Need some Winchester Calendar Input

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:19 pm

Gents, I working on putting together a Winchester levergun calendar with photos of old Winchesters for the upcoming year. I'm getting it done by a web company on the internet and have to work within the templates they offer. One has huge pictures, 11" high x 17" wide and the other has the more standard 8 & 1/2" high x 11" wide. I was thinking of putting a bit of information on each Winchester in each photo as shown in the example below. I can't put it at the bottom, because the wire coil cuts too far into the bottom of the photo. I can't put it too close to the top, either, because the hole for hanging is there.

Questions for those who might be interested in ordering one:

1. Would you rather just have the photo with no info at all, or have the insert with a bit of info (model, year made, caliber, etc.)?

2. I'm making the 8&1/2" x 11 calendar for sure, but would anyone be interested in the huge one? (cost is roughly $15 for the little one and $19 for the big one, plus shipping .... I don't set the costs, the interenet service does)? My only concern with the huge one is that they recommend photos with 200 DPI, but they say 150 DPI will do. My photos are 150 to 180 dpi, so I don't know what the photos will look like. They will certainly look good on the normal size calendar.

Shown below is the finished calendar cover and a sample page with the info inserted into the photo, so you can see whether you like info or no info. Please ignore the typo in the info on the sample January photo. The real lower line caption will probably read something like 'This old 30 W.C.F. carbine was shipped from the Winchester factory in 1913'

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:28 pm

Kirk, I really like the idea of the info for each rifle,it just makes it complete in my way of thinking. I am looking forward to one. When can we start our orders?

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:50 pm

I like the idea with info added but instead of an inset that covers up part of the photo would prefer the text blended in the scene...Please excuse my clumsy photo edit....

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 4:49 pm

Kirk, I like the calendar idea. I will purchase one with the 8 1/2x11 pics.I also like the small comment about each rifle on the pic. Could the pic be cropped to 8x11 with the comment placed at the bottom in the 1/2 in area? I hope you will include a M-71 on your calendar.Good luck!!

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:28 pm

Kirk,

Put me in for one (at least) of the small ones. I do like the information for each rifle. I can't begin to tell you how many calendars I've looked and said: " I wonder where that is?" The information just completes the photo.
Also I kind of agree with Ben, rather than put in a box for the info that blocks out part of the photo, put the text on the picture.

Joe

Post by **Hobie** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:35 pm

Kirk,

I've been waiting and would like to get at least three, er, make that five (5). I prefer the inset as it is easier for geezers (like me, with bifocals) to read. 8½x11 is pretty good to start given your DPI. You want a quality appearance and you might be displeased with the larger format calendar. Lets face it, for the hard core collector only life size 3-d functioning models will really satisfy them. I believe your photos sell guns.

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:44 pm

I wan't one, and I'll take it any way I can get it.

SmokeEater2 · Post by **SmokeEater2** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:49 pm

Kirk, This is a great idea! I want 2 myself in the smaller size. And I do think the info. on each one is a good thing. I like to know the age and caliber of the rifles.
My hat's off to you for coming up with this idea.

Last Spike · Post by **Last Spike** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:57 pm

Put me down for 2 of the bigger one. Will there be a centrefold?

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:16 pm

Kirk,
I am very happy to see this project coming along.

I like the caption with the info.

And I like the smaller size.

DavidS · Post by **DavidS** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:17 pm

Kirk,
Put me down for 2 copies of your calendar. I like the idea of a brief history insert about the guns in the photos.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:17 pm

Thanks for the good ideas and input. The idea of cropping the photo to keep the text at the bottom, outside the photo, is a good one. Just to clarify, the way the internet company works, I won't be taking orders myself, it will be done on the website. When the calendar is ready, I'll post the link for those who want one. It will probably still be another week or two.

If I can get the hang of this, I'd like to do another one with vintage John Deere tractors, but not this year.

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:20 pm

Let me know about the tractors, my friend has one he rebuilt & I did some machine work for him on it.
It would be a hoot to see it in a calender ( he did that good a job on it )

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:39 pm

This is great news.
What you are doing is fine.
8 1/2 X 11 is the way to go in my opinion.

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:55 pm

I like the 8 1/2 X 11 cropped with words on the bottom that aren't in the photo. The words in the photo interferes with the picture as a whole , takes your eye away from the subject matter . I'll buy one either way.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:42 pm

KirK,

Can the info be placed on the calender page, instead of the photo? many of my sailing calenders have the info below the picture on the calender portion. that would leave the picture untouched. I would order several small versions

Mike

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:46 pm

Men, thanks to your input, I figured out a way to put the info at the bottom of the photo. Putting it on the date page was not an option with the company for tiny little runs like mine. However, the new format looks much better.
Thanks again.

Post by **Hobie** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:16 pm

I have people who'd enjoy the John Deere calendar, too, including my grandson!

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:27 pm

Here's what the final layout of the picture will look like. The extra space under the caption is for the wire coil binding.
Thanks again for your input.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:36 pm

Kirk - these are going to sell like hotcakes. I can't wait!!!

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:23 pm

I am not given to emotionalism,
but that SHINES

MistWolf · Post by **MistWolf** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:46 am

KirkD wrote:Here's what the final layout of the picture will look like. The extra space under the caption is for the wire coil binding.
Thanks again for your input.

WE HAVE A WINNER! I like this layout. I have an old Winchester 94 with a half-octagon barrel I inherited from my grandfather if you need more subjects!

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:39 am

There are a lot of old Winchesters, Marlins and Savages owned by members of this board that I would love to photograph. The next best thing might be to give some guidelines to members (lighting, composition, pixel size of camera) and then collect a bunch for next year's calendar. I've got more than enough for this year, but not enough for next year. Perhaps members can look at the upcoming photos in the 2009 calendar and get ideas for layout and composition that might get the creative photos. Getting this calendar put together is a little more work than I thought, but I'm starting to get the hang of it.

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:59 am

Sounds like you've got a business trip/vacation planned. There's some particular collections you should go after like Mike D.'s and OD's (and you can do some 1911s there).

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:33 am

..... not to mention some of those beautiful Marlins and Ballards that Val has let us see from time to time.

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:36 am

KirkD wrote:..... not to mention some of those beautiful Marlins and Ballards that Val has let us see from time to time.

Yeah, you have 2 calendars a year right there!

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:57 am

Kirk I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to this one and the tractors,plus the idea of more to come.

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:51 am

I vote for the final layout!

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:51 pm

Final layout ROCKS!

cowboykell · Post by **cowboykell** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:54 pm

Jorgy has the market cornered on deluxe and rare Marlins. You might want to ask him if he would share.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:53 pm

KirkD wrote:Here's what the final layout of the picture will look like. The extra space under the caption is for the wire coil binding.
Thanks again for your input.

Thats the ticket!
the only thing i would add is the winchester font

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:57 pm

Kirk,Your final layout in right on the money. I like the comments at the bottom in that last 1/2 inch. The comments/title at the bottom will also permit a fellow to frame the rifle pic of choice in a 8 1/2 x11 matted frame for display. I would make sure you have your name some where on the pic for credits.Looks great !!!!!!!!!

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:19 pm

One of each please.

wow.

L.F.Combs · Post by **L.F.Combs** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 12:42 pm

Looks like a great project. Nothing like old Winchesters.

model55 · Post by **model55** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 9:05 pm

I'm definately going for one once you get it set up,you talent with the camera and the subject matter are going to be great.And if you happen to slip in your S&W's ( hint )so much the better.

MistWolf · Post by **MistWolf** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:39 pm

If this is the kind of picture you're looking for, let me know. Critique appreciated

I know this particular photo is not as sharp as it should be

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:28 pm

Well done, Kirk. The format is excellent.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:34 pm

Mistwolf, that's a nice photo. Lighting is good, composition is nice, and its enjoyable to look at. I usually take about 15 photos from different angles and maybe in different compositions and then pick the best one. For a calendar, it looks like 5 megapixels is absolute minimum for a camera.

The calendar is finished and today I ordered a sample copy to look over. If it is acceptable, I'll post the link where fellows can order one. It will take a couple weeks likely to get it. If all goes well, I'll plan to post the link during the first week in November. In the meantime, to wet your appetite, here's the page for September ..... it's a desktop I've not posted before and is of 'Old Savage', my Winchester Model 94 carbine made in 1954 ...

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:41 pm

Beautiful photos, I am looking forward to putting your calander up.

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:08 pm

You DA' Man Kirk,
That calendar rocks.

The only thing missing is a picture of the Famous
Big Nose Kate

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 6:21 pm

I might have to get 4. My Xmas list keeps getting longer and longer!