An external can fail, just like any hard drive. I have had a couple failures over the years, so the most important images are on the computer and at least 2 other places...tablet, second hard drive, or cloud. But I have moved on from CD's, as it seems most here have. And remember the zip? I lost a lot of files on those babies...but not very many images.

We have had quite a few shutdowns in the past decades, and only 'non-essential' programs have ever been shuttered or reduced. If you consider the military in that category, or think maybe the rest of the gov't does, ya, maybe some impact. Otherwise this will be an inconvenience for some, and an expensive experiment in partisan politics.

I have used lithium ion batteries for years, in cameras, bike lights and more, never looked back once I made the switch from ni-cad. I have used a variety of brands with variable, but never *really* bad experience (the everloops look interesting, and I have not used them, but back in the day Panasonic was the very best in more conventional batteries). I have not swapped batteries out in sets as one deteriorates, as some advised but that does seem prudent. I tend to agree with the apparent consensus that you are describing a bad battery (they do go bad on you, though it should take quite a long time, and many re-charges) and maybe/likely an inadequate charger.

I carry a Sony DSC-WX350 when I don't want to carry something bigger; smaller than a phone (a little thicker though). Smaller sensor but also 20x zoom (optical). Also only a rear screen but there is a small and inexpensive add-on gadget you can get to make that work more effectively in bright light. I can't find the darn thing, but it has been mentioned in this forum so someone can direct you to it. I have not tried it but my brother swears by it, on a camera that he was otherwise going to abandon.

A camera this size and cost will always present compromise, but images seem very acceptable. I have not yet printed any and would be limited to smaller enlargements when I do (but not so small as to be useless to me).

Just the other day at a local brewpub we ran into a kid (20-something, I guess) with a genuine K-1000, fixed 'standard' lens. I took the group's picture and it was fun not having auto-focus and having to actually make adjustments based on a light meter! Point is, film is back (to some extent), retro cameras have some value and a conversation with the folks at the local camera shop confirms: they are developing more and more film all the time. Find a buyer (or a good donation point - camera club, community college photo class, like that). Makes me wish I hadn't sold my old Minolta gear so cheap at a yard sale several years back...

This is much like my experience with stained glass, though it was the higher end art fairs that made it work. The glass on offer was relatively rarely what sold (except the quite small, inexpensive sun catchers). But the contacts made for custom, esp "architectural" work made it worth going.

[quote=Nature_Shooter] This is not meant to be a second career, but a way to meet people and hopefully break even or make a small profit at each show.

Much of this conversation has drifted away from this part of your interest...despite some good and informed advice and commentary on how to actually make money doing this (and/or why to avoid this pursuit) keep your original motivation front and center! When you run into aspects that are not particularly fun, look for ways to get around those obstacles, or at least mitigate them. "The circuit" can be interesting, frustrating, exhausting, motivating. Move toward the positives, try to minimize the negative aspects. And at the end of the day, even a good day, many of the prints you have on offer will still be there. So one way to select which ones to hang will be to pick the ones *you* like to look at...

[quote=jim in TC]

Other than some almost certainly only modest tax drawbacks to forming this as a business rather than hobby ( add to your 1040 a Schedule C assuming sole proprietorship, and of course some record keeping) you will be able to 'write off' all manner of things as business expenses. Remembering to make a profit at least some years, you can offset other income with any purchase that advances your business (nicer camera? more lenses? gadgets?) and any mileage that has a business component (within some restrictions and with a semblance of reason). So most anyplace you go that you take, or attempt, marketable photos...

I never got set up for credit cards when I did the art fair circuit, and accepted personal checks with never a problem. In this day and age it is almost certainly problematic not to be able to accept credit on the spot. And of course in this day and age, with a mobile phone and simple gadgets, you can.

[quote=Photographer Jim]I commented on credit cards earlier

Yes, the IRS can declare you are a hobbyist

Back in the day, I did the art/craft circuit with stained glass, so not directly comparable but here are a few comments:

- someone said to expect more time, expense and effort than you expect - YES

- on variety, size, etc: unless you have a definite 'look' I suggest lots of variety in sizing, media (metal, canvas, paper in frame, like that) and subject matter. My experience was that people saw something they liked but it needed to be sized or changed in some other way for their space. So much of what you are showing may end up being examples of what you can provide, and special ordered the way the customer wants it. Also, it seems as though small prints and cards are good 'high traffic' items.

- pricing: always tricky. One thing I would suggest is that you not go too low. Yes, you want to move product but 1)consider yourself "worthy" of a reasonable price and 2} try to avoid underpricing people who really need to make a living at it.

- the juried art fairs will be, most likely, the best ones for larger product sales but more difficult to get accepted. Also, here in northern Michigan anyway I am seeing a lot of photographs at most of the fairs - lots of competition in other words. "Craft" fairs without a jury are easy and a decent one can also be lucrative and, speaking to some of your motivation anyway, fun.

- there were comments on legal issues. Of course, the sales tax license and there will be some income tax implications. "Doing Business As" (DBA) is usually a simple and inexpensive way to give it a 'business' cred. Some of the other considerations - fire codes and the like - were not an issue in my day but will vary by jurisdiction. At the courthouse when you get the DBA ask about the other stuff. Do your research and due diligence and you should be fine.

- have fun!

The imaginatively named The Camera Shop in NW Michigan (Traverse City) seems to be busy and successful, and I get good advise and service there. It is rare that their pricing is much if any above the big box, and often beats or matches even the internet. Product selection is good though of course not comprehensive. It is not the only place I have gotten supplies and equipment, but always where I start and usually where I end up.

[quote=dsmeltz]Good advice with a caution. If you end up at Best Buy be careful when listening to the store staff. The Best Buy staff are not former professional or advanced amateur photogs. They have no idea what they are talking about.

No doubt it is good to assume that the staff is clueless, though I have found on occasion the BB staff in various departments (including at least on one visit to their camera section) to actually be knowledgeable and/or enthusiasts. That said, advice from a (good) camera shop is likely to be far better. I patronize our local camera shop even in the face of (sometimes, not always) better prices elsewhere because I value their advice. Though even there, during busy times (Christmas, summer in this touristy area) one has to be a bit more cautious if someone new is behind the counter.

It will be really valuable for her to get out to a camera shop (preferably) or if none nearby a big box that features cameras prominently (Best Buy comes to mind) and handle a few cameras. There are many options, one of which is the bridge type, standing between DSLR and point/shoot (smaller sensors, more features, SLR 'feel', no interchangeable lens). The reason to handle is that among many essentially equal value cameras there are significant differences in how they "feel," how the controls are laid out, and how the sometimes bewildering menus are accessed. In most cases these are not 'better' and 'worse' but personal - hand size, brain wiring, like that. One needs to consider, too, whether that higher quality camera is actually going to be along. A larger DSLR with lenses becomes something to 'haul,' a bridge is less gear but still not in a pocket or purse, but even a high quality point/shoot has fewer creative options. But at the end of the day, if the camera is not to hand there is little point in owning it.

I got an Airis inflatable sit-on-top kayak last year and have found it to be the most solid platform on water I have used so far (sit in kayak, relatively stable model of canoe). Too small for a tripod, I think, and not suitable for an electric or any other motor. Bottom line, I think your pontoon will be solid as a rock (maybe not the best metaphor for lake use) and my limited experience with electric motors suggest very quiet propulsion.

One of the very unique things about the Missouri Ozarks is the very interesting and active caves. Many of them are privately owned and have tours, which I cannot vouch for (quite a few around Lake of the Ozarks). Onondaga Cave State Park offers perhaps something less...touristy.