My First Landscape Efforts, Comments / Critiques Options

[EricM]

Nice! I'd better download it before you change your mind.  

I don't plan to steal your avatar, though, so you can watermark that if you want.

-Eric

[thomasfolkeander...]

The 10-22mm is a great and fun lens. Definitely keep it, specially if these are your first landscape efforts. Very nice series. Keep going...

[BlackSmith]

Aww shucks, Eric, I think they're still kickin'
Just to prove I can compromise, I changed my avatar and have no watermarks on this ... LOL ...

In your defense, Jack, this is the primary purpose of copyright laws - to be able to batten down the hatches and prevent any unauthorized copying in any way. You are just exercising the full extent of your rights under the law.

On the other hand, is it possible you are simply adopting this mentality due to the availability of copyright laws (i.e. the government's given you a hammer, so everything's...)? There are alternatives.

On the other hand, since you're likely to stick with the watermark, then you should avoid the semi-transparent version. It is well documented that the original image is easy to reverse engineer, because all the information is still there.

On the other hand, a community is compose of many individuals. Others have a right to their opinions too, and may exercise the full extent of their rights by voting with their feet.

On the other hand, I noticed Jeff posting recently. If I say something annoying enough, he can come on and rudely defend the rights of all professional photographers everywhere.

Sean

This post has been edited by BlackSmith: Oct 14 2009, 04:40 PM

[JohnKoerner]

The 10-22mm is a great and fun lens. Definitely keep it, specially if these are your first landscape efforts. Very nice series. Keep going...

Thank you Thomas, I appreciate it.

And, yes, I have had a lot of fun with this lens

I have taken some unusual angle shots with it recently also, kinda playing with the depth of field it gives, that has produced some unusual effects as well.

Jack

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[foto_dog57]

The watermarks kill them all. 

Jack,

It may be better if the watermarks were smaller and placed at the bottom of the image.
Just thought I'd chime in here with my 1st post.

Nice images though.

[Wayne Fox]

In your defense, Jack, this is the primary purpose of copyright laws - to be able to batten down the hatches and prevent any unauthorized copying in any way. You are just exercising the full extent of your rights under the law.

On the other hand, is it possible you are simply adopting this mentality due to the availability of copyright laws (i.e. the government's given you a hammer, so everything's...)? There are alternatives.

On the other hand, since you're likely to stick with the watermark, then you should avoid the semi-transparent version. It is well documented that the original image is easy to reverse engineer, because all the information is still there.

On the other hand, a community is compose of many individuals. Others have a right to their opinions too, and may exercise the full extent of their rights by voting with their feet.

On the other hand, I noticed Jeff posting recently. If I say something annoying enough, he can come on and rudely defend the rights of all professional photographers everywhere.

Sean

Dang, I don't have enough "other hands". Now what do I do ...

[Majik_Imaje]

Well move aside and let me plop my 2 cents on the table here and give an honest opinion of what I 'think' !!

Horizon line crooked ? so what !! big deal !! That has never hindered a sale of any of my photographs !!

What is really important in any image ?? If you like it - that is all that really matters. I dare say - there is no such thing as a perfect photograph. So many people point out 'flaws' or whatever that seem to express their (opinion).

What turns me completly off - when viewing any photogrpahers image is when they plaster a copyright notice on their photograph.

it ruins the image if it is too big or placed in the wrong spot. It should be barely visible. (my opinion only).

I don't care how careful you are in placing or making a water mark or copyright notice. It can always be taken away - by any thief that wants to steal your image.

There is one comment that I totally dissagree with - IT IS OUTRIGHT SLANDER AND FALSE !! DIGITAL provides better results than FILM. LOL !!

For over 80 years NOW - there is nothing on this earth that can compare with the COLOR(S) of a dye transfer print !! DIGITAL cannot compare - it can come close - but it is 'different'. Until you stand up close to a dye transfer print - correctly processed in 30 x 40 or larger sizes. NOTHING on this earth can compare to that quality and color saturation !!

Lenses - what ever lens you use - it doesn't matter - what does matter is that you learn how to use that lens to IT'S FULL POTENTIAL and you seem to have that down pat !! Great outstanding job in creating some truely spectacular stunning images- Great composition. the copyright notice(s) ruin the image(s) in my honest opinion.

The most IMPORTANT aspect - Now that you have created something extremely beautiful and saleable. Whatcha gonna do with them ???

I must admit it has been quite some time ( I view images all day every day) and it is so refreshing to see 'something different'. quite spectacular indeed.

I am an expert - in marketing images. I support my family from sales of my images for 30 years. (same images every year). Out of the many tens of thousands of images I have created - I only sell or market perhaps 25 of them - year in and year out.

According to some people - quite frankly - my images (suck) they have no technical merit and they are only snapshots !!
ANY PHOTOGRAPH that is framed and matted and mounted inside of any gallery is ALWAYS referred to as : FINE ART !!

When you can generate six figures every year consistently marketing / selling your images - I don't care what they are photographs of. that is the one true test !! ( in my opinion)

You have great potential to becoming a successfull photographer indeed. But what are you going to do with your images ??? Creating the image is just one small part of photography.

When the public hands out money - for copies of your work - THAT IS THE ULTIMATE test of a good photograph(er) !!

This is only my opinion - and it is worth - 2 cents !!

[JohnKoerner]

Thank you very much for your kind words Majik_Imaje.

Your thoughts on what is what in terms of fine art are true: in the end it only matters if people will buy the work. I understand that the copyright symbols ruin the image: in a sense that's what they're supposed to do. Maybe I'll get around to re-doing them at some point, toned down a bit, so that I can deflect the admonishments of the senior members here

But I do appreciate your encouragement on some of my photos. Here are a couple more for kicks. They were taken in various locations in Florida (which offers quite a bit different climate from what you're used to!). Hopefully, you can see past the watermarks

Bok Tower, FL



Manatee Springs, FL

The sunbeam light in the center photo is real, not Photoshopped.

Hope you enjoy them,

Jack

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This post has been edited by JohnKoerner: Nov 7 2009, 06:23 PM

[Majik_Imaje]

Well my friend - I would highly suggest that you obtain a copy of "Photographers Market Book" and learn how to market your images.

The public's perception will always be different than anything you would ever think of as being saleable !!

It is important to conduct a market survey of some type to discern which images the public will pay for.

This is easily accomplished by displaying post cards & notecards in pubilc locations in your area.

Once you can determine which photo(s) the public purchases - then you are (safely) on your way to make larger prints.

An Epson printer w/ Red River paper is an awesome combination that can't be beat !!

You have what it takes to become successfull in business !! And .. it has nothing to do with the camera or lens. !!!!! It has EVERYTHING to do with -

yur 'INITIALS" !!

I could easily write a book on this subject ( and I just know many will dissagree) BUT HISTORY proves this as TRUE. I can cite thousands of examples.

People that have 'double' initials ' seem' to EXCELL above others in their field(s). Ansel Adams (for instance) & People that have initials that come together in the alphabet - seem' to excell in what ever they do. I have been watching this for over 50 years now and I have never heard of anyone else making this connection !!

Lets take two well known historical figures that lend some credence to my 'theory' !!

Benedict Arnold & Judas Iscariot Both individuals have something unique in common - their initials are exactly backwards in the alphabet

Each one is forever BRANDED as a traitor. So what does that have to do with PHOTOGRAPHY ??? plenty ( in my experience)

I posted a photo essay - on over 60 forums such as this one. Only two people out of millions - lashed out at me and repeatidly attacked me

One person - claims that I did not create these images - that I stole them all, that they were created in the 1970's by someone else.
The other person claims that I am lying about everything I have typed.
Each person got me banned from the web sites I was posting on by making such a fuss over my simple story.

What do these two individualsl have in common ?? They are from two different parts of the country.

They each have a web site that appears to have been created by a child !!

BUT WHAT IS SO INTERESTING is the lack of photographic talent and skills they each possess. They each possess top of the line DSLR's and cannot create an image to save their life.

They each have INITIALS that are backwards in the alphabet also . (F.D. & M.J. ) I find this too much to be a mere coincidence at all.

The greatest Music band the whole world admired was without a doubt The Beatles - Just look at their initials -

G.H. - J. L. - R.S. & who ?? screwed that whole group up ?? P.M. !!

SORRY for my off track rant !! but food for thought - for some !! REMEMBER - there are exceptions to every RULE !!

Not only should your eyes be observent in photography. Pay attention to (details ) and you will notice much more than what you see in the viewfinder !!

GOOD LUCK !!