RXA

3.6.7 – Flickr Walk with David and Chris (and Mel)

Amongst the plethora of companies that print photo books online is AsukaBook. They have an excellent reputation of producing top of the range books in both soft and hard back formats. I went looking for a price sheet as I thought any further way of throwing my photographs under peoples noses would be a good thing but I struck a very big hurdle.

They only deal with Professional photographers and are very selective about whose work they will print … but because I am stupid I applied anyway filling out the forms and giving them enough information about me that they could build a clone. They also required a link to my website (no, not this one) so they could inspect the quality of my work.

I never expected to hear from them again … but what do you know. Apparently I have some talent as I now have a client ID and am able to purchase their products for my clients.

I have Moo

Originally uploaded by RXAphotos

“You have what?” I hear you say at your monitor …

I have Moo. Moo cards that is. Half size business cards. They are cool. Go to moo.com and find out yourself.

Now to give them to everybody I know and then decide what to do with the other ninety-five.

You all know I like photography … no surprise there WHAT so ever.

Well lately I have had some time on my hands to spend and I have been filling them up with the design of my online portfolio website rxaphotography.com.  Why have I been doing this when it is more than likely that noone will ever buy my work? Because it gets my name out there.

I don’t see myself being a photographer full time … I would like to but I realise that I am nowhere near good enough for that! Even amongst my own family and friends there are numerous people who can blitz me with a camera. Check the work Mike did for Chris’s debut CD (and then buy a CD, they are only $15.00 and seriously, it is an awesome CD), the photography blows me away every time I look at it.

I am going to get on my high horse and say that I can take a decent photograph. Even if others disagree (which you have every right to), I think I can safely say that I can justify the expensive equipment I have. My recent sales also justify this I think. Now I’m rambling and have lost my point …

I guess I am just wondering out loud if I have what it takes to work as a photographer, even for one day a week. That would be cool. I know I need a major lens and equipment upgrade but I’m working on that.  Even today I upgraded my walkabout lens for one that Chris was selling.

I want the opportunity to take photos. In September I am heading to an equestrian meet with a friend. This will prove interesting as I can only just barely tell the difference between the two ends of a horse … but the challenge of getting good photos in an unfamiliar environment was too good to refuse. Maybe I can offload a couple of shots to owners … mental note, have cards, notepad and pens ready.

My photo related activities today involved printing all my portfolio photos, archiving each photo in a variety of sizes and formats on to individual discs and thinking about how to get rxaphotography.com under peoples noses and onto their screens. I have no idea WHY I am doing this but it seems I have to do this as it is a big driving factor for me.

Personally if I sell one photograph per year to a complete stranger … I will be thrilled. And as I have already done that this year … I am completely thrilled.

So to sum up, I don’t know where I’m going … but I know the journey is going to be fun.

Well done to those who made it thus far in this post … I am truly impressed.

Sometimes in this digital world I think we forget that photography is all about the finished print. I agree it is wonderful being able to get the instant feedback on screen and to be able to flash through hundreds of photos in minutes, but I was reminded this morning as I printed out 8′x10″ copies of my portfolio photos how amazing it is to see a good photograph on good paper and hold it in your hands.

I’m using a Canon iP5300 printer and Kodak Ultra Premium paper at the moment. The combination of these two products is really helping my photographs leap out from the page. The daisy and the sunset (you will see this when I get to the last part of my Mornington Peninsula entries) prints just honestly left me standing there lost for words.

My photograph to print ratio is about 1:800 I would estimate, but when you come across a photograph that blows you away on screen, do yourself a favour and print it big on the best quality paper. It will knock your socks off.

Rant over … thank you for reading. Love to hear your thoughts on this.