Shadows, Light and Fog... foggy thinking lookin' for light

The Fork

2012-01-22T10:56:00.018-05:00

Thank you, Jim and Bernadette Cogdell, for allowing me to begin
capturing some of magic of your 1600 acres just south of Norwood, at the "fork" of the
Pee Dee and Rocky Rivers.
Also greatly appreciated was Debra and Janet's help,
prep work and guidance in the shoots.

"Golden Swift Island"

2011-08-21T10:28:00.005-04:00

I consider "Golden Swift Island" my signature piece.

The 2 consecutive early autumn mornings I spent in 2007 witnessing and photographing the shifting fog and light beneath "the big bridge" on the "the river" were transformative ones in my life. It pulled me back into a life-long love of photography, but within the realm of digital, and the fun of :"finishing" the original artistic vision of a composition, as I saw it, with aesthetic digital post-processing.

"Golden Swift Island", a 24x40 canvas gallery wrap, sold last week from Falling Rivers Gallery in downtown Albemarle ($840.00) Although that canvas is unique and will never be reproduced in the exactly the same way, I will continue to create and print slightly different versions and sizes of my signature image.

A framed 20x30 canvas version is currently available at 2nd Street Gallery in Albemarle for ($800.00). Other of my bridge canvases can be found at The Cottage on Tillery and
The Cottage House in downtown Badin.

This post is dedicated to "Scout" 1998-2011,

my lil' Scoutster" who left a bit too early for me to share this with.

Lilly's Bridge Morning

2011-03-29T21:02:00.000-04:00

They couldn't possibly be having more fun than me photographing them.

November at Lilly's Bridge

16x24 metallic gallery wrap

From the Agri-Civic Center Exhibit

March 1-31, 2011

Swift Island Awakening

2011-03-29T20:57:00.001-04:00

The morning I had a perception shift, an awakening...

16x24 metallic gallery wrap

From the current Deb Russell - Landscapes of Lake Tillery and the Uwharries Exhibit

at the Stanly Agri-Civic Center.

2 more days

Morning Insight

2011-03-29T20:46:00.001-04:00

10x20 metallic print, matted and framed

View from the steel bridge area on Indian Mound Road north of Norwood, NC.

On display at the Stanly Agri-Civic Center now

Swift Island - More Than a Bridge

2011-03-29T20:39:00.002-04:00

16x24 metallic gallery wrap

The inspiration for this image's title comes from...

"There is more to a fine bridge than dollars and steel and concrete.

There is beauty."

The Honorable Luther H. Hodges Secretary of Agriculture - December 28,1961

Only 2 more days of my Stanly Agri-Civic Exhibit

Swift Island Daybreak - one from my Agri-Civic Exhibit

2011-03-05T10:02:00.003-05:00

Swift Island Daybreak - by Deb Russell
16x24 Metallic Gallery Wrap

Agri-Civic Center directions Mon-Fri ~ 8am-5pm

Stanly News & Press article

The exhibit is in cooperation with HD Photo Lab and Falling Rivers Gallery.
My work is also on display this month in the front window of Falling Rivers Gallery.
Many thanks to Anita Ammerman and Jackie Layman for their work on it.

Agri-Civic Photography Exhibit - Open Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm

2011-03-03T18:24:00.007-05:00

My exhibit, Landscapes of Lake Tillery and The Uwharries can be viewed in the lobby of the Stanly Agri-Civic Center during their regular business hours of

8am-5pm Mon-Fri, and any other time the center is open hosting other events.

McKameys and Inspirations in Concert March 3 - 7pm

Charlotte Concert Band March 19 - 7:30

101 Dalmatians the Musical March 24-26 - 7pm

Above - The exhibit (& me), just after hanging with Anita, (mostly by Anita!) of the
Stanly Arts Guild Anita also snapped these photos. "In Morning's Glow" is just behind me,
from one of my Norwood/steel bridge series of shots on some early November mornings in 2007.
The fishing boat drifted into my view after I'd been shooting for some time. The smaller
fishing image, "Lilly's Bridge Morning", to the left is from November 2009, and was shot from
Lilly's Bridge...the original Lilly's Bridge.

"Golden Swift Island" is just behind me. The Swift Island page on
my DebRussellPhotographic.com site explains my personal and special connection to
the historic structure.

March 1 - 31 Stanly County Agri-Civic - Lobby EXHIBIT

2011-02-28T19:00:00.002-05:00

I'll be hanging the pieces tomorrow (March1st) at the Agri-Civic Center about 1:00pm with the help of Stanly Arts Guild exhibit coordinator, Anita Ammerman. I hope to

post some pics of the exhibit later in the week, unless, of course, I remain in

perpetual recovery from the exhibit preparation!

I appreciate all the support and encouragement from HD Photo Lab, Falling Rivers Gallery, Stanly Arts Guild, Second Street Gallery, friends, co-workers, gallery and guild members.

March Exhibit at the Agri-Civic Center - PRESS RELEASE

2011-02-27T20:27:00.006-05:00

March 1, 2011 Stanly News & Press

Anyone who appreciates the picturesque Uwharrie landscape is in for a real treat in March 1-31, when The Stanly County Agri-Civic Center hosts an exhibition by Deb Russell, known locally for her breathtaking photographic imagery of Lake Tillery and the Pee Dee River Basin.

Hosted by the Stanly Arts Guild, in cooperation with Falling Rivers Gallery, the exhibit features two of Deb's metallic gallery wraps on loan from HD Photo Lab. Their glossy finish and metallic appearance result in striking three-dimensional imagery. Photographers often describe the effect as "chrome on paper."

Deb grew up just a few miles away from the lake in Mount Gilead and considers the area her "home turf." She has seen her beloved Lake Tillery change over the years. It's no longer the quiet, sparsely developed river of her youth, when most houses along its shores were simple weekend river cabins. Gone are the days when weekday boating could mean a long paddle to the shore if you ran out of gas.

Through her imagery, Deb hopes to convey – and, perhaps, to recapture – the quiet harmony and mystery of Lake Tillery, to remind busy Sunday afternoon boaters of the majesty of "our river."

"For those with a life-long appreciation of this stretch of the Pee Dee River, I want to confirm that your river is still beautiful," she says. "For everyone, I hope there can be a renewed or continued desire to preserve that which is close to us, so precious and delicate, and so critical to our way of life."

Deb has worked at Bullock Professional, a pro lab in Albemarle, for the last 12 years. In that time she has complemented her artistic instincts with refined editing and post-processing skills that help her turn ordinary photographs into art.

"The masters canvas product is great for my landscapes because the Kodak metallic paper is 'right out there,' behind no framing glass, allowing the room light to play with all the vibrant color, contrast and depth in the paper," she says. "In one of my graphic bridge shots, the morning sun hitting the glistening water is so much more enhanced by the reflective properties of the metallic paper. It brings additional life and pop to the sunlight as the viewer moves to examine at different angles. I know I smiled when I first saw that one in the lab."

All photographs in the exhibit are available for sale by contacting Anita Ammerman of the Stanly Arts Guild (704) 982-0924, or by contacting Deb Russell through Deb Russell Photographic.com. More of Deb’s art, including her book, are on display at Falling Rivers Gallery, a cooperative of local artists, in downtown Albemarle.

http://thesnaponline.com/features/x651389845/Russell-exhibits-photographs-during-March

Ready for a Piney Point Spring!

2011-01-06T10:18:00.000-05:00

Make a free photo slideshow

A Lake Tillery gift...

2010-12-18T06:45:00.004-05:00

Available at:

The Cottage at Tillery

4601NC Hwy 24/27 W and River Road (behind The Uwharrie Sportsman)

Mount Gilead, NC 27306

(910) 439-1500

Reflections on Main

1631 East Main Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 986-4438

Falling Rivers Gallery
(Just above Starnes Jewelers)

119 West Main St.

Albemarle, NC

I also have a few copies on hand - call or email me.
Email me
910-439-4496

September Sunset from Timberlake

2010-09-29T07:32:00.002-04:00

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The 4th of July on Tillery

2010-07-04T16:27:00.000-04:00

I was out for a good walk first thing this morning, deciding the Woodrun docks would be a nice detour for the morning of the 4th. Striding at a fast pace along the docks, I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the latest addition to the lines of boats. What has come to be a bit of a signature image of mine, the hand-crafted sailboat, "Sailing into Morning", flashed in my mind as I was standing by its replacement - another hand-crafted motorized, "tugboat/shrimpboat-like" vintage-looking and gorgeous wooden boat.

The owner and I immediately recognized one another and he (Steve Cycotte) began to tell me about his new beauty. His brother, Tim, mostly constructed the boat by hand, using mahogany, white oak, teak and cherry. The Smilebox here, are are few shots I grabbed this morning, but Steve offered to let me take more in better lighting on a weekday late afternnoon. When I happened back down on the docks later in the morning, Steve and his two brothers were just getting back from a cruise up past the Uwharrie River into about 3 feet of water and rocks. The other shots are ones I took while goofing around later on the docks.

So, the Smilebox is 2 little vignettes of a 4th of July morning at Woodrun on Tillery. Enjoy.

This digital slideshow customized with Smilebox

"Never Caught Up" LILLY'S BRIDGE SAGE

2010-06-08T22:32:00.003-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I enjoyed shooting at the Lilly's Bridge end of my old nook, the one that holds so many memories for me, and will probably be back to discover different angles, composition and light.

In the introduction to the Smilebox, I mentioned "a bridge sage". Near the end of my morning (a weekday) of shooting on my last trip to the bridge, I stopped near one of the folks fishing off the bridge.

Adjusting my tripod for just a few last shots, an old fellow, probably retired and enjoying a slow pace (sitting on left here) turned around to me and posed the question, "are ya 'bout caught up?". Finally feeling my 4th shoot there had given me what I wanted for your project, I replied, "well, yes, as a matter of fact I do feel about caught up...yes, I do." I thought my reply was a positve and cheery one, and a very true one.

A few seconds passed and I asked the same question of him. His reply surprised and enlightened me. With a happy twinkle in his voice, he said, "ohhh no, I'm never caught up...I've always got plenty to do...I always want it that way". I hadn't thought he was "doin' much" before that, but in an instant, he conveyed the philosophy of thoroughly savoring each moment and anticipating all those moments to come.

...And that is way plenty to do

The Cottage at Tillery - great new spot for browsing gifts, produce, art

2010-05-28T07:47:00.000-04:00

The Cottage is open Thursday - Sunday...it's right behind The Uwharrie Sportsman ("log cabin store") on Hwy 24/27 at River Road.

A digital slideshow by Smilebox

Sunrise Service for Scout and Me

2010-05-28T07:10:00.000-04:00

By the steel bridge...then on the Cuddy farm on Shore Farm Road...

This free picture slideshow generated with Smilebox

Sunrise Service Monday - Shore Farm on Tillery

2010-05-28T07:07:00.000-04:00

Out to catch a glimpse of the space shuttle launching across the eastern seaboard, I caught this instead.

This digital slideshow personalized with Smilebox

March Morning, from sunrise to fishing to golf...

2010-05-28T07:01:00.000-04:00

Following the morning from the smooth tones of a calm Tranquil Bay sunrise, to the request of a bass fisherman to "take my picture", to the bright, blooming pear trees along Piney Point Golf Club's 10th
hole...a good morning on the Stanly side.

Customize your own free digital slideshow

Reflections, Clouds and Tranquil Bay

2010-05-28T06:47:00.000-04:00

Thanks go to Emma and Jerry Rogers for access to their views...again

Free slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Enjoy "Day at the Dock Day"

2010-05-08T08:36:00.002-04:00

I enjoyed some serene dock time by Lilly's Bridge and the new Uwharrie Haven/Lilly's Bridge Marina last week. With the exception of two, all images are of this area. Floating docks stretching well out into the nook provide a unique perspective and feeling. I grew up spending weekends at the family's river cabin in this nook when there were very few houses on either side of this part of Lake Tillery. You can still get that nostalgic feel early in the morning or during the week before the summer rush begins.

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SnowShower TwentyTen

2010-02-17T08:10:00.000-05:00

Falling beautifully and lightly Friday night, we awakened to a delightful blanket of white Saturday morning, The sun got up early with us and provided some interesting lighting, the wind slept late, freezing the frosty scenes for the camera.

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For February...Art by Giana

2010-01-30T21:06:00.003-05:00

The artist, Giana Garcia, surprised me with this very fine original drawing. I love the way she found a perfect way to incorporate my favorite theme into the heart. To me, the diverse, multi-colored strokes convey
the simple and the profound. Very cool, indeed.

GIANA

The Gift of the Lake - Thank You's

2009-12-29T14:40:00.000-05:00

GREATGIFT ....coupon code for Blurb.com good til Dec. 31,2009

Thanks to all who have viewed my book online and to those who have purchased a copy. Special thanks to Sonja Simmons of Reflections on Main in Albemarle, NC for her support and willingness to display not only my books, but selected large prints from the book. I also want to thank Dorothea Theus, Jackie Smith, LaDonna Greene and Jean Thompson for their permission to publish their very kind and thoughtful comments. I also thank neighbors in Woodrun who allowed me access to their beautiful views, and to the Woodrun board members and office staff who supported a joint sales venture to benefit our quiet and special subdivision by the lake. I can't fail to mention Don Bullock of Bullock Pro Labs, who is one of my "unofficial business managers and marketing directors". I say "one" because I've received so many marketing ideas and so much support in general from old friends and new friends,and I want to acknowledge them. Being a self-described "hermit", much of the promotional aspects of the book have been challenging, so I am most appreciative of all the help.

I will also be taking into consideration those suggestions from residents of other lakes along the Yadkin-Pee Dee River system that I make "their" special lake the focus, or at least part, of my next book. When I commented to Sonja that "would be a very big project", she shot back, "well, you better get busy!"

My Lake Tillery landscape book is done ...the lake's gift to us

2009-11-13T05:51:00.032-05:00

GREATGIFT $ 10.00 off coupon code

Use this coupon code for $10.00 off - GREATGIFT

Order by Dec. 16th, Ship 2nd Day or Next Day to receive by the 24th

Order by Dec.10th to receive by Dec. 24th

Last week, I finished the project I most wanted to complete and share - LAKE TILLERY - Our River, Our Beauty. A collection of landscapes shot during winter, spring, summer and fall, along with sunrises and sunsets, it represents much of what I feel about our lake.

From 2007 thru early fall of 2009, I have enjoyed the hunt for the likes of dramatic, misty sunrises, the glorious color of fall maples and sunsets and the first pops of yellow-green spring buds twinkling along the lake's edge. Checking the local radar for cloud cover and movement, deciding on a couple of target locations, leaving the house with my tripod and camera before dawn and driving along the pre-dawn country roads simply makes me happy. It also makes me happy to show Tillery enthusiasts how beautiful and precious "the river", "their river", "our river" remains.

Of course the lake and it's surrounding rural landscape are also full of interesting photographic opportunities at all times of the day. Sometimes, I just walk across the street to one of my neighbor's docks to check the setting sun, or the morning light hitting the River Haven lakeside cottages and homes. Planning a vacation day and hoping for a misty daybreak or interesting light or clouds is exciting in it's own way. Not unlike a fisherman hoping for the fish or the hunter hoping for deer, I am alway looking for a unique capture of light and color. Showing up lots of times at the same place increases the odds of being in the "right place at the right time" every now and then. I admit to being lucky more than once and I admit to having another day job that makes the whole process even more randomly successful.

Creating this book has been Tillery's gift to me, and I hope you find it one, too.

LAKE TILLERY - Our River, Our Beauty can be previewed and purchased on blurb.com.

Special holiday pricing applies until Dec.10th and you'll receive your book by Dec. 24th if ordered by the 10th.

120 pages - 10x8" landscape format

Premium paper

Available in softcover, hardcover with jacket, or hardcover image wrap

Finally, feel free to "comment" in the section below the book's description after looking through the preview on blurb.com. Here's my first such comment....

"This book is gorgeous! An inspirational and heartening book for anyone who values the beauty of the land and water we have left. For those fortunate enough to live in the Lake Tillery area, it is a beautiful record of the gems that are just outside their door and down the road." ~DorotheaT

"Wow!!!!! You capture the magic of Tillery....the essence of why we are at

peace while there! " ~ Ladonna.Greene
"Deb Russell has brilliantly shared her photographs of Lake Tillery with such passion and appreciation of the beauty of this body of water we call our playground, our vacation spot, our place of inspiration, our home".
J. Smith
"Deb, this book is such a wonderful display of "The Lake" in all it's fine natural glory! Thank you for all the work you've done to give us more insight to God's spectacular inspiration and beauty!!"

~Jean T.

Capturing the feeling of a home

2009-09-18T21:59:00.009-04:00

Touring a home for sale - the PAM BREWER HOMES way
A couple of local realtors asked me to shoot some of their listings to see what my perspective might be. My main goal was to capture the feeling of the home and especially the feeling of its view, if it's on the lake. I was able to be at the Carolina Forest location on an August evening at sunset and into the evening for a few night shots of the home on its wooded lot.

For Tranquil Bay, Emma Rogers, a Century 21 realtor was instrumental in getting me to just the right location and angle to shoot the night shot. It turned out to be from inside a friend/neighbor's very hot and steamy boathouse.

Although not on the water, this home is near Piney Point Golf Club in rural South Stanly near Norwood, NC. Pam Brewer, the realtor with REMAX and the homeowners allowed me to shoot on 2 different days, as the power was out in the neighborhood on the first day's shoot.

Fishin', boatin', crusin', sailin', tooning

2009-08-16T13:10:00.006-04:00

On my way to check out new location on the south end of the lake, I happened upon what looked to be a bass fishing tournment launching at dawn. I stopped and snapped a few, not mentally prepared for the moving boats in near darkness, so I just shot on "program mode" and tried to manually focus somewhere "in the ballpark". The result are just the snapshots I figured they would be, but it was fun bumping into the "surprise" opportunity near the big bridge. Another surprise was the tourney
must have been for couples and some of them are waving to me in the shots, something I couldn't really see in the dark from my perch on the little bridge above them.

I continued over to the Goat Island area of the lake near Norwood, and got one "keeper" in the fog. Most of this Smilebox is of other days, with better results. I'm going back to the Goat Island area in the coming days to explore some locations a realtor gave me.

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Baby Charlie at 7.5 Weeks - short version

2009-08-01T09:26:00.000-04:00

This is a shortened version of the original show, but still has plenty
of images. What can I say?...Charlie can only be abbreviated so much !

Mellow time at the docks - a short show

2009-06-13T23:13:00.000-04:00

Jazz piano by Andre Previn, who was honored with the London Symphony Orchestra's Lifetime Achievement Award on Tuesday, May 13, 2008.

North Carolina Water Rights Committee

2009-06-12T22:44:00.000-04:00

The latest on the Alcoa licensing, podcasts, and more....

The N.C. Water Rights Committee is a coalition of hundreds of North Carolina business people and concerned citizens who have joined this state-wide effort to inform people of the critical issues concerning water rights that affect all North Carolinians. This is a grassroots initiative funded by donations from members of the committee.

We are advocating for the same rights to our water that 33 other states currently enjoy, including our neighbors in South Carolina. Chief among these beliefs is that we, the residents of North Carolina, are the best stewards for our water rather than private firms who use it primarily for their financial benefit.

North Carolina Water Rights Committee

Finding a rainbow

2009-05-29T17:35:00.000-04:00

I hopped a ride with Gregg and Dorothea to shoot clouds on Shore Farm Road. The day previous was a bust so I was eager to try again. The skies had been dramatic and varied for days and I wanted some of them. Although we had planned a sunset run, the skies I saw while driving home from work were ripe for pickin', so I tipped off Dorothea as soon as I walked in the door. We hadn't been on the farm long before we were rewarded with terrific skies.... and the rainbow.

I've been shooting for HDR processing most of the time now,
but sometimes the ole single frame is the better image.

Another shortie, with HDRs, NIK filters.

Another May Sunset by the Docks

2009-05-28T19:50:00.000-04:00

An older fellow fishing on the docks when I arrived greeted me with "looks like it's too cloudy for pictures, eh?" He left about 45 minutes later...too soon to see the show. I'm playing with my new CS3 and trial versions of NIK Efex (filters) and NIK Dfine 2.0 (noise reduction). Adobe Bridge is a powerful editing tool and I love the ease with which I can now view, move and edit files.

A short show.

A Cloud Show at Bruce's Farm

2009-05-22T14:42:00.000-04:00

The clouds were gorgeous as we left Albemarle late last Saturday afternoon, and I was wondering where I could compose some shots. I had my camera only because I thought
I might grab a shot or two at a currently being developed subdivision, Edgewater on Lake Tillery. It wasn't until we pulled onto Indian Mound Road on the way to Edgewater, that it hit me that , of course, "the farm" would be an ideal vantage point. Although I didn't have my tripod, I tried bracketing for HDR and found it worked fine. I used the fences and the VR (vibration reduction) on my Nikon 18-200mm for steadying. The shots of Wendy and Nelson walking are not HDR.

I might try one of this series on metallic photo paper from Bullock Professional. If you're not familiar with metallic paper, check it out. It's high contrast, snappy color and has an interesting depth that's impossible to achieve with inkjets. This webpage is offering free samples of either Kodak's "E" surface or of the Metallic, both being Kodak's Endura real photo paper.

Shore Farm Road - Mourning Light

2009-05-09T01:38:00.000-04:00

An unexpectedly enriching weekend with other photographers, morning light and a very generous landowner. Thanks Bruce. Thanks William.

I went, I waited , I saw

2009-05-09T00:50:00.000-04:00

If you show up enough there's eventually some kind of payoff. It wasn't ideal, I wasn't coming up with the best compositions, I fumbled my ISO and apertures, but it was enough to keep me "showing up". This day, this light, these clouds are forever gone, but I'll show up at these docks again...and again. And maybe "it" will show up..and I'll get it right...or not. Maybe it's just about "being there" and that's enough.

April - Lake Tillery sparkles

2009-04-27T19:08:00.000-04:00

I finally got a few shots of Morrow Mountain from the Swift Island Bridge. I was passing over it in my pickup truck with my dog, Scout, when the afternoon's gorgeous light, spring leaves and clouds were too much to resist. I shot a preliminary image while driving, generally aiming blindly in the direction of the mountain (slideshow image #33). When I saw the result, I went back across the bridge, parked and made a few short ventures onto the bridge on foot. #'s 52 and 53 are HDRs while the final several images are early morning on a farm near the lake. I'll have more of that series in a show to itself later.

Spring on Lake Tillery

2009-04-17T23:27:00.000-04:00

As I work during the week, I was lucky for spring on Tillery to be spectacularly unveiled over Easter weekend and on through the following week. A Wednesday vacation day proved particularly well timed for mild weather fronts passing so I captured some more of the yellow-green sparkles of early springtime around the lake.

By the Water One November Morning....a short Smilebox with Celtic music

2009-03-02T10:35:00.000-05:00

2009-01-24T10:58:00.001-05:00

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Thanks Giving

2008-11-22T17:51:00.000-05:00

Woodrun on Tillery - Fall Color 2008

2008-11-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Sailing into Morning

2008-10-28T06:52:00.000-04:00

HDR version above

I've decided I prefer the non-HDR version below.

The major elements stand out better and the

eye isn't tangled up in too much foreground detail,

making the speeding bass boat stand out even more

in it's glowing fog cloud. I may try to tweak the foreground shadow areas

a bit, but for now it's OK.

I drifted down to the new Woodrun docks this past Sunday morning and found

my fix of fog, light and water.

Dabbling in easy slide shows and HDR

2008-09-28T13:28:00.001-04:00

Hallmark's Smilebox provides an easy and

quick way to get a slideshow together and

emailed. Their templates range from the very simple,

classic and clean, to the all out "scrapbook" look.

There are single page "postcards" and multi-page

"books". Thankfully, Hallmark has the styles

grouped and sorted nicely, so finding a simple

slideshow with minimal graphics is fairly easy.

A choice of 3 music tracks is provided for each

Smilebox for free in the "basic" package, but you can opt

for the "premium" package, which allows unlimited

music choices, bigger viewing size and no

advertisements on the page.

The "basic" package is 100% free, if you

don't mind the smaller size, the ads, and

limited music clip choices.

The slideshows below are the "basic" version

and can be emailed, forwarded or blogged now, or

at any time in the future.

If you look carefully past

Hallmark's family oriented, busy graphics, you'll

find the simple, clean designs for

Getting my feet wet

2008-05-15T21:54:00.000-04:00

My boss suggested the idea of blogging to me today, and I guess I've jumped right in..."jumping right in" isn't typical of me but that's where I am today.

I work in digital photography and I play in digital photography and graphics, so this blog will have lots of images, mostly my own. For example, the header of this blog is from a 2 page spread of "Swift Island"...80 Years A Beauty, a book I've recently self-published. Not meaning to sound self-important, in case you're oblivious to the self-publishing revolution, anybody can fairly easily publish a book these days. Quality, content, appeal...none of that is required...just the motivation to collect thoughts and/or images and dump them into the self-publishing website's software, and then "pay up" .

The self-publishing idea caught on with me a couple of months ago when a neighbor sent me a link from a professional photographer whose Yosemite workshop she and her husband attended this past winter. One of their instructors had published through Blurb.com and I was instantly and thoroughly sucked into site. If you're a photographer or writer, or both, you should check out some of the self-publishing sites sproutin' up all over. Even if you have no intention of getting a book together yourself, you'll probably find browsing the crazy, wide variety of books available from those who have. Blurb.com is an easy one in which it's easy to navigate and search. Although I've already mentioned "anybody" can publish, some of the self-published photography coffee table style books are gorgeous ....bookstore quality and are truly first rate in content and style.

I'm just starting to explore what's out there along this line, but I plan to comment on my new finds, bad finds, ...whatever. Well, I guess I got my feet wet, so I'll give it a rest for now.