Deep Thoughts

I have been taking great strides with my photography lately, really trying to absorb knowledge and tricks and tips and doing what I can to increase my skills. There is so much out there that I didn't know! Well, I still dont' know most of it, but I'm getting there. I came to the realization that I don't think outside the box very well...I used to think I was a creative person, but I am realizing my gift isn't so much in creativity, but ingenuity. Not a bad thing....I'm like the McGuyver of the photography world! Well, maybe not...haha! Anyways, I have been trying to become more creative and think in a way that hasn't been done a million times already. How can I create interesting and unique images? I see all these stunning pictures, but I can't figure out how they did it? My husband said something interesting to me....he expressed his disappointment in photography and that these days, with photoshop etc, what you see in a photo isn't even real. He went on about how in the "olden days", you took a picture, and what you saw was real. Now, you don't know what is real, and he doesn't like it much! I had an epiphany. I was struggling with how to create these stunning images with a "snapshot" approach, but it couldn't be done, and I realized that I had to start thinking in layers (thank you, Photoshop!) OK, so how can I layer different images to create something spectacular? Well, I don't know, but I am going to find out! And I thank my hubby for his mini-rant, because it freed my mind up from its snapshottish trap! See ya later, off to play with photoshop!

First Sale!!!!!

Wheeeee!!!!!! I am so excited!!!! It was 87 days since my very first stock photo was approved, and everyday since, I have been uploading, keywording, uploading some more, hoping, praying, waiting, more uploading, LOTS of shooting, etc etc.... and FINALLY, I went to check my download stats, not actually expecting to see anything, but there it was.....1 subscription download, 0.36 cents earned. YIIPPEEEE!!!!! OK, its not like I could afford anything with that, but its a start, with many more sales to come! The part that surprised me most was the fact that it was an image that I didn't expect. It didn't really have a lot of image views, but I guess that doesn't really matter, because it was the right image for the buyer! I just wish I could find out where and how it was being used, but I guess it will always remain a mystery.
http://www.123rf.com/photo_13762831_delicious-barbequed-steak.html

Streamlining Work flow and Uploading for Multiple Stock Agencies

I am in heaven! I follow a fabulous microstock blog (http://www.microstockdiaries.com/) and while I was perusing, I found a link to ProStockMaster, which is a fantastic software for photographers that submit photos to multiple Stock Agencies. I haven't figured it all out yet, but you can title, describe, and keyword wach picture ONCE and then upload to multiple agencies all at the same time, saving you TONS of time! Personally, I don't like keywording. The only thing worse is keywording the same image 5 times a day in different agencies. This software is amazing in saving time and energy! I would highly recommend you check it out! ---> http://www.prostockmaster.com/