Thursday, May 23, 2013

Thoughtful Thursday Quote: May 23, 2013

While we were putting together our latest post, Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway - we couldn't help but think of the following Ansel Adam's quote for this week's Thoughtful Thursday photography quote.  We hope you enjoy!

Thoughtful Thursday Quote by Ansel Adams: A good photograph is knowing where to stand.  On www.seeyoubehindthelens.com Dakota Visions Photography LLC


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by Richard Stinson


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

onOne Software Announces onOne Labs Blog


Portland, OR – May 21, 2013

onOne Software, Inc.®, the leading developer and provider of photo effects for everyone, has announced onOne Labs, a blog that lists new technologies and products being considered for development in the effort to gauge interest and solicit customer feedback. onOne Labs will allow visitors to learn about development projects, note their interest level, and offer constructive comments.

onOne Labs will allow visitors to directly engage with onOne Software in a collaborative development process and voice what’s important for their digital photography and image editing needs. Projects discussed will range from those early in the concept stage to those in the very beginning of development to those that are near completion. Projects will also be updated throughout their development to elicit additional feedback.

“Customer input has always been a key factor in the development of our product offerings” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. “In the past, we have gained tremendous insight from our customers about their wants and needs through occasional phone calls, emails, surveys, and conversations at conferences. Going forward, we’d like to have an ongoing and direct conversation with our customers to make sure we are meeting their expectations and building the best products for their photography needs. We already have a number of exciting things in the works, which we believe will become great additions to our line up especially after getting customer feedback via these Labs.”

The onOne Labs currently includes discussions about features now in development for the next version of Perfect Photo Suite —including a Quick View Browser and a new Perfect Enhance module—and new product offerings, such as one with the working title, Lightpad. These projects are listed with descriptions and may include visual mock-ups or videos to further describe them. Each of these are now listed in the onOne Labs awaiting feedback.

Availability
The onOne Labs blog may be found at labs.ononesoftware.com. Inquiries and suggestions related to onOne Labs development projects but not listed there may be emailed to labs@ononesoftware.com.

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by Richard Stinson

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway in HDR

It's been dreary with clouds and occasional rain here for the last few days.  Please, don't get me wrong - we are still 12-14" behind in rainfall for the past 24 months, so it's much appreciated.  Purposefully, I went looking for some photographs that reminded me of the beautiful summers in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Luckily, I found something to remind me of a brighter day.  (Even though you'll notice that like most days in the Black Hills - if you don't like the weather were you are at, just wait a few minutes and it will change as I remember the clouds had just started to roll in.)

So, on to the photograph - some new Photomatix Pro presets needed to be tested out, and I came across a 3 photograph bracket just screaming to be transformed into an HDR photograph. As a result of a little experimentation with some the presets, the photograph below was created.  Amazingly, the photograph was the result of a bracket of three handheld shots.  We hope you enjoy this view of the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway in HDR: By Dakota Visions Photography LLC on www.seeyoubehindthelens.com


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by Richard Stinson

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Mt. Rushmore: Shining Out of the Darkness

Shining out of the darkness... Just what the hell does that mean?  Some of you may think I've lost my mind, but just hold on and read the rest of the story.

Let's start telling the story from an early spring evening while we were eating in one of the year-round restaurants in Keystone, SD.  While eating, I couldn't help but overhear a vacationing family making a stop to see Mt. Rushmore.  (Note: They were the only other customers in the restaurant - it's not like I was trying to eavesdrop.)  They were talking excitedly about getting up at dawn to view Mt. Rushmore, and then getting on their way to Denver.

I knew it, the waiter knew it...it was the worst mistake they could make in visiting Mt. Rushmore.  So I had to stop and tell them on the way out the door.

There is nothing more beautiful than the founding father's faces light up by the bright, shining lights after sunset.  There is something more visceral in this view - something more powerful, and even a little seductive.  You can almost see the hand tool marks of all those men as they scraped away the final 6 inches of stone after drilling holes through it.  Scrape, by scrape - piece by piece, rock by rock.

Of course, don't forget to see it in the daylight and enjoy the many wonders of the monument.  But don't rule out the light in the darkness.  It may just surprise you.  Seeing those state flags and Old Glory light up as the faces shine out of the darkness, still bring me chills, after all these years.

Mt. Rushmore: Shining Out of the Darkness by Dakota Visions Photography on www.seeyoubehindthelens.com

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

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by Richard Stinson

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day from Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Happy Mother's Day from our family, to yours.  To all the Mother's out there today, including ours - may your day be filled with family, friends, and happy memories.

Happy Mother's Day from Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Thoughtful Thursday Quote: May 9, 2013

My mother always taught me to leave well enough alone, but this time - I'm going to poke a stick in it; a BIG stick.  Check out our latest Thoughtful Thursday quote and you'll understand what I'm saying.

Overheard a conversation this week, that just rubbed me raw.  This is my recollection of the conversation I heard:
"I bought a camera last week, took some pictures this weekend, and put up a 'XXXXXXX' site and a Facebook page. (Replace 'XXXXXXX' with any of the free photo sales websites of your choice.)  Can't wait for people to start buying my photography.  I'm really digging this being a photographer and having my own business.  It's really not that hard to become a professional photographer."

While I am still a newbie compared to some others out there, I am actually trying to build up a business to where I can support myself and the others that depend upon me. I am proud to have a business plan and follow the rules of doing a business within my state.  I don't claim to be a pro.  But I strive every day to become one.  You don't just buy a camera, put up a free website with a mesh-mash of photos, and then call yourself a professional photographer "in the business".   I'm sorry to have to break it to you, but no.

You have a great hobby, and one that I'm completely happy for you to have.  In fact, I welcome you with open arms to learn, listen, and respond with ideas to make it better for you, the hobbyists, and the professionals around you.

But a business - a pro?  No.  Blood, sweat, tears, failures, and many trials and tribulations come with that.  And especially in this day and age with the number of photographs being placed into the 'cloud' each day.  There is an art, there is practice and learning over many years, and there is a business model to professional  photography that takes time to perfect.

Having a website and a Facebook page is only one of many steps.  There are business plans, conversing with state department of revenues (after you've done that - then we can talk), business bank accounts, learning and listening to the wants and needs of your customers, and decisions that mean whether or not there will be retirement in the near future, or whether you'll be working til your a 100.  And most importantly, people have to like what you do - you have to have that eye for what you are taking photographs of.  It may take years for you to find that one thing that sets you apart from others.

Or, you may have a very tough decision to make:  Am I just going to have a lifetime hobby that I will be absolutely thrilled with (and that other photographers around you will be more than happy to help you learn and grow in), or do I want to make a professional business out of what makes me happy?

Ah, there, I said it.  I poked it with a stick, and let come what may.  Maybe it's because we are wrestling with the last question that the conversation stuck in our craw so bad...but we are ready to defend the position.

My quote below, expresses how I'm feeling, and whether you agree or not - it's the Thoughtful Thursday quote for today:

Poking it with a stick!  Quote: Having a camera does not make a photographer - found on Dakota Visions Photography LLC website www.seeyoubehindthelens.com

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

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by Richard Stinson

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Photo of the Day: May 5, 2013 - Elk View

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

To celebrate, we are headed out to capture some beauty in Custer State Park, but we couldn't leave without sharing some beauty of Wind Cave National Park.  We hope you enjoy, and enjoy whatever it is you are planning on this May 5th celebration.

Elk View:

Photo of the Day: May 5 2013 Elk View in Wind Cave National Park by Dakota Visions Photography LLC

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

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by Richard Stinson