Yeah Me :)

I recently won a photo contest on morguefile.com

The subject was voting and ballots. While not many people entered or voted, I was still excited. It made me feel like I can take a picture (at least sometimes :) ).

I also signed up to another website to sell my photos. I got 11 of them accepted right off the bat. That REALLY excited me. (Even though no one has even looked at one for purchasing yet.) On that site (stockexpert) I am jdurham123

So, I had to delete some of my photos that were previously free on other sites because they were accepted at stockexpert. I guess I didn't HAVE to, but it seemed kind of silly to offer a picture for sale on one site and have it free on another site - kinda defeats the purpose.

I am still patiently waiting for morguefile (my favorite free site) because I have tons of pics to offer as soon as they let the uploading begin. In the short time I have been visiting and contributing to the site, I have learned A TON! They even have free online "classes" you can take (at your own pace). Great information!

So lately, it's been kind of fun, picture wise. Yeah me! :)

Cloud Nine

I have to say, taking pictures really gets to me. It makes me appreciate the beauty around me. It makes me examine things closer. It even makes me watch TV differently.

Always having been a heavily visual person, taking pictures is right up my alley. When I was little, family members always wanted me to find things for them. As I grew older, my color sense was so good, I could match a sweater or blouse color to something I had at home perfectly. And as a teacher, I SPY and Waldo books are fun and I can always quickly find what the kids can't after extensive searching.

But, I feel I have stepped to the next level. It is a long and ongoing journey for me and I realize the road is even longer than I have halfway traveled. But still, it is a next step for me and I couldn't be more excited.

Today 2 of my photos were accepted to a website that sells photos. Most real photographers are probably thinking, "Is she kidding? That's it? That is what she is excited about?"

Yes, it is. I would never call myself a photographer but the site seems pretty strict and has rigid specifications (at least to me and my greenhorn state). And while I had three that were rejected, two weren't!

It gives me hope to keep trying and working on this hobby/project. I just want to improve and be better at something I enjoy. And I love learning new things.

So, I am now a contributor at dreamstime.com

But my favorite place continues to be morguefile.com Those people are great.