FAQs ~

So what d'ya wanna know?

I love your images, can I use them?

Everything created here is protected under US copyright law. If you would like to license my images for personal, commercial or non-profit use, please contact me, most of my photos are available in both web and print resolutions. If you'd like to post one of my images on your website, kindly let me know how and why you are linking to this site. I am honored whenever a reader links to my blog!

Can I buy prints of your images?

Yes, indeedy do! I now sell 4x6, 5x5, and 8x10 prints of most (if not all) the images on my blog. Please go to the "Purchase Photos" section by clicking on the link in the navigation at the very top of the screen for more information. If you don't see the size you want, or have a special request, don't hesitate to email me!

What camera do you use?

As of April 2006, I am shooting with a Canon Digital 30D. It's awesome.

How do I take a good picture?

Take a lot of them! Jumping in and trying is the best way to learn. The biggest mistake novices make when shooting pictures is being too far away from their subject. Don't be afraid to get close to what you're shooting, and don't beat yourself up if the images stink at the beginning. Just breathe deeply, fill the frame... get in tight... it will make all the difference in the world.

What image editing software do you use?

Photoshop CS2. Adobe leaves everyone else in the dust.

Why is your pen name "Vincent"?

Visual-Voice.net is a place to both write and share my artwork. I use Vincent as my pen name to honor my favorite artists from both disciplines. Vincent Van Gogh is hands-down my favorite painter. Many do not know he wanted to be a priest and wrote deeply moving letters to his brother about god and his feelings about love and art. My favorite writer is Edna St. Vincent Millay, who was called "Vincent" by her family and friends. One of my very favorite books is Savage Beauty, a biography of St. Vincent Millay. The book features numerous letters Millay wrote to her family over the course of her lifetime.

Both Vincents were intensely creative geniuses. They lived vastly different lives, with Van Gogh making no money and relying on family for support, and Millay enjoying almost super-star status as a poet. Neither one of them flinched from their calling as artists, living empassioned, brilliant and somewhat tormented lives. If you're ever looking for an interesting read, or want to learn more about art, pick up an artist's or composer's biography... you'll learn a lot about creativity, life and the world.

Whose face is depicted in the mastehead of your blog design?

Edna St. Vincent Millay's!

I want to get a digital camera, which one should I buy?

There are so many models to choose from, it can be difficult to make a choice. (Not unlike choosing maple syrup in the grocery store... too many models!) I presently shoot with a fixed lens Nikon Coolpix (which has been discontinued.) My advice is to stick with either Canon or Nikon. They both make truly wonderful cameras, and I've used both brands professionally. At the moment, I'm saving my pennies to buy a Canon Rebel XT which has 8.1 megapixels.

Step One: Figure out what you'll be using the camera for. Do you want to shoot snapshots to post on your blog and send via email? Then a simple model with only 4.0 megapixels will work fine. Do you want to print your images at only a small size (such as 4x6) or, do you want to blow them up to 11x14 or larger? If the latter is true, you'll want a higher megapixel model... I'd get a newer model... presently the consumer level cameras are hovering around the 5.1mp range.

Step Two: Consider what kind of pictures you'll be shooting. Do you want to take a lot of shots of your kids playing soccer? Then you'll want a good optical zoom... preferably 8x. (Digital zoom is meaningless... the only zoom features that matter and are worth your money are OPTICAL.) If you'd like to take close-up pictures, then you'll want to have a lens with macro capability.

Step Three: Think about portability. Will you be less inclined to take your camera along if you can't fit it into your shirt pocket? If so, get a tiny camera with less features. A model with a lot of bells and whistles isn't going to do you any good if it's sitting at home on the shelf. Canon is known for their Elph camera which is about the size of a pack of cigarettes... Nikon has a new splash-proof model called the S2 that looks rather spiffy.

Step Four: Are you all Thumbs? A lot of men with big hands have a tough time operating the teeny weeny buttons on itsy bitsy cameras. Although I think you can probably get used to the Lilliputian controls, it could drive you insane while you're trying to capture an image and everything you press is the wrong button. I'm a girl, so I throw my camera into my BIG purse, so size isn't that big of an issue. I'd definitely go into a store and hold a few cameras in your hand and see how they operate.

Step Five: Buy from a reputable dealer. Online, I use either B&H Photo and Video, or Adorama. Extremely low prices could mean trouble down the road. You don't want to buy a grey market model, and then be without a warranty if something goes wrong. If you prefer buying from a store, then go to a camera store like Ritz, Micro Center... or, in DC Penn Camera.

Finally, personal taste is a big factor. This may sound silly, but choose a camera you like. How it feels in your hand, the look of the buttons, the way the interface is organized... all of these factors will have an impact on your overall experience when shooting pictures.

Spring Branches ~ Canon 30d