Hello everyone,

It has been quite some time since my last post but I have been extremely busy. This is good since I am nursing a fledgling photography and graphic design business.

I am posting now with a single photo on which I would like some feedback. I wish to read your most critical reviews. Seriously, please be as harsh and nitpicky as possible. I am seeking to learn through your discerning eyes that which I have missed. This photo is a personal experiment of mine which I hope to include in my portfolio, however, my opinion is biased.
So hit me with your harshest, most straight forward critique.
That's Italian

There have been a couple of stories where I had posted a comment concerning the photographing of glass using a standard flashlight. I have not seen a response to these posted comments yet. I am beginning to think that some may have beleived these comments to be stated in a jokingly or sarcastic manner. So as a display of good faith I have two shots of glassware taken with only one standard flashlight. Granted, total control over your shutter speed is needed for this to have a decent effect. My shutter speed for these was set at 30 seconds. Then use your flashlight to "paint" your scene. The only post shoot processing used here was a "penned" out path selection of each glass from it's background and color correction for white balance because the flashlight has a warm tone.
Tip: If you feel like experimenting with this idea try to surround your set with black and shine your light against a ruffled white sheet which is placed for reflection effect.One glass copied Blueglass

Hey everybody!
It has been quite a while since I have posted anything. Been very busy preparing myself for entry into sole proprietorship. I am completely (and finally) registered at the state and federal levels. Officially functioning as Inkling Design, I just completed my first project. This is the final draft of a CD cover design I did for a Los Angeles band called Stashbox.
Stashbox CD Cover
The band's logo, cigar box, and photos are all rendered in 3D with the texture photos shot in-studio (except for the natural herb texture of the logo) and the remaining shots Photoshop'ed like crazy. The final TIF is 22 layers and 63 MB large.

It finally rained in Chicago and I found my marbles in the back yard. Funny... I had no clue they were missing.My Marbles

One last note. Seems most of us love cats so here is my submission of cat shots for the "AAWWW" effect. These two adopted me a few weeks back and I have photographed them as much as most people take snapshots of their children. I'm just a sucker for a furry little face.
 Pepper
 Baby  

I do not know what these are but I am told they only bloom once each year and are very short lived. They have just begun their life this morning, emerging as buds only days ago. The early morning light, some watery mist, and a generous dose of Photoshop helped bring these out. For you FranCes. A kind and caring soul.Annuale Fiore 1 Annuale Fiore 2

Hello Family, What can I say. Thank you just does not begin to justify the gratitude I feel to all of you. Embarrassing as it is, I was truly at an all time low in my outlook on EVERYTHING. My intentions with my posting were selfish and immature at the very least. A 40 year old throwing a temper tantrum and seeking attention is more like it. However, as we age we tend to grow more serious in our attitudes and our actions. My "stuff" WAS in the dumpster with every intention of leaving it all behind. It did seem as if I was losing a life-long friend. Then out of curiosity I checked the Photographica postings and was absolutely amazed at the outpouring of pleas, advice, concern, words of encouragement, and the occasional firm but effective comments. And the comments just kept growing. Then kikker took the time to contact me personally. WOW... This Family is absolutely incredible. Your warmth and heartfelt concern has effected me more deeply than I can ever describe. For the first time in too many years I feel a real sense of belonging and acceptance back into society. Anyone who has been down that road will know what I mean. Thank You all, from the bottom of my heart, with every fiber of my being... Thank You. I would like to address a very legitimate question: "How do you acquire $10,000.00 worth of equipment while spending 13 years in prison???" The answer is quite simple crzykty. I have been a professional photographer since 1983 and acquired the bulk of my equipment in the late 80's and early 90's prior to my incarceration. My only new addition is the Canon 20D with 2 lenses purchased with money saved from the good old days. This DSLR, F1 SLR, two Bogen mono 15,000 black cans, and an assortment of umbrellas is about all that has survived the dumpster of death. They were at the bottom in a dark and worn old cam-bag as they were the first to go. The Cambo 4x5, Balcar Blue Boxes, Chimera banks, and all the hardware are no longer with me. By today's standards these items alone would well exceed the 10K estimate. The price I pay for being a complete fool. I truly hope that I can contribute to this community some inspiration as meaningful as that which you have given me. All of you are a very positive influence for any artist. I admire your interest and love for the art of photography. Finally, my first contribution to the weekly challenge. A little late but... Looking through the Glass Inkslinger

[editor's note, by kikker]
Bumped back to top

Hello Everyone, It's been quite some time since I have posted anything because of a total lack of anything to shoot. Unlike most people I am stuck at home on electronic detention. I cannot leave this house except for mandatory business. Even trying to go on a job interview is not guaranteed movement. I have been home from the Illinois Department Of Corrections for nine months now and have missed thirteen interviews with important photography studios due to failure to approve movement. This of course does not matter much when I cannot even build a portfolio for display. Nothing to show means nothing to gain. Yet I continue to try shooting stuff around the house and end up with crap like this. I was hoping for some free exposure on this amateur site and have learned that I am not even capable of keeping up with the amateurs. So this is it. I quit. No more crap like this from me. Time for this photog to hang it up. Thirteen years in the joint has dried up the well of creativity. If you live in the Melrose Park area of Illinois there is an alleyway between Broadway and 20th Ave South of Cortez, North of Augusta. Check the garbage for a Canon 20D, lenses, strobes, stands, etc.. It's all in there. Next garbage pickup is Monday. Sorry I canot tell you my exact location but for nearly $10,000.00 worth of gear isn't a little dumpster diving worth it? I'm up. I'm out. Goodbye. InkslingerChippedGlass CrossChips

Hello to all who share our interests. This is still somewhat new to me. I find the ability to view other's work to be very interesting. I can learn more about my own ideas from seeing that of another person's. Your comments and criticism will only assist me in becoming a better artist as I continually strive to get closer to understanding that which separates us from the rest of the mammals on this planet. Please check out My photos by starting with these two pics: The Card and A Cross Me These are my most recent attempts with Photoshop.