When you get a new camera, it is similar to the start of a new love affair.  There’s the shock and awe of obtaining your wish, the delight of feeling through things, getting to know each other, getting frustrated from stupid misunderstandings – and then finally finding peace in compromising and communication. Such began my weekend study of my new Canon 50D digital SLR camera.

With my 20D, I never really felt camera envy of other photographers. And yes, among the photo groups in Los Angeles, there is a lot of camera and lens, cock shop talk like comparisons. However, I don’t know if it was my female nature, but I never really cared to lust after other people’s objects. I felt comfortable with my sense of photography style, filter usage, shot visions and methods.  I would see a little of everything, camera wise, when I would visit Descanso Gardens or Bolsa Chica Wildlife Preserve. From 15k prime Canon lenses to point and shoots, I was a proponent of working with what tools you have to get the shot that completes your vision.

However, something changed within me when I received my 50D.

Maybe it was learning the amazing “Auto ISO” setting, completely different from my “Leave your ISO on 200 iso for the best shots and least film grain.” This feature alone opened my eyes to the awesomeness of nighttime, flashless photography. Or, it could be the “shiny new toy replaces any former model” complex. But, in exploring my first shots from my two low key photo walks this previous weekend, I am still left wondering the age old question:

Is it the camera that makes the difference? Or, is it the person behind the viewfinder that creates the magic?

Here is my foray into answering that question while on a photo inspired walk among the Friday night life in Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles’ Bunker Hill and Little Toyko. I’ve included the exposure information for each photo in the gallery.

Gallery:

Camera Bonding Time

In the world of photography, there are a variety of loyal camera patrons. From Pentax, Panasonic, Lecia to Sony, camera devotes are as varied as the camera manufactures themselves. But, what creates a loyal consumer? What makes a person a “Canon Lover” vs. a “Nikonite”? More importantly, what keeps a person connected with the essence of the brand – regardless of product updates, new releases and extensive marketing campaigns of other market competition?

After recently experiencing various Canon Technical Representatives and recently participating in Canon’s Loyalty Program, I pondered what exactly has kept me with the brand over the years. An artist’s camera retrospective is as unique to an individual as a shooting vision.

This is digital retrospective.

My First Digital Point and Shoot: Canon PowerShot S40

It was a warm day in Denver when I stepped into the Apple Store in the Cherry Creek Shopping Center in Denver. Taking a break from studying for classes at the University of Denver, I wandered into the store to ease my boredom and to see what was new. After all, no one is a better illogical impulse shopper than a bored college student. After looking around the store, I noticed the “clearance” section at the back of the store. Here, various floor models, discontinued items and various electronic knick-knacks were displayed for discounted sale. It was there when I saw my first digital camera: the Canon PowerShot S40 (Digital Photography Review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonS40/). Released in 2001, the camera was a rather large, 3x optical lens with a 4 mega pixel photo resolution. When I saw the discounted price from the original list price of $799, something in me sparked a “buy it now” burning desire. I was young, hungry for new technology, and ready for the digital explosion. I experimented with Adobe Photoshop, different camera techniques and the world of digital photography.

Stepping Up: Canon PowerShot SD700

A few years later, I was in the digital point and shoot market again. After researching different models and playing with them, I chose the then, cutting edge, Canon PowerShot SD700 IS. With 6.0 mps, 4x image stabilized zoom, and a hot design, I thought it was my best purchase ever. After all, after a few years with outdated technology, I finally had a new camera! And, it took fantastic videos! I took that camera everywhere. On my first road trip to Mt. Shasta, I videotaped watching the fireworks over the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, to Descanso Gardens for floral shots. I showed people I worked with my printed work and received decent feedback. Who cared that my reds were slightly muted, the greens were slightly false and that I was using a point and shoot like I was using a digital SLR. I thought I was the shit. That was, until I spoke with a celebrity photographer who took me down a notch. He took one look at the quality of my photos and gave me the best constructive criticism that changed my life. In short? “You’re good. But, this camera sucks”.

The Next Level: Canon 20D

“Okay,” I said. “Then what’s a good camera to buy?”

He shot with Canon 5Ds. As I wasn’t in the market to spend 2k on a camera at the time, he suggested the recently released Canon XT. Well, nothing is as good of a motivator as a professional photographer, one that makes their money from capturing images of famous people to feed the public’s desire for beauty, recommending a camera to further your skill set. So, I convinced myself that I would purchase the Canon XT to capture the illusive title of a “Real Photographer”.

So, off I went on Saturday morning in September to “take a look” at the Rebel XT at Woodland Hills Camera and Telescope. As I’d purchased my first film SLR there (a Canon EOS Rebel G11), I thought I could trade it in to get some value toward a new camera. Unfortunately, my plan did not work. They didn’t want my Rebel G11, because even though it was less than two years old, it was outdated technology. Digital was all the rage, and I wanted to join the party.

I walked in set on purchasing the Rebel XT. I walked out with a refurbished Canon 20D, a tripod, a Tamron 28 – 200 lens, a camera case, and a CF memory card. Why? Because the Rebel XT was only $150 less than the Canon 20D I purchased. Plus, the Canon 20D just felt “right” in my hand. There is something to be said about the law of attraction / like energy attracting like energy. Instantly, with the weight of the camera in my hands and the feeling of magic on my trigger finger, I was hooked.

Canon PowerShot SD790 IS

My Canon 20D traveled with me and captured the peaks of the Grand Tetons, the geysers of Yellowstone, the fish mongers at Seattle, and the California Coast. When my Canon PowerShot SD700 mysteriously disappeared, I purchased a Canon PowerShot SD790 IS. With that, I was set. I had my Digital SLR for my high quality shots and a point and shoot for video capture and party shots. All was extremely well in my world. That changed one fateful summer evening, while in the midst of a recent summer road trip.

How a Road Trip, a Puppy and Spilled Water Led to a 50D

I stopped outside of Ft Worth, Texas to rest for a bit and give my rambunctious puppy, Cheyenne, some water by pouring a small amount of water into her bowl in the backseat. For some reason, Cheyenne decided to turn around in her seat, uninterested in drinking. This movement knocked over her water bowl, sending water onto the seat and down into the foot well. Cursing, I started cleaning up the spilled water, trying to save things from water damage. Unknown to me (and I’m still at a lost for and explanation of how it ended up there), one of the casualties in the water spill was my PowerShot SD790. Freaked that it had water spilled on it, I immediately turned it on to make sure it still worked. It did – but stopped working two days later. I was shit out of luck with a camera that was less than a year old.

I put the broken camera situation on the back burner of my mind until late September. Inspired to call Canon to see if a repair agreement / warranty could be activated, as the unit was less than a year old.

“Well, you can trade it in for these selected units”, the representative told me.
Wait, what? I can trade in a broken camera for a discounted refurbished camera? I was floored. It was Canon’s Loyalty Program: problem with your Canon camera (and I do mean ANY problem)? Trade it in toward the purchase of a refurbished selected Canon product. There’s a changing selection of three cameras for the PowerShot series and D series cameras for consumers to choose from. After thinking about it for a month, researching like no other and visualization, I chose to trade in my 20D for a 50D. It was a fantastic deal and highly recommended to anyone interested in getting a camera that’s factory tested to work just as well as a new camera – for half the price.

Now, I’m set for a while. I’m getting used to a great new camera, a new lens, and the problem of how to best pack a camera bag that is in need of an upgrade. I’ve come a long way from my purchase of that PowerShot S40, so many years ago. But, it’s also a testament to how I’ve grown as an artist, a photographer and as a consumer. Camera loyalty is a funny thing. Some people are adamant about their camera choices. But, what makes me a Canon person? Pretty simple: adapting brand loyalty at an early age / familiarity of camera settings and menu layout, the quality of customer service and the Canon Loyalty Program.

And as a satisfied customer, I can only wish the same to other camera aficionados.

Happy snapping.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

It took 4,579 miles, driving through 9 states (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Utah and Nevada) for 2.5 weeks with one happy and adventure seeking puppy for me to realign with my sense of self, my direction and my foundation in life.

The road was filled with strange interactions with relatives, a speeding ticket in Phoenix while driving to Sedona, managing my sanity while listening to awful audio books (and many good ones, as I’m an audio book junkie) and text messages to loved ones. But, through it all, I made it through smarter, with a better photography portfolio and a deeper sense of who I am and what I want.

Traveling Solo Still Is Better Than Traveling With Others

I enjoy traveling alone. Yes, it truly was me and my puppy on this trip. No men. Yes, a female can still travel the great United States of America without need of an additional man or driving partner. Call it the foolishness of being an only child, but I feel that with a tent, camping stove, sleeping back, pillow and knife one can pretty much be prepared for anything.  I believe that traveling alone offers a forced chance to meet and hopefully be friends with yourself, your true self. This is seen especially during emotionally trying situations and times. Plus, if you force yourself to listen to a large amount of “self discovery” audio books, you’ll definitely be able to think clearer than you have in a long time.

In fact, with it being just me and the puppy, I learned quite a bit on my  road trip….

Puppy + Camera = Trouble

Cheyenne Big Sur looking artsy

First, if you have a point and shoot camera in same car as an excited puppy and her water bowl, Murphy’s Law will always – sometimes even miraculously – come into effect. I lost my Canon PowerShot, even under a year old, to water damage. I can’t hate Cheyenne for it, as I still don’t understand how my camera got on the floor of my backseat outside of it’s case. But, I promised myself that I would only get a new point and shoot camera from the profit of my photography sales and group events. If that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is.

Assuming Camera Battery Is In Your Camera Bag  = A Dumb Idea

When I arrived in Sedona, Arizona, a puzzled thought entered my mind: Why was my Canon 20d’s battery on the last level? More importantly, where was my battery charger?

I searched; I turned things over; I confused my dog. Alas, the camera charger was nowhere to be found. Turns out that in my rush of packing and leaving, I had ASSUMED that the battery charger was already in my camera bag.

Outside Sedona, Az

I was very wrong.

The good thing is that my camera lasted through 1,000 more photos before giving way. It wasn’t until I was hiking and photographing along the Grand Wash trail  in Capitol Reef National Park (Central Utah) that the camera’s battery finally exhausted.  Dejected – but happy for the photos previously taken – I stored my only working camera in my camera bag. Determined to capture the rest of my trip in any way possible, I decided that I would resort to snapping photos with my Blackberry if I had to.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

But then, a miracle of random occurrence entered my life. While meditating at Bryce Canyon National Park (Lower Utah) the next day, I had quite a bit to think about. Contemplating the good fortune of getting out of a ticket for accidentally illegally camping  in a National Park and for inadvertently having a dog on a trail (misunderstanding of NPS vs BLM controlled land in the area), I felt rooted in one spot, overlooking the area known as Wall Street, for seemingly no particular reason. In fact, I had already made piece that the best photo I would have of the towering pillars of Bryce Canyon would be through my Blackberry.

Carlsbad National Park, New Mexico

As I stood staring at the pillars of earth, I reflected on the differences between Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. Which one was better? Turning this over in my mind, I stared forlornly at a photographer that suddenly appeared next to me. Inspired to talk to him, a conversation ensued. The next thing I knew, my dead battery was being charged in his car while he loaded me one of his fully charged Canon batteries to walk the Wall Street trail with him.

Call it serendipity, a prayer being answered, Right Timing or whatever you prefer. But, that chance encounter saved my trip, my Blackberry’s battery, added a new friend to my Facebook page and allowed me to continue capturing my memories through camera clicks.

Nothing sucks worse than seeing images that you would love to photograph – but can’t.

So in short:

• Bryce Canyon National Park hates dogs.
• Your relatives are the craziest people you know.
• Keep electronics away from your dog.
• Prairie Dog Town, in Kansas, is the best thing on I-70 West.
• You can find the most amazing experiences on the road when you let go of expectations and just go with it.

A full gallery from the trip will be up soon. But for now, hi everyone and welcome back to the Blog!

"I do mind, the Dude minds. This will not stand, ya know, this aggression will not stand, man.!""

The Big Lebowski" (c) 1998 Polygram Filmed Entertainment

Sometimes, it’s best to look at certain conflicts in life as an opportunity to grow as a human being and as an event organizer. In my case, it was a rather interesting email from a hike participant and reading the comments regarding the heat during last weekend’s Malibu Creek State Park hike.

The member and I exchanged emails, resulting in me understanding that new members and current members, unfamiliar with the logistics and how I run things, might experience a rather sharp different between their projected expectations of group participation and what would be offered and expected of individual participation.

As a result and to eliminate future situations that may occur from misdirected intentions, I wrote the following email -defining the difference between personal responsibility, event organizer responsibility and individual involvement. Judging from the positive emails and feedback I received from group members, I hit the problem on the nail and sunk it flush with the board.

PLEASE READ: Personal Responsibility, Event Organizer Responsibility and Individual Involvement

It has come to my attention that clarification is needed concerning personal responsibility, event organizer responsibility and individual involvement with events I organize. Again, realize that this is for my planned events and does not necessarily represent the viewpoints or ideas of other organizers of the The Great Outdoors Photography Group or The Los Angeles Hiking and Photography Meetup.

It is my goal to make the following statements as clearly as required. It is advisable that you read this completely:

* All Meetup Groups Are Different: Due to different individual personalities and group psychology, it is highly advisable that you do not project prior Meetup group expectations on any new groups you join. All Meetup groups and organizers are different. Please respect them accordingly.

* Individual Participation: Participation in this group is voluntary. As such, attendance to all events are voluntary. Attendees are solely responsible for their actions, including deciding on if they would like to continue with the group or not, during events / walks.

* Acts of God: Do not project blame of Acts of God (heat, rain, sprinkles, etc) onto the event organizer. If I pre hike the trail the day before under cloudy skies and the day of the hike is sunny and cloudless, I cannot telephone God to change the weather. It is your personal responsibility to read the weather forecast for that day and determine your participation and water requirement for the outing.

* Event Description / Alterations: Based on various factors, I will change the event details up to the day before the event. Considering that I’ve been doing pre-hikes before group hikes for events, in my own time prior to the event, that is my right and privilege. If you RSVP for an event, it is your responsibility to check the event page prior to your attendance. For every major event update I do, I send out an update notification and cover the changed material during hike introductions. For example, Malibu Creek State Park’s updated event notice was sent at Friday, 5:40 pm reflecting updates I found during that morning’s hike. It is your personal responsibility to read emails concerning events you RSVP and to check the event page prior to the event. I cannot make you do that – only you can.

* Getting Lost: It is unfortunate if a member gets lost. However, there is a reason why I include website and additional information in every planned event’s description. It is to offer participants additional resources to explore and discover pre-hike. Larger groups will split up. It’s just a fact of human nature concerning different hikers motivations and speeds. The trails that I plan events on are well maintained, well traveled, clear and easy to travel on. Likewise, there are almost always clear maps at the trail head.

* Photography: Before you consider attending an event, remember that my events are planned for photographers / nature photographers that also enjoy hiking in nature. Photography is the primary focus, not hiking. Hikers are more than welcomed. However, be considerate that your motivations for attendance may be different than others.

* Water and Proper Hydration: Bring water to every event / outing that you attend and plan accordingly for hotter events. Especially, during the warmer Summer months. This point does not need further explanation.

* Hand holding: There are many people, of all different motivations, that attend events. Accounting for everyone, with their different motivations, stopping times and the like during the return, is like trying to manage an individual tree in a forest. If there are clear signs along a pathway and I have already written a lengthy description and offered additional website information regarding a hike / event, I cannot – for maintaining the focus of the group, handhold each individual member to make sure they follow previously given instructions and markers. I constantly ask members how they are feeling, if they are okay, etc, because of who I am as a person. However, as an event organizer, I can only go so far before individual responsibilities of participants must kick in. I organize hikes and events. This means that I plan a set space for members that have RSVP’d to attend and participate in an event as individuals that are together for a common purpose. You, not me, must determine during your every step forward if you want to continue.

* Time Management: If I give a time estimation, that is based on the time it took me to do the hike previously. That is a guideline. As group times differ due to different people and their hiking levels, there is no way that a final time for the total group can be absolute. As I state in my introduction before we head out – If at any time you wish to turn back or otherwise not continue with the rest of your hike, it is your choice. I say this so people understand that if at any point, they feel things are beyond what they can handle or they simply do not wish to continue, participants understand that personal responsibility comes before group mentality.

* Organizers and Assistant Organizers: The event organizer is listed prominently under the “Who’s Coming” section of the event. Ray, the group organizer is not required to attend any of the events planned by assistant organizers (myself, Marianne and Renae). The assistant organizers are not required to attend any of each others events. However, it is not advisable to disrespect assistant organizers because the photo that you see on the group’s front page. I work hard at what I read, research, organize and plan for this group. Unchecked aggression and personal attacks from individuals will not stand.

I hope this clears up any concerns that new, returning or curious members have regarding personal responsibility, event organizer responsibility and individual involvement with the group regarding the events I organize. It is my goal as a event organizer to properly inform individuals of what they are to expect. As I do this in the event description, during the start of the hike, during turn around points, and at key aspects of events, I believe that I execute my responsibilities as a hike leader effectively, efficiently and completely. Personal accountability for your individual involvement in group activity is not suggested, it is required.

If you feel that your motivations for joining a planned event and projected roles are contrary to the tenets set forth in this statement or that your viewpoints are not agreeable to those set forth, it is in your best interest to reconsider RSVPing for the events that I organize and lead.

Best,

Kimberly

I’m still truly thankful and grateful for the conflicting points of view that occurred. These are issues that needed to be clarified and written down for anyone that might have questions about them in the future, new member or not. When entering a new group, conflicts of expectations are expected.
I have been slower than the group / left behind before in other hiking groups. And it sucks. However, I take responsibility for being slower, for whatever reason, and do not blame others for it. I’m a slow hiker as it is already, regardless of my camera or dog. But, when it gets down to it, as an event organizer, I have the final say on the guidelines for an event that I plan. There are no other words needed to state my point. No words needed for discussion. Like my policy on “Maybes” and “Waitlist”, this is a one sided conversation.

Period. Fin. The end.

Now, onto finishing up the final plans for this weekend’s urban hike in Silver Lake…..

Call it an active assessment of my post birthday life. Or, call it a full realization of how much, on a larger scale, the unpaid work I do. There comes a time in one’s life in which they suddenly open their eyes and see things for the way things are. For me, that time is now.

One of the hardest things that I’ve come to terms with  is how to be properly compensated for the energy and time exchanged for work.  Turning yet another year older, I’ve made a few new and surprising decisions in my life.

I have a clearer voice for myself, more of a focused desire in what I want to create and a more sound knowledge of what I will and will not stand for in my groups. I enjoy planning events for people and have a job history in the Entertainment field of doing just that.

In short, planning events is nothing new for me. In fact, I thrive in the ideas, implementation and execution of successful events. However, when I see things not adding up regarding certain key leader factors and group aspects, I feel unbalanced in my own planning and participation desire.  Now, only one question remains. What’s next?

For me, the answer is creating and cultivating a new photography group on Meetup.com for my planned events.

The upcoming, end of July Sunset and Potluck Picnic event at El Madator State Beach will be the last that I plan with the LA Hiking and Photography group. My new photography group  project will start in August or September, based on my traveling schedule in Colorado, Washington State, and hopefully Alaska.

It’s time that I fully realize my potential as a photographer and event producer. Planning and executing events gives me a exhilarating charge in my life. Connecting people to new ideas, experiences and and services not only benefits myself – but also the public at large. In focusing on taking things to the next level, I can plan more Hidden LA tours, expand the depth and scope of event production and implement a business model that benefits organizers and participants alike. The final result will be a cultivated group of photographers from all walks of life with common goals: meeting and cultivating friendships, a desire to discover hidden gems in the urban and nature formed world, and a goal to become better photographers.

Now, the sky and my imagination is the limit regarding how to put that mission statement into action.

The Creative For Kids annual art auction, hosted by the Young Philanthropist Project, received two of my prints – Amen and Peacock Feathers for their annual 2009 mixer and auction.  The event benefited CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children)  programs in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area. This year, it was held at the Mynt mojito lounge in lower downtown Denver.

Speaking with one of the organizers, Traci Tisserat (http://www.tisserat.com/), I received some fantastic information concerning my donated artwork and the overall success of the event.

The art auction roughly raised about $2,500. Combined with Mynt’s promised pledge of $1 per drink and a large private donation, the event raised close to $3,500 for CASA.

But, the most interesting aspect of the night? The event chair for the  annual Gala event for the Young Philanthropist Project group loved my print, Amen (taken in Big Sur, California) so much that it was pulled from the show. Instead, it will be one of the items auctioned during the Red Wagon Ball event at the Hyatt Regency in October.

My other donated print, Peacock Feathers, also sold.

Thank you to everyone that attended – especially the individual that purchased Peacock Feathers and the person who will purchase Amen in October!

Peacock Feathers Matted image: 11” x 17” Full image: 13” x 19”	Amen Matted image: 11” x 17” Full image: 13” x 19”

Having an over planned out weekend  is extremely common for me. What is not common? Having a fire in Santa Barbara ruin my overly planned mini vacation weekend and leave me with a free Saturday with nothing planned. Such was the conundrum I faced one particular Friday in May.

So, when I received an email from the Photographers and Digital Artists of Los Angeles group stating that the Friends of the Los Angeles River needs a few photographers for their planned Great LA River Clean Up the next day, I was intrigued. After contacting the volunteer organizer, I was set.

But, nothing could prepare me for the intense learning experience that was in store.

The Los Angeles river isn’t a river as much of a storm channel. Vast in length, it’s a consistent part of the Los Angeles landscape. Often taken for granted for the important role it plays, it winds alongside the 405, 101 and 5 freeways, continues its way down to Long Beach and out to the Pacific Ocean. Many of us know that it’s important for the livelihood of the city. But, the only news we tend to hear about it is the occasional blurb about some ill fated adventurer getting stuck in it during a heavy rainstorm.

But, in a consumer heavy city, trash on the streets ends up as trash in the river. Trash in the river ends up as trash in the Pacific Ocean. Hence, the need for a clean up. Documenting the clean up at my location wouldn’t be as much of a challenge as a sobering realization regarding how trash affects the urban environment.

Assigned to the Sepulveda Basin location at Lake Balboa, I arrived on time and was promptly confused. The Army was having a rather large welcome party for new recruits. Over a hundred Army supporters, their families, new recruits and officers were scattered along the field. While walking  to the LA River clean up area, an army recruiter tried is best tactics to get me to consider joining the army.

I politely declined and continued to the FOLAR check in tent.

Looking back, I think the one thing that affected me the most was the sheer amount of trash that was pulled out. There were bags and bags of it. Seeing a Lays potato chip bag actually molded to a tree branch was also cause for a reflective pause. But, the most intense experience was watching and photographing a group of volunteers pull an extremely large clear tarp from the river. It was so large and embedded in the surrounding landscape that it had to be cut up and pulled out in pieces.

There were other notable occurrences: a Barbie that was so dirty, old and matted that it was nicknamed “Dreadlock Barbie” and my winning of a body wash and body milk set at the after clean up raffle. But, the main thing that I took away from this experience – and still think about – is the extent at which humans affect their environment through careless waste.

I guess that’s what happens when you stop taking things for granted, open your eyes up and see things for how they really are.

Gallery:

The Great LA River Clean Up Sepulveda Basin

Additional Information:

Friends of the Los Angeles River: http://folar.org/
Sepulveda Basin Site: http://folar.org/?page_id=377

From SmugMug to Zenfolio, I have been there and done that with online photography sales websites. Both  sites have their share of benefits and challenges. Both are fantastic for what most people are looking for. But, in all logic, SmugMug should have been my end all, be all. Fully customizable, a great web forum and various helpful resources and products – it should be perfect. But, why wasn’t it?

Even though I had spent hours upon hours customizing my SmugMug page over two years, I felt annoyed and angry when looking at my SmugMug online store. I had flawlessly customized it, become a CSS maven (even more than usual) – but after a year and a half, I felt irrationally angry at the limitations I felt within the SmugMug system with what I needed to do to get what I wanted done.

I couldn’t help but wonder – what other quality online photography fulfillment services were available?

Fast forward to this year: another photography fulfillment house, same problem. This time, Zenfolio. But, why? Both SmugMug and Zenfolio charge per year and per sale. They both offer great customization techniques for their members and are specifically geared toward photographer’s photo fulfillment – and often, as in SmugMug’s case, various other trinkets similar to Cafepress and Zazzle. But, do I really need to sell a key chain of a photo? A photo place mat? A shirt with a photograph on it? Do I really need endless amounts of photography size customization, different photo finish types, etc? What if I didn’t want their offered paper for my cards? What if I just wanted to print things on my own high end printer and sell products a la cart for quality control?

I have one of the best larger format photo printers out there. So, why have I been wasting money housing my images on other websites instead of my own?

That question has been brewing in my head for quite some time now. I pondered, researching various e commerce scripts, the idea of putting a secure sales portal on this site. Frustrated, I searched the web again, looking for a decent solution.

No fancy T shirts. No T shirts. No aprons with images on them. Just a place where I can post various artistic items for sell to a community of interested viewers. Within clicks, I found etsy.com. A artist’s heaven, it allows individuals to showcase their handmade, self created, artistic creations on a website devoted to fair pricing and fostering a sense of community.

So now, the main question is: to Etsy? or not to Etsy?

Now, at least for this year – I think I found my answer.

I’ll experiment with Etsy, as it’s an already formed community of artists. Since I do custom matting and have easy access to frames, it’s the closest that I can get to a controlled store environment. And, the best thing? Per payment transaction and not a per year + per transaction cost. I might lose the easy access that customers will have to ordering prints. However, limiting the amount of kitschy BS photo crap that overloads consumers and focusing on providing customers with high quality prints and framed items is a better trade off.

Again, I can only rely on my personal experiences with these services. I chose SmugMug for two years because I obtained a discount coupon that lowered the yearly price. When my renewal came up and I assessed the value of SmugMug to my personal needs, I realized that I needed to search for other options in image fulfillment. SmugMug is a fantastic service and offers an amazing selection of photo gifts and items to customize. Their SmugMug Pro account, from my experience, was easy to customize if you know CSS and HTML. In fact, I made it a seamless working with my then version of this website. I chose Zenfolio due to the better per year price and lack of customization. (Yes, even I get bored of over customization – as I’m a perfectionist.)

However, as my needs have evolved, so has my vision of my product, quality and expectations for customer fulfillment. And for now, at least for this year, Etsy.com is it.

Websites:

Etsy.com: http://www.etsy.com/

Zenfolio: http://www.zenfolio.com/

SmugMug: http://www.smugmug.com/

So, I actually decided to create a blog area.  This way, I can post any upcoming hikes, trips, new photos, ideas and musings that I come across. You just never know where inspiration may strike or take you.

But, please be assured. There will be no Twittering, Tweeting, or any of that BS.

So, enjoy!