Earlier this week I posted about the opening of my online store on FineArtAmerica. It's been wonderful to receive so many positive remarks about my work. Although I haven't officially sold anything yet, I've had several people say they'll be ordering work soon.
Thank you for the the support.
This blog is my toy box. As I shoot pictures, there are typically dozens to hundreds of photos on the card, depending on the excursion. Many are similar shots, playing with slightly different angle or camera setting, and working on exposure or focus. Most of the shots get dumped after a cursory look. I'll admit, it's not great writing, but I plan to work on that as I continue forward.
Those that do get to stay in my hard drive are generally not quite up to the standards I want in my portfolio. So the blog is a place I can put those photos and if appropriate, tell a story about them.
Facebook and Google+ get the bulk of my photographs, but there are some with a story that usually involves a learning experience for me that occurred taking the photos.
Over the past several months many of my family and friends have suggested I look into selling some of my artwork and photography. I’ve been pulling together some of my favorite photos and have created a website to develop my portfolio, and have also setup a profile with a print-on-demand provider. I bought a print on canvas, Fairport Harbor Lighthouse, from this provider and I’m very happy with the quality of the print.
I now have 16 images available for sale. They are available on canvas, acrylic, metal, paper, and greeting cards. I’ve been working on a series of photos that look like paintings - and would look great on canvas (hint, hint). These photos are technically landscapes, but the process I use turns them into abstracts.
On this website you can click the "i" in the upper right corner of the images to find the direct links of photos for sale. Most of those for sale are in the abstract or landscape galleries. You can access the store directly from this link. http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/adam-kilbourne.html. For those of you in the design industry, there is a sister site at www.DesignerPrints.com with deals for bulk orders.
Thank you to my family and friends for the kind words and support as I’ve developed my hobby. Right now it’s enjoyable. I don’t plan to make a living off of this, but if I can make a few bucks I won't complain.
Last week I went to the local state park beach just before sunset. I've been working on my current set of abstract photos. During that shoot, I came up with my current favorite piece to date.
Headlands Beach Winter Abstract has a wonderful mix of colors and soft textures. The image is direct from the camera, the only manipulation was done in Lightroom, boosting the colors, contrast, clarity, etc.
I love that this photo looks like it could have been taken on a plane, over the clouds. In reality, it was taken on a snow covered beach.
In the near future, I plan to get a large print made of this photo.
On my photowalk at Gully Brook Park, I snapped one picture with my iPhone directly from Instagram. I applied a filter and some DOF and posted. I was really impressed with the quality of the photo that came through.
When I turned in Saturday night there was a light rain with temperatures hovering just above freezing. When I woke up, everything was covered in a beautiful fluffy white blanket of snow. The sky was overcast, but there was no wind, not even a breeze. After breakfast I headed over to one of my favorite parks to get some pictures of the snow covered trees, before the snow melted or blew off the branches.
I've been experimenting with black and white images, and I really like the way they turn out in the snowy scenes. Three photos in this set were converted to black and white.
Last week I had an evening event at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There were a lot of exhibits that were made for nice photographs. I only had my iPhone. Processing the photos, I decided to use a theme with a viewfinder.
After watching Andrew Scrivani on Creative Live, teach Tabletop Photography, I decided to work on my little "studio" in the basement. Andrew talked about ways to use inexpensive items to create lighting setups for tabletop and still life photography. Although I didn't follow the instructions exactly, I did start piecing together a setup. My first shoot was a small still life with a dashboard hula girl.
The setup
The fire was beautiful and warm. Playing around in Lightroom, I worked the image for a realistic version, then tried a second version in black & white the gives it a very abstract look.
abstract
Walking into the house last night I noticed a lot of sparkle coming from the snow on the shrubs by the door. I was able to make out some small snowflakes on top of the snow that has turned into blobs. I pulled out my macro lens and tripod and began shooting. Here's the best result of the shots.
I've been waiting for the weather to cooperate to shoot the large intricate snowflakes with the macro lens. Conditions haven't been right yet for that.
I've been working to build up a collection of long exposure background images to use in abstract art pieces. Below is one of Lake Erie as viewed from Lake Erie Bluffs. The other make work as a texture in some other project.
New Year's Day I woke up to a heavy snowfall. After fussing around the house and snowblowing the driveway, I grabbed me gear and headed over to the Lake Metro Parks Chair Factory Falls. There had only been a couple people there throughout the day (based on the footprints in the snow). The snow that collected on fences and trees had remained undisturbed. The hike down the hill to the falls was a little slick, but manageable. The falls were partially frozen.
With all the white snow, and lack of color, aside from some evergreens, I decided to convert the files to black and white. Earlier in the week my friend, Andrea, posted a fun art related project for her friends on Facebook. Anyone who wanted to participate was assigned an artist to research and find an interesting photograph of there work. I was assigned Ansel Adams who is known for his iconic black and white landscape photographs. I would say this definitely inspired me to look for or create an opportunity to shoot in black and white.
It's been a while since my last post. I've meant to publish several times and let other things get in the way. Neglect. As the new year quickly approaches, I have two goals. 1. exercise. 2. be more diligent with my blog.
A few updates.
I have been taking photos for the past two months that this page has collected dust. Most are not portfolio worthy, but should be posted to the blog. I'll select a few to post.
My neighbor, and dogsitter, is getting ready to open a web site and online store. We spent a weekend photographing the jewelry that he sells. It was a fun project and I have a couple "behind the scenes" photos. I've never marketed products, so that is an interesting learning experience.
Last year my car was broken into and all my camera gear was stolen. I got most of it replaced but couldn't afford my favorite lens, a 50mm f/1.8 macro. My mom bought me a new one for Christmas, so I'll be back to taking closeup shots.
Pipe to the gas meter. Although it looks neglected, a new pipe was recently run inside of this corroded mess.
I'm participating in another photography workshop at Holden Arboretum. As part of the workshop we have to (optionally) submit landscape photos for review. I went to several locations and wasn't happy with most of my photos. I submitted a few from Lake Erie Bluffs and the photos below from Squire's Castle and Gullybrook Park.
Last week I visited Lake Metroparks Lake Erie Bluffs park. I was treated to the most beautiful sunset I have seen on Lake Erie. The weather was not the most pleasant - it was windy, rained, and hailed. At one point the waves crashed over my feet. In another incident, my camera fell over and fortunately was unharmed.
I took several photos of the sunset which I cleaned up in post-processing. I also processed a few "artistic" images. Two of the photos utilize long-exposure panning. The other uses Lightroom plug-ins to oversaturate.
I just missed the prime sky in this morning's sunrise. I saw the brilliant orange from my window, but couldn't get out in time. This old building is so cool. I would love to check out the inside sometime.
A couple days ago I was on my way to work and witnessed a beautiful sunrise. I couldn't get to a good location in time to take photos, but I did stop at the best location I could find at the time. Work with what you've got.
I attempted to play golf in an outing today. My golf game wasn't so hot, but I kept my eye open and found a couple nice shots with the camera.
Early morning dew at Fowlers Mill Golf Course
Interesting retaining wall at Fowlers Mill Golf Course
Last post from the SMPS Conference in Orlando. The final night of the conference, the national president hosted a small party in his suite at the hotel. This was the presidential suite, provided by the hotel to those hosting a conference. It was a wonderful, fun evening filled with friendly and talented people. Several of the musically inclined begin to sing and I was able to capture a few shots with my iPhone. This photoset was post-processed in Lightroom.
