Don't be so defensive about a little bit of constructive criticism guys... I bought the calendar and I'd buy it again, even with the issues that I find with it. It's nice to finally have something contour related in print.
With that said SVT ST PETE I can offer CONSTRUCTIVE criticism because I am aware of what goes into making something of this nature. I recently completed a flash site that took me 90+ hours to complete (which is no where what it takes to make a calendar) and guess what, the client had issues with a few things. Guess what else? They were right. I had to go back and change things. I am sorry if you can't take my criticism constructively, it was only meant to help next time around.
On the picture topic, I understand that you had to work with what you had, but it would be nice if people took pics this year with their composition in mind. Here's a few pointers for everyone out there:
1. Don't shoot your pic on dirt or grass 2. Pic an interesting background that isn't distracting. A good example of this is the February pic. (your house is the absolute worst background you can pic, unless it is some really pimp house) 3. Shoot with good natural light. The best time of day to shoot is between 10am and 4pm. 4. Take the picture from an interesting angle. A side shot is just plain uninteresting. A shot from the rear or at an angle looks much better.
Once again I would like to reiterate that the composition of the pics is not your fault.
Now on to demon's beefs....
"nasty1, the sn's were an inch above the bleed line... i cant bloody well stick em in the middle of the picture without ruining it."
I don't know what to say about this one. First off a bleed is where you actually severe the paper. The top of the pic as well as the sides have bleeds, but the bottom is not cut until the bottom of the calendar. With that said I still am a bit confused as to how the names where so jumbled. I guess I would have to see the origonal files, but my best guess is that the size of the image is slightly larger than what was actually printed. This could have been cafepress' fault, who knows?
"next year i'll look into having a local shop print em and mail em out."
Thats a much better idea demon... Not only would quality be easier to control, but you could charge around the same amount and make a lil green for your efforts.
I know I have said it before, but I'll say it again so that no one is confused... I LIKE THE CALENDAR.
