Friday, May 28, 2004
In the next month or so I'm going to be moving to a new place, still in New Hope Minnesota in the Western suburbs. So I'll be letting my ebay listings end and probably not relist anything.
Photowise, the summer will be spent shooting with the Holga. If I can get another 10 great shots I feel I'll be quite ready for doing art shows next year. I feel the best way for me to succeed at art shows is to differentiate myself. First, there's very few people doing only black and white, and I've seen no one with images similar to mine. I have seen an artist, William Thayer, who uses a pinhole camera and does great work, but our imagery is different and the pinhole has a different look, also he has started doing color. So I feel I have a chance to stand out from the crowd, which I hope will help me sell. We will see.
Photowise, the summer will be spent shooting with the Holga. If I can get another 10 great shots I feel I'll be quite ready for doing art shows next year. I feel the best way for me to succeed at art shows is to differentiate myself. First, there's very few people doing only black and white, and I've seen no one with images similar to mine. I have seen an artist, William Thayer, who uses a pinhole camera and does great work, but our imagery is different and the pinhole has a different look, also he has started doing color. So I feel I have a chance to stand out from the crowd, which I hope will help me sell. We will see.
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
I've done my first listing on ArtByUs.com, it was created by an artist who sells on ebay, but wanted a place for artists only. Maybe I'll sell a little, if nothing else my user name is "robbie" since this is fairly new, instead of "robbiepictureman8" like I would have to use on ebay if I wouldn't have used a Japanese word for my user name.
Here's hoping Art by us flies. The listing fees are FREE!! for the same listing on ebay it costs $1.05.
Here's hoping Art by us flies. The listing fees are FREE!! for the same listing on ebay it costs $1.05.
Monday, May 24, 2004
Early spring along Lake Superior
A white tree with the Holga camera--no filters used on this one
A very long breakwall at Two Harbors. To the right of this scene are huge iron ore docks, where the trains unload the ore from the Iron Range onto the ore boats. There are three sets of docks, if I remember right.
I was reading that some developer has bought all the parkland along the harbor. Hope they keep it the way it is, it looks like it would be a nice place in the summer.
These are all listed on ebay.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Did a little split filter printing tonight. Definitely liked the results. I can keep a print on the flat side but bring out the highlights both light and dark. This is the first time I've done it, which might seem kind of strange. But in the past I only used graded paper. I just recently started using multicontrast paper. I use Ilford by the way. I will be trying Oriental Seagull VC sometime in the not too distant future. I've read it responds to toners nicely. I want to experiment with split toning using selenium and sepia toners.
Yes that's right, no new photos yet. soon soon soon soon (to a sing songy rythm).
Yes that's right, no new photos yet. soon soon soon soon (to a sing songy rythm).
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Well, after a little layoff, I listed a few photos on ebay. While I've made some sales on ebay recently, most have not been from the regular listings. eBay has made a number of changes recently, and since those changes have gone into effect, my auction sales have really died.
I've been close to just eliminating eBay as a sales tool, but I just have to keep at it--so I will.
I've been close to just eliminating eBay as a sales tool, but I just have to keep at it--so I will.
Monday, May 17, 2004
Spent a couple of hours shooting with the holga camera in Northeast Minneapolis. Along the Mississippi and the railroad tracks there are some interesting industrial structures and huge piles of coal that are rather nice. The clouds were pretty cooperative as well. Also in this area, there's a flight path. The planes fly pretty high, so they are small, but it is possible to get a stray plane or two, which can leave nice contrails as well. I shot five rolls, so I felt pretty productive--of course the proof will be in the contact sheet.
I want to get some new work posted soon, but I've been busy printing a few nice orders. I've got some new north shore pictures I want to get posted in the next few days. Also, in the next week or so the NE Minneapolis stuff--or some of it.
I have come to realize that my favorite way to sell is at art shows or festivals. So working on a nice group of images will be my main focus through the summer. Also, saving money for upgrading my booth, inventory and show fees. I would have done shows this year, but I was just too low on $$ to do it right.
I am pondering doing a couple of shows this summer and fall. I don't know though.
I want to get some new work posted soon, but I've been busy printing a few nice orders. I've got some new north shore pictures I want to get posted in the next few days. Also, in the next week or so the NE Minneapolis stuff--or some of it.
I have come to realize that my favorite way to sell is at art shows or festivals. So working on a nice group of images will be my main focus through the summer. Also, saving money for upgrading my booth, inventory and show fees. I would have done shows this year, but I was just too low on $$ to do it right.
I am pondering doing a couple of shows this summer and fall. I don't know though.
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
I just added a testimonial page to the website. I'm not thrilled with the word "testimonial" -- but I do like the Wizard of Oz factor -- wasn't it the Scarecrow that got a testimonial. I guess it's like "home page" I don't like that but everyone knows what it is.
It's pretty great going through the "testimonials" and contacting people to get the okay, especially when they buy another photo! While using the internet to sell is pretty nice because you can do it anywhere, especially at home, it is very hard to get much of a connection with the people who are buying. Many people do send me a quick email, but many don't, not even to say the photo's arrived. So when I sell something that I put my heart into to someone, and don't hear a peep, I of course, think they don't like it.
That's why I really like doing art shows, you can connect with people. Of course it's a bit of an ego boost to hear people compliment my work, but it's mainly just nice to see people get enjoyment from what I do.
That's why being in a band was so great. The feedback can be immense (especially since alcohol is usually involved!) and immediate. If people love the song you just played they freak--yell, scream, jump on stage, dance, throw beer on you, throw anything they can get there hands at you, hug you, kiss you, etc etc etc. While this doesn't happen at art shows (I've been to art openings where it gets close though) it can still be pretty nice.
So I just like to say thanks to all who have bought photos from me and especially those who have taken the time to let me know how much they appreciate and like the work.
It's pretty great going through the "testimonials" and contacting people to get the okay, especially when they buy another photo! While using the internet to sell is pretty nice because you can do it anywhere, especially at home, it is very hard to get much of a connection with the people who are buying. Many people do send me a quick email, but many don't, not even to say the photo's arrived. So when I sell something that I put my heart into to someone, and don't hear a peep, I of course, think they don't like it.
That's why I really like doing art shows, you can connect with people. Of course it's a bit of an ego boost to hear people compliment my work, but it's mainly just nice to see people get enjoyment from what I do.
That's why being in a band was so great. The feedback can be immense (especially since alcohol is usually involved!) and immediate. If people love the song you just played they freak--yell, scream, jump on stage, dance, throw beer on you, throw anything they can get there hands at you, hug you, kiss you, etc etc etc. While this doesn't happen at art shows (I've been to art openings where it gets close though) it can still be pretty nice.
So I just like to say thanks to all who have bought photos from me and especially those who have taken the time to let me know how much they appreciate and like the work.
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend, Texas
The Rio Grande runs through the canyon
I just listed a 5x5" version of this on ebay.
Chisos Mountains, Big Bend, Texas
In honor of one of my favorite places on the planet here's a list of some Big Bend Website:
Big Bend National Park Official Website
Ojinaga Mexico --Check out the picture of the Peguis Canyon. Never been --YET. Also check out Fausto's gallery--he sells on ebay. He goes across the border to mail stuff in the U.S.
Alpine Avalanche is the weekly paper in Alpine, Texas.
Sometimes I ponder moving to the Big Bend and Alpine, Texas seems to be a nice place.
The Desert-Mountain Times is an independent weekly newspaper in Alpine that's on the web in the form of a blog. Right now the temp in Alpine is 84 beautiful degrees!
I don't think the exhibits will make me any money, but there are a couple in the area that make sense for my work. The Edina Art Center is having a show about art influenced by the Minnehaha Creek. I've got one of the rapids and the footbridge just below the falls that might get in. Also, people will be demonstrating there artmaking along the creek one day during the exhibit. Makes sense for painters. I was thinking of cutting out squares/rectangles in matboard and teach people how to "see" by framing their own photos by looking through the hole. That might be fun--worth a try!
Something I've been thinking about for awhile but haven't tried is to send letters and samples to large businesses in the area for office decor--either to sell or lease. I'll be sending letters and samples to gift shops as well. I'll never know if it will work unless I try. I know it won't work if I just think about it and don't do it.
Something I've been thinking about for awhile but haven't tried is to send letters and samples to large businesses in the area for office decor--either to sell or lease. I'll be sending letters and samples to gift shops as well. I'll never know if it will work unless I try. I know it won't work if I just think about it and don't do it.
I see I've been absent for a few days. I've been contemplating how to further my photo career. Since I don't have a big bankroll, every baby step I plan to take that costs anything is analyzed to death.
I'm going to start entering competitions and exhibits. I recently subscribed to Art Deadlines List which has hundreds of pages of listings for artists--competetions, exhibits etc.
I also see that my ebay sales have remained decent during a period that I thought was slow. So I'll be increasing my listings with the plan that sales will increase.
I'm going to start entering competitions and exhibits. I recently subscribed to Art Deadlines List which has hundreds of pages of listings for artists--competetions, exhibits etc.
I also see that my ebay sales have remained decent during a period that I thought was slow. So I'll be increasing my listings with the plan that sales will increase.
