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Hey TD, um, couldn't you guys come up with a better picture for this cover?? Hey World, this is what the Shoals has to offer...a chubby, bald, shirtless dude sporting an almost 'plumber's crack' and not wearing a life preserver? (/sarcasm) NICE Image to portray! Anyone else see this pic and hear that dueling banjo tune from 'Deliverance'?

Unfortunately, it is actually pretty accurate, but I'm just sayin'

(DISCLAIMER: nothing wrong with being chubby and bald...just that when trying to convey the beauty and wonder of our fair surroundings to the rest of the world...one could at least assume that a better, more sightly, image would be presented.)
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Red, I'm less concerned that this image will be associated with the Shoals and more concerned that your comment will be. How unoriginal is it to make a comment about someone's appearance? How many people can honestly say that they would want a quiet afternoon in their swimsuit unknowingly captured on film and displayed on every publication that the Shoals has to offer? I think the picture is great, and these guys are just enjoying Cypress Creek like it was meant to be. Just make sure that the next time you go canoeing you are toned to total perfection with a golden tan, rippling abs, and the season's most fashionable swimwear lest you be an embarrassment to the Shoals.
quote:
Originally posted by madeintheshoals:
Red, I'm less concerned that this image will be associated with the Shoals and more concerned that your comment will be. How unoriginal is it to make a comment about someone's appearance? How many people can honestly say that they would want a quiet afternoon in their swimsuit unknowingly captured on film and displayed on every publication that the Shoals has to offer? I think the picture is great, and these guys are just enjoying Cypress Creek like it was meant to be. Just make sure that the next time you go canoeing you are toned to total perfection with a golden tan, rippling abs, and the season's most fashionable swimwear lest you be an embarrassment to the Shoals.
........GREAT POST!!!!!!
Please accept my apology for my earlier post. I should have explained my opinion in greater detail. In no way, was my post just a shallow jab at a chubby bald guy...far from it. My opinion is based entirely on a Marketing and Design viewpoint.

Yes, Cypress Creek is beautiful. I personally kayak down that creek at least 15-20 times per season.

How that particular guy in the picture looks...him, personally...I don't care and that's not the point. Someone mentioned what if the girl was in a bikini...that's not the point either.

The point is: It's not HOW they look; it's WHAT they are doing and HOW they are doing it. This was a PLANNED shoot///[REDACTED**see 3rd post immediately following this one below]. The TimesDaily employs exceptional photographers and graphic artists that are absolutely capable of better work than this. I have seen far superior shots published in the TimesDaily before...the talent is definitely there.

Without going into great detail; the idea of a shot like this is to portray that which you want to present as your 'product' (in this case the combination of recreational activity and the scenery) in the most positive light as possible. The last thing you want to do is have something/someone in the shot that distracts from that overall objective. The underlying 'trick' is to capture said image in a way that EXCEEDS the actual objective...to present your 'product' at a higher level/caliber than just merely average. I think we can all agree (or at least those of you who care) that we would want someone considering a move to this area to see a publication such as this and say something like, 'WOW, that's beautiful! Is this really there?"

There is a reason why you will not see a chubby, bald guy on the cover of any top-notch travel publication or destination brochure...not because the guy isn't a GQ model, it's because....AGAIN, from a pure marketing/design standpoint...he distracts from the intended purpose of the picture... ESPECIALLY when he is breaking the law ///REDACTED**see post immediately following this one below (i.e., no life preserver). That has nothing to do with this guy on a personal level; it has EVERYTHING to do with the caliber at which we present our area as a destination. For example, do any of you really think that Southern Living, or any of their ancillary destination publications, would put this picture on their cover?

Why not put this guy in a life perserver? Or, why not 2 teenagers, fitted properly in the canoe? Or, just 1 guy/girl? Or, better still, why not a FAMILY in 2 canoes (fitted properly)? The scene should have been staged differently.

This is not just for the sake of complaining. This is just something that I am passionate about. It's not just this one image that I have a problem with, it is the whole collective of varied media that is deemed acceptable to most of the locals that I take issue. By any standard, accessibility, design-oriented comparative, our 'IMAGE' is not considered or planned as well as it should be. Look, you put together a publication extolling the virtues of our beautiful part of the country and the intended market (i.e, viewers/readers) are people that do not live here...yet. The TimesDaily employs outstanding talent and I am just disappointed that this is what is presented as the best we can do.

To tacitly accept mediocrity...all you will ever receive in return is MEDIOCRITY. The Shoals is only mediocre if we continue to allow it to be so.
Last edited by REDNEVEDNAV
The guy in the picture appears to be over 8 yrs old so does not have to wear a PFD "life preserver".

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
All vessels must carry one Type I, II, III, or V U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD for each person on board or being towed. If a Type V PFD is used, it must be approved for the activity at hand.

One Type IV U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD must be on board vessels 16 feet long or longer, in addition to the requirement above.

Children under 8 years of age must wear a properly secured U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD at all times while on board any vessel, except when in an enclosed cabin.

Every person on board a PWC or being towed behind a vessel must wear a properly secured USCG–approved PFD.

Each person on board a vessel within 800 feet below a hydro-electric dam and/or navigational lock and dam must wear a Type I, II, III, or V U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD.

Besides being USCG–approved, all PFDs must be:
In good and serviceable condition.

Readily accessible, which means you are able to put the PFD on quickly in an emergency.
Of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size.
I am basing my statement of 'breaking the law' on being 'stopped' myself and issued a warning for not wearing a life preserver...but I was certainly within 800ft of that mini-dam there at treatment plant. Never asked for specifics, now I just make sure I have a 'PFD' on at all times.

So, chances are pretty good that the guy in the picture is not breaking the law...I certainly stand corrected. However, my point remains unaffected.
Last edited by REDNEVEDNAV
I know the couple in the photograph, and it was not a planned shoot. They had no idea they were photographed until days later when the photo was printed in the Times Daily. A series of photos were taken that have occasionally shown up in the paper over the last 3-4 years. The first photo showed them portaging around the dam, and it was included in an article about the dangers of the dam. Apparently, there was a photographer hiding out at the water treatment plant taking snapshots. It has been a series of stock photographs for the Times Daily, and was completely candid.

The particular photo in question is past the dam, so there is no need to wear a life jacket at that calm, shallow part of the creek.
If what you are saying is accurate...which I am assuming that it is...would definitely affect my opinion negatively...this would mean that even less effort/thought was utilized than I expected prior, and that this 'publication' was merely tossed together...not exactly for the benefit of the area...maybe just another quick way to sell more ads? So I was giving greater credit to TD's staff than deserved (have corrected my earlier post)

(on a lighter note....the idea of someone hiding at that plant secretly taking pictures of passersby....obviously I am a visual-type person...and that makes me laugh...)
quote:
Originally posted by REDNEVEDNAV:
If what you are saying is accurate...which I am assuming that it is...would definitely affect my opinion negatively...this would mean that even less effort/thought was utilized that I expected prior, and that this 'publication' was merely tossed together...not exactly for the benefit of the area...maybe just another quick way to sell more ads?


Yes, zero effort, didn't even bother to stage it or get permission from the individuals to use the photographs. Now, what was a leisurely and beautiful day on the creek has caused them to have their appearance critiqued on a local forum, and to be made fun of. They didn't have a choice!
quote:
Originally posted by Mrs. Carl Brutananadilewski:

Yes, zero effort, didn't even bother to stage it or get permission from the individuals to use the photographs. Now, what was a leisurely and beautiful day on the creek has caused them to have their appearance critiqued on a local forum, and to be made fun of. They didn't have a choice!


'made fun of'?? Seriously? I have not 'made fun of' anyone. My opinion...which, you obviously have missed the entire point of...had nothing to do with making fun of anyone. My opinion, *again* does not have anything to do with HOW these people look...that dude has a better physique than I do...FOR PETE'S SAKE THAT'S NOT THE POINT!

UPDATE: I digress...if I am 'making fun of' anyone...it's TimesDaily for printing this in the 1st place and trying to pass it off as legitimate promotion.

To get you away from making chubby people the issue here...

Say you are publishing a DENTAL magazine highlighting pediatric dentists. The best 'cover' photo you have on file is a closeup of an exceptionally cute kid with his finger buried up his nose. So because the kid is so cute...it's acceptable...**FROM A MARKETING/DESIGN STANDPOINT**...to use this photo as your cover instead of putting forth the available effort to take a picture of the kid (or another kid) smiling, showing off his pearly whites? Which photo is the more reasonable cover for the intended purpose?
Last edited by REDNEVEDNAV
quote:
Originally posted by REDNEVEDNAV:
quote:
Originally posted by Mrs. Carl Brutananadilewski:

Yes, zero effort, didn't even bother to stage it or get permission from the individuals to use the photographs. Now, what was a leisurely and beautiful day on the creek has caused them to have their appearance critiqued on a local forum, and to be made fun of. They didn't have a choice!


'made fun of'?? Seriously? I have not 'made fun of' anyone. My opinion...which, you obviously have missed the entire point of...had nothing to do with making fun of anyone. My opinion, *again* does not have anything to do with HOW these people look...that dude has a better physique than I do...FOR PETE'S SAKE THAT'S NOT THE POINT!

UPDATE: I digress...if I am 'making fun of' anyone...it's TimesDaily for printing this in the 1st place and trying to pass it off as legitimate promotion.


I'm not trying to fight with you, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so it's no big deal.

I understand your opinion about the design of the cover, but that's NOT what you mentioned in your first post. The first thing you said was about a chubby, bald guy and a reference to Deliverence. That's not very nice. You didn't even mention design in your first comment.
Honestly...the Deliverance reference was not my idea. A friend of mine from out of town, who is a business owner in Memphis and does an enormous amount of print advertising, was in town visiting me and saw that picture at a local restaurant...picked up the mag and started 'singing' that dueling banjo song...in asking my wife (who is a graphic designer...and who coincidentally just finished up a week of product photo shoots) what she thought about the picture...without blinking she said, "I would have made that guy pull up his pants...beautiful scenery but I looked twice at the guy first" I have since asked several other people whose graphic design/artistic opinions I respect about it as well...they all had similar comments. So this isn't exactly something that I just 'shot-from-the-hip' on...

Funny thing is...they all assumed this was a staged photo because of it's obvious inclusion of two people in a canoe... as would be expected of this type of publication.
Last edited by REDNEVEDNAV
quote:
Originally posted by REDNEVEDNAV:
http://www.timesdaily.com/section/extras23

Hey TD, um, couldn't you guys come up with a better picture for this cover?? Hey World, this is what the Shoals has to offer...a chubby, bald, shirtless dude sporting an almost 'plumber's crack' and not wearing a life preserver? (/sarcasm) NICE Image to portray! Anyone else see this pic and hear that dueling banjo tune from 'Deliverance'?

Unfortunately, it is actually pretty accurate, but I'm just sayin'

(DISCLAIMER: nothing wrong with being chubby and bald...just that when trying to convey the beauty and wonder of our fair surroundings to the rest of the world...one could at least assume that a better, more sightly, image would be presented.)


Looks to me that feller is kidnapping that woman...
quote:
Originally posted by Just_:
quote:
Originally posted by madeintheshoals:
Red, I'm less concerned that this image will be associated with the Shoals and more concerned that your comment will be. How unoriginal is it to make a comment about someone's appearance? How many people can honestly say that they would want a quiet afternoon in their swimsuit unknowingly captured on film and displayed on every publication that the Shoals has to offer? I think the picture is great, and these guys are just enjoying Cypress Creek like it was meant to be. Just make sure that the next time you go canoeing you are toned to total perfection with a golden tan, rippling abs, and the season's most fashionable swimwear lest you be an embarrassment to the Shoals.
........GREAT POST!!!!!!


LIKE!

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