the horse, of course, we’ve got to help Zeke sell these cards, but I’d love to get your ideas in the comments below about how you’d like to see the money spent back into the community. My 10% is actually your 10%.
Another card example and link to other cards after the jump. Click the ‘continue reading’ link below.
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And lastly, if you like the Trade Secrets concept, Zeke has also done a set with my good friend David over at the Strobist community. Buy those too, also available at the Trade Secret Card site.
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Being a 'young photographer' you can't blame me for saying definitely would be best spent on the youth photography scene. Not necessarily helping one or two kids through college, but more looking at the wider picture. Maybe some kind of workshop in seattle like your Flickr group, but to inspire young photographers rather than the already pretty savvy people. If I lived anywhere near there I would be dieing to attend it!
I am in the process of making a kind of web magazine for upcoming, talented young photographers. They inspire me so much, and I want to share that inspiration with the world. I'm goinng to be showcasing their amazing (and at the moment undervalued and unnoticed in the wider community) work, and also giving them career advice and tips from any 'professionals' who are willing to reply to my emails.
I would love to help you in any way I can.. I'd love to see something like your Flickr meetup happen in London and open to people of all ages, regardless of photographic ability (within reason obviously).
Hopefully in a few months once my 'blog/magazine' is going real strong (modest?:) I will have the opportunity to share it with you, who knows, maybe it will even inspire you. There's amazing talent out there.
Jeez I'm on fire! ^ Back to the point. A Seattle flickr meetup but allowing (and encouraging) the participation of younger photographers 🙂 … and major brownie points if it's in London and you let me come!
Take it easy, and I'm sure whatever you do with the money will be worthwhile!!!
Nathaniel
I have worked along high school photographers while shooting high school sports this year. Just like HS music programs, Small HSchools don't have the resources to provide decent equipment and are often left to donate or old equpuipment. I would love to be able to provide a few schools with a good camera a couple of lenses and a decent flash. maybe a photo contest between the schools.