Cindy Clicks

Ok, so why is this kind of thing dominating fine art photography?  Isn't this the kind of thing that should be in journalistic media instead of hanging on the walls of a gallery?  At what point did storytelling become high art?  Why do we no longer see spectacular landscapes, or beautiful botanicals in art galleries? I just like photography that is beautiful.  I enjoy the photography I am seeing on 1x.com

Midday sun can produce dramatic photos, especially when you are in a beautiful garden, such as Catigny Park.

He apparently got rave reviews for his portfolio at the Chicago Filter Photo event last year.  But having just graduated from art school, I can still find remnants of stigma when it comes to photography.  I was looked down upon for choosing to do photography as my senior thesis.  They no longer teach it at that school.  I see his work as trying too hard to come up with a new idea and falling flat IMHO.  
But on the other hand, take a look at this photo I just shot on Saturday.  The only thing I did to it was adjust color and contrast in Photoshop.  I think it looks like a 19th century painting.  But God forbid, I was chastised relentlessly for saying that my work looks like a painting.  The professors said it was because I was embarrassed that I produced a photo instead of doing a painting.  Give me a break!

nbanjogal,  I could not agree more.  I just finished my BFA.  I had to force them to allow me to do photography for my senior thesis because they no longer teach it at this college.  The only reason I finished it is because I was only 7 credits away, and so it was a no-brainer.  After 40 years of on again, off again,  I finally did it, so it was a big accomplishment.  I wouldn't even think about going for an MFA unless I got a free ride.  But during that last semester I was never graded on talent.  They were more interested in the story and my ability to explain my art.  So art is now more about selling a good BS story than the art itself.  I think that is a travesty.

Oh yes, I visited Utah in January 2013 and it truly was spectacular.  Winter is my favorite time of year.  There are no crowds and the cold doesn't bother me at all.  It sure beats dealing with bugs, bears, reptiles and heat.   I don't ski, but someone told me before I left on that trip that the snow is Utah is different than it is here in the midwest.  I didn't believe them until I found out for myself they were right.  Another favorite area of the US is the Northwestern coast.  I could stare at the waves crashing into the shore all day.  I have been contemplating Nova Scotia and I also heard that Toronto is a beautiful city.  Someday I would like to visit Iceland and Patagonia.  I agree that you can find something beautiful anywhere.  I enjoy seeing something completely different once in a while and Utah fit the bill perfectly because the landscape is dramatically different than what I see everyday in Illinois.  It took my breath away.  

Ya, I was thinking one crop sensor and one full frame.  I love macro too, so which would be better for that?  I hope the new Tamron 16-300 is a decent lens because I had great luck with my 28-300 Tamron.  I would love that kind of range, and it has a closer focus for macro.  But my dream camera would be the Pentax 645Z with 51 pixels.  Wow, that would be awesome.  But those medium formats come with a steep price. 

Ok, here is a link.    https://www.facebook...90442579&type=3

Also, I find tripods to be very cumbersome.  I have been known to take beautifully clear shots at 1/13sec, 300mm, hand-held.  I need a camera that will be able to handle that.  

I am a fine art photographer.  Let me tell you how I define that:  I take a wide variety of subject matter.  I use the camera as an artist would use a paintbrush, as opposed to how a technician would use a wrench.  I want the camera to do what I want it to do, and not the other way around. Therefore, it is difficult for me to find one camera that will work for every situation.  I am trying to narrow it down to two bodies, one for wide angle to mid range, and one for midrange to a longer telephoto.  I have a unique style and love to break the rules.  I have been told that not very many people shoot like this.  I am hoping to find another fine art photographer out there who can tell me what kind of equipment works best for a variety of situations.  Up until now I have used a Canon T3i with a Tamron 28-300 and a Tokina 11-16.  But I am needing some new equipment due to the sheer volume of photos I take, and because of my recent gallery and competition successes, I would like to upgrade to some better, more advanced equipment.  Any suggestions?