Twilight Branches, Image # TR-8330
Hey folks, long time no post eh?
Things have been a bit slow this spring on many fronts for me, suffering from both photo and writers block. I know the way to kick it is just to “do something” – anything – but it is sometimes a real drag on motivation as well. However, I couldn’t let April slip by with only one post! 🙂
I have had a recent surge in print orders (always a good thing), and it is interesting how they come in surges. I can have very little activity on the photo business front for awhile, and then all of the sudden – BAM! I am slammed with orders. (not a complaint! 🙂 ). The down time did allow me to finally get to a section of my website I have been wanting to finish for some time. That is my frameless print section.
It’s pretty cool to have so many options for displaying prints these days, it gives people a lot of choices. I have always been a big fan of canvas, and have sold many of those. Now, I have added options of a Colorbox Mount and Facemounted Acrylic. Facemounted acrylic prints can be just jaw dropping for the clarity, sharpness, vibrance and depth. I consider these “frameless” prints quite style neutral, so they fit in with most any decor, without the added expense of matting/framing. You can visit my page on this for more info.
The image with this post is one I actually took back in December 2006. I thought it was a little similar to the theme in my last post of tree branches creating this structure. In contrast, they were at very different times of the year – December vs. April. I suppose it is something I have always been attracted to – the skeletons of trees. I don’t think I have yet seen the color gradient in the sky again as I did back then. Having a need to work and pull up images from the past helps get the creativity engine started after it has stalled for awhile.
Warbler migration season is upon us. I think it is time to break this rut.
Hi, Mark. Add me to the list of people who have had a bit of writer’s block lately. I haven’t been photographing much, which doesn’t help. That image is beautiful, and congrats on the new section of your website!
Also, I feel like my photography business comes in spurts…it can go weeks (months sometimes) and then I’m completely swamped. Wonder why….
My roommate from college works at a bird observatory in NW Ohio…he’s swamped by warbler season right now!
Definitely some type of virus going around. And since I haven’t personally been around any of you – now I am thinking it is a cyber creativity virus!
Greg, yeah, that’s weird about the business spurt thing, has been happening to me for years.
My warbler trip yesterday was a complete bust. I guess I don’t understand the subtle nuances in tracking their migration and good days vs. bad. All week there has been a lot of reported activity in Ohio, yet yesterday I saw maybe a half dozen species, and photographed ZERO.
Hope it’s not spreading through the blogosphere? We’re all infected! 🙂
Gorgeous image Mark. I’m sad to hear you are in a rut. I think because I work with a variety of mediums and styles I don’t tend to get hit by these ruts very often. But when I do there are a couple of things that have always worked. #1 – Just show up. Just grabbing the camera and going outside will usually solve the problem – if it doesn’t I change my focus. If I’ve been doing mostly landscapes and am bored with them I’ll slap a macro on and start looking at the world in miniature; or vice versa.
I am bored with blogging – so maybe this is a rut of sorts – though I suspect it’s just an overall more interested in spending time creatively rather than being at a computer.
Believe me Roberta, I have tried the “just show up” tactic so many times. Then I just end up more frustrated because I come home with nothing. It is quite a vicious cycle. I suppose I get bored quickly with doing things the same way all of the time – it feels too static. Thanks for stopping by and the comment Roberta. I will keep trying.
I also know the feeling Mark. I’m going through a “cant stand the computer” phase which effectively halts all my creative hobbies apart from posting on instagram. I love taking photos still but I just cant seem to get to process & display them if I have to go near my pc. I need to find a way to get back my mojo. It just sit down beside it and feel all my creativity and enthusiasm drain away. As for posting on my blog, I don’t know what I’d do without photofriday.com to keep me from abandoning it during periods like these. I’m glad you didn’t abandon us this April 🙂
Suzy
Hmm, maybe there is a creativity virus going around? I don’t mind the computer as much, as some ideas come while I am working there, but when you don’t have anything going in the field, or on the computer – writing or photography – then I am stumped.
I meant to add that the frameless print looks vary interesting. I think it’s ideally suited to most of the photos in your gallery. i will look into it closely.
Congratulations on the surge of sales, Mark. That’s always a good thing to hear. Yeah, one post a month is even a little bit light for you. Get it into gear, man. 😉
Beautiful shot. It’s nice to visit the archives, time and again. Now, go out, photograph some warblers, and report back! Please.
I hear ya Paul. Will report back soon. 🙂
The background gradient is spectacular with the bare tree in the foreground. I had a 16×20 made last year (from MPIX) that came out very well. I was quite surprised. This photo would look great in that size.
Ken, this is being printed to 20×30 for a client, so it should look cool.
A good image to pull from the archives and get that second post in for April. 🙂 The colors are fantastic and I love the details of the twigs.
It must be something to do with this year — I had one of the lowest posting months since back in Mar ’06. At the moment I can’t seem to get much steam built up for taking photos but it’ll return when it’s time.
Ha! Yeah, I am not a prolific poster by any means, but I thought – c’mon – I can do better than 1 post in a month! 🙂 Looking at my archives, it seems I haven’t done that since 2005. I have read all the tips about breaking ruts, and it is much harder to get it to work than to suggest it. 🙂
First, I love the colors in this image and the minimalist scene. I can also relate to “both photo and writers block” as I go them quite often. But, glad to know you are busy with prints. I have a question, “Do you make your own prints or have a lab do them?”
Thanks Monte. It depends on the size, generally I send out anything larger than 16×24. But if I get really busy, I will even send smaller ones out because it takes quite a bit of time to print and package them up vs. sending them to a lab.
A few years ago I did my own printing but only up to 13″ x 17″. In all honesty I have never had a print made of any of my images larger than that. I think I need to change that!
Beautiful image…your work always inspires me, Mark.
I know the feeling when the well runs dry for awhile, leaving one thirsty for creative passion (luckily, it always seems to return though). Good for you for spending your “down” time productively!!
I am yearning for that well Diane. Thanks for the comment.
That is a nice tree photo. Very nice gradient in the sky for sure. That is a rare sky for around here too. Hopefully your rut is shorter than mine. I am a real slacker as far as my site goes but I have been out trying to get the spring baby pictures. Lots of walking, lots of ticks, and not many pictures to show for it but I am holding out hope!
I hear this is ramping up to be a pretty bad tick season. Fortunately they aren’t too common around where I live, more prevalent in Northern Michigan. I say no thanks to those things. I can relate to the lots of walking and not many pics to show. All too common.
Beautiful image Mark, love the colors and patterns! Would love to try a Facemounted Acrylic print one of these days.
Thanks Ron – I think you should try it, you certainly have a few great candidates for it. 😉