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%.)

Photoshop Can Determine the Subject Matter of Your Images.

Hat Tip: Popular Photography

I actually find this to be a bit disturbing and file it under just another reason not to use Photoshop.

It turns out that Photoshop will refuse to load images of currency.  That requires Photoshop to determine the subject matter of any image the user wants to edit with the program.  Couple that with Adobe's Cloud Computer model, which requires an active Internet connection to Adobe's servers in order to use the program and you have a nightmare for any paranoid individual.

Not only can the program determine when you are attempting to open a file containing the image of a banknote, but the program is in constant communications with the software company that owns the software.

Anyone else wondering whether the NSA also knows when you attempt to open a file containing a banknote image?  Or maybe the Government mandates Adobe turn over information whenever the program flags a file as containing a banknote image?

(We have examples of them forcing companies to turn over information.)


Why would anyone use a program that stops working if you lose Internet service and examines the content of the files you edit?  Especially if it flags content as "illegal".


Big Brother is here.

Its name is Adobe.

FYI, it is actually legal to possess digital images of U.S. banknotes.  It has to be for non-fraudulent purposes and the image needs to be black and white instead of color.  There is also a size requirement, but that seems to apply more to anything that is actually printed. 

Polaroid Announces New Mobile Photo Printer.

Hat Tip: Imaging Resource

My immediate reaction to Polaroid's new Zip photoprinter was "why?".

It's a mobile printer that prints 2" x 3" images.  It's charged via a micro USB cable and prints roughly 25 images per charge.

The printer can link to android or iPhones via Bluetooth/NFC.

So basically, it's a device that turns your phone into a Polaroid camera with a single, 25 image, film pack.  All for only $129.99

Oh, and you have to use Polaroid's paper which costs $14.99 for 30 sheets.

Okay, so I'm being a bit facetious.

The "printer" doesn't actual print.  It actually activates ink embedded in the specialized paper.  Plus, the printer will presumably draw power from the cable if the cable is plugged into a wall outlet instead of using the battery, allowing the device to print more than 25 images as long as a wall outlet is available.  (It should also be able to use external portable batteries.)

This does strikes me as a very niche product.  I don't see that many people being interested in a portable printer capable of only printing 25 images before it has to be recharged.  It does appear to be a better option than the current alternatives, though. 

You can purchase instant film cameras and film.  The cheapest option for film seems to by Fuji's instant film at $8.99 for a 10 pack.  That's $27 for 30 photos versus $14.99 when using Polaroid's new printer.  Saving $12 per 30 images means the printer will pay for itself after roughly 300 images when compared to the alternatives.

This might be a product that certain photographers might be interested, with wedding photographers being the most obvious.  Guests could obtain copies of photos taken at the wedding or reception while they were still on location.  The couple could also personalize any keepsakes given out to guests with images taken during the ceremony. 

The same is true for other events.

This does suggest a possible revenue source for event photographers.  The photographer could rent the printer and sell the paper needed to print images at the event.

(For those wondering how someone could make money selling the paper.  The $14.99 is the retail price.  The photographer should be able to purchase it at the wholesale price.  The difference is the photographer's profit margin on the paper.)