John Williams - Belleville, IL

....from my local Home Depot...




Hope everyone has a great morning!


Should mention this was shot with my little pocket camera, a Canon Powershot SD1000, this should show everyone it is not all about the equipment and it is something anyone can learn to do. 

This is the SD1000:

It cost me less than $150.00

...and still want to do the photo classes, but we need more people to get involved.

I want suggestions on where you want to go first, list anyplace you want to go (locally).

First off tell me who was thinking about going on Sunday?


Out of those of you saying 'me' what do you think about putting it off another week or maybe two?

I am worried with all the rain and now all that wind from yesterday, we will be hitting the garden a bit to soon.

Thoughts???


In the meantime enjoy this Black Swallowtail I grab a shot of while walking the streets in the Historic District in Belleville.

along with a couple of Tulips and a new wallpaper...




I have this in smaller sizes as well, just let me know what size you need.

Probably some of the most beautiful images I have ever seen, I would love to be able to visit places like this and do work of this caliber.

Images will open in a new window and please visit the websites to enjoy the rest of the imagery.

Enjoy!

From http://timepass.fanpicsonly.com:

From The Daily Mail:
These are only a couple of images visit the site for the rest

Few sights in nature can compare to the sheer magnificence of a volcano erupting in full flow. But while scenes of molten lava are relatively commonplace, this otherworldly picture of Chaiten Volcano in southern Chile shows a truly spectacular, and devastating, volcanic phenomenon.

As clouds of toxic ash and dust tower into the sky, they ionise the air, generating an explosive electrical storm. Colossal forks of lightning spark around the noxious plume as it spews from the volcano's crater, creating an image of raw, terrifying energy - as if the air itself were ablaze.

Visit The Daily Mail for the rest

I had someone request this image as a wallpaper, so here it is at 1024x768, just click it for the bigger version. Feel free to use it, share it and enjoy it.

Had to share this one as well...



....second image from my shoot with Tracy my pregnant model...

...this is Tracy and her yet to be born beautiful baby boy, for me beauty does not get much better than this....





Thank You Tracy for allowing me this privilege.

Playing around with my new little point and shoot camera, most of these were taken while out shopping and walking through the garden area. Nothing super special in these, still thought I would share them with you all.






The last photo was pretty flat, needless to say that is not how it normally looks, I punched up the color some for effect.

There will be a sign up page for the Botanical Garden Photography Class (still don't like that word for this..), just so I know who will be going and can communicate with you all a bit easier. Eventually there will be a forum for all of you to upload your work, get critiques, ask for advice or anything else dealing with the photography classes/seminars.

Found out last night my studio partner is leaving for sure, means I have the place to myself now, along with his share of the rent......ouch......not sure what is going on there yet though, have to talk to the owner of the Koken Art Factory first. Sunday I get to do a shoot with my pregnant model, something I am truly looking forward to doing. Personally I find that to be one of the most beautiful things in the world, I just hope I can that kind of beauty justice.

Oh the soft focus photo in the middle is available in wallpaper size 1600x1200 so it should fit just about any screen, if you want a smaller size just say so. Image can be found here - Wallpaper or here in the wallpaper section of the site - Wallpaper Gallery @ Insomniac Studios

I am off to try and get a couple hours of sleep, cleaned the studio last night, needless to say that has me in a lot more pain than normal, which just adds to my insomnia. The warm weather is here though, that means bicycling season is here and I can get some MUCH needed exercise and get some of this pain under better control.

Have a great day and a great upcoming weekend everyone. Hope the photos gave you a good start to your day!

John W

We will just call them classes for now.

I want to shoot for May 18th as our first class, it will be on General Photography Tips and Techniques - Taking Better Flower/Plant Photos.

Very soon I will have a place up for you to register, there is still no cost involved for the classes but you will still have to cover your own entry into the Missouri Botanical Garden. I will also be asking what places you would like to go and learn how to get better photos at those locations, like the Zoo, Art Gallery, Butterfly house and so on maybe even the riverfront.

While we are thinking about the garden let me mention they have a way for you to help support them directly. I just installed it on my machine, you can get more information here - http://www.mobot.org/BenefitBar/BenefitBar.asp - it is a toolbar for your browser, go there and read about it and give it a try.

Any input or questions you may have on the classes feel free to ask them here or to email me directly.

johnw@insomniacstudios.net

Edit:
I forgot to mention this, I went out and got a point and shoot digital camera just for these classes. It was UNDER 200.00 and I will be taking it along with my other equipment, which is nothing more than a Digital Rebel XT, to show you that it is not about having a $2000.00 camera.

These are the Canon cameras I will have with me:

Digital Elph - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_sd100
0.asp
Digital Rebel XT - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_eos35
0d.asp

Let me tell you I felt like I was in the wrong place, there are some truly talented people at this show. Some work I have seen before with some new images added to the series, a painting I would buy in a second if I had that kind of cash.

I am so looking forward to this show, working with the people organizing the show has been great. I am honored to be part of this show, I expect a very fun evening.

Tim (building owner, a.k.a. my studio landlord) finished the very large ladies room, it looks great. The gallery floors have been finished (painted), it is really starting to look nice inside. I love the grittiness of the place, it is perfect for my type of photography, the gallery area should be a little more refined and it is really getting to that point now.

Tim has done a LOT of work on that building, I am so glad I am in there now, at the ground floor of The Koken Art Factory becoming an important part of the St. Louis area art scene. You don't meet many people like Tim, not in this city, he is a truly kind and giving person.


anyway...got off track there...


I really hope to see some of you there, all the artists will be wearing name tags at the show, making it easier on those who want to talk to the artist.

This is may be my last show for sometime, unless I make a few sales. I just don't have the funds to keep entering (and getting in), with print costs, frames, matte boards and so on. I try to keep everything acid free and archival quality, which makes my costs go up and therefore the price of my pieces go up as well.

Come to the show, bring your ID (21 and over only) and $5 for the door, this gets you into a great art show, lets you see/hear five local bands and gives you something fun to do on a Saturday night....oh and yes there is a bar, a very nice one in fact.