2/25/11

My Etsy shop.

Visit here: Studio281Photography

Check it out!! Purchase if you're so inclined...

You can always get to the shop via the Etsy Mini in the blog sidebar.

I also have a blog for my shop here on blogger. If you go to it today you might not see posts because I've been suuuuper busy, but we're all friends here so I don't feel so dumb, LOL. I'll provide a link to it as well in my sidebar here.

=)

2/23/11

Zoo, Pt. 3

Saved the best for last. :D

I've always envied those shots with tigers roaring or glaring fiercely into the camera. Therefore, while this shot isn't perfect, I still LOVE it.

Photobucket

Admit it. You want - nay, need - to take this little guy home.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Buuuut mama won't let you.

Photobucket

The lions were totally chillin'. I think the lioness was poised to do something crazy, but with so much to see I couldn't linger.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

And there was a nice little butterfly habitat, with butterflies markedly less insane than those at the Butterfly House.

Photobucket

Photobucket

The lens I got is a 55-200mm with vibration reduction. I read a gushing, drooling review of it over at kenrockwell and felt pretty confident. (And, let's face it, it's one of the few I can afford at this time) After being so used to the wide-angle option, it was a little strange to have to back up to get a shot, but it's pretty easy to switch lenses when necessary.

I have noticed a difference in clarity with the telephoto lens. Typically when reviewing photos I zoom in to check out the pixelation, and when zoomed in, even in bright light, there's slightly less clarity. That's just the way it is. Gotta deal with it. In the future I'll upgrade again (and go to 300mm) and in the meantime, try to get that tripod out as much as possible.

Hope you enjoyed...THE ZOO.

2/21/11

Zoo, Pt. 1

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Clearly I love the new lens. I've noticed some interesting things about it compared to the kit lens, but I'll save those musings for later. Part 2 coming tomorrow!

2/20/11

Randoms.

Just a couple of photos to share. I have been known to lament how I, due to work, was missing the sunsets now that they are great. Last week I for no good reason had my camera, and totally drove off-road just to get this:

Photobucket

On the way to one of the parks I photograph, there's this amazing (old!) property that I just want on film, but it's by an intersection with roads that have NO pull-over space. The day I went to photograph the snow, I was feeling bold and there was no one behind me, so I managed this:

Photobucket

So idyllic. Too idyllic, really.

So I have my telephoto lens and went to the zoo today with my best friend who came in town this weekend. I will be posting many photos soon, the photos I should have had last summer but, of course, my Fuji just up and broke.

Exciting!!

2/16/11

What I've been doing.

So it's time to get you caught up to speed on what I've been doing with my photography. Yes, more than just blogging!

One of my first goals has been to sell photo notecards. You know the type, you see them in gifts shops and boutiques; there's a pretty picture on the front and they are blank inside so you can get to letter-writing. This has actually been months in the making for me, because I first and foremost had to learn how to use my Photoshop Elements so that I could use the template provided by a professional lab to have them made. Since PE does not come with a manual, this was difficult.

Then I got a job and there was never really time to pursue this, as I have lamented. So, recently I buckled down and really did the work: I found the online PE8 manual, I successfully created a file for a notecard from the template (more on that in a sec), and I did tons of research on how to sell locally.

I had found a professional printing lab last summer that does just about everything, and they provide the templates for press-printed projects like notecards, photo books, etc. (They are also super, SUPER nice) Now what I'm doing is inquiring around to see what the process is for selling. I already know that a wholesale price will have to be decided by me, because there will be a markup which is how the shop makes its own profit. I've had to tone down my initially wild ideas about how many sets of cards and how many different photos, because the profit margin would be way too slim.

The next thing I'm aiming for is an Etsy shop to sell prints of my best stuff. I've been lurking on tons of photographer's shops there, getting a feel for how they price sizes, how they print, etc. I was so blue when I noticed everyone had these super-awesome papers and inks, and then I realized, duh, they get them done professionally. The lab I'm using has all the goods, so I'm happy. :) I've also had to figure out how to ship prints, because they must be carefully packaged - and I have to find out where to get the packing materials - and then for larger prints you can no longer use standard shipping packages. It's really not something that takes a day to set up, that's for sure.

The third thing is, I've been seeing photographers advocate having work in an art gallery and at art shows. So I set to work googling art galleries in town that would be receptive to my kind of photography. (As in, not super-contemporary where an empty plant pot is supposed to have a thousand different interpretations) Obviously, I prefer nature, and I prefer to use the best technique I can and let the earth speak for itself, rather than get it all gussied-up with post-editing. Fortunately I found two or three places I'd like to go visit.

This meant, of course, that I'd need a portfolio. So I spent DAYS arranging and rearranging and deleting and adding until I got twelve nature photos that I think are both eye-catching and high quality. (Trutst me, the two do not go hand-in-hand automatically) Then I sent them to the printing lab as 9x12s, got a 9x12 portfolio binder, and just yesterday I picked them up and there you have it - my first portfolio. (Of course, presentation is everything and I ended up totally rearranging them again, ha!)

THEN, I knew I wanted a blog that I could refer to on the back of my notecards and at my Etsy shop and all that. Just something for customers to refer to every now and again, nothing intensive. But I needed a banner. A real one. As you can see above, I FINALLY learned how to make them, using Photoscape. (I tried in Photoshop, but it just wasn't happening and the manual was no help. I even googled but people's how-to's STILL weren't cutting it) So, happily I created a new blog, slapped my banner up there, and let it sit for a while while other things were getting put in order.

I had created a business name that I really loved. It didn't have my name in it, so maybe in the future if friends *AHEM* with high-quality prints wanted to join, they could. But wouldn't you know it? I googled the name and SOMEBODY'S USING IT. So I googled about nine different variations of it and - THEY ARE BEING USED. Expletive deleted!

And blog deleted, too. Good thing I didn't start posting on it yet. So, I finally found one that I don't see anyone using via the web. But then I realized (or my dad reminded me) that I need to create a fictitious name.

As I understand it, your company name is your name, but it goes by a fictitious name also and that's what the public sees. You have to register it in your state, and if it's too close to what someone else has you may have to get their permission. (I've been through this at work, it's ridiculous)

So, now you have me - yes, really - creating a small business. W. T. H.

Once you have the name registered and a few other papers filed, you don't really have to do anything else, espeically if you don't have a shop or office space or anything. But registering it means I have the name (renewing annually, of course) and will be free to splash it all across my notecards, business cards, Etsy shop, and blog.

WHEW!

Except now of course that means I can't do anything else until I get my name registered. C'est la vie.

Oh! Before I forget - I totally am on  mission to have a telephoto lens very soon. I know exactly the one I want, how much it is, and where to get it. This is a big deal because I will be using my own money to do this, and life after credit cards means long waits. But I want to get close to things, and I have to take this step in order to really have a diversity of prints to offer down the line. I think it's time.

Now, excuse me while I go dive into paperwork.

2/8/11

Macro!!

If you've come here recently and the pictures weren't exactly the model of clarity, I think that was Photobucket's fault. Looks like it's fixed now.

I used to be able to take macro (super close-up) photos before my Fuji blew a gasket. The macro lenses for a DSLR camera aren't exactly cheap; starting at around $600, I believe. So, getting one will have to wait for a while.

Anyway, here are some shots from a couple of years ago, back when the Fuji was still in working order. Keep in mind, the Fuji had macro capabilities, but there are heavy-duty professional lenses that produce the photos you see of big bug eyes and spider fangs so close-up you can practically see their cells dividing. These...are not those pictures. Enjoy!

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

2/6/11

Almost, but not quite.

Firstly, hope you like the new banner!

So. You know those photos that you love so much and really want to do something with, but you can't because at the end of the day they're totally imperfect? Those make me sad.

Exhibit A:

Photobucket

One of my all-time favorites, when my new camera was really being put to the test for the first time. The problem is? Noise. I had the ISO set on 400 when it still should have been at 200, or even 100. I've posted previously about the marvels of noise reduction software, but in the darker regions where the noise is most noticeable, reducing it leaves the edges a little too unrefined, almost kind of gummy, for lack of a better term. Not noticeable in small format, but when blown-up, it likely would never sell.

Exhibit B:

Photobucket

Same day, same place (Doughton Park). I love the color palette, the sunlight washed over the tips of the grass, the arrangement of the elements. The problem is? Obviously, it's too dark. This is the type of environment that HDR was made for. Had I known what it was at the time, I would've taken two or three shots at different exposures and stitched them together later in PS. Raising the exposure compensation on-site, which I did try, just took away the general mood of the scene; everything didn't need lightening. This is the kind of photo I would put in my portfolio at the front, but unfortunately....it's almost, but not quite.


Hope you're having a great Sunday! Go Steelers!

2/2/11

Butterfly house.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

I went to the Butterfly House last Saturday, for the second time so this is a compilation of both visits. Talk about needing a fast shutter. Somebody needs to teach those suckers how to land! There are plenty of flowers for food in the arboritum, but 95% of the butterflies this time around just wanted to zoom around like they were on crack. I didn't really have fun because of this, not like last time, when they were way more calm.

Also, I don't like that choosing a specific mode on my camera disables certain features. I obviously didn't have time to sit around manipulating the shutter speed, so I moved the dial to Sports mode. Which meant I couldn't change the white balance, or the exposure compensation. That's whack.

Oh! And a paper kite (the first type of butterfly pictured) LANDED ON ME. On my camera strap, to be exact. I made sure not to put on any perfume or lotion that day because they're attracted to strong, sweet scents. But this thing AMBUSHED ME. I freaked out, obviously. You're forbidden to touch the butterflies or swat at them, so I was positive it was just gonna sit there and stare at me with its bulbous, expressionless eyes until I was forced to break the rules. Thank God it was on my strap, because I pulled at it in my crazed state and the paper kite promptly flitted away. Two ladies saw me, but they pretended not to.

So yeah, now you know. I don't like bugs. At all. Wild butterflies hate people; the crazy ones in places like this will eat you.