Blog Update: New Auction Related Pages

I have recently decided to start blogging a little more on auctions and have added several pages on the subject: an Auction Survival Guide, a page for Auction Tips, and a page on How to Find Auctions.

These pages are currently very much works in progress.  The plan is to update them as I have time. 

I'm Now on Etsy

I have recently opened an Esty store.

This store is a little different from the other selling sites listed.  Those sites are where you can purchase copies of my photos or artwork.

Etsy is for other items.

I have been an avid auction attendee since the early 1990's.  Selling on Etsy gives me the chance to make a little money from that hobby.

Etsy does allow sellers to offer digital files, so I might include some digital downloads there.  (Images are one option but there are other options.)

This also gives me something to write about besides photography.

The photography news lately has been very limited, mainly covering new lenses and cameras.  I currently don't have access to these items to review them myself and I have little interest in blogging based on reviews posted by someone else.

I did post links to those reviews at one time, but that became too time consuming when I started my day job.

I will continue to write on photography related subjects but will also include posts on other subjects, including Etsy updates.

For those looking for a place to sell photographic prints, Etsy is an option.  Selling prints on the site does require you to print the images yourself.  This does give you some control over the quality of the images sold.  It also forces you to deal with the printing and shipping the prints.

Etsy does charge listing fees as well as charging a commission on sales.

The listing fee is only 20 cents per item and the listing lasts for four months.

Etsy also offers sellers a credit card reader.  This allows sellers to allow buyers to buy directly from the seller while using their credit card.  This is a viable option for anyone interested in direct sells to the public.  (Like an art fair.)

All you need is a cell phone, an Etsy account and the credit card reader.

There is a per transaction fee when using the reader.  (Roughly 3%.)

Update for Those Interested

Just a quick update.

The ol' job search really hasn't been going that well.  (I do have an appointment today, but it's just a basic introductory orientation for all those interested in the job.)


I have decided to concentrate on uploading my photographs, art and designs to the various selling sites.  (Red Bubble, Cafe Press, Zazzle, etc.)

I will provide updates and insights here as I do so.


On a personal note, my brother is doing better.

They moved him out of the hospital yesterday and into a long-term care rehab facility.

Quick Update on Personal Life

It's been a very rough two months.  My brother is currently back in the ICU.  This makes the third ICU visit in the last two months.

The previous two visits lasted less then a day.  This one has been three days already and it looks like it will be even longer.

I've been spending a fair amount of time at the Hospital the last week and the rest of my time has been taken up filling out job applications.  (No takers so far.)  I'm to the point where I'm looking at part-time/seasonal work just to have a little money coming in.

Don't know when I'll be able to blog on a regular basis or post photography/art on my other websites.

Don't Know How Active I'll Be in Future

Personal events have lead to me having far less time to blog.  I don't know how active I'll be when it comes to this blog in the future.  Among other things, I'm looking for a job that will pays the bills.  My blogging/internet sales of photos just isn't providing any sort of income right now.


P.S.  For those of you who read my post on my brother, he's doing well.  They moved him out of ICU yesterday.

Asking for You Prayers

My brother needed to have emergency surgery today for a perforated bowel.  He's currently in the ICU fighting the infection caused by the hole in his intestine.

Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.


I don't know when my next post will be.

Real Life Interrupting Blogging

I posted the other day on needing to take my brother to the Emergency room.  Today he had to be admitted to the Hospital.

I spent the better part of the day up there.  So no posts and many of the news stories and reviews have yet to be added to my link list.  (Usually posted Sunday.)

I'll probably spend most of tomorrow up there as well.

Really Late Checking News Feeds Today

I normally check my news feeds for stories in the morning.  I'm just now getting around to it due to a minor family emergency.  (It's 4:30 PM here.)

Nothing major, it just involved several hours waiting at the Hospital.

I really don't feel like reading my feeds right now, but I'll get overwhelmed by the shear number of stories tomorrow if I don't.

Finally Joined Twitter

I have finally signed up for a Twitter account.

Yes, I've given in.  Surrendered,   Joined the Dark Side.


I even got to try out Fine Art America's Twitter ap after uploading a new photograph to that site.  (It only took a year).

Part of the problem I've always had with Twitter has to do with the name.  I realize it has to do with "bird sounds" (tweet), but I've lways had the notion that it was really meant as a joke by the creators of the site.

After all, wouldn't someone using Twitter be known as a Twit?

Site Update: June 2, 2014

The photography news front has been fairly quiet recently.  Today has been no exception.  There really wasn't anything in my news feeds that I wanted to post on toady.

That makes it a good day to work on the blog itself.  I recently added a page that provides links to various stores.  I'll be adding to that today as I go through my links.


I also dabble in art.  I normally don't have that much time to paint, draw or work on digital artwork.  The current slow news cycle has given me more time to do so.

I always intended to include art related articles, and the slow photography news cycle will give me a chance to post those.


I am planning a project that involves creating digital artwork using images of found objects.

My current project involves a contest on DeviantArt: the WeChat Emoticon Sticker Challenge.  I have a day and a half to finish an animated gif.  I'll post it to my DeviantArt Page when finished.

Site Update: Reworking Pages

Just a quick update.

I have adding a page to the top of the site: Stores.  I have also changed the order pages are listed.


I plan to list photography/art stores with a brief description of what is offered.  The honor of being the first store listed goes to Photojojo.


Pop Photo had an article on Photojojo's Engineering Print service.  I decided to check the store out and found some interesting products.


My favorite might be the iPhone/Android film scanner.  It turns your smartphone into a device that can scan film negatives.




Buy the iPhone and Android Film Scanner at the Photojojo Store!

Slow News Day

It's a slow news day as far as photography related news goes.  I think everyone's tired after all that activity that happened after the Sony a77 II was officially announced.

Time for all the little things that go along with having a blog that don't result in blog posts.


Just a little note to let you know I'm not being lazy, even if you don't see an actually article.

Time for a Little Blog Spring Cleaning

I notice my label list seems to have gotten a little out of hand.

I think it's time to do a little Spring Cleaning on the blog and throw some of them out.

My First Blog Post!

Yes, I know.  Very original post title.


A little bit about myself and the purpose of this blog:
Circumstances in my personal life interfere with my ability to hold down a job with regular hours (I have a family member that requires medical treatments and I usually drive them to and from the treatments.)  I have tried various ways of making money on my own including eBay and blogging.

I am currently selling prints of my photography and artwork and plan to submit my photography to stock photo sites.

I got my first camera from my father when I was only five years old.  This gives my over 35-years of experience at this time.


I intend to use this blog to provide updates on where my photos/artwork can be purchased as well as any promotions I run (including freebies).  I will also offer my thoughts on the various sites that I use, promotional tactics, photo tips, etc.

David