Honestly, I only see 6 or 7 different cars who's pics I would want in a calendar that I'm paying $$$ for. While all of the cars are beautiful, some of the pics could definitely use some work.

Come on guys, use your heads. Honestly ask yourselves, "Does my pic look like something I would see in a calendar or in the pages of (insert your favorite automotive magazine title here)?" I know most of us are definitely not photography pros, but that's no excuse for not trying to get the best shots possible. Probably the main thing I would say needs work is the backgrounds. It's probably just as important as the car. Is there anything in your background that would take away from the focus of your car? If the background doesn't add something, whether it be beauty or simplicity, you may want to place the car somewhere else. Just a thought.

 

I have just a few questions. I'm not trying to shatter your dreams, but I just want to make sure you guys are prepared --

I've created the LS1Tech calendar for the past 5 years, so I do have some experience. After looking at the posted images, there are really only 4 "calendar worthy" shots. Others could be fixed if you have a good graphics person on hand. A lot of images are cluttered with too much "background junk" (ie: light poles, stores, signs, other vehicles, etc). The quality of the images aren't very good unless you are planning to do a very small calendar. When these images are printed at 8.5 X 11, the absolute min. resolution should be 2592 x 1944 (300DPI) and even that will be a little noisy. You would like to have a resolution of 3300 x 2550 or higher. Also, you have to consider where you will have the calendar printed. Some companies require an order minimum (usually 250) and charge pretty hefty set up fees. At this point, your best bet might be some place like Shutterfly. If you decide to go with the higher quality product from a printing company, you will have to figure out where you can sell them. Are there other boards available that would allow you to post this product? Most sites will require you to become a sponsor if you want to sell your calendar (including this one). If you can't sell them, then you could be out a lot of money. Just a few things to consider.....

 

Zangel,
Than why haven't you put on one for us before were part of LS1 Tech also.
That realy pisses me off you guys come over here and think just because you have a
Camaro or Bird you are better than us do us a favor stay over in your section
and but out!!

 

He's only trying to help. No LS4 cars are ever submitted for the LS1tech calendar, so how do you expect to get in it? He makes very good points too, adding to what Corny said, there are only a handful of calendar worthy shots and I agree with that. He knows what he's doing, and if anything we should take his advice, rather then get our panties in a bunch. Has anyone here actually worked on putting together a calendar before? This is precisely why it shouldn't be rushed to be put together.

One of the owners of NAIOA puts together our calendar over there, he does custom ones too, but charges 30 bucks shipped for custom ones, although perhaps it would be cheaper since they would all be the same.

 

Why havent they ever been submitted? Everyone need to be considered.
20SS07
So why don't you ask him? If we can get a person that done it before who ever it is your friend or Zangel or whom ever we need this for us we belong to.

 

All good criticism. I think none of us submit, or at least why I don't...

No Access to those hot ladies they have on the hoods, and we are by far outweighed in voting so I really don't see my car getting voted on when there are vettes, F bodies and other cars that are easily more popular than mine.

 

That doesn't mean there better than we are or vise versa we all should be considered

 

No one said they're better. And no one said we wouldn't be considered. No one here submits pics when they hold submissions for the calendar. They have said they would like an LS4 car in, but that won't happen if no one tries to get in. I've never submitted personally because I don't really pay attention to when they hold submissions. I check mainly the LS4 section and on occasion a few other sections. Not saying we would get in for sure, but if no one puts their LS4 up for voting, there's no way to get in.

 

Zangel,

you mentioned that there were a few worthy shots maybe you can point them out so that the rest of us "non knowledgeable" folk can try and make something like that ourselves without having to hire a photographer and a stripper.
This can be done but people need to chill out and put their minds to work.

 

So are we still game on putting this together or we gonna squash it now??? I was all for it but now it seems everybody is on the fence. I dunno anymore...

 

Lets do it maybe if we need to take other pics we will

 

I took pics and I'm ready to get this voting done and hopefully make the calendar

EDIT: Pics submitted to EmersonHart via PM.

 

As far as what is and isn't calendar worthy, I'd say anything with trash cans in the background or something in a driveway with random stuff all around and other peoples houses or cars in the background won't cut it. As Corny said, we all have nice cars, but people don't wanna buy a calendar that's gonna have crap like that in. IMO, the following pics would be fine....in the first section of pics numbers 2, 6, 8, 11 and in the second set of pics numbers 7, 9, 11. Also, you don't necessarily want a super close up of the car where that's all you see. The background is just as important if not more important than the car.

For reference take a look at the Impala of the Month winners over that will be in the calendar for NAIOA.

http://www.naioa.com/v2/modules.php?...viewforum&f=45

 

Wow, not sure what your problem is -- I was trying to help you! 20SS07 is right. The reason none of you made it into the calendar is because none of you submitted the pictures. As far as "who is better", you are the only person that has said anything about that. That is a pretty immature statement. Next, when it comes to "butting out", this is a moderated section of LS1Tech. This is not your personal site. I am a moderator and my job is to moderate all sections. If you don't like it, you are free to leave this site.

For those of you that are more open minded, I appreciate that and I do wish you well. I hope you are able to get things together. I don't want to point out specific vehicles because some people seem a little sensitive and I don't want to insult. I will point out that angles of the vehicle are important, lighting, background noise should be limited. Focus on the objective rather than the surroundings. The details do matter (depth of field, reflections, shadows, position of wheels, etc). Use a tripod and check your ISO settings. Create a reflective board if needed.

 

ok, so instead of pointing out OUR vehicles, cuz Mel is real sensitive , do you have pics of other cars to show the type of angles, backdrops, etc etc that you're talking about??

I think mine are pretty good, just have the green grassy hill and driveway around mine, but what do I know... I'm not a pro photographer by any means... haha... just point and click... hahaha

 

And Zagel do you own LS1 Tech if not you shouldn't throw bricks we have a right to be here also.
We are asking what we need to do to make it work and if you would help us.

 

Here are some images from our previous calendars to give you an idea of what you should be looking for. Picture these without the models since you won't be using any.

This is my picture from the first calendar year. This picture has made it into several magazines and won photography contests. Notice the angles and lighting. The minimal background makes the car pop.



If you are going to use a colorful background make sure it flows and doesn't draw away from the vehicle. These shots will show how a "busy" background can compliment the car.




If you are going to do a picture with trees or in a "community" environment, make sure the trees don't appear to be growing out of the car (they need to be heavy and across most of the photo or very minimal). You also want to make sure the environment around the vehicle appears "empty". You want to feel like the car is the only thing in that space other than the landscape (no other cars, people, stores, etc)




Even a regular building can look great if you set it up correctly and keep the background to a minimum.

 

So can you point to the ones that need to go are OK and if we need to just drop those
and retake.

 

Damn, after seeing those pics, I wouldn't even vote for one of the LS4 cars haha. Definately shows what a nice simple background can do. Girls don't help either.

 

Just a few opinions on some of the pictures that were already posted.


I like the angles of this picture. I think he really has something here! Lighting is good and he remembered the small details such as turning on the lights. The only thing I would change is the background. I love the contrast between the black and white but I would find a regular white brick wall. Maybe a white industrial business wall with large garage doors.

This background would be perfect. In fact, I really like this image, I just think he should have focused a little tighter on the car.



Just my opinion... whatever it's worth