Prints for Charlotte REI Store Community Room

[tomdills]

NEW INFORMATION 1/4/09 - PLEASE READ

I’ve been working with Bill Ryerson, Outreach Specialist at the Charlotte REI store, about having the chapter provide some prints for the walls of the community room where we hold our monthly meetings. Bill is interested in helping to promote CNPA by showcasing the work of local CNPA members.

Based on the available wall space and the numbers signed up so far it looks like if we stick to prints no larger than 16x20/16x24 there will also be room for some 8x10/8x12 prints. I’m hopeful that the choice of the smaller size will allow more folks to participate.

Now that I have some facts and measurements and a new size option I want to re-present this idea and ask for commitment based on some general guidelines outlined below:

(1) In order to have a uniform and professional appearance I suggest that all of the prints be printed and mounted uniformly (see below). This does not mean that they need to be done professionally, just that the display will look the best if the images are all printed and mounted the same. No one is going to play “Print Police” but adherence to these suggestions will promote a uniform and professional presentation.

(2) Two size options are available: 8x10/8x12 and 16x20/16x24. Panoramas are OK but they should not exceed 12 or 24 inches.

(3) Subject matter should reflect established CNPA guidelines. The preference is that a majority of the subjects be of recognizable local (as in NC/SC) places and/or activities, but we recognize that our members have a lot of terrific images from places around the world and will not strictly limit the prints to only NC and SC locations.

(4) In order to maintain a consistent look all prints should be printed full-bleed (borderless) and mounted on foam core. Foam core is stiffer and doesn’t tend to warp like mat board can. Black foam core is preferable as it tends to set the print off visually from the wall. Lustre Coating (or similar) is suggested as it will provide some protection to the print surface.

(5) I was originally planning to coordinate the printing and have them all done at one lab, but these size options should be within reach of anyone and there are so many excellent printing options available I don’t think it will be necessary. I use Mpix for a lot of my printing, and their prices are as follows:
8x12 with Lustre Coating on 3/16” Foam Core $14.43 plus tax and shipping
16x24 with Lustre Coating on 3/16” Foam Core $41.74 plus tax and shipping

(6) Prints will be hung with Velcro, so please do not attach hooks or wires!

(7) Depending on future interest this first set of prints could be rotated out after a period of time such as a year, and new prints could be rotated in. This would give more members a chance to participate and would keep the display fresh.

(8) Prints will remain the property of the member and will be returned in the event that the store decides to use something else.

(9) While the store will exercise due care, they will not be responsible for any damage to the prints caused by someone using the room.

(10) I will make a placard indicating that the prints are provided courtesy of the Charlotte chapter of CNPA.

(11) Updated 1/29/09: As announced on a follow-up post below, we will be hanging prints on Saturday 1/31 from 10:00am until 12:00pm (as in noon). Anyone who can't get their prints done by Saturday may bring them to the February meeting.

I’ll update this thread with additional information as it develops. Thanks!

Prints up as of 2/12/09:
Tom Dills
Don Brown
Edgar Payne
Alex Romero

Turned in but not hung:
Lisa Crates
Mike Baker

[epayne]

Hi Tom,

You can count me in for an image. I think that a standing exhibit at REI would be an excellent means to showcase our organization and local members talent.

Edgar Payne

[randy]

Hi Tom,

You can count me in for an image also. Thanks.

Randy Hargett

[debrown]

Tom,
Count me in and thanks for taking this on!!

[scott.foster]

Hello Tom,

Yes, thanks for working the details. I would like to participate.

Regarding your thoughts on professional printing, would it be reasonable to offer Gary Kerr an opportunity to price his services, maybe, as a group for CNPA - Charlotte? Realizing that offer may be outside the scope of his general business practice, I thought of him based on his support of the group in the past.

Take care,
Scott

[tomdills]

Thanks all for the comments and support so far! I can already tell that it will be an excellent collection!

As far as printing, I was planning to contact several local printers, including Gary Kerr, Charles Johnson and Anthony Hartiss.

[debra.dandro]

As I said to you before, thank you so much Tom for taking this task on and coordinating with Bill at REI. We greatly appreciate it! Oh, and yes, please count me in too for a photo. :)DJGD

[mikebaker]

I would be interested in submitting a print.

One suggestion on printing, if you can not find what you want locally at a good price, MPIX is now printing and mounting up to 24" X 36". A quick check this afternoon showed the 16X20, luster coated and on foam core at just around $50.

I thnk the same in 24x36 was near $80. MPIX shipping is a flat rate, so it's the same if it's 1 print, or 10 prints.

Mike

[tomdills]

Mike -

Thanks for the input! Mpix is one of my favorite labs and does an excellent job. I usually use White House Custom Color because their prices are just a bit better and their shipping, albeit 2-day instead of overnight, is free.

To all -

There were evidently some concerns expressed about the potential cost of this project. I hope to not have to spend $80-100 on printing and mounting any more than anyone else, but I didn't want someone to commit without being aware of the possible cost involved! I have some possible solutions that could cut that cost significantly, but I want to be sure before I say it's a done deal.

Thanks to everyone who has signed up so far!

[pir8fan]

Tom:

Count me in as well.
Dave McKenzie

[scott.foster]

Hey Tom,

As far as the cost, would one option be to buy the mounting material, mat, etc. wholesale? As a group, CNPA has a tax id, right? Why wouldn't they allow the group/regions buy wholesale through their tax id? I realize the administration of such a program would have its issues. Even so, I see it as an opportunity for the club to meet its primary goals:

The purposes of the CNPA are:
1) Promote nature photography in the Carolinas;
2) Help to conserve and preserve the diverse
natural ecosystems in the Carolinas; and
3) Educate others interested in nature photography.


Scott

[tomdills]

It looks like we've got 8 folks signed up, which should make for a nice display. If anyone else is interested please let me know ASAP, but in the mean time I'm going to get started on sizes, pricing and logistics.

[scott.foster]

Thanks Tom

[aleximage]

I would like to add an image if possible.

Alex Romero

[tomdills]

Thanks Alex, I've got you down!

Just so everyone knows where I'm at, I have a call in to Bill go back to the store and get an accurate measurement of the space. I just walked it off before, and now that I have a feel for the number of participants we can get down to specifics on size.

[tomdills]

I visited the REI store yesterday (1/3/09) to take specific measurements and talked with Bill Ryerson about the exhibit. Coincidentally, Edgar Payne was also in the store and we brainstormed on how to complete this project. As a result of my measurements and our discussion, I have made a few changes to the original plan, which will hopefully give more folks an opportunity to participate. Please see the original post for updated details, but the highlights are below:

- Choice of 2 print sizes - 8x10/8x12 or 16x20/16x24.
- Suggested format will promote a uniform look but will not be the absolute only way.
- Members may print and mount their own prints or may use a professional lab.

For anyone who is able to have their prints done by our upcoming meeting on 1/14 I’ll be there to collect them. I’ll schedule an upcoming Saturday morning for members to drop off additional prints and to hang the prints.

[epayne]

Hi Tom, I will have a 20X24 soon ready to hang. It must be stated that all of the prints submitted need to be ready to hang with a wire across the back of the mount or some sort of hook / fastener. I think the exhibit will help bolster interest in our Charlotte Chapter.
Best regards to all,
Edgar Payne

[tomdills]

Thanks, Edgar. I'll put you down for a 'biggun.'

Regarding the hanging mechanism, I've had good luck with Velcro of all things, and was planning to give that a try.

[tomdills]

Just a reminder that we have opened this up to a smaller size and are looking for more participants! I also need replies from several folks that have already signed up regarding which size print they are going to provide.

Thanks!

[scott.foster]

Hey Tom,

I had already printed an images with a 1'' border and was planning to frame it; my idea was to frame any print. So, I'll just bow out since my prints don't fit the guidelines.

Thanks for all your coordination of the effort.

Scott

[tomdills]

For anyone holding back on this project because of cost or the trouble of printing and mounting, I thought I would pass along that I just ordered a 16x20 from White House Custom Color, mounted on foam core with Lustre Coat for $28. I thought that was pretty reasonable. Mpix is a little more but not too much more.

[dawnita]

Tom, I will be able to contribute one 16 x 20. When do you need it by?

[tomdills]

Thanks, Dawnita. I have you down!

I need to confirm with Bill at REI, but I am tentatively thinking about hanging the prints the morning of Saturday 1/31. If you have yours done by then you can drop it off, and this would be a drop off day for anyone else who hasn't already given them to me. I'll confirm via this forum once I have confirmed with Bill.

To All:
There appears to be some mis-information floating around about this display. Someone commented to me after the last meeting that "they had heard" that the prints were needing to be framed, it was going to cost $200, etc. I don't know where that came from but it didn't come from me! Please RE-READ the original post (http://cnpa.org/cnpabb/showthread.php?t=2049) for all the information and consider contributing an 8x10 or 16x20 print to this worthwhile project!

[tomdills]

I heard from Bill Ryerson at REI this afternoon and confirmed that the room is available this coming Saturday, 1/31. For anyone wishing to drop off prints, I'll plan to be at the store when they open at 10:00 (or shortly thereafter) and will be there until noon. If you can't make it within that window please bring your prints to the February 11 meeting and I'll hang them when I can.

Thanks, and please be sure to let me know if you are planning to participate, what size print you are bringing and whether you will be there on Saturday. Please check the original post for details!

[dawnita]

Sorry, Tom. I am going to have to skip out this time. Things just didn't work out in the finance department. :(

Dawnita

[tomdills]

One last reminder -

We will be hanging prints at the REI store this coming Saturday, January 31 from 10:00am until 12:00pm (that's noon). Feel free to drop them off during that time. If you'd like to bring prints to the February meeting that is also fine, although I probably won't hang them that night since I am the speaker :eek: .

I think we're going to have a good exhibit and I'm sure others will want to join in when they see how great it looks!

[debra.dandro]

Tom, thanks for all your work on this. I know I will not be able to get any prints ready for this Saturday but am hoping to have some ready soon. Thanks again and I'll keep you posted. :)DJGD

[tomdills]

Those who attended last night's meeting got a preview of the exhibit. I think it's going to look great but we have room for many more prints. I'll be scheduling another drop-off day in the next couple of weeks for anyone who still wishes to do a print or two. Please refer to my original post for the guidelines (which are now more like chalk lines after a pee-wee football game :o ).

Watch this space for updates!

[tomdills]

I picked up a few more prints at our last meeting and am planning to go back to the store this Saturday morning to hang them. If anyone else has prints please reply to the forum or send me an e-mail (tomdills@earthlink.net) and I'll arrange to get yours hung. I'm only planning to be there long enough to hang the prints I have unless I hear from someone else.

I think we'll have a nice display on the wall for the Richard Bernabe clinic there on March 12.

[tomdills]

I hung four more prints this past Saturday, and while there is probably room to squeeze a few more in we've just about reached capacity. I've talked with Debra and Edgar and we agree that it is time to call the project complete. If at some point in the future we decide to refresh the display there will be an announcement and request for prints, but we will not be accepting any more prints at this time. I've got a new index print ordered and will have it up by the March meeting so everyone who has work will be recognized.

Thank you to those who have contributed photos to this project. I think it is a nice touch for the meeting room and publicizes our group to others who visit REI.