Jan
31
This mixed media collage is actually a test piece where I was experimenting with different materials.
I chose an 11X14 canvas board and partially covered it with pieces of an old newspaper and different textured papers. I used mod podge to adhere the papers to the canvas. The mod podge also acts a protective finish. In order to add some color to the mix I used acrylic paints which I often favor as they dry quite fast.
I experimented with different type of printed cutouts. I used inkjet and also professional photo prints. No doubt the professional ones worked much better while the inkjet was not as sturdy and water resistant.
I also experimented with two types of image transfer. The inkjet transfer (done with mod podge) was weaker and somewhat faded (the birds are inkjet transfer). The Xerox transfer worked out perfectly and definitely justified the effort of making photocopies and of course the long wait for the transfer to take place. But of course the choice between photocopy transfer and a printer transfer completely depends on the look and feel one is trying to achieve.
I even tried drawing… but soon decided its not really my best talent and I should probably give it up.
Overall I liked using transfers with the mixed media collage over the photo prints mainly for two reasons: 1) using photographic prints didn’t feel like they are going to be long lasting and they might just come off some day in the future. 2) The image transfers simply blend in much better with the other elements of the mixed media artwork.
So here it is. Not yet a masterpiece.
Posted in Experimental, Image transfer, inkjet transfer inkjet print printing transfer
Jan
27
Last week I’ve got an email from someone who is interested in buying a signed black and white print from me. Nothing special about it of course; so why am I telling you this? Well, it turns out this person is a collector of signed black and white photography.
I’m not really keen on collecting anything and I often suspect some people actually use collecting as a disguise for what is actually plain clutter.
When I was a child I tried my hand in stamp collecting after inheriting my older brother’s massive stamp collection but I have to confess this adventure did not last very long before I replaced it with some more exciting activity.
And so my days of being an avid collector were over. And honestly I’m not so sure I understand the sport of collecting things, unless they can be useful in some way.
But anyway, I got curious and looked it up online. It turns out there are groups of fine art photography collectors out there who are quite serious about this whole thing. Mostly they are concerned about photo appraisal and how to care for the prints they purchase. Come to think of it, this is probably one of these type of collections one must learn how to protect their investment from it’s bitter enemies (sun, moisture etc.)
I’m not sure how many types of collections there are that need to be protected from… light!
OK, I didn’t read enough to find out how these collectors keep their precioius fine art photographs. Do they keep them in shoe boxes? In photo albums? In special cases? Do they frame and hang them?
I don’t know, but whatever they do, I’m sure it’s quite fantastic, especially if they have a Nitsa in their collection 
one of my bestsellers signed prints
Posted in Thoughts about photography, black and white photography
Jan
22
This is an update of a previous post.
The first step I took was to make screen shots so I have an evidence they actually used my photos on their website. And of course I made sure I have a couple of witnesses as well.
I then sent them an email and as suggested by Paul I sent them a letter thanking them for using my photos on their site. This letter was shortly followed by a paypal invoice. I charged them $125 for each image they used on their site (and I’ll leave the exciting math calculations to you).
They answered immediately but all they said was that they don’t have a paypal account… Not the response I was hoping for but at least they didn’t’ dispute the fact they are using my photos. And they did not ignore me as well. Well, not yet.
Meanwhile, they did not take the pictures down like I expected they might do but also I didn’t hear from them at all. With heavy heart I knew I should probably plan for a day at the small claim court, what a pain! But this time I was willing to do what it takes to bring justice to my poor abused photos.
I waited until the holidays were well over and I sent them another invoice. This time I increased the total by $150 for 2 weeks overdue.
This time they responded and said they are willing to pay the original amount. I agreed.
And they in fact paid.
So the lesson here to you my dear readers is that you should always fight for what you believe is right. Seriously. Go for it!
clearly it feels good to have this extra $$$ in my account but the real prize here is not the money. It’s about honesty and what’s fair.
and something called justice.
Posted in News & other stuff, Thoughts about photography, toy cameras
Jan
19
Because my books are essentially photography books, I usually like to create pages in my journal to choose the layout and see how the photos are going to work with the text. I get a really nice sketch notebook with heavy pages at a similar size of the book I’m working on. I then print out the photos place them in the journal and add the text. Its much better than seeing the pages on the screen as it gives me an actual feel for the layout.
I use Adobe InDesign to create the book. This program gives me total freedom to design and arrange the book any way I wish and work on each individual chapter at a time. Once the book is done I convert it to PDF which is usually the preferred format by the print on demand publishers.
Lulu is, for the most part, my preferred print on demand, especially since they let people purchase my books in a download format. These downloads are priced so reasonably and make my books accessible to just anybody. Though I was quite hesitant at first to sell photography books in a download version, a large number of my books were purchased in a download format instead of print since I made this option available around a year or so ago.
At the same time of publishing the book with Lulu I also upload and publish my book through CreateSpace. The main reason is that they assign an ISBN number and list the book on Amazon within a week.
Amazon is not a bad place to sell your book.
The next step in the process is sitting back and enjoying all the praise
Posted in Photo Books, print on demand, texture layer amazon createspace isbn lulu photo book photography book print on demand publish publisher
Jan
17
Every once in a while I get questions about the process of writing a book, so I thought I’d share with you the typical path I take when I write my books.
Typically the idea for a book comes out of nowhere when I’m in the shower or riding my bike and such activities that free the brain, but really the ideas and plans do come from somewhere. Usually the idea for a book comes after some time of practicing some method or another as well as writing and sharing thoughts. Eventually there’s a need to gather all this data, the methods, the ideas and photos into one place, and what’s better than putting them all together in a book?
The second step for me is choosing a working title which can obviously change as the book progresses. But the reason I always want to choose a title is that I have a general direction for the book.
At this point I’ll usually look around the net, searching for other related books. I just don’t want to write a book that’s already have been written. Duh!
Once the reason for the existence of this book is established I draw the general outline of the book and make a list of the topics I’m going to write about. Something like a temporary index. However, I do sometimes write without planning the topics ahead and I just go along with the flow of ideas. That works out just fine too.
To be continued in the next post…
Posted in Photo Books, print on demand book publishing idesign photography POD print on demand
Jan
13
In my last visit at the camera store I’ve noticed the price of the Holga is way up.
From just $16.99 a cuople of years ago to $50 today. Did they modify the camera or added a new feature? Nope. Its exactly the same camera. So why is the price of this plastic camera climbing up?
Searching for answers I found this discussion: Holga price. So apparently paying $85 for a Holga is reasonable… or is it?
On eBay the prices are a bit more grounded but still.
and of course the winner for this year’s most ridiculous Holga price award goes to the lomography website, where they will wrap your Holga in some sort of a starter kit for a $100 and more.
So yeah, my best guess about this price gain is that the Holga became more popular in the last couple of years and somehow its popularity drives the price up. Heck, they are so popular you can now find Holgas on display in fashion stores.
Holga 120FN/ Downtown L.A/ january 2009
Posted in toy cameras
Jan
09
With everything else I’ve been occupied with lately (i.e. mosaic, mixed media, and painting) I just forgot all about one thing I so much enjoy doing: simple raw street photography.
So last week I took my cameras and was headed to spend a day in downtown L.A. where I always feel like a tourist in my own town.
I think taking a break from this type of craft made street photography all the more special thing to do now.
Also there was no pressure to make photos or focus on anything but a nice good flow of strolling the busy streets of downtown and photographing whatever and however.
I was quite delighted to find out how easy it was to photograph the people out there, much easier than it was in the past, it seems. Just raise the camera and make the exposure. No apologies. But no intrusion either. Most people did not seem to care. It was almost like being in New York.
So maybe the real lesson here is that if you feel like you hit a point where inspiration and creativity are gone it might be a good idea to take a break, relax, and do something else for a while. And then when the time is right, try again.
You’ll discover new possibilities.
And I still have two rolls of film to scan.
Posted in black and white photography, street photos
Jan
01
This is another example of an image transfer but with a little twist. Instead of transferring a picture like I usually do I in fact transferred a page from my wonderful book No Rules Street Photography (in print or download version).
And I didn’t forget to print out a mirror version of the page (that’s what you do when you transfer images especially if you have text. Unless of course you want a mirror view of your image)
I transferred the page into a 5X7 flat canvas panel which I covered with gesso beforehand. And as I always do, for the sake of future generations of course, I finished the transfer with a Krylon protective matt finish (though it might be more interesting letting an image transfer slowly deteriorate; should be pretty cool in about 20 years or so.)
Posted in Image transfer
Loading ...
