FCEtier Prints in Gatlinburg, TN

Next time you're in or near Gatlinburg, TN, stop  in and visit with Calvin and Cassie at SMOKY MOUNTAIN ARTS & CRAFTS.  

It's easy to find and you'll see some of my photography on display for sale.

Directions (with a map) are available from their website, HERE.

Miss Bob and I have season tickets to Dollywood and often stay overnight in Gatlinburg. We enjoy BOTH!

Louisiana Swamp Shoot

Last week I drove back home to Louisiana to conduct a photo shoot in the swamps near where I grew up.

Various selections from that shoot will be available for viewing and purchase on several sites where my work is seen now. Watch for more selections at my "Louisiana Swamp Shoot" gallery on zenfolio.com.

My journey took me to familiar sites from my childhood, particularly the "slough" (pronounced "slew") near my parents' home. Also, we got several good shots under and near a bridge on Little Creek. It's near Lone Cherry Baptist Church, on the way to Goldmine Plantation.

Serial Photography

Almost seven years ago, I read an interesting article in Shutterbug magazine. It was about "self-assignments" for photography projects. They suggested that for one month, try to take as many different images of "stairs" as possible. All different types and locations of stairs would be great. I took images of staircases and steps both inside and out, fancy and plain, modern and traditional. I even found a set of concrete steps in the yard of a lumber company that was being offered for sale. The next month, the subject was anything "green". Each month, readers were encouraged to select a different subject.

Well, the images above didn't come out large enough. Wanted to show an example of serial photos with signs. The reader board at the church -- seen through a wet windshield says, "Pray for rain." The diner is the "No Name" diner and the portable reader board says, "Go green. Buy army surplus". The motel sign says, "Welcome Hookers -- Lowest Rates". I guess I'll sacrifice spontaneous humor for the example of the serial photos. [sigh]

It was serial photography. Now, Harald Mante has written a book about it. Serial Photography -- Using Themed Images to Improve Your Photographic Skills will be available on February 28, 2011 and would be a great investment of both your time and money. I recommend it highly!

Travel Photography

Watch for my images soon on a new website dedicated to "travel photography". When the site is up and running, I'll post a link. (Sample image included here is Cumberland Falls in Kentucky. The image is copyrighted by RFWLLC and it's use or reproduction is prohibited.)

Meanwhile, here are a couple of books I've reviewed that relate to the subject.

http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/book-review-the-art-of-photography/

http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/exploring-north-american-landscapes-by-marc/

Nude in Art

For over 25,000 years, the nude as been the most enduring subject in art.

So, is it art? Is it erotica? Is it pornography?

Art historian, Tim Marlow, hosts a new DVD containing four episodes discussing "The Nude in Art" will be released on February 22, 2001.

Read my review here: http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/nude-in-art-with-tim-marlow/

Jazz Life

Check out my review of a great jazz/photography book. Do you believe photography is art? Do you see photography as art?

Do you enjoy jazz music?

Here's the link to my review: http://technorati.com/entertainment/music/article/your-pictures-have-soul/

Click through and read the review. Please leave a comment.

Photography As Art

One of the best ways a "self-taught" photographer can learn, is to study the work of other artists that are regarded as being successful, "critically acclaimed", or a "master". That was true back in the summer of 1969 when I studied drawing at Louisiana Tech. I spent many hours in the library or in galleries trying to learn from the work of others.

Now, here comes a photographer who for over forty years has been considered a master at his craft. He has collected the work of fifty-two other photographers (who all are considered to be artists) into one volume. What a great book!

You can read my entire review and see three sample images here, at Technorati.com.

The first image in the book just happens to be the work of another author who's book I reviewed just a short time ago. Bruce Barnbaum's "Circular Chimney" starts the collection. Click through and see what you think.

Art of Photography

Great new book on the technical side of photography.

Instructor Bruce Barnbaum includes important NON-technical info as well.

Shown here is one of my favorite images of his, "Moonrise Over Cliffs and Dunes".

Often criticized as being "false", it is actually a combination of two images. What it depicts, does not exist in nature.

Do you think this is ethical?

Does it compromise his integrity?

Check out my entire review here:

http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/book-review-the-art-of-photography/