Christian Photographers Community

Eating, too!  Looks like these will be it for a while.  Had a hawk strike this morning.  Normally when that happens, the feeding station is avoided for a few days. 

I love the cardinals.   They have spectacular colouring!

Quote from: JudyB on November 07, 2008, 09:38:40 AM


I love the cardinals.   They have spectacular colouring!

Thanks, Judy!

HEY!  I discovered that if you go to http://gjtsphotoworld.shutterfly.com/ you can make your very own calendar from my photos!  Pretty cool.

Great shots

That could be but you wouldn't get any renumeration from it then?

Great shots 

Quote from: JudyB on November 07, 2008, 09:54:33 AM
That could be but you wouldn't get any renumeration from it then?

Nope.... I don't get a dime either way.  Don't want any.  Then, it becomes a "job".  Job = work  ... work = stolen joy.

Quote from: gjtoth on November 07, 2008, 10:39:30 AM

Quote from: JudyB on November 07, 2008, 09:54:33 AM
That could be but you wouldn't get any renumeration from it then?

Nope.... I don't get a dime either way.  Don't want any.  Then, it becomes a "job".  Job = work  ... work = stolen joy.

I don't know that I agree.  It may be a little more stressful to do photography as a "job" at times, but there's also a sense of joy in getting paid to do what you love so much!  I don't usually even feel like I'm working because it's so much fun!   

P.S.  How are you with a little constructive "encouragement?"  I won't give it unless you want it. 

Quote from: shutterbugmom on November 07, 2008, 10:52:29 AM

Quote from: gjtoth on November 07, 2008, 10:39:30 AM

Quote from: JudyB on November 07, 2008, 09:54:33 AM
That could be but you wouldn't get any renumeration from it then?

Nope.... I don't get a dime either way.  Don't want any.  Then, it becomes a "job".  Job = work  ... work = stolen joy.

I don't know that I agree.  It may be a little more stressful to do photography as a "job" at times, but there's also a sense of joy in getting paid to do what you love so much!  I don't usually even feel like I'm working because it's so much fun!   

P.S.  How are you with a little constructive "encouragement?"  I won't give it unless you want it. 

Welp... I've done it with two very enjoyable hobbies and both have left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

I don't mind "encouragement".  Bear in mind, I've probably left more forums than Carter has pills because people started to offer their "professional OPINIONS".  I do what I do for MY enjoyment.  I choose to post to share what I see.  Not for any "professional" position.  Amateurs built the ark.  "Experts" devasted our economy.

Sure... fire away. 

 Did I ever tell you that my sister says "welp", too?

Quote from: gjtoth on November 07, 2008, 11:28:20 AM

Quote from: shutterbugmom on November 07, 2008, 10:52:29 AM

Quote from: gjtoth on November 07, 2008, 10:39:30 AM

Quote from: JudyB on November 07, 2008, 09:54:33 AM
That could be but you wouldn't get any renumeration from it then?

Nope.... I don't get a dime either way.  Don't want any.  Then, it becomes a "job".  Job = work  ... work = stolen joy.

I don't know that I agree.  It may be a little more stressful to do photography as a "job" at times, but there's also a sense of joy in getting paid to do what you love so much!  I don't usually even feel like I'm working because it's so much fun!   

P.S.  How are you with a little constructive "encouragement?"  I won't give it unless you want it. 

Welp... I've done it with two very enjoyable hobbies and both have left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

I don't mind "encouragement".  Bear in mind, I've probably left more forums than Carter has pills because people started to offer their "professional OPINIONS".  I do what I do for MY enjoyment.  I choose to post to share what I see.  Not for any "professional" position.  Amateurs built the ark.  "Experts" devasted our economy.

Sure... fire away. 

I'm sorry to hear of your bad experiences.  I had a horrible experience at the start of my business a year ago, but trudged on through anyway and learned some valuable lessons from it.  Even though I am technically "open for business", photography is very part time for me and I consider myself more semi-professional.  I'm not out actively seeking lots of business because I homeschool my kids and that's my main priority. 

As for "professional OPINIONS",  I consider all of the responses to images to be that person's opinion.  As such, I can do with it what I please.  Whether the person is professional or not doesn't really matter to me.  Photography is very subjective.  There are some accomplished artists in the photography field, who's work I can't stand.  Then, there are others who are totally unknown who's work I much enjoy.  That's the nature of this craft, and part of its beauty.

With all of that said, you have some lovely images.     I just wanted to say that I noticed you are working with very shallow DOF in your bird shots, which is a good thing.  I think some of them can be improved by making sure the focus is sharp on the eyes.  Whenever you shoot animals or people, if the eyes are showing, they need to be in focus.  Other flaws are often overlooked if the eyes are sharp.  It's not easy and I, myself, am still working to improve in this area.  I wanted to tell you this so you can show us some even better images.  I have had people encourage me by truthfully helping with me with the "little" things in my images that have made "big" improvements and I'm so thankful for that. 

I do not consider myself above helpful comments, either.  I would never assume that I am above learning.  As a photographer, there's always something to learn and it really doesn't matter if the person is "professional" or not.  If I can learn and better my craft by considering and possibly implementing someone else's ideas, I can only gain from it.  I hope my comments have helped you.  Feel free to comment on my images and tell me what you see, too.  Perhaps I am overlooking things that you will notice.  Keep shooting!

How do you sell your images, Shutterbugmom? I've been looking for a way to do that for a while now. But I cant figure out how to do it.

Quote from: ScottyBoy on November 07, 2008, 12:06:16 PM
How do you sell your images, Shutterbugmom? I've been looking for a way to do that for a while now. But I cant figure out how to do it.

Well, I have one website through Smugmug, but that's basically for viewing.  I also have my private family and church albums there.  I was very happy with their look and ability to use HTML and customize the look of the site and their prints of people.  I was not happy with their nature/landscape prints, though. 

So, I now have my new fine art website through Zenfolio.  They fill their orders through MPIX and I have been very happy with MPIX.  People can also order prints with mats and frames, too.  It even gives a preview of what it will look like, pretty cool! 

They do both cost money yearly to have the pro subscription so you can sell prints.  The links of both are in my signature if you want to check them out.

Thank you.

Quote from: ScottyBoy on November 07, 2008, 12:21:47 PM
Thank you.

You're welcome!   

Gary keep those pictures coming.  I love them .....all of them so keep on shooting the birds and other critters.

Welp... I've done it with two very enjoyable hobbies and both have left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

I don't mind "encouragement".  Bear in mind, I've probably left more forums than Carter has pills because people started to offer their "professional OPINIONS".  I do what I do for MY enjoyment.  I choose to post to share what I see.  Not for any "professional" position.  Amateurs built the ark.  "Experts" devasted our economy.

Sure... fire away. 
[/quote]

I'm sorry to hear of your bad experiences.  I had a horrible experience at the start of my business a year ago, but trudged on through anyway and learned some valuable lessons from it.  Even though I am technically "open for business", photography is very part time for me and I consider myself more semi-professional.  I'm not out actively seeking lots of business because I homeschool my kids and that's my main priority. 

As for "professional OPINIONS",  I consider all of the responses to images to be that person's opinion.  As such, I can do with it what I please.  Whether the person is professional or not doesn't really matter to me.  Photography is very subjective.  There are some accomplished artists in the photography field, who's work I can't stand.  Then, there are others who are totally unknown who's work I much enjoy.  That's the nature of this craft, and part of its beauty.

With all of that said, you have some lovely images.     I just wanted to say that I noticed you are working with very shallow DOF in your bird shots, which is a good thing.  I think some of them can be improved by making sure the focus is sharp on the eyes.  Whenever you shoot animals or people, if the eyes are showing, they need to be in focus.  Other flaws are often overlooked if the eyes are sharp.  It's not easy and I, myself, am still working to improve in this area.  I wanted to tell you this so you can show us some even better images.  I have had people encourage me by truthfully helping with me with the "little" things in my images that have made "big" improvements and I'm so thankful for that. 

I do not consider myself above helpful comments, either.  I would never assume that I am above learning.  As a photographer, there's always something to learn and it really doesn't matter if the person is "professional" or not.  If I can learn and better my craft by considering and possibly implementing someone else's ideas, I can only gain from it.  I hope my comments have helped you.  Feel free to comment on my images and tell me what you see, too.  Perhaps I am overlooking things that you will notice.  Keep shooting!


[/quote]

Sometimes that's a lot easier said than done.  Birds and other critters don't seem to care whether you want a shot or not.  I can focus on the eyes all I want but, if that subject jerks around as I pull the trigger (as birds & game tend to do), ya get what ya get. 

I've read both of Scott Kelby's books and Bryan Peterson's as well.  I know to focus on the eyes.  The birds don't read as well as I do. 

Quote from: JudyB on November 09, 2008, 02:38:41 PM
Gary keep those pictures coming.  I love them .....all of them so keep on shooting the birds and other critters.

Count on it.

Good.

Sometimes that's a lot easier said than done.  Birds and other critters don't seem to care whether you want a shot or not.  I can focus on the eyes all I want but, if that subject jerks around as I pull the trigger (as birds & game tend to do), ya get what ya get. 

I've read both of Scott Kelby's books and Bryan Peterson's as well.  I know to focus on the eyes.  The birds don't read as well as I do.   

---

  No doubt!  If only they could read.

LOL you are so righy.  I am amazed at the detail of the fur/feathers on Gary's pictures.  They are so beautiful.  You should post more of yours too Kathleen!  They aare beautiful too.  I can't wait to see more!