wilderness

If any UHHers have noticed my posts you know that I photograph remote Wilderness, especially in Utah's Canyon Country. Three years ago I was particularly upset upon seeing 3 separate photos of Horseshoe Bend in Outdoor Photographer magazine while that same issue also had two of Antelope Canyon. I get really tired of seeing the same half dozen locations (Dead Horse Point, Antelope Canyon, Delicate Arch, Mesa Arch, Horseshoe Bend, The Wave, House on Fire) be the subject of the majority of published photos of Canyon Country. Yes they're all beautiful but the real reason you see them to the exclusion of other beautiful places is because they're all easy to get to and most of us are lemmings unwilling or unable to strike out on our own. I've spent the last 45 plus years hiking to the most remote places I could. I've done numerous first descents of canyons, have named canyons (Hydra and Beryl off of the Escalante) and have one named for me (Hard Day Harvey - a technical slot canyon), and have been photographing them for that long. Although I'm not egotistical enough to think I'm technically as good a photographer of the Southwest as Tom Till, I know that I've gotten to places that he could never get to. My trips are all off trail and we go out for as long as 33 days on a single backpack excursion where ropes and technical skills come into play quite often.

Here's my question to you, do you, the photography community really care to see images of the rare and remote. Would that be a motivating factor in buying a photography book or is it just me and my backpacking buddies who care that this is an image that no one has photographed before? Your feedback will help me determine how to proceed with this project. FYI although I hope to have this published by an established publisher (i.e. the Mountaineers, Braided River or Torrey Press are three that come to mind) I am prepared to self publish if it comes to that. You can view my photography work at www.harveyhalpern.com.

(Download)

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Making the book and marketing the book are separate disciplines that are worlds apart. Might the publishers you listed be the source of marketing advice?

Your website is terrific! That leads me to another question. If I can see you images on my computer, why would I buy a book?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

We like seeing them.
Many of us probably won't get to the "tourist spots" let alone the back country!

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Here's the deal, Harvey. Here on the Atlantic Coast I have seen (in books) many of the wonders of the west. Not much stuff like that in Delaware. So when I travel 1000s of miles to photograph "The West", I want to put my stamp on the icons. "Off the beaten path" images are also beautiful like yours and Cany's, but if I didn't photograph Delicate Arch, Horseshoe Bend and the others, I'd feel on some level that I had wasted my time and money by not rendering My Interpretation of the places that pulled me out there in the first place.

Jodevoy

I checked out your website. Amazing captures! If I were you, I’d definitely create that book you’re thinking about. These are views I know I would never be able to see without your sharing them with me.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

One thought
Whatever you do, first add your signature to your work.
If the locations you post are not typically photographed, you can guarantee that they will be stolen and re-used if not signed.

Unfortunately just how it is these days.

Great shots by the way.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

You seem to have an extensive body of work to draw from. My advice would be to use only those shots that are truly distinctive in their own right. Don't depend on the remoteness factor to justify a shot. A shot can be unique and still be similar to countless other shots of similar terrain.

BebuLamar

Personally if I come across such a book I wouldn't look. Sorry!

wilderness

Why?

PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon

A few points come to mind.

1. How many books do you wish to sell?
2. Is a distributor likely to take your book?
3. What’s your nearest competitor, in book terms?
4. Why would someone buy your book? The ‘value proposition’ in marketing terms.

Just a few of the questions that pop into my head!

BebuLamar

I don't care for those types of books. That is I wouldn't see the different in your book vs the others you have mentioned.

Murex Loc: Bainbridge, Georgia

Harvey, I just spent an hour looking at all the photos on your website. I fell in love with southern Utah in the early 90's and had always wanted to go back. Now, it is too late for me to do that but I have a lot of appreciation for what you are doing. There are many people who love the wilderness and truly wild places are becoming harder to find. ...jean

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

In my mind it’s more about the photography than it is about remote/off the beaten path places. A great photo can be taken in one’s backyard. If your photos justify having a phote book on my coffee tab, I will be looking at the photos based on their photographic value. If, on the other hand, the book is intended to show unique views of seldom seen locations, then that is a different story and should be published as such. If the images have both, so much the better. Good luck with your quest.

BillPillmore

If you are talking about marketing, I think the audience would be tourists who appreciate that part of the West and would buy a pictorial souvenir. Gift shops, tourist bureaus in the area ect. The work speaks for itself. Very nice. GO for it.

KarenKaptures Loc: New Jersey

Wonderful images-love your website