I am prepping for my first art show and am getting ready to print numerous canvas prints 16x20s, 12x18s, 8x10s and 6x9s. There will also be some 6x9s and 8x10s printed on lustro and matted. I have noticed on the large grand landscape prints hanging in galleries that the photographer has signed the lower right corner but on "You Tube" postings there are others that sign the back of the print only. I have two questions: 1. Is it more customary to sign the front of a canvas and matted print vs the back and 2. Is it an accepted practice to sign each print digitally with the same signature. I have difficulty signing my name the same way twice because of slight hand spasms during the process of signing and it makes my signature illegible at times. I have read that it is important for ones signature to be legible when signing a work of art. I want to present my work the most professional way. Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

thanks...on our way to Pittock Mansion. Hoping to see the mount from there.

I am staying in King City, OR today and would like to know if any one knows where a good location is to take a long lens photo of Mt. Hood at sunset without driving 70 miles to the location. Thanks in advance.

Okay...thank you

thanks, now I understand how to view the pics. Very cool photos...can't wait to get there.

thanks

thanks...are you going to upload some pics or a link to your post? Would love to see your pics.

Any one out there know where the best place to set up for a good photo of Mt St. Helens is. Will be traveling through during the day next month. Will have some time to devote to hiking. Thanks in advance.

I know Jason...his program doesnt interest me. I have had many discussions with him. IM360 doesn't cost you a thing up front. They pay regularly. The only aspect of their service is that they are a bit behind the curve on technology. Any way, good luck and have a good one.

I use Imagemaker360.com. Very photographer friendly. I have a good relationship with the owner but haven't had the need for a tour because real estate is so hot where I am. I will frequently upload just the exteriors to get the listing online and 8 out of ten times the home will already have offers on it...literally over night by the time the rest of the photos are delivered. Realtors have no time or patience for VT processing. If I were you I would begin the migration process of converting to a full time self employed photographer. You are more of a saddle horse for your tour provider. Check out the photographer program at IM360. It may be a good fit for you. Call to talk to Brad Kenny. Very nice guy and full of info. He sometimes takes a while to return calls. I think he has around 800 to 1000 photographers working for him at any given time so very busy fellow. Hope that helps.

You might want to try HDR. I think I could satisfy the interior shots with seven and the exterior with three but I like the complete coverage of 9 and 7 in case I need to modify processing. Also included are at least 2 brackets of each perspective...just for insurance. I think 35 minutes per shoot is unreasonable. I shoot a 2500 to 3500 sq ft home in about 60 to 90 minutes. 25 to 50 HDR photos. Depending on the speed of your computer the whole shoot can be batch processed in Photomatix on a lap top (part of which can be done en route to the office in the car) in about 90 mins. Photo Shop post takes another 60-90. With 2 lap tops most of the batch processing is done while driving and while unloading at the office. You could process 3 shoots in a long day earning $300 to $375 for stills only. What most clients don't take into consideration is the state of camera readiness of a home. I shot a beautiful home last week where the 2 inch wood blinds were sagging so badly all I could do was raise all of them all the way up before the shoot. It took an extra 15 to 20 mins each way to make the house cam ready. I don't get paid for that. Its just a cost of doing business. I send a "To Do" list of things for a home owner to check off to help prepare a home for photography but it only helps in about 30% of the shoots ....but those shoots are a pleasure.

I shoot every real estate shoot in HDR, process every other photo and turn all the photos within 24 to 48 hours. Shoot nine for all interior and seven for exteriors. This works well for me. There are numerous ways to shoot real estate. My way works for me. One thing I would like to add is flash to add some pop to my pics, or maybe process differently. Any one out there have any suggestions?

An old friend of mine once said to me "Paralysis from Analysis". You can all interpret that for what it is. Its like saying the "Serenity Prayer" for me. I have learned a valuable lesson recently and am a bit humbled now. None of us know the perfect way to take a photo that all should follow to be a good photographer. I have also recently realized by being myself and just doing the best job that I can is more important than knowing all the spec details of all my equipment. Our cameras are merely an extension of our minds and how we use them is solely up to the individual and how much effort one wants to put into it. For me the struggle for precision is over and the space for creativity has moved in. If you are making money as a pro you are very fortunate and that also places you in a club meant for a just a few. If you want to make money as a pro just work your ass off. There simply is no substitute for hard work. Have fun and enjoy what you you do. Happy shooting.

The first sentence in your comment is not accurate. But if thats what you think...OK. I do other kinds of photography too. Not just real estate. Just saying if one wants to get good at HDR it takes a lot of work. I approach all my work with an eager sense of productiveness. Just my style. Attached is a couple of dogs I did last year.

Cici


Lily

K...get a chair...I feel pretty much like a heal ...but on the bright side I do understand it more thoroughly. Thanks...and my apologies. OK ...that hurt!