Photographers of Etsy Team Blog

Wandering Eye

2011-09-26T16:37:00.006-04:00

Well hello, and welcome back! When last we visited, a couple months ago, the Wandering Eye had settled on Black and White images. This time out instead of a particular theme, I decided to wander through the POE listings and share with you a number of those images that caught my eye. We ended up with a collection of 34 photographs...enjoy!

Eiffel over the Seine - SolsticePhoto

Looking Up - henatayeb

Old House - Celticcatphotos

Down the Road - rrobertsphoto

Little Helper - Michaella

window on the world - AnnWilkinson

Unlocking Santana - anikatoro

The Great White - artinmind

Whimsical Daisy Dew Drops - SunshineLaRosePhotos

Green Seats - PhotosByJudy

Dreams lost in water - stephmel

Forever Lovely - CoyPhoto

Berber Boy - ZenzPhotography

Seed Pods - jessicarogers

Equestrian Bike Rider - DDubPhotog

No Hippos, Just Reeds - LoudWaterfallPhoto

Walking clouds - MagMoment

Dewdrop Trail - HouseofSixCats

Silver Bells - Caradonnaphotography

Egret on a Nice Morning - BillSwindamanPhoto

Shadow Me, Self-Portrait No. 4 - ArtByAmarose

watching you watching me 3 - lightleak

LAUNDROMAT - thirdeyeview3

Sunrise over Bay Islands - HeyHarriet

Bench - photohale

Cell Block - JohnSturgisPhotos

Daisies in Vase - Ketzelphotography

Sunflower Profile - buckscountyframes

Black Cat - ImageNationphoto

Driftwood on Beach at Port Renfrew - YdnarImaging

Wall - reflectiveimages

Sea Birds on Posts - soloaperture

Lonely African acacia tree in the savannah - shashamane

Watching the Tide Roll In - FlashForward

Wandering Eye

2011-07-27T12:17:00.000-04:00

I've had a hankerin' for some black and white images lately, so this time out the Wandering Eye has settled on...yep, some black and white images. Enjoy!

Water at the Apex - AnCarPhotography

Libby Laughing - ArtByAmaros

The bottle in the old window frame - shashamane

The Luckiest - jpgphotography

The Capture of Saint Valentine - pazsint

balance - emporium51

Misty Farm - Justbecausephoto

Patterned Lily - bbrunophotography

Staircase - henatayeb

Shadows and Light - dragonflyphotography

Reading man in the streets of Lille - France - GalerieNoire

A Passing Audience - everydayeros

Black River No. 8 - rrobertsphoto

Black and White Fashion - lilacpopphotography

Soldier in the Storm - SolsticePhoto

Jefferson Barracks Cemetery - jalinde

Abandoned Building - LaurieBreton

Dreamscape - cedube

Focus On: Paripassu

2011-07-07T22:52:00.001-04:00

Honorable Family Door

I know it's been a while since I've posted the "Focus On" feature, but I've been spread a little thin lately and I had to lighten my load a bit. I plan on continuing the feature, but it may not be as regular as it was; "Wandering Eye" is a bit less labor intensive, so you may see it more frequently.

Thus far, my submissions to "Focus On" have focused pretty much on members from North America and Europe...not that there's anything wrong with that, but this time I had my eye set on the East. So when I came across a member from Shanghai I was really jazzed. The thing is, this particular Shanghai-ite is a transplanted American from Mississippi. Ah, what's a guy to do?

I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Georgia Sparling, the owner/operator of Paripassu.

Steve: The first thing that I usually want to know about a photographer whose work I admire is, “Where is this person coming from?” So Georgia, my first question to you is really a statement built around a set of questions. Tell us a bit about yourself; what were your "formative years" like? Where are you from? What was it like growing up? What's your family like? What are some of the things that made Georgia, Georgia?

Georgia

: Let's see. I'm from a very small town in Mississippi where I lived with my mom, who is a Yankee. Childhood was interesting. I'm biracial, Mom's a Northerner, and we're both very independent so a small town in the Deep South was not the easiest place to grow up, but I excelled in school and developed loads of hobbies as a kid which continues to this day.

Mississippi Grass

My mom was always very indulgent of my various interests and since I was home a lot after school I just kept adding onto them--reading (she read to me from the moment I was born, maybe earlier), stained glass (someone at our church taught me), sewing (influenced by my grandmother), cooking (my mom loves to bake), saxophone and violin (band is what you do in a small town if you're not playing sports or a cheerleader). As a teenager I dipped into photography a bit and in college I studied some fashion design and wood cutting/engraving. So I think creativity was my way to explore my right brain and to keep myself from getting bored since small towns are not known for their excitement and I didn't always fit in super well with my classmates.

I think what makes me me is all wrapped up in my faith, my uncontrollable desire to create, and restlessness that keeps me from being satisfied with just sitting. Since moving to Shanghai, I think all of those things have become stronger in me and I've very much become an explorer of the city and culture.

S: "Interesting"; now there's a word that, more often than not, gives me pause. Growing up in a small town in the Deep South as a biracial child with your "yankee" mother; yes, I'm sure that was "interesting". My impression from your writing, for whatever it's worth, is that your childhood was an annealing process that strengthened you. And all of your interests; my word! You were quite the renaissance girl, weren't you? You're obviously still into photography, but do you still pursue any of the other interests you mentioned? Which of them was (is?) your favorite?

Beijing Bicycle

G: Hmm. I still pursue most all of them when possible. I don't have a sewing machine in China, but I do some light designing and I have a tailor (it's way less expensive than it sounds) make clothes for me. I dabble in wood engraving. My main hobbies while I'm here are writing, photography, and baking. All of which I do freelance work in. I think baking and photography are my favorites at the moment but I also tend to need variety. I imagine when I go home this summer I'll be doing a lot of sewing projects and some wood engraving.

S: Freelance writing, photography and baking...now there's a combination. What sort of freelance assignments do you take in those areas and where do they come from?

G: I do most of my freelance writing for English language publications in China and they range from stories about whiteboards in expat schools to profiles on nonprofits. For photography, I've done several engagement shoots around Shanghai. It's such a beautiful city with a mixture of old, new, gaudy, and elegant. I also cater for a glass and ceramics gallery here that several of my friends work for. That's probably my favorite assignment because you need a crowd to justify making all that food!

Condemned Chinese House

S: I'm impressed by the range of occupational skills you utilize to generate income. Are these "collateral" occupations, or "sidelines" to your primary occupation, and if so, what is your "day job"? What was it that brought you to China in general, and Shanghai in particular?

G: These are sideline jobs. My day job is writing and editing for a social enterprise that promotes and consults in philanthropy in China. When I first came to China, I studied Chinese for two years, then worked in fashion, freelance writing, helping out with a church youth group, and finally my current company which is a small team of Chinese & Americans. I came to Shanghai originally because I already knew some people there.

S: Let's talk about photography for a bit; how did you get your start? What was it that first attracted you to the medium and what sorts of things would you shoot?

Old Wall in Shanghai

G: I first picked up the hobby around junior high. My uncle was getting into it then and gave me some pointers. I dropped it for a while though and just picked it up in the past year and a half. Originally I took pictures of old things (barns, houses) and nature, but I wasn't super focused. I've always liked dilapidated buildings, trees, and lots of contrast. I suppose not much has changed there.

S: Do you ever get the itch to just go out and "shoot"? Where do you go when this happens? Do have a preconceived notion of what you're going to shoot, or does it depend more on happenstance? What is most likely to find its way into your viewfinder?

G: Oh definitely...quite often while I'm sitting at my desk. Biking and photo taking go hand in hand with me here in China since I can get to certain locations much quicker that way (and hence not lose light or time). The other day someone called me a street photographer, which I had never considered but I think in Shanghai it's the natural thing to do. So when I go out to take pictures I tend to just go and take pictures of anything that's interesting. I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but people often don't like a foreigner taking a picture (especially when I've got my DSLR out), so it takes some sly shooting to get good pictures of people. I try not to be pushy because I know they get defensive (I'm constantly asked what I'm going to use the pictures for, i.e. are you a journalist). Often I end up taking pictures of things I know I won't see anywhere else--old housing developments that are being torn down to put up new 30 floor apartment buildings, people selling street food, close-ups of textures like people selling fabric at an outdoor market. I'm actually moving back to America in a few weeks and I feel like I'm going to be in a photography wasteland because Shanghai is just so rich in images.

Chinese shadows

S: Let's talk for a moment about your equipment; what's in your "bag of tricks"? What's your "go to" set up?

G: So far my bag of tricks has been kind of limited. I usually just bring one or two (sometimes three) cameras when I go out--which gets heavy fast. Since neither of my old cameras have a light meter, I usually need to bring my Nikon to help me gauge. I rarely bring my tripod because it's usually too much to carry and draws too much attention. I just bought an ND fader filter, which I'm excited to try out...so thus far I've been a minimalist!

S: Do you have any favorite photographers, or photographers whose work you follow? Are there any who have influenced you, inspired you or that you try to emulate?

Hanging lights

G: I don't have any favorite photographers. When I see photography I think I sort of absorb the styles I like. I would really like to study photography more and learn about the masters and how they shaped current photography, but for now I've been relying on the knowledge of a friend of mine in Shanghai who is better versed in photography.

S: What does the future hold? Where will you be taking photography, or where will it be taking you?

G: I'm moving back to the US in a few days (yikes!) and so I'm not exactly sure where my photography will take me. I'm a little worried America will seem dull after having Shanghai as a muse. I'm looking forward to spending time editing the thousands of photos I've taken recently and adding some to Etsy (I've got postcards and notebooks coming soon). I'll have to do some exploring and see what I come up with.

Traditional Chinese Sign and Dumplings

S: Georgia, I want to thank you for taking this time with me...it's really appreciated!

Wandering Eye

2011-06-21T15:54:00.004-04:00

This past Friday was a beautiful day here (we haven't had that many "nice" days this year), and since I had the day off, I took myself and my camera and went out to see what I could see.

I drove down into the Lower Snoqualmie Valley, headed south on the West Valley Road and came upon a barn I've driven by countless times, and in fact, I drove by it again. But that little voice in the back of my head (you know the one) said, "Hey, dummy! Go back to the barn!" So I turned around at the Vincent Schoolhouse and went back and got a series of shots of this old red barn.

Anyway, I mention this because evidently I've had barns on the brain ever since, which is why this week the Wandering Eye has settled on barns. I may have gone a little overboard, but there are a number of good shots out there and these are just some of what caught my eye. I hope you enjoy them!

The Last Homely Ranch - kosmoceratops

Leaning in 07 - shyscapes

Bright Red Barn Window - bbrunophotography

Simple Reflection - firstlightphoto

Country Barn Classic Car - WednesdaySistersArts

Fall Finery - karencaseysmith

The Barn no.1 - eireanneilis

Teton Barn - SolsticePhoto

Brown Barn with Green - PamLefcourt

Country Farming - TimeCaptured

Road to the Barn - rrobertsphoto

Fall Barns - Paintedwithlight

Holder of the Cross - photographybyGray

Red Barn - Briole

Cliff Barn - JulieMagersSoulen

Little Red Barn - funtoprint

JCT 131 - LaurieBreton

Barns 004 Vintage Spring - NellieVPhotography

Classic Barn - Celticcatphotos

Serene Life - SouthernHippie

Old Barn By Tree - greenwillow

Summer Barn - magbug

Peaceful Barn - equinoxphoto

TORWORI Rusted Cadillac and Barn - TheShutterbugEye

Red Barn - JBWPhoto

Old barn and truck - garyhellerphotograph

RED BARN - MomentEternel

Old Barn - Brownielle

Heritage Barn - FotogirlCreations

Abandoned Barn - PhotographybyTess

Broken but Beautiful - thejdawg

Harmony #2 - Time

2011-06-15T14:48:00.002-04:00

It's been too long since my last post. Time seems to be in short supply these days and so, thought it would be fitting to showcase some beautiful images on the topic of time. Each pairing below contains an image from the POE and also from the FPOE. I am always amazed when putting these posts together how perfectly images from different photographers can look together. These combinations below are so lovely. I can see them hanging in my house already...

Erin Reynolds "Tick Tock" {FPOE & POE}, DeLaCruz "Time for a Dance" {FPOE}

April Rocha "What Time Is It" {POE}, Vivienne Ward "Don't Go Away, I'll be Back" {FPOE}

Diana Pappas "Man Out of Time" {FPOE & POE}, Tiny Turk "Have You the Time" {POE}

Moonlight Photography "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is" {FPOE & POE}, Modern Classics Paper "Clock Face" {POE}

Anika is a proud member of the POE and the FPOE. She invites you to check out her shop, read her blog, and collaborate!

Wandering Eye

2011-06-14T15:05:00.000-04:00

When I look for images to populate this feature, probably the most important search criteria I use is "poe team". The resulting list, more often than not, is comprised of members whose work I've seen many times. The reason for that is that not everyone puts "poe team" in their list of tag words when creating a new listing. This not only makes it difficult for me to find the work of a good many of our members, but also for anyone else who happens to be searching for POE Team images. This time out I decided to focus not on a place or a thing, but instead on members' work that has been flying under my radar. It took a bit of looking, but I believe I've rounded up a pretty good cross section of under appreciated work...enjoy!

Rigging Shed, Salem, Massachusetts - netsirc

Full Moon Light Play - MaiMaiLove

Schoolhouse Kansas Flint Hills - GeorgiesLens

Boathouse - briffoimages

Best Friends - Flatlandsfoto

Fort Delaware Dock - ClocksForSeeing

Old man in Train Station - KalstekPhotography

paper parasol - kristaglavich

Birch Bark - zseike

Loch side storm - robbop

Tramonto Nero - tree3art

oak tree silhoette - ianparry

Point Bonita Lighthouse - littleBstudio

Eiffel Tower - NarikosNest

the red chair and the grey mosaic - kanpai

Wandering Eye

2011-06-02T16:03:00.001-04:00

When I was younger, much younger than I am today, I would spend my summers, or at least the late part of my summers helping the local farmers put up their hay. It had to be late summer because early summer up here in Western Washington always has the chance for rain. Late July, and into August was the time to put up hay because it can't be put it up wet. Wet hay will rot and molder, which produces heat...enough heat, believe it or not, to cause spontaneous combustion. Many a barn has been lost to wet hay, hence the adage, "Make hay while the sun shines." In case you hadn't guessed by now, this time out the Wandering Eye has landed on "Hay".

Time Between - mysaturnalia

Hay Building - rrobertsphoto

Hay Rolls - AngieGetsPersonal

Hey Window - shyscapes

Gate - ewaldronyuhas

Country Road - bbrunophotography

Roll in the Hay - Flatlandsfoto

While the Sun Shines - ArtfulMagpie

Harvest III - greenislandstudios

Hay for Breakfast - firstlightphoto

Long After the Dust Bowl Days - bluemoonstudio

Pollen 02 - ZenzPhotography

Resources - LuthienRising

Make Hay While the Sun Shines - HolyCowStudio

_________________________________________________

"Wandering Eye" is also "PhotoGrunt" and Steve Raley, a photographic documentarian from Seattle, Washington. He captures images wherever he goes, and he frequently even uses a camera. His work can be seen on his website, blog and his Etsy shop.

Wandering Eye

2011-05-26T16:33:00.003-04:00

Known as "The Holy City" for the numerous churches with their prominent steeples against the city skyline, as well as the fact that it was amoung the few cities in the original thirteen colonies to offer religious tolerance, unless of course you happened to be Catholic.

Established in 1670, named for King Charles II of England and originally named "Charles Towne", Charleston, South Carolina is yet another place I have not been and is the locale "The Wandering Eye" settles on this week.

Red bridge - SCPerkins

Serene Swamp - JenniferLynnPhotos

Keep the Faith - tlsprinkle

Sunrise at the Pier - FlashForward

Church Steeple III - ceejay60

Old Charleston City Market - daynamiles

The Lighthouse - FlashForward

Life Saver 2 - Justbecausephoto

Shem Creek Sunset - clcphotos

Forest Of Bamboo - JenniferLynnPhotos

Boone Hall Plantation - StephsShoes

Waterfront Park - dhunting

The Long Bridge - kwinkelerphotos

Lines and Shadows - PoSHGallery

Lipstick cherry - curioush

_________________________________________________

Wandering Eye

2011-05-19T16:27:00.000-04:00

It is the eighth most populous state in the U.S. and has the longest freshwater coastline of any political subdivision in the world. There are 64,980 lakes and ponds within its borders which makes it impossible for anyone standing within its boundaries to ever be more than six miles from a natural water source. It is the largest state in total area east of the Mississippi river, and it is yet another place I have never been. This time out the Wandering Eye settles on Michigan.

Tickets Please - LensArtwork

Starlite Lanes Ruins - TweelingPhotography

Detroit Panda - chicalookate

Waiting for the People Mover - ByJenniferLeigh

Old Wooden Life Boat - Imagesbylynnann

Service Required - LensArtwork

Round Island Lighthouse - Celticcatphotos

Waiting For The Storm - lilacpopphotography

Whitefish Point - HeatherNewkirkPhotos

Emergence - LensArtwork

Old White Barn In Rural America No. 2 - Celticcatphotos

Michigan Theater - abcdimages

Wind Point Lighthouse - timkantphotography

the clique - blueeyedbadger

Point Betsie Blue - joystclaire

Manistee North Pierhead Lighthous - ByJenniferLeigh

Puddles of Light - lilacpopphotography

_________________________________________________

Wandering Eye

2011-05-12T15:36:00.000-04:00

Say what you will about "The Big Easy", it's resilient if nothing else. Hurricanes, floods, economic downturns and whatever else has been thrown at it, it always seems able to shake it off and bounce back. This time out the Wandering Eye settles on New Orleans...

A Rail To Steady The Dead - yearofthetiger

Oak Tree - CieraHolzenthal

Performance Artist in the French Quarter - greenwillow

after the water - Katalystphotos

Old Window - Briole

pizazz - poofny

Ginger Mint Julep - capow

Longue Vue Gardens - OlGramma

Artist At Work - anaramirezphoto

Jackson Square - JBWPhoto

_________________________________________________

Focus On: SouthernHippie

2011-05-04T19:03:00.004-04:00

A Purple Daydream

I'm not sure when it was, exactly, that I first became aware of her work, but I do remember that she grabbed my attention to the point that I had to double back and take a second look. She has an affinity and appreciation for the historic, the vintage, the abandoned and the run-down; she seeks them out and renders them with a practiced, if untrained eye. I'm speaking of Michelle Summers, the proprietor and force behind the Etsy shop, SouthernHippie. I recently had an opportunity to have an extended conversation with Michelle, a conversation that was interrupted, almost in mid-syllable, by the recent tornadoes that laid waste across northern Alabama; she lives in Birmingham, just north and east of Tuscaloosa. I came away from our conversation with a sharper appreciation for the artist and her work; I'd like to share that conversation with you now.

Steve: In order to know more about who a person is, I believe it's useful to learn about what came before; so, Michelle, what can you tell us about your early years? You know, where are you from? What was it like growing up? What's your family situation? What are some of the pivotal points along life's winding path that brought you to where you are today?

Michelle: I was born and raised in Anniston, Alabama, a quintessential small town. My childhood was filled with a vast imagination; from as early as I can remember I was always in my "own little world". Maybe used as an escape from the difficulties of growing up, I could see the world in a very creative way.

The Door

While maybe not what some would call "book-smart", growing up I learned real quick like that I was better with a paint brush than a math book. So it was that after high school I enrolled in a local university's art program; but, with the many distractions life presents us with, I left school without obtaining my degree....something I will surely kick myself for all the rest of my days.

For most of the next decade I abandoned art in every form; I became a robot to society. I was tending bar when I married in 2005; a year later we had our first child and I became a stay at home mom. I had the cute little family and life was good.

But always feeling like something in my life was missing I was depressed to have nothing to be passionate about; I needed to "find myself" again. So with a $200 “point and shoot” digital camera, I started going out with nothing more than a water bottle and road map on what I like to call "photo hunts". I would post my finds on my personal Facebook page and before I knew it, I started gaining some attention.

S: Growing up, was there anyone among your family or friends that influenced or encouraged your creativity? How old were you when you got started, and what sort of media or activities did you focus on to express yourself?

M: I really don’t know where I got the art bug; no one else in my family seemed to share my interest. I was in middle school when I started doodling cartoons, and by early high school I decided I wanted to go to college to become a cartoonist. I wanted to create my own cartoon to hopefully be published in the newspapers one day.

Simply Country

I always had a love for photography, though! I admired it from afar but never imagined I would one day pick up my own camera. I have had no schooling with a camera or in the use of editing software; I’m totally self taught.

Music is just as important to me as art...for essentially they are one in the same. As a child of the 90's, grunge and alternative bands appealed to me, but The Beatles were my haven. And to this day, I still find inspiration from The Beatles.

S: What were your cartoons about? Was there a message you were trying to get across? Did you favor any particular subject matter?

M: My cartoon was about my little brother and me. I think our adventures growing up were a lot like Calvin and Hobbes. We actually dug up Mom's landscaping once looking for dinosaur bones. The only message is that you can never have enough fun with some outdoor play and imagination.

S: Very cool! I can just visualize the two of you on your very own paleontological dig in the backyard...and bringing in the thigh bone from a T-Rex to show your mom. What a hoot!

You said just a moment ago that you "... always had a love for photography” and that you “admired it from afar..."; what was it that drew you to photography, what was it that you admired?

M: We were a hoot! Trouble even ;) I feel bad for our Mom, but now looking back, those were some funny adventures. Although, it does make me nervous about my two boys growing up, no telling what they will get into.

A Place To Call Home

The idea of capturing a memory in time, timeless pieces; what a treasure photography can be! Like when I photograph old abandoned houses, I like to think I am giving them immortal life.

Before I snap the camera, I can see the end result. I can see what I want the picture to become after editing and framing. So photography gives me a chance to release those images in my head and show the world through my lens.

S: When did you pick up your first camera? Do you have any film experience, or is it all digital?

M: Ha-ha, as a kid I was NEVER without one of those disposable cameras...back then, everyone had one. Now for the earth and all, I am glad we have moved past them.

I never worked with film, unless you count the disposable cameras. I got my first digital in 2005....just a simple point and shoot $200 Cannon. I didn't start taking photography seriously until August 2009, so I am about to hit my two year mark.

S: Clearly, photography is a passion; what inspires you?

M: Being a HUGE history geeker, anything with a past attracts me. I love to imagine the stories behind old places, the people who once lived in them. My photography has a southern feel to it, an ambiance that can only be found here in the Deep South. I would say that my style is a blend of rustic history with a dash of old southern charm.

S: When you get that itch to go shoot, what attracts your lens? What is a normal photo outing like for you? Do you have any favorite places you like to go to capture images?

Escape

M: What attracts my attention to photograph? Anything with a past; old anything; abandoned anything. I know nothing about cars but I can really appreciate an older one. I love the thrill of an abandonment. It's somewhat haunting to explore an old place. I am also extremely girly so flower photography has a place in my heart as well.

A normal outing for me is usually well planned. I map out my route and bring along a water bottle, a sack lunch and a list of places I plan to find. I usually do research ahead of time to discover the history behind a particular home or site I wish to explore.

Of course, with the use of GPS, going off the beaten path is my ultimate joy. I like to avoid interstates and busy highways. I want a good county road or dirt road...maybe even a no trespassing sign or two. ;)

I feel it's better to apologize later rather than ask permission, and I have only been chased by dogs a handful of times. It all comes with the territory and thrill of the hunt.

As for my favorite places, I usually don't give those away :) I love rural scenes the most though.

S: Do you have any favorite photographers or roll models? Is there anyone you particularly admire, try to emulate or are inspired by? Can you share some of that with us?

M: I wish I had a better answer...makes me want to improve on this topic. But I don't have a favorite photographer; sad, I know.

I admire tons of Etsy photographers...lots of talent out there in the photography world but to name a particular photographer, I am afraid I cannot.

The Road That Leads To You

And I don't try to emulate anyone, I do exactly the opposite. I really want my photography to unique; one of a kind.

S: So, Michelle, what does the future hold for you? Where is photography taking you, or where are you going to take it?

M: What does the future hold for me? Here's hoping I can live in a world of arts, always...that I can maintain my passion for photography. May I continue to learn and improve....I am hoping I can create a legacy for the places I find and photograph. Give them life even after many years have passed.

It's sad, I once photographed a little old country store (the print is actually for sale in my Etsy shop) and I recently found that the store had been torn down. I had thought I'd go back to photograph it again but it's just gone.

I think all the photographers out there who are photographing all of these places that tell of our history are helping to keep it alive. Conservation...and that's important for the generations to come.

So here's to my plan to continue to do something that makes me happy and keeps me feeling passionate in life :)

Lost In Thought

S: That sounds like a fine plan to me, Michelle; it's hard to go wrong if you're pursuing your passion and doing what makes you happy. I wish you the best of luck with all you do! Also, I want to thank you for taking this time with me, especially with all that's been going on down there with the tornadoes and such. I hope all remains well for you and yours in the weeks and months ahead.

__________________________________________________

"PhotoGrunt" is Steve Raley, a photographic documentarian from Seattle, Washington. He captures images wherever he goes, and he frequently even uses a camera. His work can be seen on his website, blog and his Etsy shop.

Wandering Eye

2011-04-27T19:34:00.002-04:00

There are high roads, low roads and roads that rise up to meet you. At least one road is paved with good intentions, and if the old adage is to be believed, it will lead one straight to perdition. It was once said that "all roads lead to Rome"; that may or may not have been true, but what is true is that all roads lead somewhere, even if that "somewhere" is in "the middle of nowhere". This time out the Wandering Eye settles on "the road"; and, why would it not? The road is a very handy thing to anyone that wanders, whether it be to Rome or to the middle of nowhere.

Road Less Traveled - RightOnStrange

The path - MatkirschPhoto

Scarlet Skies - studiocvh

Ditch Road - rrobertsphoto

Old Homestead - curioush

Winter moon - DavePeterson

head for the hills - shannonpix

Forgotten Road - JulieMagersSoulen

Street Iron - edrazphotography

Liquid Tunnel - mariterecr

And I, I took the one less traveled by - LindseysPhotography

All roads lead to... - ewaldronyuhas

Wanderer - davita

Country Road - bbrunophotography

On Meetinghouse Road - buckscountyframes

Comm Lines - PhotoGrunt

30mph Corner - jessicarogers

The Road - dnoyes

The Road - SilverHorsePhotos

Through the Dark Woods - firstlightphoto

Which Way Today - ljdesignphoto

RR Railroad Crossing 2 - Justbecausephoto

The High Road - photographybyGray

October Morning - LaurieBreton

Nobody Home - kellywarrenphotoart

middle of the road - saramontour

Freedom - MagMoment

Bronxville Street Sign - JBWPhoto

_________________________________________________

Focus On: Tag Words

2011-04-20T19:08:00.003-04:00

I've been featuring the work of POE members, both here and on my own blog for a little over a year, and in all that time one thing has piqued my curiousity above all others. Why was it, I wondered, that in all my searches for work by POE members, the same names kept popping up?

Our Team currently has over 1800 members, and most of them are unfamiliar to me. That may not seem odd to you, but in the past 14 months I've spent quite a bit of time looking at and searching through the work of POE members. I'm not saying that I have a more extensive knowledge of our membership than anybody else, but with the exposure I've had I would expect to have encountered many more of you than I have.

There are of course cracks in any system, and it would be expected for a certain number to have fallen through, but not as many as apparently have. The reason that so many members are absent from my searches is that while I'm using the search term "poe team" not everyone is including it in their allowed list of 14 tag words. So, not only are they not showing up on my radar, they're also not showing up when any other contributor is looking for member content to include on the POE Blog, nor is their work showing up when anyone wants to include POE images in their treasuries. So, if you want to improve your chances of having your images show up on our blog, as well as any number of treasuries, follow these two basic steps:

1.) Use all of your 14 allowable tag words.

2.) Ensure "poe team" is included in that list.

I took a random and unguided tour through a number of member shops looking for images that didn't have "poe team" included as a tag word; here's a taste of what I've been missing.

The Mittens - UNCLELEE

Ice Car - gregbphotography

Gothic Self Portrait - Jenkiabaphotography

Self Portrait - KaraPesznecker

Old Stories are the Best Stories - keithdotson

Yellow Peril - AbiBoothPhotography

Uptown Theater No. 3 - Carolineanissa

Sacramento Gold Tower Bridge - bobkeenan

Winter Night, New York City - bradmeese

Emergence - LensArtwork

Morningstar Mill and Dam - mcresearch

Vintage Plymouth - NebraskaSky

Baby Chinnos - PhotographyByAnita

Alone - photographybyGray

FISHING BOAT 1 - RabbitHoleProduction

Skating Backwards at The Wharf, San Francisco - SerantoniDesigns

Paris ( 01 ) - SenArt

Tulips - stillpoint

Reflections of Barcelona - trekkerjen

Seven - zseike

__________________________________________________

January, February & March Slideshows are LIVE!

2011-04-14T20:06:00.001-04:00

I thought I had posted January and February's slideshows, but I don't see them so will post them all for everyone to see...

The theme for January is... HOLIDAY HANGOVER

The theme for February is... THE HEART WANTS, WHAT THE HEART WANTS

The theme for March is THE COLOR GREEN

Visit Etsy and search POE team for more great photography!

APRIL SLIDESHOW INFO...
info from Taryn, please email your entries to Taryn at

The theme was originally Springs (the object) but we have only received a few images, and so the them has been expanded and the deadline extended to next Wednesday April 20th.

THEME: "Let's Spring into Spring" . Don't have a pics of springs? Don't want to search out springs and create a new pic? We have expanded the theme to include "SPRING" Springing in to Springs, Springs, and what Spring looks like to you. Explore the coming of spring, how it tastes, feels, looks and send us your best Spring or Springs shot!

Images should be at least 5x7 and 72dpi. And each member may submit 2 pictures.

Wandering Eye

2011-04-13T19:37:00.001-04:00

Last time out we landed on the beach, and with 70% of our planet covered by water, beaches are not hard to find. Neither, it would seem, are islands, which is what the Wandering Eye settles on week. From Greece to Australia to Sloveina to Scotland to California to South Carolina, and points in between...islands; and, more than a couple lighthouses!

Stairs on The Beach - PhotoArtByWendy

The Things You'll Never Know - poofny

The Lighthouse (No. 2) - FlashForward

Voilier Blanc - Scotland - GalerieNoire

Johns Island Festival of Lights - tlsprinkle

Still Waters - gbrosseau

Sailboat In Salem - dappledesigns

Island Pier Seascape - HeyHarriet

ZigZag Sunset2 - lovenaturephotos

Cana Island Lighthouse - timkantphotography

Kauai Sunrise - KhoKreative

Big Rock La Push - PlumLanePhotos

Land and Sea - talis

Island - stephmel

Beach Fence 3 - schugirl

Round Island Michigan Lighthouse - Celticcatphotos

Alcatraz - rrobertsphoto

Lighthouse Rose Island - JLMPHOTOGRAPHS

Sun Setting Over Catalina - JimAmosPhotos22

Silent Pier - JenniferLynnPhotos

Fairytale island church - shashamane

Hunting Island Sunrise - BillSwindamanPhoto

_________________________________________________

Focus On: YdnarImaging

2011-04-06T15:17:00.003-04:00

Captain Jack

When I first took over this post, my method of selecting my subjects was to stick with what, or whom, I was familiar with. It soon became apparent to me that I was milling around in a very small corner of our team, so I decided to "mix it up" a bit. I sought out subjects that were not from the US, as well as subjects whose work I was not familiar with. Most of the inhabitants of Etsy, and by extension our team, are women, so it is that most of my subjects are lacking a "Y" chromosome. But there are also men in our midst, so I try to represent that demographic as well. Oddly, I have had two gentlemen decline to participate, and two more fail to complete the interview process. And yet, I continue to march.

This time out not only is my subject a "guy", but he's someone whose work I was unfamiliar with, yet found very impressive. Please let me introduce you to Randy Nyhof, owner of YdnarImaging.

Steve: I always like to start by getting to know a bit about the person I'm interviewing. So Randy, what can you tell us about yourself? Where are you from? What was it like growing up? What's your family like? What are some of the things that make you who you are?

Randy: My name is Randall (Randy) Nyhof. I was born in Zeeland Michigan and grew up south of there in farming country. I attended a two room country school house from kindergarten through 8th grade. There were 5 of us in my graduating class. After high school I attended Calvin College intending on becoming an architect, but lost interest in that after two years and switched my major to art.

I began working with images as a child, mainly drawing and painting. My art major was in painting and printmaking and I studied under Chris Overvoorde, Norm Mathias, Robin Jensen, Carl Huisman, and later with Takishi Takahara at Grand Valley State University.

Clouds in the Everglades

Around this time I also took an interest in photography. I found I could make more images in a very short time with a camera than with a paint brush. I began to devote more time to learning photography at this point. Since Calvin had no classes in photography most of us on campus got together and exchanged ideas etc., so I am basically a self-taught photographer. I became known as “The” Photographer on campus.

I graduated with a degree in Art and Education, and for a few years I looked around for a teaching job in Art, without success. I ended up working for a photo store for a while, and then I got a job as a school portrait photographer. After working for this employer for 4 years, I was able to purchase my own franchise dealership with School Pictures, Inc. of New York. My territory included the area where I grew up and where I now live in Grand Rapids. It essentially included about a third of the state in South West Michigan. I still own and operate this business 35 years later.

I am married and have three grown children, a son in-law and two grandchildren with a third on the way.

My images and interests include landscapes, seascapes, wildlife, people, fine art, abstracts, surreal, fantasy, and digital compositing. I have been involved in photography now for over forty years. During the last decade I have obtained a number of awards and have had a number of my works published. My work has been published in Popular Photography, Photo Life Magazine in Canada, B&W Magazine, Color Magazine, Focus Magazine, Photoforum's Best of Photography Annuals, Trierenberg Super Circuit in Austria, I was featured in an article in Burrell ProColor Labs Rainbow Magazine and also I have been published in local publications. For me, photography and creating images is an exciting adventure of which I never tire.

Canoe on the Thornapple River

S: I'm curious about your segue from architecture to art; what drew you to want to become an architect in the first place?

When you made the move from architecture to art, were you moving "from" architecture or "to" art? What was it that either drove you from one or to the other?

R: When I was in High School I took courses in Drafting and Architecture. I enjoyed designing things. I decided that a career as an architect was probably the most viable one in order to make a living. Photography at this point was not even considered. After being in the architecture program for two years, the physics and calculus courses got to me. So I became a history major. That lasted one semester. I then changed my major to art, one of the things I was fairly good at. This was all during the late sixties when everything was in a bit of turmoil and uncertainty.

S: It sounds like it may have been the creative aspect that not only drew you to architecture, but to art as well.

Growing up, was there anyone in your family or close associations with an artistic bent that you looked up to; a role model perhaps or someone who encouraged your early artistic efforts?

R: I had two aunts that were fairly good artists and my one grandfather at one time did some pretty nice work, but gave it up. I was always attracted to images. Growing up in the 50's we got the Saturday Evening Post Magazine and I always admired Norman Rockwell's and the other artists cover illustrations. I found I was attracted to sights and images that others would simply pass by, such as a crack in the sidewalk. Other than that, the visual arts did not seem to play a big role in the environment that I grew up in.

Christina's World revisited

S: Having been in the photography field for as long as you have, a large part of your experience must have been with film. What are your thoughts on film versus digital? When did you start shooting digitally, and do you still shoot any film?

R: Personally I love digital, with the resolution that I have in todays cameras the quality is there for large prints. The ability to make adjustments with RAW files surpasses anything I could do with film. I still have a number of film cameras on the shelf. Some 35mm, 645 format, 6x7 format and even a 6x9 rangefinder. Also on the shelf are several Camerz ZII long roll film cameras. I no longer use any of them, the immediacy of digital is so much more convenient. I also have a high resolution medium format film scanner that I keep around if I desire to work with any images from my film past. I made the complete switch to digital for my personal work in 2004 but it wasn't until 2006 that I made the switch completely to digital in my school portrait business. I was a wholesale dealer for the Jostens Photography Division for 14 years and they were not quite ready to make the switch. Jostens is no longer in the photography business and I am now affiliated with another Professional Portrait Lab for producing my school photography products.

S: I think I know what you mean. I have several film cameras, with associated lenses and other dedicated paraphernalia that I no longer use, but can't bring myself to let go of.

I've never thought to ask anyone this question before, but with post processing evident in so many of your images, what do you enjoy more, the capturing of the image or its digital manipulation and processing after the fact?

Milkweed Pods in Black And White 2979

R: That's hard to say, I really enjoy capturing the image and pay particular attention to camera settings and the cropping in the viewfinder etc. Sometimes when I capture an image I already have some idea of the post processing that I will be doing. Other times the capture is more like a sketch of an idea that will be transformed into a finished image later. My wife and I will go on photo excursions with no preconceived idea of what we will actually be photographing. It truly is an adventure.

S: That's another one of the things I like about shooting digital; the processing can be done in the light of day, anywhere you and your laptop happen to be.

When you go on your photo excursions, is there any particular subject matter you find your lens drawn to?

R: I am partial to Landscapes and also old run down items or buildings. I think I first approach an image by noting its form or composition. My training in abstract art reflects this. In Architecture Form always had to follow Function. If one designed a beautiful building but it did not function properly for its purpose it would be considered a failure. In Art, Form and Function may be one in the same. Other thoughts and ideas on this are brought out in a book by artist and photographer Ben Shahn "The Shape of Content". Another great book for addition perspectives is "Criticizing Photographs: An Introduction to Understanding Images" by Terry Barrett.

Footprints on Beach at Kirk Park

S: You mentioned that you and your wife go on photo excursions; are these day-trips, weekend outings or longer getaways? Where do you like to go? Is your wife a photographer too?

R: Sometimes they are day trips, sometimes longer. As a member of the President's Club with Jostens and later with the Presidential Circle with Burrell Pro Colour Lab we would go to business meetings about twice a year in various locations. For example we have been to San Diego three times, San Antonio twice, Reno, Bahamas, Naples FL, Orlando twice, Breckenridge, Winnipeg Manitoba numerous times, and a number of other places etc. On many of these trips we would spend and extra week or so in the area. Also we have a daughter, son in-law, and two grandchildren that live in Edmonton Alberta. On our last trip there we spent some time going through the Badlands, Black Hills, Yellowstone and Glacier National Park. We’re always looking for excuses to go on photo excursions. Yes my wife is also an accomplished photographer, but spends more of her time quilting and with Quilt Organizations.

S: Do you have any favorite photographers? Is there anyone you can point to that has had an influence on your work?

R: There are many photographers who I admire and probably have been an influence in one way or another. In alphabetical order some of them are Ansel Adams, Margaret Bourke-White, Jim Brandenburg, Clyde Butcher, Robert Capa, Walker Evans, Robert Frank, Yousuf Karsch, Mary Ellen Mark, Joel Meyerowitz, Arnold Newman, Gordon Parks, Man Ray, Galen Rowell, Ben Shahn, John Sexton, W. Eugene Smith, Edward Steichen, Alfred Stieglitz, Paul Strand, Jerry Uelsmann, Edward Weston, and Art Wolfe.

Eye glasses and book lit by light through venetian blinds

S: Randy, focusing on your art, what tools do you use? What's in your bag? Do you have a favorite setup? What do you use for post processing?

R: My camera bag as of now consists of a Canon 5D MkII with a 24-70mm L lens, A Canon 50D usually equipted with a 200-400mm L Lens, A Canon Rebel T2i with a Tameron 18-270mm Di II lens, and a Sony Alpha 700 with a sony 18-250mm lens. Other lenses in the bag are a 24mm Canon Tilt-Shift lens, a Sigma 15-35mm lens for full frame Canon, a Canon 50mm Macro lens, a Canon 1.4 tele-extender, a 17-85mm IS Canon Lens, and a Sigma 50-500mm lens for the Sony. I also use Bogan Manfrotto Tripods. Also in the bag are some Canon 580,550 shoe flashes and an assortment of polarizing and neutral density filters.

For studio set-ups I use mainly Photogenic and Speed-o-tron lighting units.

Most of my post processing is done in Adobe Photoshop CS4, with maybe some adjustments done in Camera Raw before opening in Photoshop. I also use plugin filters within Photoshop. The ones I use the most often are: Lucis Pro 6.0, All the Topaz Filters, Auto fx Software, Digital Anarchy Primatte 3.0. Although I do some work on PC computers most of my work is done on a Mac Pro with dual Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors and 10 GB of RAM. For printing images I have an Epson Stylus Pro 4880 and an Epson Stylus Pro 7600. I also use Minolta Flash Lightmeters for the studio set-ups with a gray card for checking the histogram and setting a custom white balance.

S: Well Randy, having been behind the lens for 40 years or so, most of it professionally, what's next for you; where do you go from here?

R: Having watched the Professional Photography Industry decline over the past decade in regards to revenue and because I am getting older and can not move as fast as I once could, I decided to put some effort into other areas of photography, mainly Fine Art Photography. I am testing the waters so to speak with images not only at Etsy, but also I have put images on Red Bubble, Imagekind, Deviant Art, Photoshelter, and my website through Better Photo.com. Next I suppose I will set up a Blog and rework my Facebook page to promote my fine art photography. Who knows where it will go from there.

Weathering the Gulls

S: Randy, thank you for taking this time with me; I enjoy your work and I've enjoyed getting to know a bit about the man behind the camera. I wish you the best of luck!

R: Thanks Steve! Best wishes for you also.

__________________________________________________

Wandering Eye

2011-03-31T00:33:00.001-04:00

Not exactly spring break material, but this time out, the "Wandering Eye" lands...

...on the beach!

Sunset Dream - zMacPhotography

Cetera - AlliLucy

Horizons - paintednegative

Barques en Baie de Somme (Boats in the Bay of Somme) - GalerieNoire

Songbirds - magnesina

SEE GLASS - OceanSkye

Two Rocks on the Beach - octoberphotography

Panorama-- The Ocean - Mattgoldephotography

As Night Fell - RaysOfGrace

New Haven Lighthouse - orangecatart

fine art horse photo - equinoxphoto

Old good days - ColoursBetweenSeas

Coastal Train Tracks - anaramirezphoto

Epave de Bateau 01 - MarcoLaGrenouille

Foamy Surf - bbrunophotography

_________________________________________________

Focus On: anikatoro

2011-03-25T13:27:00.000-04:00

Kiawah Beach

Anika Toro is the owner/operator of anikatoro. She joined Etsy a little over a year ago, and she's another POE member I first encountered on the team forum. I've long admired, not only her “eye”, but what she does with it. I recently had an opportunity to have an extended conversation with her; I'd like to share that with you now.

Steve: Anika, you've seen enough of these profiles to know what my first question is going to be, so tell us a bit about yourself. What were your "formative years" like? Where are you from? What was it like growing up? What's your family like? What are some of the things that made Anika, Anika?

Anika: Well, I was born in South America and raised by my mom and her family in the Bay Area of Northern California. I think living in Northern California definitely had an impact on who I became. It's a very independent place full of characters.

Both my aunt and my father were excellent photographers and always had a camera on hand. My dad was a diplomat and so lived throughout the world. He liked to share exciting stories and talk about his photos well up until the day he passed. He also collected art wherever he went and so his walls were always covered. His interests were varied and so he had African sculptures, watercolors from the Caribbean and South America, ink drawings from Pakistan, dyed work from Tajikistan, carvings from Asia, oils from Europe...I was very lucky to see all these different kinds of art. I think that his stories, the traveling, and living in California made me a very open minded person.

I always thought my mom had a great visual eye, sewed like a master, and could draw really well. She still has a wonderful, creative spirit and a good visual eye. They both really encouraged having art and music in my life.

Knoxville

When I was about nine or ten my mom set up after school art classes in lieu of day care. It was one of the best things my mother ever did for me. My teacher would spend a few hours a week teaching me a different skill. I learned about everything from pottery and ceramics to stained and etched glass to oil painting and watercolors. Even now when I am creating something, lessons and instructions that teacher taught me still come to mind.

My grandmother was also a huge part of who I am now. An Irish woman, married to a Polish man growing up in South America; a Pan American medal winner for diving; an ESL teacher. She was tough, loving, a great athlete, a music lover, had a large heart, and was quite a unique character. We couldn’t go anywhere, anywhere, without her getting hugged and kissed! She was very fun and extremely encouraging. I spent most of my childhood time with her and so I think she had a great influence on me.

S: Clearly, your early exposure to and instruction in art, and the creative process played a big part in making you who you are. What was it, do you suppose, that drew you to photography? When and where did you get your start? Have you had formal training or are you self taught?

A: When I graduated from high school I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do. I went to a small college in the East Bay, and after about a year in, hating it and feeling miserable, I decided to investigate what was going on in San Francisco.

I started taking a few extension education classes at the SF Art Institute; my favorite was a class entitled Experimental and Pinhole Photography. The class was taught by a woman who only used a Holga and a man that only used pinhole cameras he made...his VW van was a camera!

Peacock - 4D Easel Print

They were talented, confident in what they did, and their artwork was so impressive. They were really inspiring. I think it was in the darkroom of that class that I knew I wanted to have photography in my life. Losing myself in the darkroom and constantly being surprised by what these cameras produced really brought a lot of happiness into my life.

So, that was it, I dropped out of the college I always thought I was supposed to attend and went to art school. It was a much better fit for me. In school I continued to take some straightforward and experimental printing classes, ignored my Photoshop classes (what can I say, I was young!) and started making some still movies with live soundtracks. I started looking at images from Cindy Sherman and Duane Michaels. Her stories through still imagery and his images combined with text became a new focus. These few years in SF really made the basis for who I am today although discussing that now it seems so long ago! But that is the foundation of my life with photography I suppose.

S: OK, we know more about "Anika, the early years..."; outside of photography, tell us a bit about your life today. Who has Anika become? What is your life like now?

A: I’m really happy with where life has taken me. I’m living in Tennessee where the people are friendly and the environment is always so beautiful. I live with my wonderful and talented husband, a baby who’s about to turn two and two kitties full of character.

I feel really lucky to be staying home with my daughter. We laugh a lot and experience our brand new life together...it’s been a lot of fun. I’d say that that part of my life does take up most of my day so I am learning about re-prioritizing and balance. (Who knew I could be happy with 4 hours less sleep?!) I love spending time in the garden, and when I can, I enjoy visiting places I have never been…but that goes back to photography I think. Travel and a camera go hand in hand right? I love collaborating with other artists and so started the ACoLab, a collaborative site, and have just started doing some writing for a new magazine the FPOE is putting out. I find that keeping a bunch of projects going keeps the pre-mom side of me in the forefront...I think it’s important for my daughter to see and for me to keep happy.

3D Photo Block

S: What inspires you, photographically speaking? When you get that itch to go shoot something, what usually attracts your lens?

A: Sometimes I get very excited to go to a particular location or I get a thought in my head and set up a specific shot.

Textures, I definitely like textures. I would say that most of my photography is based on shots of a present moment. If I am out and about, waiting in line somewhere, for example, I use my cameras to entertain myself. I will snap a few shots with the intention of adding a texture later in PS or of flipping it and adding another layer of the image, maybe collaging the pieces. I find that I’m never bored that way and working with these images provides a lot of inspiration and opportunities to stumble onto new ideas.

Most of my straight photography (and the work that I show most in Etsy) still come from those “now” moments, but it’s more about finding a texture or image that sums up a complete moment, experience, or day.

I like things that represent more than what they are...my eye is caught by things that are left behind, forgotten, or so simple they are often overlooked. I like the underdogs of reality - objects that in their particular setting tell a story but are not seemingly significant.

I like my eye to go where my mind wouldn’t necessarily take me first; that’s usually where I find my image. Does that totally make me sound insane? I guess we are all a bit eccentric in our own ways. I just think that inspiration can come from really simple things and that beauty is EVERYWHERE…it’s just a matter of perspective or changing perspective.

S: Do you have any favorite photographers? Is there anyone you particularly admire or emulate? Can you share some of that with us?

A: The people who come to mind right now are artists I recently stumbled onto through Flickr or via blogging.

Vivian Maier has been the talk of the town lately and rightly so. I greatly admire the way she seems to capture the truth of a moment or person. Her photography is really quite remarkable. Maier’s technique, use of light, capturing the moment...she really does separate herself as one of the greats.

White Chair

I’ve also recently discovered people like Rebecca Cairnes, Matthias Heiderich, and Dan Mountford. Rebecca takes these very moody black and white shots, mostly multiple exposures, a bit ethereal. The always inspiring site The Jealous Curator described her as “Diane Arbus meets Cindy Sherman”, totally spot-on description.

Mattias Heiderich is a pretty straight forward photographer but has this amazing eye. His compositions and use of color and empty space are so beautiful. I think he’s my new favorite inspiration.

Dan Mountford photographs multiple exposures with interesting and very graphic compositions. The way he composes his images is complex and sometimes almost technical but they have this really easy feel to them. There are layers of interest to each photo too, really compelling work.

Etsy has some great photographers that come to mind as well. I really like Frances Seward’s images. Looking at her work makes me think of all my favorite abstract paintings. I also admire photographers that seem to have fun with their story telling, photographers who show great technique but also a sense of humor or levity. I think I am always inspired by mixed media photographers or artists that combine photos with other found imagery, magazines, things like that. My favorite photographers are the ones that can translate their minds eye through the lens, ones who create a narrative from their own imagination using different methods of shooting.

I just learned of Eszter Burghardt. She has created these beautiful landscapes of Iceland all in miniature sets in her Vancouver home! Anyone who can turn coffee grounds into a beautiful prop is my kind of lady! I know it wouldn’t mean anything without her great technique, but for me I really am attracted to her ideas.

Kitty's View of the Sky

I guess I don’t really try to emulate artists anymore. I did years ago, then discovered what I love shooting and what I want to create. I’m very inspired by other people but I think what is great about art and photography is that we all see and interpret things, even the same exact thing, differently. I really try to embrace that idea.

S: You know, that's my favorite question. More often that not, when I ask that question I learn about photographers previously unknown to me!

So, Anika, tell us about your tools. What's in your bag; what do you use to get your images?

A: I know what you mean! Many times I will be reading your interview and find out about very inspirational artists I have never heard of. It’s exciting.

I’m afraid my bag isn’t as exciting as I would like it to be.

I still have the first camera I ever used, my dad’s old Canon, but I’m afraid it sits in a corner most of the time as the digital age is so easy and much more affordable. However, I do still use film in my Holga and also in my Lubitel 166. I’ve shot with the Holga for about 15 years now and love it but with all the new apps available on the computer I do admit to not shooting with it as much as I used to.

I have a Canon DSLR, a Rebel, and just branched off with a more portable Nikon CoolPix7000. See? Simple. I would love some bells and whistles in the way of some different lighting and lenses but until then I have gotten to know what my cameras are capable of and shoot within those parameters. Anything beyond their capabilities is done through Photoshop. I am quite happy with them though; they are trusty, lightweight, user friendly, and give some great quality shots.

I also have to admit that I shoot a lot with my phone. Does that sound horrible? I LOVE the camera on my phone and the shots I get with it. It’s always inspiring. Shooting with an iPhone gives me the same feeling that shooting with my Brownie used to, or that my Holga does. I guess when it comes down to it, I know that a great lens and great camera can make some superb shots, but for me, it’s all about creating a photo with any kind of camera- Pinhole, plastic, toy, Hasselblad…every tool inspires in its own way. A Hasselblad would be pretty awesome though wouldn’t it??

San Jose Memory

S: So, Anika, what does the future hold for you? Where is photography taking you, or vice-versa?

A: Well, I’m not sure really. I don’t really even know what I am having for dinner! I plan to continue blogging; I am learning more about photography than ever it seems through different ways to display my images to new ways I can utilize Photoshop. (Bloggers are so open with sharing their knowledge and tips about photography and Photoshop!)

I also really love collaborating with other artists; this includes smaller collaborations like the Miss Match group the FPOE has, a project I started called the ACoLab, and also some new collaborations with people I have met through blogging, Etsy, or Flickr.

I love doing the Etsy thing, it teaches me a lot about my work and the business side to things in a very low pressure kind of environment. I still like having a show here and there and I will be testing the waters at my first farmer’s market this year. Photography keeps me thinking and always puts a smile on my face so I am happy to follow it wherever it wants to take me.

S: You know, it's perfectly acceptable not to have a formulated plan. Sometimes you choose the path, and sometimes the path chooses you. Besides, you've got enough stuff going on to keep you busy; whether you settle on one thing or continue to pursue multiple interests, it's all good!

Anika, I've very much enjoyed learning more about you; thank you so much for taking this time to visit with me!

A: It was my pleasure! Thanks so much Steve. I always enjoy reading this post of yours and so feel very flattered to be a part.

When is the interviewer going to become the interviewee?? I'd love to know more about PhotoGrunt. Just let me know when you feel up to the task...I'd be happy to turn the tables. ;)

S: You know, that's an interesting question. I've been doing the "Focus On" post for almost a year, and you're the third of fourth person to express an interest in "turning the tables". Perhaps the time approaches for all to be revealed.

Light Study 12

__________________________________________________

Harmony #1 - Teamwork

2011-03-23T08:35:00.004-04:00

Welcome to the first Harmony post. Here I will feature shots by both the Photographers of Etsy and the Female Photographers of Etsy teams. It’s my hope that in doing this post you will learn about some talented photographers of Etsy you may not yet know of. Also, I encourage you to check out the FPOE blog. Just like with this site, it is full of beautiful photography, insights into Etsy and Photography, and links to inspirational sites; you are bound to be impressed!

In the spirit of bringing us all together, of teamwork, I thought that our first post would showcase some shops that are currently donating their profits to disaster relief in Japan. Without further ado, Harmony #1- Teamwork.

Top Left: (POE) "Wonder" by Roadside Photographs. Top Right: (FPOE) "I Helped Japan" by Rhodric Photography.

Middle Left: (FPOE) "Sunrise" by EvieMarieBee. Middle Right: (POE) "Late Summer Sea" by abcdimages.
Bottom Left: (FPOE) "We're All A Little Bit Fragile" by ALPhotography. Bottom Right: (POE) "Blossom Viewing Boats"

my mishaashton.

Anika is a proud member of the POE and the FPOE. She invites you to check out her shop, read her blog, and collaborate!

Wandering Eye

2011-03-18T01:13:00.000-04:00

It covers 70% percent of our planet, and without it, life as we know it could not exist. This week the Wandering Eye settles on...Water!

low tide beach - qmphoto

Midnight In Our Garden Three - barbraziemerphoto

Urban River - edrazphotography

Pipeline - ConstellationPhoto

Diamond Dragonfly Brooch no. 2 - kwinkelerphotos

Ferris Wheel - tlsprinkle

Firewater - JudiFitzPatrick

The Magic Castle - shashamane

Calls Landing, Leeds - soeasilydistracted

The Sky - StevesPhoto

Liquid Tunnel - mariterecr

Lava Twister - PuaArts

Under The Bridge - AnCarPhotography

_________________________________________________

Wandering Eye

2011-03-09T17:19:00.001-05:00

Variations on a theme.

Two weeks ago, because I was in Florence, the "Wandering Eye" settled on Florence. Last week, because we had layovers in Germany, both going to and coming from Italy, it settled on Germany. Well, we also stopped in Toronto both ways, so guess what? This week we're looking at Canada. Enjoy!

Weed in Snow No. 7 - rrobertsphoto

Hidden in the Grass - HolgaJen

Shadow - jenndphotography

The Grain Train - newamsterdam

A Contextual Example of Linear Perspective - LuthienRising

Dawn On The Marys River Labrador - Celticcatphotos

Boatwreck - photographybymoni

Icewalk - ljangphotography

Queen of the Yukon - missquitecontrary

Setting Sun - FotogirlCreations

Moonlit Lake - KhoKreative

Totem - RightOnStrange

Got Lunch - Polar Bear - NatureIsArt

_________________________________________________