Behind the Image: Wallfahrtskirche Mariaort, Germany

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” ~ Susan Sontag

On our last trip to Europe we mastered a long journey from Linz, Austria to Amsterdam, Netherlands. It turned out to be a grueling long drive but came with one of the greatest and most memorable adventures on our entire 3 country Europe tour. 

The total driving distance from Linz to Amsterdam is about 950 km or about 625 miles or 10 hours. Linz is the capital of Upper Austria and the Danube flows right through the middle of it. It's a beautiful lively city with a scenic old town and main square. 

About 2 hours into the drive near lunchtime we passed the Danube for the tenth time when I spotted a beautiful viaduct bridge. At that moment I decided to get off the Autobahn and told my wife that we would be looking for a beer garden next to the river. She laughed and said let's do it. I don't think she thought I was for real. The next exit was for Sinzing and once we left the Autobahn we made a few left turns that steered us into a tiny scenic village with even tinier streets. I believe it is called Pettendorf but I might be wrong. We followed the road driving under the viaduct bridge where shortly after we ended up at a beautiful church, Wallfahrtskirche Mariaort, and a parking lot next to a protected wildlife area. A bicycle and pedestrian bridge was spanning the river Naab and not far from there this river flows into the Danube. Although a scenic Bavarian sight in front of us, no signs of a beer garden at all; bummer! Well, of course we got out of the car to stretch our legs and explore the area. We walked towards the bridge and you might guess what happened came next. Yes, there was a small informational sign for the bikers and underneath it stated: Biergarten – 500 meter. My wife couldn’t believe it, neither could I. Excited as we were we made our way over the bridge, turned right on the bicycle path, walked the 3^rd of a mile and there it was: Heaven on Earth, Hotel & Gasthaus Krieger. A hidden gem with pebble stone grounds, sunshine all around and next to the river Naab! We ordered Schnitzel with Pomme Fritten, roasted liver with Bratkartoffen that both came with delicious salads on the side. Everything was sumptuous and about 2 hours later it was time to head back, jump into the car and hit the road again.

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Photography Business Tip #5: Building a Successful Online Social Network

Selling photography online is not an easy task. Online marketing and selling photo art takes a serious time commitment to build into an already busy artisan daily life. However, an online presence, selling photography online and offline, and marketing photo art online present great ways for valuable exposure and additional income and sales opportunities. Maintaining and increasing website traffic directly relates to more exposure and subsequently to more online photography sales!

Building an online social network is therefore a crucial aspect for your photography business endeavor. Create accounts with the major players like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn or StumbleUpon. Social networking tools are considered outlets that are build and maintained around your main hubs like your Online Website and Photography Blog. Use these free photography marketing tools wisely to drive quality traffic to your online galleries and photo blog. 

Sharing links with valuable content through Online Social Networking will best fit the bill. Your followers will appreciate not being spammed 24/7 and receiving regular, interesting updates to your gorgeous photo galleries and inspiring pictures, photography blog with tips and behind the image talks, latest art exhibitions, news, or events. Connect with other artists, collectors, decorators, consultants and admires; most important while doing so: Show that there is a person behind the photography artwork, posts and shares. Engage with others, respond to others and try making it interesting - create a buzz about your photography!

 

 

Devoting certain times of the day to Online Marketing has suited me best. During this time I interact and communicate with my followers. Organization and time management skills are crucial. Try planning your daily, weekly, monthly routine in advance and maintaining a check list. A good old To Do Check List works wonder: check and respond to emails in the morning and/or evening, write a blog post, 2 or 3 depending on your inspiration, market and share new or old pictures, blog posts, and announcements with your online audience, respond to comments, questions and interact online with others.

Happy connecting and sharing! 

Juergen

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“There are an awful lot of scientists today who ...

p the horizon
My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images. - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgoGEXWg.dpuf

2. Skip the horizon
My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images. - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgoGEXWg.dpuf

2. Skip the horizon
My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images. - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgoGEXWg.dpuf

2. Skip the horizon
My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images. - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgoGEXWg.dpuf

My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgoGEXWg.dpuf

My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgoGEXWg.dpuf

My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgo

“... believe that before very long we shall have unraveled all the secrets of the universe. There will be no puzzles anymore. To me, it’d be really, really tragic because I think one of the most exciting things is this feeling of mystery, feeling of awe, the feeling of looking at a little live thing and being amazed by it and how it has emerged through these hundreds of years of evolution and there it is and it is perfect and why.” ~ Jane Goodall

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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This is not a Photo Tip, this is a Prescription!

 

After purchasing a camera with lenses, a solid tripod is one of the next most important investments for a photographer. High quality photography images are rarely accomplished when a camera is hand held. A tripod is essential for low light cityscape, landscape or seascape photography during the early morning, late afternoon and evening, during twilight or night. It is a must for long exposure photography for silky water effects of brooks, rivers or waterfalls and it often comes in handy for shooting wildlife and macro photographs. It also is necessary when we experimenting with impressionistic or abstract photography. 

The tripod not only steadies our shooting equipment for maximum picture quality, it also helps us to discover the world of photography. We are more likely to slow down, step back, think and compose a more meaningful photograph. We most likely answer questions like is the horizon straight, is there sufficient depth of field or shall I open up the aperture setting to minimize depth of field, are there any distracting elements in the foreground or background of my composition, do I even have a composition? A tripod allows us to explore the ever changing light while setting up gear for the best composition and patiently waiting for the optimal light. A tripod is like a third hand and it frees our hands to make last minute filter, camera or focal lens adjustments ~ don't ditch your tripod!

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Intimate Landscape Photography Tips

p the horizon
My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images. - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgoGEXWg.dpuf

2. Skip the horizon
My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images. - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgoGEXWg.dpuf

2. Skip the horizon
My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images. - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgoGEXWg.dpuf

2. Skip the horizon
My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images. - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgoGEXWg.dpuf

My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgoGEXWg.dpuf

My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgoGEXWg.dpuf

My definition of an intimate landscape image is one that lacks the horizon. I usually look more down than up when I search for motifs. By skipping the horizon you get some abstraction in to the image as it is harder to understand the size of the subject without it. I usually don’t include any sky at all in my intimate landscape images - See more at: http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2013/08/21/5-tips-for-better-intimate-landscapes/#sthash.rgo

Photo Tip #1: Photograph with mid to long focal lengths as those lenses allow us to create calmer compositions and exclude the horizon. The focus should solely be on the landscape in front of us.

Photo Tip #2: Photographing at overcast light is often best suited as the giant natural soft box avoids harsh contrast and creates better image detail. 
 

Photo Tip #3: Avoid any distracting elements from intruding into the picture. Move around and explore different perspectives and angels to eliminate distractions.

Photo Tip #4: Look for interesting and eye catching shapes, forms, colors, pattern and texture that pull and keep a viewer glued to the photography image and its composition.
 

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Spring Flower Photography Tip

Pay close attention to the background of your floral subject. It might make or break your final Flower Photography image. A flower blossom photographed with a soft, blurred and  uncluttered background solely stirs all focus on the beautiful floral while a messy background acts as a disturbing distraction. Blurred backdrops can be created with large apertures (small f-stop numbers like f/5.6 and smaller) and use of long telephoto lenses like 200mm or longer. 

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Behind the Image: Boston Skyline Panoramic

I often visit East Boston to photograph the Boston Skyline as it provides ample views of the city and its landmarks. It truly excites me when city lights and twilight merge as one and an unforgettable magic unfolds - it never gets old! On my last photo trip I went to a photo location that provides one of the Boston skyline views with downtown and the Boston harbor.

The night was beautiful clear night and the light after sunset was incredible gorgeous. I captured 8 to 10 photographs to be stitched in a panorama when I get home. Panoramic images are always very impressive and I am glad this one worked out beautifully. At home I stitched the images in photoshop and during post processing I also removed dust spots, minimally adjusted lighting, contrast and color saturation before sharpening the final image of Beantown, my very latest Boston Skyline Panorama Photography gallery addition.

You also may enjoy: 

12 Photo Tips for Better Bridge Photography

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Nature Poem by George Gordon

"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more."
 

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Good light and happy photo making!

"Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful.  Everything is simply happy.  Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance.  Look at the flowers - for no reason.  It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are."  ~ Osho.

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Photography Business Tip #4

Start writing a regular photo blog as telling stories helps selling photography art. A photography blog is a wonderful tool where one can talk about what motivates and drives us, what inspires us, tell the story behind an image. A Photography Blog is a great marketing tool for sharing valuable and interesting content within your social network or in newsletters - it also helps in search engine optimization and ranking of your main website when appropriately linked.

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Floral Photography Tip

Raindrops are a great compositional addition to a flower photography image. Raindrops on flowers often add a lot of interest to a floral photograph, so next time it is raining or it stopped raining head out to your local park or your own backyard and explore the photo opportunities.

  

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Photo Tip for More Interesting Bird Photography

Pick a nearby wildlife sanctuary that is easy to reach and you can visit frequently. Make sure it known for a large population and variety of birds. Arrive early or late afternoon and study the birds' environment and behavior and capture them with your long lens.

Bird Art for Sale  

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Photography Business Tip #3

Get an affordable and the best Print on Demand web presence to showcase your photography art!

There are many websites that provide a platform to the photo artist but the best is Fine Art America. I consider it the best POD site on the web because of its low annual cost of $30 but even more important of its clean look and customer oriented look and features. The basic account is actually free but I recommend investing the $30 per year as it comes with unlimited uploads. It also get us our “own” customizable website which has limited but sufficient customization features to set up a professional online photographer presence for our photography. More importantly FAA provides the photo artist with many marketing tools like easy to assemble newsletter, social media sharing tools, shopping cart for our Facebook page, coupon codes, promotions … the community of artists is great. The website allows us to create an Photo Blog and add events to share with our online social network communities. It has a clear format and the options to buy photo prints, canvases, metal and acrylic prints are very intuitive and easy to navigate for potential art collectors and buyers. The website is very professional as many customers, friends and art collectors stated in the past. For a more professional appearance of your photography business make sure to get your own web address - mine is www.RothGalleries.com. Fine Art America markets to interior designers through the designer program and its latest feature will revolutionize the photography incensing industry - all at no additional cost!

For the artist, the Artistwebsites.com domain is very simple to use. Basically one needs to upload new artwork, assign prices and start marketing. Providing one creates high quality and appealing photo images one starts selling photography in no time. FAA takes care of printing, framing, matting and shipping for each sale which frees up lots of time that can be used to create more photography or marketing.

Although Fine Art America provides all tools needed for a successful online art business it does not market the artists' work individually. It is solely the artists' responsibility to market their photography and drive traffic and customers to their site which is very crucial for the success of Selling Photos Online.

Besides my popular photography blog I use social media networks like twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Stumbleupon to drive traffic to my Photography Business website.

Long story short: If you are trying to sell art online and don't have a professional looking webpage for your artwork and photography you should consider a web presence for photographers powered by Fine Art America ... it's a Win Win ... sign up for the Free Trial.

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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“There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.” ~ Willa Cather

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Bird Photography Tip

Position camera at or below eye level and focus on the eye to ensure it is tack sharp.

Bird Art for Sale  

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Behind the Image: Snowy Owl on Plum Island

Last winter there was an unusual population of Snowy Owls across New England. While talking to other birders I learned that there was an interruption of food supply further north which drove the birds further south. Some didn't make the journey and died of starvation. One prime location close to Boston is Parker River National wildlife refuge, and Sandy Point State Reservation on Plum Island. It is a year-round birding paradise and in the winter birders and nature lovers flog in from around the area to get a glimpse of the beautiful Snowy Owl. I am trying to get a glimpse of one for years and only saw one years back. This time I was more lucky and more determined and when I made my way out in the wee hours on a frigid day in December I found three of them. This one was patiently hanging on the rocks and a willing photography subject for me and the other outdoor photographers present. 

I came equipped with a Canon 300mm fixed lens, 1.4x telezoom extender which brought my final focal length to approximately 620 mm - just close enough to get a frame filling image. In this image I wanted to include the incoming waves to show a bit of the owl's habitat and environment. I moved in closer and closer by carefully taking a round of picture, than moving tripod and gear forward before taking the next round of pictures. Aperture was set to f/8 resulting in a shutter speed of 1/40 second at ISO100.

During post processing I applied dust removal, minimal lighting, contrast and color saturation adjustments befiore sharpening and cropping the final image of this Snowy Owl Bird Photography image.  

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Photo of the Week Art on Sale: Abstract Flower

Every Sunday I select one of my favorite photography image from my Fine Art landscape, seascape, cityscape, flower, abstract and macro photography gallery collection and offer it throughout that week at a discount. This week's photo art of the week on sale is "Abstract Flower", displaying the beautiful forms and colors of a purple Iris flower up close.

Starting today and throughout the week of 07 April 2014 this abstract iris flower fine art photography image from my Forms in Nature Art Gallery, available as art photo print, acrylic and metal prints or on canvas, is on sale.

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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2014 Boston Red Sox Home Opener

We finally arrived. A new season of Boston Red Sox baseball at the jewel of ballparks: Boston Fenway Park! Today, last year's magical season comes to a conclusion. After a busy week with visits to President Barack Obama and the White House in Washington DC and the first road games at Baltimore, team Bo Sox will host their first game here in Boston: Home opener - yikes.  Jake Peavy will be taking the hill for the Sox. Red Sox opening day plans, schedule and festivities:

• Gates open at 11:35 a.m.
• Ceremonies begin at 1 p.m.  
• Performing artists: The Dropkick Murphys and the Boston Pops
• Moment of silence in tribute to Lieutenant Edward J. Walsh and firefighter Michael R. Kennedy

 

 

• Tribute to the survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings
• Members of the Hanscom Airforce Base military will line the length of the Green Monster wall as the American flag drops for the anthem
• Flyover at Fenway Park by the United States Coast Guard with a single MH-60T helicopter
• Presentation of the Red Sox 2013 World Series champion rings
• Players will wear special gold trimmed Red Sox jerseys with gold stitching around the World Series Championship patch
• God Bless America by the Boston Fire Department Quartet 

 

Hope to see your there!

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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“The hum of bees is the voice of the garden.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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“Let the rain kiss you.” ~ Langston Hughes

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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Landscape Photography Tip

Lead viewers to the main subject by using leading lines guiding them into and through your landscape photography picture - a path or street, a fence or a line of trees. 

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen

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