OK.

First of all some explanation for the heading.

I am currently testing the lengths of what my new toy (macro rails) can achieve.

While none of the initial tests are stock worthy, i believed it would be of benefit to share my initial findings.

Hence the reason these images are being housed on flickr (no point wasting our reviewers' time with test images)

Flickr Set Link

Candle Burning 1

Candle Burning 2

Candle Before The Burn

[link=http://www.flickr.com/photos/pirate59/2494829696/in/set-72157605084602959/]...

Hi everyone.

With every new item purchased for your camera, a new system or lesson is learned.

Whether its learning about camera shake with super-mega-ultra zoom lenses, what positions mean what on a circular polarising filter. All these lessons are not necessarily due to lack of knowledge in the first place, but more so, getting the feel and hang of them.

Very recently i have gotten my hands on what seems to be a wonderful piece of glass perfection known as a Sigma 105mm F2.6 1:1 Macro Lens.

*** Please note i know some people may not consider that lens to be the bee's knees even on noob trials they are coming our awesome ***

Going from the packaged EFS and Zoom lenses from Canon (which are now getting a bit on in years) to new macro glass was always going ...

Motivation is the key to basically everything in life. How much you want something and what you are willing to do for it really is the only factors you have that can change your situation.

Only the lucky fall into success. For the rest of us any real outcomes come from hard work, trail and error, and lets face it set-backs and disappointment.

A quick look at my portfolio here on DT (trust me its quick) can see that i dont have much in the way of online images. A large number of other less than sucessful images have arrived on DT's doorstep from me which in one way or another didnt quite make the cut.

*** Please note this is in no way shape or form a complaint about DT's selection criteria ***

My question to all is what is it that you use for motivation? What drives you to improve ...

Hi everyone.

So yep cant sleep on the night before the big day. To say that the excitement levels are high is an understatement.

In an attempt to keep this photo related i intend to take heaps of nature shots while i am out on the honeymoon.

But i must admit, cameras and photos are the last thing on my mind.

Anyways, should really try to sleep now, gotta be up in 6ish hours.

Did i mention I'm VERY excited.

Have a good night everyone.

Ive been here for about a month now, and am really glad to announce that i have had some sales =)

I basically believe that everyone loves their own photos and thinks they should sell. Its hard not to be biased towards yourself.

But when someone else actually hands over money for a copy then you know that it may actually be ok. =)

Basically this is more of a 'if in doubt, try it out' sort of message.

Being new i always expected it to take forever to get any sales. But i was wrong. the numbers arent big, but i dont have big numbers of photos.

Well done Dreamstime for creating a place that not just the big boys can get a piece of the action.

Ok so ive been basically appraising my gear recently. Ive been looking at all the things i 'need' to get for me to be happy. Basically ive been wanting to get the Canon 400D.

But then i wondered. what can a 400d do that my 300cant? Photoshop can interpolate really well, to a 10.1 MP image with too much dramas involved...

So i put it forward to you. If you had a 300D (6.3MP) camera with original 2 lenses, would you:

A) Replace the glass (nothing crazy expensive but good quality)

B) Upgrade the camera body to a 400D (6.3MP to 10.1MP)

C) Upgrade the camera body to the 400D with lens kit

I realize that there are probably a fair few different opinions in the matter.

What i really am trying to work out is what will be a better investment of money in regards to image quality....

For all of us blessed to live in the Southern Hemisphere, we are noticing the outside world come to life.

Not two weeks ago, my street was littered with bare branches, and dull browns and grays of trees.

This morning on my way to work, i was greeted with glowing greens and a vibrancy seldom seen inside suburban civilization.

So while those up north start closing windows and turning heaters on, its our opportunity to start capturing life anew one frame at a time.

Well, its been now 2 weeks with Dreamstime.

So far i have had 11 accepted photos, out of a few more =)

I can only put in great words for this site.

The willingness for not just stock contribution, but the development of the community through some very high quality blogs on building images, taking images, post processing images, and sale of images is second to none.

Of that i would personally like to thank every one who has contributed to the wealth of knowledge within this very unique Stock library.

I am definitely looking forward to see how my relationship with this site will grow over time.

Many people find going outside into the big wide world a requirement for decent photography. Travel photos, landscapes, sunsets waterfalls.

As brilliant as these genres of photography is, there is also a strong creative element to be found within the home.

There is a plethora of creative avenues within many aspects of the home.

I challenge anyone not to find some stock worthy items within the kitchen, home office, bed room or bathroom.

Everyday consumables, food, ingredients, finished meals, utensils can all be used individually and collectively to build a winning image.

Office equipment including pens, calculators, newspapers, graphs, rulers can be used to create interesting images for business. Throw in some currency and wallah! a financial market ...

Personal data whats???

I am sure many photographers and artists alike have come across the problem about storing their master works.

And further it goes to what should you store?

Considering a large amount of members shoot their images in RAW, space becomes an issue somewhat quickly.

I can personally attest to the fact that going from jpeg to RAW shooting has drastically increased my requirements for space. Filling up a DVD of jpegs was a hard thing to do.

So what am i really getting at here?

Basically this is my process of handling and storing/backing up my data.

Firstly i separate shoots by months and days, or even subjects (if i have had 2 major subjects taken that day).

Inside that folder i have a sub folder called RAW Images. in which i place ...