It is true that self-promotion is difficult for most people. For artists it seems even more so.  “The facts are without marketing and promotion what you have is a pleasant hobby“.  This is a quote from a blog called Art Print Issues.  Take some time to read and follow the advice from this useful site.

High Dynamic Range or HDR

HDR photos are created by taking muliple exposures.  For the best results shoot using a tripod.  At least three exposures from over to under exposed. The more the better. Some photographers use 6 or even more exposures.

ckick to see larger:

Adobe tv – HDR

You may notice that I removed an extra bud from the photo. This was done using Content Aware Fill, another amazing feature of Photoshop CS5

When putting artwork or photographs on the internet,

it can become “fair game” to the whole world, despite copyright laws. There are complicated codes that can prevent images from being copied, but these codes are not used on all sites. Social media sites like Facebook or Flickr do not protect your images and what you upload, can be downloaded.

In this time of open sources, privacy issues in Facebook and other social sharing sites, and on-line stores, it can be difficult to protect your images. Placing a watermark in the middle of the picture is one way to protect it. However, that severely lowers the quality of your image. If you are trying to present your work to potential customers, you want it to be sharp and clear.  Additionally, with software like Photoshop CS5, a watermark can be easily eliminated.

 So how does one protect art work on the internet and still take advantage of the vast marketing potential offered by social media? You could limit your exposure only to sites where your work can not be easily copied, for example www.Artid.com.  Or you can recognize the risks involved and post only work that is “web friendly” but not “print friendly”.  Be aware of the resolution of the file you post. If your image is 500 pixels on the longest side, it will be large enough to see clearly on the computer screen but can not be enlarged beyond that size. An added plus to that size is how rapidly it will load. Your viewers will appreciate the quick load time.

 Accept the risk that the image might be “borrowed”. But since your work cannot increase in size easily, your file will not be very useful to the borrower.  Be sure to always mark or sign your work clearly. On social networks, friends will share images they like, not intending to steal but rather to share an experience. That is why we network. It is a great chance for your work to be viewed by a new and larger audience.  The internet is a great new way for artists and photographers to market their work.  If your name is clearly marked, someone who sees your work might become a fan.  Use the internet wisely and take care to protect your work as much as you can. 

 A helpful hint for those who use Photoshop:  To easily scale your image smaller and quickly, use the “Save for Web & Devices” Command under File. It saves your image as a separate file, either jpeg, png, or bmp. Resize in the dialog box to 500 pixels on the longest side and you are ready to upload.

“What I Did Today” May 19,2010

Show us what you did today. Upload your images, photos or artwork to our fan page on Facebook. You can upload one image a day for two weeks. Competition ends on Tuesday, June 1, 2010.  Enter to win a FREE 16×20 PRINT from GoNE, Inc.  Entrants will be eligible to become a finalist in the GRAND PRIZE shootout to be held in November, 2010. GRAND PRIZE is a Flip Video Camcoder. 

A total of 14 images per fan can be uploaded over the next two weeks.  Winner will be chosen by fan votes during the week of June 2-7.   Start collecting those votes to be in the running for the Flip Video. Its worth Shooting for!

Fans on Facebook can win a Flip Video Camcorder

Along with the usual great prizes like free prints, gift certificates  and greeting cards, we are announcing a GRAND PRIZE: a Flip Video Camcorder.

To enter: submit images created by you, to our competitions on the  Giclee of New England Fan Page on Facebook. To become a finalist, get the most votes for your photos or artwork over a five month period. Vote counting begins with the next contest to be announced on Wednesday this week, 05-19-10.  Open submission competitions for this Grand prize will end in the last competition in October, 2010. All fans are eligible to vote once per contest, whether or not images were submitted.

Be notified of upcoming competitions through our Fan Page on Facebook, postings here on this blog, or follow us on Twitter.

The Finalists will be the top twenty-five artists/photographers chosen by the Fans’ votes. They will compete in the Final Shootout during November, 2010 for the Grand Prize. The Grand prize winner will be announced on December 18, 2010.  (Just in time for the Holidays).

Remember, all it takes is “like this” on our fan page  on Facebook to be eligible to participate in this competition or use the link on the side bar.

There are plenty of competitions coming up.  Suggest to your friends on Facebook they become fans. This is a great prize worth shooting for! Along with all the other great gifts you can win from Giclée of New England, Inc. you can’t lose.

Employees, Past employees, and employees’ families are not eligible for prizes but may post images.

Images submitted to the Giclee of New England Fan Page on Facebook competitions may be used for publicity purposes. All rights belong to the originator of the art and by participating you are certifying that you have the rights to show these images and are not in violation of terms of use

Photoshop CS5: New Feature, Paintmixer Brush

This is just plain fun! I have not painted in years. Since starting in the digital arts and begining this business, I have not had time to paint and had forgotten how much fun it was to push paint around on a canvas. Painting in PSCS5 almost feels like the real thing. A major difference is that the clean-up and paint fumes are non existant. 

It is a power hog, though. Plan to mulititask if you are trying to create a very large image. And save often!!  You will be waiting for the brush to move slowly across the screen smearing pixels along the way. I guess the next move is a computer upgrade to take full advantage of this software.

Brief Review of Photoshop CS5

Having just opened the box late last night, I can not give a very thorough review yet. But I had to try out some of the new features that have been so well publicized. 

I will start with the feature I was most looking forward to, Content Aware Fill. It is all that was promised! Totally incredible. I was able to remove telephone lines through trees and sky without any problems, other than having to go over a couple of spots.  It also works on large areas using the delete key. I was able to remove a tree from the sky in only two short steps. Photoshop even grabbed a cloud from the other part of the sky and placed into the spot where the tree had been. All I can say is WOW!

Another new feature, I have been anticpting is the paint feature. This too is incredible, but not in the least easy. It looks like it should be but it is not. I love the idea but it will take much practice and patience to create a painting from a complex photograph.

I will post more reviews as I delve deeper into the Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium.

Wanted: Images of Monson:

 Call to all Monson residents. You are invited to show your art or photography of Monson at the House of Art in Monson on July 5^th 2010. To celebrate  Monson’s 250^th anniversary,  art should depict a place in Monson.  There is no submission fee, but donations are accepted. All money raised after expenses will be donated to the Memorial Hall Restoration fund. Art does not have to be for sale but if it is, there is a 20% commission to the Monson Arts Council.

 Along with your photo or art please write a description of where in Monson the photo was taken or art depicts.  On the back of your art, please write your name, address, phone, Name of art work, and price if for sale. Art must be framed and wired for hanging (no hooks).  Please remember we take 20% commission when pricing your work.

 Drop off of art is Saturday, June 26, 9-11 am.   Art pickup will be from 3-4pm July 5th or July 10, 10-11am. For more information please call Dave at 413-267-0343 or email art23451@verizon.net or visit www.monsonartscouncil.com or www.monson250.wordpress.com.

Win a 16×20 digital print on Kodak Premium Luster.

New theme: Where I Live

Submitted images must be shot within walking distance of your home and shot within the next two weeks. This competion is for our fans (or are you “likes” now) on Facebook. If you are not yet a fan, click the link in the side bar on the right. Upload your images onto the Fan page on Facebook. Limit of one per day. Maximum upload per person- 14 photos.

This time you, the fans, are the judges. One vote per fan, so if you need votes get your friends and family to become ”likers” of Giclee of New England page on Facebook.  Voting instructions will be announced in an upcoming post. Below is the schedule:

• Shoot dates: From Monday, May 3, 2010 to Sunday, May 16, 2010.
• upload end date: Tuesday, May  18, 2010
• Vote for your favorite May 16- Sunday, May 23, 2010