Membership FAQ

Where to I write to ask you a question?

Feel free to message me on twitter @fiftyfootshadow (No ‘s’ Twitter didn’t like a user handle that long) or send me an email at fiftyfootshadows-at-gmail.com. I reply as often as possible, if your in a rush let me know its urgent and I will try and reply sooner.

Where are all the higher res desktops?

There is a link that came with your payment confirmation to a members only download page. Because the amount of files will continue to increase exponentially new entries will be listed with a numeric system on the file name along with the wallpaper name. They will be made available as zip documents with terms and information on the photo as well as a link to its original post on 50ft if there is one.

When does my print ship?

I do my very best to mail prints on the first day of each month. If you sign up after the current prints have shipped out then your subscription will start up at the beginning of the following month. In other words, I will have a print for each month, if you sign up February 2nd then you will receive the February print in March and the March Print in April and so on. If you cancel the membership then I will of course send out the last remaining print in your subscription. It’s the best way I could come up with to keep timing and supply in check. If there is any delay in shipping I will inform everyone so were all on the same page.

Why so small?

I considered a 5×7 but I admire the classic postcard size of 4×6. A print is an object that takes on a life of its own after its creation and to that end, a 4×6 feels understated, humble somehow. I feel as though its a nice collectable size that one could either store away in a photo book of their choosing, tack up on the wall to enjoy, or scribble down love letters on the back of and mail off to a special someone.

My print didn’t arrive, what gives?

Things happen, the post offices of the world are not all created equal. Some subscribers may live in a remote region and it may take a few weeks to arrive. They will be mailed using stamps and envelopes so be patient please, there is no tracking etc. If you feel as though something is wrong though, please, by all means let me know and I will send out another.

My print arrived damaged.

As mentioned above, I use simple shipping means for this project to keep it affordable for subscribers, as modest of a project as it seems the envelope, print, and shipping and time to handle orders adds up. If you receive your envelope and it’s a horrible mess then let me know and we can work it out.

Can I upgrade to the Print Club?

Unfortunately the answer is no, well, not with one click anyway. At this time Gumroad, the service I am using to manage memberships, does not allow memberships to change course once someone has subscribed so I am unable to offer an upgrade directly. It is not impossible though, just a little roundabout. You will need to cancel your current subscription and sign up again with the print club option. This will move the monthly billing cycle to a new date but all content available in the member area will still be made fully available to you.

Why Gumroad?

The short answer is because of time. After considering a totally integrated approach within wordpress I quickly came to realize that I do not have the time or ability to see it through and can not afford to hire anyone to develop it for me. Gumroad feels like the next best thing because, although limited in a lot of ways I wish it was not, I am able to integrate signup into into the site and it will help house the members only content and make it available anywhere. It also allows for easy communication to members as well. If you have any concerns or trouble with the surface then please let me know.

What kind of Fine Art Print discount?

The cost of Fine Art Prints for members of either subscription are as follows: 8.5×11″ prints are $40 for non-members and $25 for members. 11×17″ prints are now $60 for non-members and $45 for members. More information on the prints can be found here.

I don’t have any questions.

Well then stop staring at this screen, there is so much more to do!

I’m sad about something unrelated to 50ft.

Life is rough sometimes right? Time often marches on without our say and it’s heartbreaking to realize that we can’t take back the decisions we make. Maybe don’t wait too long for things to simply get better on their own, rather, seek out things that inspire you, that excite you. Find your fire and stoke it as often as possible.

Yet, I say this as though its so damn easy, as though everyone has a secret flame in their heart waiting to be discovered and used to light the way through the darkness of uncertainty. I know the feeling well, that hopelessness, that dark, as though no idea is good enough, no words are ever as confident as you want them to sound, no flame is bright enough. Darkness is sneaky and it’s pure but it’s only as opaque as your imagination leads you to believe.

As hard as it is to believe at times, there is always a door, a switch, a flint, waiting, dormant and patient, you just need to be willing to notice the detail, the little shimmer of light that shines off its surface. It could be more subtle than you think it is. Most hopeful ideas don’t crash into view with a neon sign leading the way forward. Most hope starts out as a whisper or a small itch just out of reach.

You may find it in a friends hug, a strangers smile, a work of art, a long novel, a poem, a beautiful sunset, a rainbow, a favor returned, a forgotten melody that pops into your head for the first time in years, a smell you thought you had forgotten, a great meal, a film… There are clues in all things, big and oh so very small. Pieces of a puzzle as infinite as the big looming questions that no one can honestly answer, only guess and assume and trust are the one true answers.

Joy is all around us, I promise. It’s just shy some days so give it a chance to find its way back into the light. Then, when it does, grab ahold of it as tightly as you can.