a small brag, and request for ideas

A beautiful new 'coffee table book' by Dona Meilach, called Contemporary Blacksmithing, includes a two-page color spread of three of my iron bowls! The way the photos are laid out looks terrific, and I'm honored to be included in the book.

Any ideas on how I might use this for market development, besides adding it to my resume? I have a small number of customers who have bought similar bowls directly from me in the past, a local gallery that's enthusiastic about my work, and I'll be looking for galleries in Atlanta and larger cities soon. The bowls in the book are from an earlier series, not what I'm working on now, but I could make more - and may need to anyway, for income.

I could get color copies made of the two-page spread, even get them laminated - but then what would anyone use them for? I could frame a color copy in case I decide to do shows later, to have as part of the display. The local gallery might display a copy. Any other uses?

Would it be appropriate to send a press release to the local paper and to the art editors in the two nearest cities? With color photos of the same bowls? There are three papers in all, so I could send a different photo to each paper.

Any way to use this wonderful event to help my gallery campaign?

I haven't called any of the big Atlanta bookstores to see if they have the book in stock. Unless I've missed someone in reading the book, I'm one of only two artists in Georgia included in the book. The other smith lives in Atlanta. Maybe we could do something together?

Will appreciate suggestions and advice.

Way to go Cathy! In my area the color photocopy people (I've been to many stores) will not allow copies from books - copyright issues. Rather than search for an underground source I bought an old 35mm SLR camera and a copy stand. With a filter for color work and some closeup lenses the whole setup is probably under $150. Once they are on film you have a number of options, including digitizing and then output on a color copier - now no questions asked - go figure. I would probably have a small shot of the cover of the book (captioned 'as seen in....', and then cropped shots of the bowls, all on one page. The page size the same as your portfolio. I would probably go for the high quality photo output rather than digital - in this way the pictures will actually be better than the ones in the book. The next step? A good picture is worth a thousand words, its all a matter of showing the picture.

Never thought about copyright laws (blush.) Thanks for ideas, Gary.

questions asked - go showing the picture.

Cathy, have you considered contacting the publisher and asking for some photos you could use in your promotional material? It would be in their interest to provide you with one, since you'll be exposing the book to a larger market. Smaller publishers, in particular, are often very cooperative about this sort of thing.

That's an idea. Also, I called my local color copy place and they said they'd make the copies. I think the author would have emailed me permission, too.

As I understand it, I still own the copyright on the photos I sent in to be included in the book, but of course the copyright on the book itself is owned by Dona Meilach or the publisher.

Even tho my copy shop said they'd make color copies, I plan to email Dona anyway to ask for permission to use them for

I own the photograph copyrights, so I could put them on those $95 postcards and give the publication info as part of the text. Thanks for the encouragement and ideas. No website yet, but soon....

postcards and do a mailing. Post the picture and

Hey, Fitch,

I remember you from rec.crafts.metalworking. You been lurking here?

Abrasha

Congratulations!

I think that you surrendered the copyright when you gave the photographs to the magazine. I hope someone can clear that up.

Anyway, I can't see them refusing permission. Enjoy the fleeting moment of glory for as long as possible before letting little worries interfere.

Fitch

Cathy Morgan cross posted to three newsgroups. And everyone at all three newsgroups are mixed into the thread now.

Dusty