What Do You Think?

This one makes me think of chocolate :)

green marbled sand background

This reminds me of a chalkboard backgroundThis one is my favorite - reminds me of watercolors and the ocean
Very peaceful and calming.

These have all been uploaded to stockexpert and are waiting for approval. I hope they get accepted :) I just keep trying.

If anyone is interested in purchasing the rights, contact me. If you are looking for something specific, I can make something designed just for you. My email is diverdaisy@gmail.com

What I Came Up With

I'll tell ya. Simple and elegant is hard for me. I like busy and loud. I like a lot of input. A LOT.

When we go somewhere new, my husband always teases me and says, "Oh, I forgot. Your inputting," when I am gawking around all big eyed. I am like that robot on that old movie with Dan somebody and the character "Stephanie." (Been a while since I have seen it - it's from the 80's.)

It's hard to find an empty wall in my house. I just like a lot of stuff to see.

So I am guessing that is why simple is hard for me. I feel like something is missing. I will keep working on it but this is what I came up with last night. Not quite there yet.

What they need and want

So I just spent some time looking at the photo sell sites.

Trying to figure out what they want. What they need. What sells. And who is buying.

I'm off to the "drawing board."

I'm going to work on abstract background designs that can be used for business. Simple and elegant. (so not me) Wish me luck ;)

Some Day, One Day

I keep hoping my next post will be about actually selling my first picture from one of the internet sites, such as stockexpert.com or dreamstime.com

But, every day (well almost) I faithfully check and every day, nothing. I am still optimistic for several reasons.

1. There are a LOT of good pictures out there that are free (and some of them are mine!) morguefile.com is just about ready to change (I saw sample pics of the new site layout) and I was impressed and glad to be a member!

2. I am still new to taking pictures.

3. I have one photo ( http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=1109104 ) that has been downloaded almost 800 times! (Actually it is like 788) I provided the link in case you want to see it. Yes, an astounding 800 times in about a month. What could it be? A smile! I sent it to both the sell sites, but neither of them accepted it. Granted, it is not perfect by any means. And the teeth are not perfect either. But someone seems to like it - a lot!

At this point you might wonder, as I have, what on earth are people using it for? I am very curious. I have only received one notice about someone using it. It is in a foreign language (German, if I remember correctly.) And they advertised it as DENTURES!

Here is the link: http://74.125.93.104/translate_c?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://berlin.business-on.de/zusatzversicherung-fuer-zahnersatz-nur-3-von-140-tarifen-sehr-gut_id3309.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3Djdurham123%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7GGLJ_en%26pwst%3D1&usg=ALkJrhhr4g7c9n2HZH0kGMJzY00ukY13jg

Yep, they think MY REAL TEETH might be DENTURES! I found that highly amusing.

So I will keep on plugging away at this picture thing, if only to provide amusement for myself and others :)

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.