Whether you like it or not textures have become a frequently utilized tool with photography and post-processing.  Everyone and their mother is selling them, too.  From the horribly outrageously priced packages upwards of $200 to the more reasonably priced packs (like…ahem…mine) they are everywhere.  Most recently I purchased my first set. Read more »

I frequently am asked what inspires me and where I look when I am stuck in a creative rut.  Which got me thinking today about starting up a more regular feature here for those artists that inspire me. I have spent countless hours looking at the work of these artists and used it as fuel to keep me going when the ideas just have not been coming as quickly as I would have liked them to. Read more »

Here are a few inspiration links for a Sunday afternoon…

• Nick Brandt – http://www.nickbrandt.com
• Andrew Hefter – http://www.andrewhefter.com
• MIV – http://www.mivphotography.com/
• Randal Ford – http://www.randalford.com/
• Matthew Mahon – http://www.matthewmahon.com/ (The commentary on the photos is brilliant)

It would seem that the powers running The Raster Group have recollected themselves and are now back on track, continuing head strong toward artistic excellence as they have in the past.  It also seems as if a new project is on the horizon… Read more »

• Now, this is my type of portrait.  For only $80, you may enter the realm of the undead.
• Creativestem is a new collaborative/gallery type o’ site ramping up.  Sign up for an invite.
• Sue Rubira – because her work is just wonderful to look at.

Being a slave to information, local news, and the blogosphere in general, I owe my FeedReader a lot.  It works constantly to make me happy and keep me content.  There are so many sites publishing links to the latest and greatest and I try hard not to duplicate the efforts.  However, Faveup.com  is worth mentioning several times over.  Talk about a wonderful collection of logos!  I would not have known about them without reading about Miiingle  which I would not have known about had I not been reading Freelance Switch.

For those of you who have always wanted to see your work in print, have wanted to put together your own book, or have the need for self-publishing in general, here are two helpful links:

• Lulu: Lulu offers a wide variety of printing options at reasonable prices.  I have utilized their services for some time now for a book that my grandfather wrote regarding World War II.  Lulu has a very helpful support system via their FAQs and I believe that I have always found what I was looking for there without having to contact them directly.
• Blurb: Found via Derek Powazek’s blog on July 24th, 2007  I took a look at Blurb and liked what I saw.  I downloaded the software that they offered and am currently working on putting a book of photography together.  I like the hardback and larger format options that they offer.  Their pricing is higher than Lulu but they boast on their quality, so there will always be trade-offs on that.

Now a question for the readers?  Other than these two companies, what other online options are available for those wanting to self-publish?

My wife always tell me that I should have my work published.  I could always use one of the above links but there is the extra bonus of having another company find you and feel that your work is worthy to be printed.  Not really know the approach I should take, I did some investigation by asking one of my all time favorite photographers, Boogie about how he was able to get published.

His advice, and this is the Cliff’s Notes version, is to keep shooting what you want to shoot.  Be true to yourself and always promote the hell out of your site.  Having a self-printed title to send to potential publishers is a plus.

My plan is in motion.  We will see how it progresses….