posted 09-30-2008 02:38 PM ET (US)        

As I sit here organizing my office I just turned the page on Whaler 50th anniversary calendar to Oct as I will be out of the office tomorrow. Then it stuck me. I will soon need a new calendar and that got me thinking. The Subaru Forester owners group I belong to does a yearly calendar on cafepress were they pick 12 of what they feel are the best images that have been submitted through out the year. One of them makes the cover. So, I thought about it and had an Idea. I have a shop site set up on Cafepress that allows me to do calendars so, why don't I offer the same for the Whaler group. I would do all of the layout work and sell them for no profit through my smirked heritage store front. Here is what I had in mind.

-Photos must have something to do with Whalers. Just Whalers, people on boats, animals on boats, boats in nature, etc, etc.

-Photos that are submitted must have been taken by yourself or you have permission to use them from the photographer.

-Each person can only submit up to 3 photos for entry.

-As for now I will select the 12 photos that will be included and one will make the cover. The person who makes the cover I will give them a product of their choice off of my Smirked Heritgage store free of charge.

-I would plan have the calender out and ready for sale before the holiday season so you can get them for the new year.

So, What do you think? If you guys think it would be worth while I will set up a submission system for photos and create a hosting site for everyone to view submitted photos.

Here is a link to the Forester Groups calendar for reference.
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/get_latest_product_view. aspx?ProductNo=177386068&pr=F&showBleed=False

posted 09-30-2008 02:46 PM ET (US)            

Erik

posted 09-30-2008 06:17 PM ET (US)            

:)

posted 09-30-2008 06:51 PM ET (US)         

Oh, one more final idea, please. Might Boston Whaler be interested in participating and perhaps financially supporting your initiative? They started the owners club and newsletter but seemingly haven't done much past those launches. I don't mean to suggest any involvement other than support, and perhaps being a distribution channel should you want it.

posted 10-01-2008 12:53 AM ET (US)            

Good idea ! Keep us informed.

posted 10-01-2008 10:38 AM ET (US)            

But I think 1 picture per month is the way to go. And we should vote on the cover picture, and the winning submission gets a free calendar.

posted 10-01-2008 12:12 PM ET (US)            

Great idea! I'll send some in for sure. What size do you want the images?

posted 10-03-2008 12:09 PM ET (US)            

I too would buy a calendar, and I would submit a picture or 2 if I feel any are worthy of inclusion.

On another note, I would not have a problem with you making a profit on your endeavor. I appreciate your willingness to simply recoup your costs, but I would not be offended if you calculated a reasonable profit for your time and effort.

It's a just a thought.

posted 10-03-2008 05:46 PM ET (US)            

Sorry I ended heading out of town and was unable to get back to the post. I will go ahead plan on doing the calender.

Hines,
Honestly I am not looking to get corporate involved and do not plan on having whaler sponsor it. The hassle of trademarks and name usage is nothing I wish to deal with.

themclos,
Honestly it costs me nothing to get this printed. I am only out personal time of sorting the emails, uploading the images, and laying the artwork out for print. Once it is laid out, I upload it to cafepress and they handle everything else from the printing to the ordering and shipping.

To everyone else,
I will do my best in trying to get as many images as possible. However, until I begin to lay it out I will not know what is best. Personally I prefer a single image with maybe one smaller inset. Hope you trust me as I am a designer by profession.

I plan to make my selections based on composition, content of the photo, as well as clarity of the image. By clarity I mean focus of course but, also resolution of the image. The lower the resolution size the more difficult it is to get a quality image printed.

If you wish to send an entry please send it to:
detroitdesign@gmail.com

MAKE SURE THE TITLE READS:
"2009 CALENDER ENTRY" and ONLY that

This will be a great help keeping everything sorted and will help me to contact the senders later if their image is chosen.

posted 10-03-2008 08:45 PM ET (US)            

Please include your contact info in the email. If you could include: name, address, phone Number, and email if other than the account you sent you images from. Also, please include your screen name.

Newtuak1,

posted 10-04-2008 03:47 AM ET (US)            

What a great initiative by Jeff...Thanks you sir!

Erik

posted 10-10-2008 08:18 PM ET (US)            

I might have missed it in the guidelines but what is the due date for the photos?

posted 10-14-2008 08:10 PM ET (US)            

If you could have them in by 11/15/08 it would be appreciated. I want to take the last two weeks of Nov to do the layouts so they can go on sale the first week of December. Also Warren has sent in a lot of images all great. So, please feel free to send as many as you wish.

All, if you would like to cast your comments / votes on the picasa page please do. I was thinking if people liked an image you could post a comment with * - ***** (1-5) stars. I know it is not the easiest way but it is the best I could come up with. While the more comments / votes an image has does not guaranty a cover but I will take it in consideration.

Anyone else have some images they would like to share?

posted 10-16-2008 03:20 PM ET (US)            

The photos are coming along nicely! I submitted a few last night and this morning.

I'm wondering though, if this has enough popularity to repeat next year, if we should limit it to photos taken in 2009 (for the 2010 calendar)?

That would "encourage" folks to go out next season and capture some excellent, current footage of themselves enjoying their boats.

Hint to those who want to see their boat on this calendar - attend a formal or informal rendezvous - some Whaler owners are wonderful photographers and may catch an outstanding shot of your boat with YOU at the helm!

posted 10-16-2008 08:06 PM ET (US)            

Dave,

I got them. Thanks, I just added them along with others I had from the St Clair River Cruise.

posted 10-18-2008 01:12 PM ET (US)            

http://picasaweb.google.com/DetroitDesign/ 2009BostonWhalerOwnersCalender/photo#map

I did the best I could. If you would like me to edit the locations of your images let me know. If you still want to send in an image try to include the location of the photo if you can.

posted 10-19-2008 12:43 PM ET (US)            

The three photos I sent are all in Los Angeles County. More specifically
Wedding Photo: Redondo Beach, CA
First Date and Whaler with Pack-n'-play: Avalon, Catalina Island

Thanks, can't wait to see the calendar.

posted 10-20-2008 12:24 PM ET (US)            

The photo website is really impressive. I was just showing my wife and she asked, "How does he do that?" I didn't have an answer.

posted 10-21-2008 07:59 PM ET (US)            

I received an email today from Boston Whaler. The email came unsolicited and it was to share their thoughts on the idea. Seems as though they think it is a great idea and they expressed a desire to help. Traci Davis stated she would be sending along materials for me to include in the calender if I wish. Also, it looks I may be able to use the trademarked Whaler Logo on the calender.

It was nice to get the email and Whaler's offer of help. I have to say thanks to everyone that has sent in photos already. I know it was the amount of photos already posted that I am sure helped get this noticed. Also, you guys and gals are the reason the Whaler community is what it is. A great group and the reason why I always enjoy being a part of it and helping out.

So, if you have not sent in a image already please do. I would love to include it and others I know would love to see it.

Again please send your entries to:

DetroitDesign@gmail.com

MAKE SURE THE TITLE READS:
"2009 CALENDER ENTRY" and ONLY that

This will be a great help keeping everything sorted and will help me to contact the senders later if their image is chosen.

Please include your name as well as screen name, address, as well as any other contact info. Also if you would please include where the image was taken. You can get lat / long coordinates from google maps and earth or, just give a general location by landmarks/ harbors/ towns.

posted 11-04-2008 03:00 PM ET (US)            

As someone who makes images for a living (Motion Picture Cameraman) I have to compliment you on your idea and process execution.

This is going to be not just one great calendar, but many years of great calendars!

The subjects just will not end, just like the Whaler legend.

You have two from me and more to follow.

Thanks for all your work!

posted 11-04-2008 08:26 PM ET (US)            

Thanks. I took a look at your site..Love the steady-cam. Hope it lives up to everyone's expectations.

Anyway, please keep the images coming. While looking through the images tonight I noticed there are some hulls that are missing representation. It would be great to get some Sakonnets, Eastports, and Nausets as we have no images of them. Anyone have an image they would like to submit? It is no long limited to 3 images so send away.

posted 11-04-2008 09:14 PM ET (US)            

I hope you got my email?

posted 11-13-2008 03:07 PM ET (US)            

Picasa page is going very strong. Thanks for this good idea. I hope Boston Whaler maintains their offer to help for this project.
All the best for you and yours.

posted 11-16-2008 11:50 AM ET (US)            

It was a function of age!

posted 11-18-2008 02:05 PM ET (US)            

Count me in on the calendar. Just sent you some pictures,
hope you can use them.

posted 12-12-2008 05:57 PM ET (US)         

Any news regarding availability of the calendar? I'm thinking Christmas presents.