An attempt to raise money via a calendar

[GermanB]

A calendar... why not? 🙂

I'd be glad to contribute both pics for the calendar and bying a couple of copies...

I think that just like the RF book it could show different kind of photo-styles achievable with RF Cameras. And for the gear heads (no pun intended) it is possible to add a small pic/reference of the camera used in each photo..

just my 2 cents... 😀

GermanB

 

[back alley]

just a note...

i would hope we stay away from membership fees.

i realize some see this as a saving grace but it has not helped p.net much.
they have membership drives yet their site is full of ads.
and heaven forbid someone who is not a member tries to state an opinion of any kind, there seems always someone there to quickly put them down and point out they have no right to speak if they don't pay first.

i don't think it's the answer.

 

[John Camp]

You know how firefighters, women's rugby teams, swim teams, etc. do nude calendars to raise money? Naw, forget about it!

But if we held our cameras in a strategic location....

Great idea. Even my wife likes it -- says it would give me a reason to buy a collapsible 50... 😀

I was in Oxford last summer, and saw in a store window "Full Monty" pictures of both the men and the women's rugby teams, with the rugby balls held in strategic positions. Since the women had more strategic positions to cover, they had to choose only one...interesting photo, that...

The one key question with the calendar idea is "will it solve the problem?" It would be a lot of work, and would take up even more time; and if we sell x number of them (figure some realistic sales number) would that solve the problem? If it will, fine; if not, maybe go some other direction. I personally would buy two or three...

I would also like to avoid subscriptions, because I think it drives away valuable people. But there are other options, like fund raisers. We just had a long thread here about people who think they may have too many cameras. If everybody chipped in a cheap piece of equipment with sales going to the site (like a bake sale), or voluntarily came up with a few bucks, we might actually show more profit than with calendar sales.

JC

 

[Joerg]

sounds great!
Whatever it takes, buying picture donating....

ciao

Joerg

 

[ch1]

Curious about something.

Isn't the site obtaining any revenue from the RFF book sales? 😕

 

[back alley]

Curious about something.

Isn't the site obtaining any revenue from the RFF book sales? 😕

no one is profiting from the book, except lulu.

we took no royalties/profit.

 

[pshinkaw]

Sorry that I'm a little late on my input...

Instead of or in addition to a calendar, how about an exposure record notebook, somewhat like a appointment book with photos, but with space for exposure and film info instead?

-Paul

 

[VinceC]

I think, from a marketing point of view, that a 12-month calendar showing images of classic RF cameras would be the most successful. It's different and unique in a world filled with calendars. It's the kind of thing you could even convince sponsors to carry on their sites and even in some camera shops. Finally, they're usually inexpensive enough to be an impulse purchase/gift, and they need renewing once a year.

You might think about having two versions, one for Europe, one for the U.S. (a lot of Continental Europe calendars count Monday as the first day of the week, not Sunday).

 

[ch1]

no one is profiting from the book, except lulu.

we took no royalties/profit.

Too bad - I would have gladly paid an extra $5 or $10 (purple pics and all) if it had gone to support RFF.

Oh well, next time perhaps?

 

[RicardoD]

I'm with Vince on this one, a Calendar with classic RF cameras is what I would like to buy. In my cubicle at work it would be a good conversation starter. But whatever is decided I would like to support the forum through a purchase.

 

[egpj]

You know we can donate to the site as well to help run it. It is a small thing for some to send in 50.00 U.S. to help out. I know allot of people here have done it. There is a PayPal link on the right hand side of the main page. I finally clicked on that link while Jorge was having all the problems with the site. We all know the kind of benefits we recieve by hanging out here. Good friendships spring up here and I have met a couple of people from this site (wuzz up Allan!) and look forward to meeting many more. It is a quality group here and that kind of group comes from having quality individuals directing the site. Take this thread for instance. Jorge is trying to field ideas to help support this site and all the people who enjoy hanging out here. Not asking for cash but relating the hard facts of maintaining a presence on the internet. Especially with the size of the presence and how quickly things need to function.

I do not think that anyone is pushing to make this a subscription site but if it did become a subscription site then I would subscribe. That is my 2 cents worth about subscriptions and donating. Make it yearly thing if you want to. If you get allot out of the site then what is that worth to you? The management of this site has not asked anyone for cash. But consider that we hang out in their house and ride around in their car (an analogy). Shouldn't we kind of chip in for the Beer in the fridge we consume and the gas for riding around?

You know, I hope I do not tick anybody off but I am willing to take the chance because I like this place and I only have the best intentions by putting this out there.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I'm with you Joe.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I Would like to see a Classic RF camera calendar, and I think sponsors to the site would carry them if it was done nicely. I have a classic aircraft calendar, others have classic cars, motorcycles, etc. A nice paragraph about the camera would also be nice.


I would be glad to photograph up anything in my collection and give the scans, prints, and negatives to Jorge.

 

[back alley]

hhhmmm, a lovely photo of a purple snakeskin 1955 m3...🙂

 

[jaapv]

Nice idea, Jorge. If there is anything good enough in my Gallery, feel free to ask.

 

[ray_g]

I agree with the idea, but I don't think anyone has yet pointed out the odd timing - we are now in April. Too late for 2006, and a long time till 2007.

Another thought - The most practical calendar would be one with the usual 12 monthly photos. There seem to be many willing participants, probably enough to generate a calendar with more photos (52 weekly, daily) but the cost of that calendar will probably be prohibitive.

What about something smaller in the meantime? The RFF cap would have been a great fundraiser, with x amount added to the cost, to go to running RFF.

A percentage fee for sellers on the Classifieds?
RFF T-shirts? LED keychain for your camera bag?

 

[ray_g]

Or, like the NBA, maybe fines for squabbling on the forum? 😉

 

[sfb_dot_com]

We're not too early for 2007. A couple of years ago, I approached a printer around August time about doing calendar work, and he was already so busy that he couldn't fit me in. It takes time for the origination, the printing, and the marketing, so a start now should see us there in time.

I'm in to help, contribute, buy one, whatever.

Personally, I'd like to see two or maybe three variations with at least one being the little CD sized desktop calendars with one nicely made card per month. I did these last year for xmas presents and they went down a storm.

Going back to my own experience with making a calendar, it was of motorcycles and although I eventually broke even, I learned a lot of lessons in the doing. It wasn't even as though I was a complete beginner as some years ago I worked in the magazine publishing business.

Andy

 

[ray_g]

What about a gear raffle? If we could get the sponsors to donate some gear as in the past, that should be quick and easy. And since the prizes are donated, all the proceeds go to RFF.

 

[VictorM.]

There are plenty of photographs of Leicas if that's what you like.

I'd rather see original photographs taken with rangefinder cameras.

I'd go for both. Just imagine a larger than life classic RF camera every month. Plus Jorge could get more advertisers to sponsor that type of calendar (I think).