Photog Recommendations.

Bill,
Tried to send you a private message but your box is full. Delete a few old messages.

Bill,

I've worked with images from most of the well-known names in yacht photography. I've become more selective about the images we feature in our reviews because they are a reflection on the quality of YF. In fact I'm so particular, I recently lost a potential site supporter.

I typically spend 8-10 hours selecting, sequencing, labeling, cropping, reducing and formatting a set of images for each review. In addition to this, some batches need to be color corrected, light balanced, sharpened, etc. With the added 10 or more hours I spend adding content and editing the reviews our writers supply, good images have become increasingly important to me. I simply don't have the luxury of time OR staff that magazine editors enjoy.

I recently processed a batch of images for Delta's Katya. These pics were so bad, I wrote a letter to Michelle Jones at Delta. Here's an exert...

Her response was short and it seemed quite final. After 7 years of trying to work with her, including 2 feature reviews and a trip to Seattle to tour the yard, I'm pretty sure this severed any relationship we have built.

There's a reason why the industry uses the same photographers repeatedly, even when they are difficult to work with. Professional yacht photography must be properly staged, but equally important, the photographer MUST have excellent digital skills too. Often, a picture doesn't have a perfect setting, scenery, light or angle. And this is where digital skills have become a big part of a photographers shooting arsenal.

Having the latest whiz-bang, super-duper digital SLR does NOT make a photographer. Having an eye for unique, attention grabbing shots that convey a subliminal value or attribute is the absolute KEY to standing out in a field that is cluttered with wannabe mediocrity.

There's a few people out there looking to get their feet wet. When I choose a photographer, I consider someone with passion and specific knowledge about our product, our industry and someone who's not necessarily trying to make a buck, but rather... make a difference.

Drop Tom Serio a PM.

wow. i don't no you, but after being a member here for a while i strongly believe you have some valid points which an owner or yard owner should take into consideration. i have also noticed the forum tries to stay netural on it's yacht reviews and only gives good accurate info from all perspectives. when i see jack & ivor next month i will show them a copy of the response you received

travler

One in the same.
Bill, sent you a PM reply.
Carl, thanks for the kind endorsement.