My Stock Photo Escapade

Recently, after reading a NY Times article, I decided to try becoming a photographer for a couple of stock photo sites. I have joined two places, but have only uploaded photos to one site as of now, www.bigstockphoto.com. (If you would like to see my uploaded photos, click the link on the sidebar, under my profile.)

So far, it has been a slightly frustrating experience. About half of my photos have been rejected: either from quality issues or problems with the composition, subject, etc. Many have been denied because they are not usable for stock. I usually take pictures for myself, not with other people in mind. I compose my photos to be interesting or to draw the eye towards certain parts of the picture. Unfortunately, Stock photos aren't supposed to be artistic; instead, they should be useful and attractive to as many possible buyers as possible. This (and other factors, of course) has left me with a 50% approval rating and no sales. Due to some "technical difficulties" I now have a 35.48% approval rating.

Thus, I am somewhat disappointed, though not completely surprised. I am not expecting to make a living off photography, but hope to get at least one sale in my "stock photo career." Though I have a low rating and no sales, I have learned about the industry, picked up some advice from professionals, and affirmed my love for photography. In these ways, I consider my little stock photo escapade a success.

Spring Days

Spring is here again in NY and I have been enjoying it immensely. This is one of my favorite times of year. I love the beautiful bulbs in the garden and the thrill of watching perennials pop out from the thawing soil. Most of all, I love waiting for the return of “my spring birds.” First the sweet, whistley song of the Goldfinches can be heard, then the adorable Kinglets flutter through the new foliage, and finally I feel the excitement which warblers instill in all who watch.

I was out walking yesterday, impatiently surveying the progress of my garden and searching for new bird nests. I found four, but unfortunately they were old and inactive, sporting the lichen and moss of last year’s harvest. I saw several pairs of birds excitedly searching for new nesting material, but nowhere was there an active nest.

I gave up my search and decided to spend some time catching up on my photography instead. My favorite subjects are back. It could be considered boring to some, but for an amateur photographer, the beauty and most importantly, stillness, of flowers are intoxicatingly perfect for the click of the camera. Taking pictures of moving objects (such as birds) can be extremely frustrating. I was relaxing on a soft bush which had yet to poke out any new growth and taking pictures of some lovely yellow daffodils. I was enjoying the warm spring air and excited calls of the House Sparrows, just breathing in the freshness of spring. I was also attempting to get the “perfect” picture of the flowers, which was proving to be difficult considering the height and angle of the plants. I leaned farther down on my soft, leafy pillow, managing to get some passable photos with which I was pleased. But, alas! these moments never last. I felt something crawling on my arm and realized that my verdant cushion was also an ant hill.

Some Enchanted Evening

This past Wednesday, my Mom and I continued our annual event of Woodcocking. At a local park American Woodcocks can be seen doing their mating display at dusk. This consists of the male making its insect-like call in all directions. He then flies into the air after several minutes of his serenade and lands in the field again to repeat the process.

After a hurried gathering of binoculars, our trusty Peterson field guide, and a flashlight, we jumped into the car and were off. This is my favorite kind of bird trip. Spontaneous, impulsive, last minute. We pulled up to the park and it was still too light out for Woodcocks. This was fortunate because it gave us the chance to see the first Hermit Thrush of the year. It was becoming dark but, we were able to ID the little beauty by its rusty tail and subtle spots, just visible in the dimming light. Immediately after the Thrush, we heard the buzzing call of a Woodcock. We walked quickly, following the noise until we saw it. He was sitting on the outskirts of the field, up against the safety of bushes and saplings. We shined the flashlight in his direction and he was strangely undisturbed. The Woodcock bounced his funny little dance, turning quickly at 90 degree angles to make sure every being in the area head his pronouncement. After several minutes he flew directly up into the air and changed his tune to his musical flight call. We watched his routine for about half an hour until we lost track of him and his music.

"Some enchanted evening, when you find your true love,
When you hear her call you across a crowded room,
Then fly to her side and make her your own...."

Only a Bud (as of yet)

Hello and welcome to my blog! This is my very first post, so I am only beginning to learn my way around here myself. Thank you so much for visiting!

For a long time I declared that I would not get a blog. I would not surrender to the popular trend. Why should I write down my thoughts in a public setting instead of a private journal? Is it to get attention, to be noticed, to feel interesting and acknowledged? Or is it simply to enjoy sharing thoughts with friends and other bloggers? After much thought and deliberation I finally decided to sign up for a blog. It was inevitable. Every time I thought of something relatively interesting and original, the idea of a blog popped up in my thoughts. Each time I want to comment on my sister's blog I'd sigh at my lack of this popular, but useful (and fun) tool. So, here I am. I'm one of "them" now. The bloggers.

One of the reasons I deliberated whether or not to get a blog was my eclectic and unusual interests. I am a Catholic, interested in historical clothing and sewing, and birding, photography, and the environment. It seems that blogs usually concentrate on one main topic. However, I couldn't choose between my interests so I decided on them all. Hopefully, this is not objectionable to most people. Fortunately, I don't have much to worry about, considering most people who read this are related to me.

I do want to touch on my blog name before I sign off for today. The name, "A Rose in Bloom" was taken from the title of one of my favorite novels by Louisa May Alcott. I also used Sirach 39:13-14, one of my favorite passages.

"Listen, my faithful children: open up your petals, like roses planted near running waters; Send up the sweet odor of incense, break forth in blossoms like the lily. Send up the sweet odor of your hymn of praise; bless the Lord for all he has done!"

I love these verses; they inspire me to be like a "rose near a running waters" every time I read them. I have chosen them as part of my blog name because they are what I try (not very well most of the time) to live out every day.

Thank you for visiting and God bless you!
~Mandy