I agree, but there is a difference between being retired (as I am also) and trying to build a business albeit a side business. In my experience shooting a wedding (and especially weddings) as a favor or "just a little over my cost" will always cost you money rather than making any. I still do weddings and such as favors, but I do it knowing that I will be donating my time and money to do it. There is nothing wrong with either approach, but keep in mind there is a definite difference.

I know the junction well. I was Emergency Communications Coordinator for the 100 mile Greenville - Brownville dogsled races in 2006 and 2007.

I started a small business carving wood spirits a few years ago, and initially had a hard time selling any of my work. Then another wood carver told me,"If you are not selling your work, double the price." It sounded crazy to me, but it actually worked! I doubled the price and within two months I couldn't keep up with the orders. It then became so much like a job that I was no longer enjoying it and stopped selling. I am retired, and the last thing I wanted was another full-time job. Good luck with your efforts!
-Stosh

You might try a circular polarizing filter to bring out some detail in the clouds. Even on very cloudy days there is some detail, but it can be difficult to capture. I usually use a UV filter combined with the polarizer to get as much as I can. Even a little detail there would add some life to the photo.
I like the composition very much, and am impressed with the creative thought that went into the image. The low angle of view really captures the eye. Just one suggestion: You might want to crop the right side just enough to remove the concrete object on the edge.

Hi Jim, My wife and I lived in Monson, near Moosehead Lake until three years ago when we needed to come to California to care for my folks. We are hoping take make a trip back there in August on my 1999 Suzuki VL-1500 Intruder. I definitely will be bringing my Cannon Rebel t3, and hope to stay long enough for leaf-peeping before heading back.
-Stosh

Thank you. Now, it's off to find some other images to play around with. I have several horses, but have not yet come up with good ideas for them. I lay awake at night with my brain spinning out of control with ideas, and working out solutions to express those ideas. It drives people crazy around here! :P

I have had the same problem, and it is very annoying. I have a slight tremor in my right hand, and when dealing with more than one file (opening several pictures into an editing program, etc.) my middle finger will click on the mouse button unintentionally. This will produce a copy of every file that you have selected.
Hope this helps.

If you look very closely, you can see the fence, a spectator, and the shadow of a young girl with only one leg riding one of the therapy horses at "The Heart of the Horse Therapy Ranch". It's very difficult to see the young girl in this copy, but the horse's shadow is easily seen in the lower right of the eye.

I have been doing weddings, birthdays, landscape and portraits for more than 20 years. You and your mentor are correct. A photograph is a work of planning, composition, control and requires an artistic talent. A picture (or snapshot) is just that an image captured without a great deal of thought. Pictures are the reasons for the popularity of point and shoot cameras.
They enable everyone to capture subject matter that is of interest to them, and many times I have seen excellent results form this technique. This isn't to say that point and shoot cameras (or their users) are bad in any way. It is just a different aspect of photography.
Personally, I will take both planned photos with a definite result in mind, and on-the-spot pictures when there is now time for such detail. Then, I will sort through the pictures looking for the "one" that says it all.
Whether a picture or a photograph, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and if it portrays the idea you had when you shot it, it is good work.

I generally will give a flat-rate quote for the job including a apckage deal (i.e. 1 - 11x14, 2 - 8x10s, 4 - 5x7, etc.), then I will also show the client the proofs of the best shots and offer additional prints for a prearranged price. This is all made clear while discussing the job with the client prior to the event.

Hi. In my opinion one should not feel voyeuristic when documenting such a dramatic and often tragic event. Only if one subjects victims to unscrupulous actions invading their privacy would it be objectionable.
I say this out of personal experience, my son lost his uncle in a horrible house fire, and the press was all over him and his mother without any respect for their feelings whatsoever.

Regarding photo # 1: I think the composition of the photo is superb, but it looks a little grainy. Is this because of low resolution? (or if film, was it a high speed film?)
-Stosh

This is my first attempt with digital photography, entitled "Eye of the Tree" I used a Canon EOS Rebel t3 @ 100mm and auto settings for the eye, and 30mm for the bark. I created the final image with Paint Shop Pro. This is a low resolution copy, but it shows the effects well.

This is my first attempt at creative digital photography. I have been using film for over 20 years, and finally got a good digital camera. The photo was created using two stock photos and Paint Shop Pro.