Kicking back....

[Blue_In_AK]

Playing around with the Sigma 10-20 mm lens last night. I love this lens.

[F.Gordon]

1. Neat photo. But I have **one** major problem with it

How come I don't see any of your photographs on the wall?
:shrug:

[Blue_In_AK]

2. I'm waiting for a good one.

:) Seriously, though, there IS something cool in the works here. My oldest daughter works for an architectural firm that has just gotten the contract to remodel one of the main parking garages downtown, and they want to use one of my skyline photos -- "If they go for it, and can afford it, we will use it as the template for a natural stone, marble, glass inlaid mural in the floor of the JC Penney skybridge." I would be just so proud to be made "permanent" like that. The skybridge connects the parking garage to the main shopping mall downtown and thousands of people walk on it every day. This is the photo that they want to use.



Of course, such a thing would be kind of pricey, and they may not want to pay that much, but I think it would be fabulous and very unique. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

[F.Gordon]

3. Wow! How cool is that???!!!!!

Will cross my fingers, toes, and eyes for ya' Blue' but I don't think I need to. I sense good karma headin' your way. That's an excellent photograph.....
:hippie:

But I still expect that the next time I see "kickin' back" I want to see one of your photos on the wall. It's not like you don't have a few to choose from.
:hi:

[RagingInMiami]

4. That's awesome

Good luck on that. And don't sell yourself short.

[JeffR]

5. Excellent!

Fingers crossed here!

[CC]

7. Very cool whether they do it or not

that they like it enough that they are thinking about it. Even cooler if they do go for it. Try to get some cash for use of it, they would have to pay anyone else big bucks just to use a photo or drawing and make sure some how your name is somewhere on it or attached to it. Anymore most use laser to etch the stone for stuff like that so it isn't as hard, or as expensive as it once was.

[CC]

6. Neat picture,

It looks so warm, cozy and inviting. And you do have a bit of wall space to put some of your own photos. Going to be bad when I have one of your photos hanging in my kitchen nook and you don't have any in your house. BTW did I tell you that when we replaced the windows in the nook I went slightly smaller so I would have a bit more wall space for your photo? You should of seen to look on the guys faces over that.:rofl: So I had to add other reasons they could understand like chairs not hitting the window glass, looks better from the outside,, and whatever else I could come up with.

[Blue_In_AK]

8. I'm really looking forward to seeing that, CC...

I feel very flattered that your choice of windows was based on my photo. :) Wow. Yes, I guess I will have to get some of my pictures up on the wall ... I'm still kind of suffering from sticker shock after getting the one matted and framed for Kristina, but it probably cost so much because that picture wasn't a standard size and everything had to be custom. I'm sure after our little trip next month, I'll have several photos that will be "worthy" of enlargement. I probably will try to get some sort of site for myself to post them on, too.

There are so many really great photographers in Alaska that I've felt kind of intimidated about trying to compete, but I do appreciate all the encouragement that I get from you all here (and HullBoss, of course), so I guess I'll just have to go for it. I want my pictures to be more than pretty - I want them to make people "feel," so that's what I'll be going for this trip. I haven't been up north for quite some time, so it will be all new material to work with. Tundra is really different than what we have down here. I'm really excited - we're leaving June 3 and will be gone about a week or maybe a little more.

[CC]

9. I finally figured out that if I

really really wanted to do photography (and I do) that I was just going to have to jump in and do it, despite the trepidation I have. I finally took the advice I have given so many kids, think of what the worst thing that can happen if you do something and is it worth the consequences (or rewards). So figured the worst is I am out the money for the photo equipment and someone somewhere might tell me I am awful and should never touch a camera again. Well regardless of whether anyone likes my photos or not I love taking them and the money for the equipment is well spent even if just to give me pleasure trying to take pictures. Constructive criticism can only teach me more and destructive criticism I have always been good at ignoring elsewhere so why not on photography. The hardest part for me now is asking for money for pictures since I love taking them so much. I am going to do a wedding in June and just made myself ask for the going rate around here. I'll over shoot (thank God for digital) and I'll probably burn 2 cds of the RAW files just for backup but I should have enough decent photos to make the bride and groom happy. Plus I do have experienced back up as a second photographer. I helped her a couple times last year so that did get my feet wet. I feel like I am stepping off a cliff sometimes but not trying would be worse. :shrug: And though there are a lot of good photographers in Alaska you are fast becoming one of them and do bring your own personality to them. And make us feel.

As for matting and framing, the sticker shock is pretty bad. One day I may have to learn to do it myself. Though if you do stick to "normal" sizes you can find stuff that is much less expensive plus do it yourself. Just be sure to look for archival quality mats, tape etc. They do cost a bit more but they will protect you pictures.