Marilyn Davenport Photography & Graphic Arts Resources Blog

Protect Your Images - Free Image Search Engine Software Plugin TinEye

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:26:00 +0000

Always wanted to find out who's using your photos? Knowing there's so many ways people can infringe on your imagery by for example: erasing traceable file info data and watermarks, this Beta (and Free) browser plugin for Internet Explorer and FireFox is supposed to do the trick. I honestly haven't had much time to try it out yet so I'd love to hear some comments back from you if you decide to try it. Here's the Link:

TinEye Image Search Engine browser plugin

It's supposed to work by matching up your image and they claim you get exact matches, even if the "perp" only uses a cropped portion of your image.

Can't wait to try it and get some feedback from you!

i2align - i2K Quickage Panorama Montage Software - Thirty Day Free Trial

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:04:00 +0000

I was asked to conduct a review by i2K on their new i2K Quickage Panorama Montage stand alone software package. The timing was perfect because I had recently taken a panoramic, montage, photo stiching course at HCP – Houston Center For Photography using Photoshop CS4 so this was a perfect time for me to check out this software. At the time I was taking the course, I did not have the nice gitzo pano head I currently own so a few of the folders of images would simply not line up in Photoshop CS4, no matter which options or techniques I used. Using i2K’s Pro version, I was able to assemble these same problematic images into a panoramic image with a few simple clicks. See Below:

The interface is simple and easy to use, including the Pro version. I was able to use as many as 20 images to create one pano image. The software automatically creates the panos in TIFF format at 72 dpi but the sizes are so large you can change the dimensions and resolution without much destruction using Photoshop or image enlargement software.

You can get the 30 day Free Trial here: I2Kalign Photographic Panorama Montage Free 30 day Trial The i2K Quickage Pro is $99. 95 and the abbreviated less expensive version, i2K Quickage Express is merely $49.99. The express version maxes out at merging four images where the Pro version allows for unlimited number of images. Here’s the Comparison Chart: i2K Panorama Montage Versions Comparison Chart

HIWI Ike book contributor... Hurricane Ike

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0000

This is the image I submitted as a contributor to HIWI IKE (Houston It's Worth It) book about what we as the gulf coast went through last year with Hurricane IKE. HIWI IKE is not a "downer", It shows our spirit, neighbors helping neighbors and clever ideas people came up with to make it through. Where I was located at the time, I was on the outskirts of town so it took eighteen days to get back onto the electrical grid. I have an entire body of work of all the snapped trees as they formed geometric shapes... Marilyn Davenport Photography TWISTED

The Curator of Photography is Clint Wilour, Curator of Photography and Art at the Galveston Arts Center which the interior received substantial damage. Galveston Arts Center in exile and under repair Part of the proceeds from the book go/went to rebuilding the center.

Here's a link to The Houston Chronicle's Fine Art section about it:Houston Chronicle Fine Arts: HIWI IKE book

The HIWI editor also chose my Hurricane Play list which they said they may play at book signing parties. I attended the book launch party where the images where projected onto a large wall, there are numerous book signings around town also.

Here's the link to the book just freshly listed on Amazon.com : HIWI Ike

For Locals: HIWI:Ike is now available at: River Oaks, Menil Books, Domy, Brazos, Events, Kaboom, Jubilee, Bliss, Picnic, Agora. More coming soon.

My point is that It's always good if you can provide something written to go with your photos. Contributing to a book is a great opportunity for emerging mid career and established photographers. Giving back through your art is important.

Entering Contests and Competitions

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:46:00 +0000

Contests and competitions with cash prizes are great but maybe have more entrants. I enter some to gain exposure to publishers, art directors, curators, and gallery owners I would normally not get exposure to. Tis rare to find one that does not charge entry fees any more. I feel you should match what kind of photography you create to the type of competition you should enter. This one had international jurors from France, Italy and the Curator of Photography for the Library of Congress and and the International Photo Editor for Time Magazine. This is also a way to have your CV "branch out" of your local region, sometimes without the hassles of having to ship your work.

The Difference Between PPI vs. DPI

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:13:00 +0000

DPI = Dots per Inch. This has to do with your printer and how many dots you want to use to print something out, depending on how detailed you want it, along with how much ink you want to use. Less expensive printers have a lower maximum output of DPI than more expensive specialized printers.

The term we should be using is:
PPI (Pixels Per Inch) is the pixels per inch in a given image. Then it gets more complicated by the resolution you choose or your camera has. I found this very good chart that shows up to 16 megapixel cameras at various resolutions (too bad mine is 21) and it also includes 35mm film. There's also a chart on what's the maximum size photo one should make to get the maximum quality photo. Some will disagree with that section because of sensor size or if they know how to upsize an image without going too far.

Here's the link to the chart: PPI Chart

Free Photoshop Plugin Filters

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:05:00 +0000

This image is archived to the permanent collection at the Dishman Art Museum.

I love to play around with my images by trying out different third party photoshop compatible plug ins from time to time. (Actually the photo posted uses only a frame plug in but I felt it was an appropriate to give the idea and there are some free filters that sort of emulate the same look.

You can find all the links free plug in filters to the right under Links to Cool Stuff...

Photoshop 11.0.1 CS4 Update That Fixes Crashes and Slowdowns

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:24:00 +0000

I don't know about you folks, but I had a lot of crashes until I did the following update. It's a lot better now.

The latest Photoshop update according to Adobe updates the following issues:

Adobe Photoshop CS4 11.0.1 update - multiple languages
February 24, 2009
The Adobe® Photoshop® CS4 11.0.1 update addresses a number of issues discovered after Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop CS4 Extended (11.0) software were released.The most significant fixes in the Photoshop CS4 11.0.1 update include the following:

A number of issues that could cause slow performance have been addressed.
Pen barrel rotation with Wacom tablets now works correctly.
Photoshop now correctly recognizes 3D textures edited by a plug-in.
The quality of the results of Auto-Blend Layers (Stack Images) has been improved.
A problem that could result in a crash when pasting formatted text has been fixed.
A crash that could result from a corrupt font no longer occurs.

Here's the link to the updates and downloads page:

Adobe Downloads and Updates

JPG Magazine Relaunches!

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:46:00 +0000

Yes, it's true! They don't have a new office or all the positions filled yet but it's supposed to happen. Read the JPG Magazine's Blog

The Photographic Dictionary

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:03:00 +0000

A is for Apple, right?

Check out this fun and clever version of a dictionary The Photographic Dictionary

Make Your Own Creepy Portraits

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:59:00 +0000

This is one of my pooches, which I thought was appropriate because there are 500 Scottish Terriers in the movie. Maybe his ears are down because he doesn't like buttons on his eyes!

There's a cool (time sensitive) tool for making fun portraits using your photos : Button Eye Portrait Maker on Coraline movie website Just be aware that if you chose to do it, they can use your photos. Now that the movie has been out for a while, I did update the link but when you go to the page you must now press the Enter tab at the top of their page.

Attractive Free Pin Hole Camera Patterns

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:19:00 +0000

Corbis, the big stock photography corporation has these great looking pin hole camera patterns for free download.

Click onto the live link below and enjoy!

Corbis readymech pinhole camera patterns

JPG Magazine closes!

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:39:00 +0000

I really enjoyed looking at JPG, and occasionally submitting to a theme. JPG started out small and was bought out a year or so ago and now is folding. This was an opportunity for many people to get published for the first time. It's a shame. I am guilty of not subscribing to it and was honestly just about to when I received the notification in my email. Too little, too late! However I do subscribe to many other photography magazines. Magazines come and go fairly frequently, so I'm hoping something new will take it's place.

Fair well JPG!!.....Maybe it will reincarnate as RAW!!!

Urban/Street Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:50:00 +0000

CLASS WAR

Urban/Street Photography: It's been forever popular. I stole this opportunity, just like the tagger....I like the Juxtapose of the beautiful simple architecture with the social commentary of two words placed in just the right spot. I thought the two word "commentary" regarding class divisions which seem to sometimes be created by the physical barrier/divide of bridges, freeways, rail road tracks, etc., was true. Some may say the CLASS WAR here is the high class architecture versus the low class spray painted graffiti.

Tip:
I like to carry around a point and shoot in my purse for just such occasions - they are also less intrusive and more inconspicuous.

Portfolio Reviews: Tips & What to Expect

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:00:00 +0000

The Dishman Art Museum is my next exhibition: January 15th - February 20th, 2009. It's a group show with Keith Carter as juror. My image was one of 52 selected from all over the U.S. and France. It's good to be in exhibitions with important jurors. The more people you can have look at your work, the better!

I have appointments for mutiple portfolio reviews with photo curators - the right people seeing your portfolio may result in new opportunities and it can be quick and less painful to participate in one of the group sessions with multiple reviews. I like to use paper dividers between each body of work with the name of each group of work and perhaps a short punch list or a few short sentences to give the idea of each so I don't have to say a word or if I can't remember every detail, the main points are listed for the curators and I. If you are seeing multiple curators at an event, there's usually a time limit of 15 to 20 minutes so having printed divider pages can help you to avoid the pitfalls of too much conversation resulting in not getting all your work seen.

Get published!

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:04:00 +0000

This image will be in the spring 2009 Spot Magazine published by Houston Center For Photography.

This popped up at Border's Books today. I'd forgotten that during the summer I responded to England's Digital Photographer's ongoing question: Where have all the real photographers gone? My comments were published along with one of my photos. It's a bit exciting and there are lots of magazines and ezines out there just waiting to share your creativity. The subject in the article is a raging debate and you can read my response by clicking onto the image and it will enlarge. I did not get a free copy, subscription or anything but it's a tear sheet and the subject matter is great for conversation.

This travel magazine published my work back in August. This was the last print publication but you can still submit to them as they remain an ezine. I did get paid for this image but they published it without my knowledge!

Hurricane Ike

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:09:00 +0000

I was out wandering after the hurricane and saw so many trees destroyed. Try 50% in this infrared photo...One came through my roof in nine places. This image ended up on the online Hurricane Ike exhibition at Houston Center For Photography.

Unbelievable Obama Junk Mail Ploy!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:44:00 +0000

This junkmail came and I just could not believe it! It doesn't matter who you are voting for, this is rediculous!
It says if you answer the Obama survey, you get a $500.00 dollar gas card from Exxon Mobil which is hilarious since Obama always talks about Exxon making too much money. I wonder if the Obama Camp knows his image is being used? Who knows but this is the most low down spam I've received in a long time - If you've every tried one of these "surveys" you never get the $500.00 but instead you begin receiving hundreds of new spam emails every day after you waste 30 minutes trying for it.

Themes and Color Schemes

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:24:00 +0000

When entering a competition, it seems the more "upscale" the affair, the less color is used. Why? I know how to compose and I did plenty of black and white for years, it was the fundamentals course after all! I just submitted for a juried exhibition about death and all that goes with it - so I sorta played it safe and submitted very subdued image colors with sepia added. I'm not sure if they really were my best images but I'm not going to be the judge of that after all. The top photo is the one I submitted.

Sensor Cleaning: Review Delkin's kit

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:56:00 +0000

Their scope is really great but the tiny vacuum cleaner, swabs and cleaning liquid cleaner are not. You can use the vacuum for your keyboard I suppose, but you are better off buying just the scope and then buying another brand of cleaner and swabs like the Eclipse fluid and swabs. Get the swab size that matches your sensor size - yes it matters because you are only supposed to make one swipe each way or you'll end up spreading dust instead of removing it. The Eclipse fluid evaporates much faster than the Delkin fluid. I used many of their swabs and could not get the dust off.

Can't Get Diamonds Later If You Accept Peanuts Now!

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:36:00 +0000

The issue is two fold:

This applies to -

1.Contests

And 2. .... more importantly: YOUR WORK!

When applying for contests: Try to find one that isn't charging entry fees. That's not so easy. Also, you must read the fine print! Here's what they do: They take your entry fees and use them as the prize money and for expenses and who knows what else. That's not so terrible. But the ones that charge a fee, also tend to be the ones that do things like the one I came across the other day... They had in the fine print that those who were not selected (everyone but the three prize winners) would not be acknowledged, nor their work returned and that work automatically becomes the property of the Sponsors. Well guess who one of the two sponsors was? AN ADVERTISING FIRM! That means there's a chance that they would use your images in an ad later without compensating you! For as long as they want! That's terrible! I have had a friend look up and see their work on a billboard without being paid! But do not sign up to be ripped off!

If you are hobby-ist please understand that every time you say to yourself "so what" in these situations, you degrade the industry as a whole. If you decide to go pro later, then you've not only degraded pro photographers, you've made it hard for yourself. You can't ask for diamonds later, if you accept peanuts now!

Opening Reception: Museum of Printing History

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:57:00 +0000

Today is the opening reception for my solo exhibition at The Museum of Printing History! They have a great publicity machine and the show looks great. It was hung properly and they took the time to make changes in the lighting.

LIghting is so important!

Putting together a show like this is a lot of work and you must be prepared to respond to what ever they need you to do for publicity purposes, price lists, inventory lists, accompanying displays ect.

You will probably be asked to contribute a print to their collection which is a good thing, because then you can say your work is in a museum or gallery collection.

Stay calm and be nice! Enjoy your accomplishments.

New great photo gear products...

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:48:00 +0000

This company makes really cool, thoughtful photo gear products:

Think Tank Photo - Products

Which include custom photo luggage that meets international airport requirements and electronic security tags for tracing your registered camera bags or what ever you can attach the tag to!

Sad News: Friend & Photography Curator of The Art Car Museum killed by DUI "suspect"in front of Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Mon, 12 May 2008 05:50:00 +0000

In front of the Art Car Museum, just hours after I spoke to him. I had just worked with him - as he was the curator for my FotoFest2008 exhibition. In working together, we found out we attended the same Sr. High school during the same years. He was truly one of the kindest people ever.
Below is a photo I shot after leaving my piece of this growing impromptu memorial:

Tom shot this photo of me (below) with my FotoFest2008 exhibition works using my new toy camera (which he was interested in)

Here's a short video (below) of his last interview about The Art Car Museum which includes a few of my images from my exhibition.

Here's a video about the memorial service - very cool!

Light In The Darkness

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:25:00 +0000

Up coming Show!

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Davenport Photography, Photoshop & Graphics) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:21:00 +0000

Art Car Museum

March 8th 7-10pm