So, I've been doing my thing here for a little while now. I think things are going well. I've met quite a few great artists. And I've gotten lots of help from them as well. I love when people aren't afraid to tell me where I can improve on my pieces. That's the whole reason I started this account. I want to know what I can do to make my work better. Whereas all my friends and family will only tell me how much they like my photos, and how "pretty" they are. Not really a whole lot of help.

Several people have mentioned the fact that 99% of the photos I take are in black and white. Very few ask why. Even fewer get a direct response. So, now, I'm going to answer that question for all. A great photo is a great photo whether it is in color or black and white. But for me, black and white prints take away all the obvious details that color gives you. It makes you actually look at the piece in it entirety. The subject, the shapes, contrasts, textures, etc. Whereas in a color photo, most are just glanced over and no one gives them a second thought.

My first photography teacher once told me that a successful work is one that makes the audience do a double take when they look at it, whether the individual themselves realize the reaction or not. I took this statement to heart. I agreed with him completely. Because let's face it, if a piece doesn't make you want to give it more than just a passing glance, if it doesn't linger in the back of your mind when you leave it, then it really has no effect on you. It has no "umph."

All I want, from any of my pieces, is for them to linger in the back of you mind like the smell of honeysuckles on a summer breeze.