Pampered Pets bring Pretty Profits

Sit, Ubu sit. In 2009, Americans spent over $45 billion on their pets.  $45 billion, that's six zeroes behind the 45! That's over $100,000 each and every single day!

Are you getting your share of the pet photography market?  

Watch this video and see if you can pick up a few pointers for the next time you shoot a pointer or other breed.  It's a dog-eat-dog world, so put on your Milkbone boxers and get your fair share of the gravy.

I Was Here First!

"You back up!, No, you backup!"
1/320 sec at f/6.3 ISO 200

"I am... stubborn, and I admit it, so it's OK." - Mila Kunis

Next Stop ...

"Which Switch"
1/200 sec at f/6.3 ISO 100

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Will Rogers

Artists Need Love, too

(Above) Lawrence Williams of willipics.blogspot.com
and (below) Donna Harding (center) of Perfect Moments

Stopped by the Hodgson Vocational Technical School's arts and crafts fair this morning to see two of my friends displaying their work. Lawrence and Donna are both excellent at their craft and I was amazed at the volume of work they had presented.

If you weren't able to stop by and see them in person; they do have their work online and I encourage you drop by their sites and drop them an encouraging email.

• Donna Harding (Perfect Moments by Donna) / email dcharding624@aol.com
• Lawrence Williams (willipics.blogspot.com) / email mailto:lwduck54@cs.com

Ride, Captain Ride

"Zoom. Zoom."
1/80 sec at f/3.5 ISO 800

 
"Luxury... corrupts at once rich and poor, the rich by possession and the poor by covetousness."  - Rousseau (1762)

Maybe it's Maybelline

"Marcy"
1/160 sec at f/4.2 ISO 100 

"Taking joy in living is a woman's best cosmetic." - Rosalind Russell

Fowl Play

"Turn right at the first tree"

1/60 sec at f/4.5 ISO 400

"If you feel the urge, don't be afraid to go on a wild goose chase. What do you think wild geese are for anyway?" - Will Rogers

Eyes Wide Open

"Unstoppable"

1/160 sec at f/5.6 ISO 100

"One of the virtues of being very young is that you don't let the facts get in the way of your imagination." - Sam Levinson

Drawn to You

"Steady Hand"

1/160 sec at f/7.1 ISO 100

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.'" - Dave Barry

Have You Heard?

Have you heard about a social networking website called "Meetup?"  They have groups on almost every topic imaginable in many cities around the globe.  And if they don't have one on a certain topic, they'll ask you if you'd like to start one (you tell them your interests and they'll match you up with like-minded people).

Anyway, one of the local groups is called the "Fairhill MD Nature Photography" Meetup group and they hold regular meetings and photography outings.  They have a nominal $5 annual fee.  One of their meetings coming up is with Horizon Workshop's Steve Gottlieb on the use of flash.  His workshops are normally a few hundred dollars, but he is doing this one for a mere $75. 

Take the time and check out the whole Meetup-concept and see what interests peak your fancy!

Cambridge MD Eagle Festival

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), in neighboring Cambridge MD, is holding their 10th Eagle Festival Sat, Mar 13 (rain or shine).  Of special interest is a Photography Workshop at 9:00am in the Visitor Center.

For more information and directions, visit Blackwater NWR homepage.

Mar 13 PhotoWalk POSTPONED

Dear friends, due to the forecast of heavy rain and wind gusts we will POSTPONE tomorrow's (Sat's) PhotoWalk planned for Brandywine Zoo.  Although weather should not deter you from taking photographs, it does not lend itself to group event and discussion.  We will reschedule ASAP.  Thank you for your understanding.

PhotoWalk this Saturday

Make plans now to join us this Saturday morning (the 13th) at 10:00am for a PhotoWalk through Brandywine Zoo* in downtown Wilmington.  We will be treated to a guided tour of the grounds by one of the zookeepers.  RSVP helpful, but not mandatory.  Email Larry Wilder

• Join our Flickr group to post your best photos and share discussion.

* NOTE - while most PhotoWalks are free, there will be a $4/pp admission fee to the zoo for this walk.

Free Haircuts

"Zoom, Zoom"

1/1000 sec at f/11.0 ISO 100

Free haircuts to those 6'0" or taller.  Be patient and wait right here ... be right back.

Ready for a Picnik?

(Screenshot of Picnik)

Are you ready to take your photo editing to the next level?  Take a look at Picnik (just acquired by the folks at Google).  Unlike Picasa and other editing programs, this software exists online only.  You upload your photo (or grab it from an image already online like from Flickr, Picasa WebAlbums, etc) and make alterations using their easy-to-navigate interface.

They offer a free basic edition and a very reasonable premium upgrade.  You will find the tools here very friendly and offer some amazing end results.  Go ahead and give 'em a try!

It's Not for Me, but Hey ...

When you're walking in the city, there's little mistaking, to any passerby, you're carrying a camera bag that's filled with some very expensive equipment. All the camera carrying bags I've ever seen look very similar, that is, up until I saw the ShootSac.  They look a little feminine for my taste, but they definitely give those interested a stylish option to the squared-off, boring bag of old.  Read more about Jessica Claire's designs here.

There's No Denying, Spring is Just Around the Corner

"Bloomin' Monument"

1/1000 sec at f/11.0 ISO 100

It won't be long now!  The folks at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, in Washington, DC, have predicted the peak blooms to occur between April 3rd and 8th.  If you haven't taken the time to witness this beautiful display, may I recommend you consider it your plans.  Our Nation's Capitol is packed with, literally, millions of people, but it is still a sight to see.

Zoo Primer

Our PhotoWalk at the Brandywine Zoo is coming up March 13th and here's an excellent tutorial from the folks at Nikon:

One Track Mind

 

"Wooosh"

1/250 sec at f/5.0 ISO 100

"The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway." - Henry Boye