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Old Chopper Pilot

Dick Hudson

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May 20th, 2014 - 09:21 AM

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Old Chopper Pilot

Talk about the process of getting better, and learning how to be an effective photographer.

This will include random and periodic photos of what I thing is interesting. I also am trying to save and revive old photos from years ago, when I knew nothing except how to send film to a drug store.

Trying to make this fun. I have had way too many bad days, and now I am celebrating the good.

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Dick Hudson

7 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

Kind of depressed. I haven't felt any creativity. Worried of depression. My PTSD is showing as depression. I am stalled, and don't like it. Gotta get out of this rut.

Dick Hudson

7 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I am in the middle of Hurricane Matthew now. It puts things in perspective. I am not happy that I am having a lag in creativity. I only know one way to fix that. I need a PROJECT. I am going to learn something new, and exciting. It will start with some simple compositing. I better start learning quickly, being as I am 68 years old. I want grow smarter as I grow older. Goal is to be happy with two new creations, beyond just the camera. Let's get to work.

Dick Hudson

7 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I now have 30,000 views. And 102 individuals following my work. I really feel like my work is getting better. I wonder if I should remove some of my early stuff, but I won't. I am never certain what people like, so I just do what I like. That way, I always have someone who likes it. My new goal is 50,000 views by Dec 30, 2017. I will keep working, and maybe it will end up in some sales. I love the surprise sales. Enough for now. I just want to keep getting better. Someday I might even be good.

Dick Hudson

8 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

My home town had 450 people and the county seat had about 17,000. I just passed 25,000 views. I like to mark milestones. I hope to have 100,000 one day. Keep plugging away, and every once in a while learn something new, or go somewhere new, or do something I am not comfortable with. My best views of individual images are when I got out of my comfort zone. I posted 300 of the 100,000 images since I got my camera in 2002.I am persistent and set high standards. I intend to stay the same way.

Dick Hudson

8 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

Another year. I started this in May 2014. I have made a lot of new e-friends, but have not met any of them. My new year's resolution is to comment on other artist's work, at least ten comments a day. I know how much I enjoy getting comments on my work, and they lift me up. It is my turn. I have a lot of followers .... 82 people want to know when I post a new item. It is great to know that so many people are interested in little old me. I need to keep improving my quality. Happy New Year.

Dick Hudson

8 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I have hit a creative wall. I still have motivation to create art, but I have had trouble finding it ... in my head. I am trying new things, but they don't meet my new standards. I do not seek mediocrity. I want to make smiles and earn respect. It isn't about sales or the money. So I am on a quest to invent a new photographic skill. I have all the tools I need. I need to learn to use them. So here is my own challenge ... I want to win a juried contest. Now, back to work.

Dick Hudson

8 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

When I started calling my images "art" I really didn't know what it meant. Art isn't luck. It is knowing what the right time is, and going there. Art is the whole process ... and it is intentional. It is doing what must be done to communicate what is in your head. Great art communicates to a viewer. I want other people to pause for a moment to think about what has been done, and why. Thanks to the 20,000 people who have paused to look at what I do. I am honored by your attention.

Dick Hudson

8 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I got to over 17,000 views, in 14 months, and I am nearing 1,000 comments. Granted, some of them are responses to comments. I feel like something really good is going to happen soon. I have far more than 200 images posted, and I am now trying to increase the quality by learning new techniques. My next project is to learn better how to blend a lot of different images into a single image, like a collage with a common background, or a fantasy piece. I am dabbling with Illustrator. Wish me luck.

Dick Hudson

8 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

Interesting. I am seeing the same annual contests that I entered last year. My next task is to set up proper sub galleries. That sounds hard.

Dick Hudson

8 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

It is a year, and I have far exceeded my expectations. I am only beginning to learn. There are supportive people here, and I thank you. I have won contests, made friends, and try to support others. Finding images is my passion. I don't have to sell anything, though I have. It is about a daily goal, as important, at 66, as it was at 21. I look forward to year two, not expecting miracles, but expecting the joy of art. I can't ask for more.

Dick Hudson

8 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

Gomer Pyle said: "Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!!" I am surprised that I made my 12,000 view total goal for my first year with nearly a month to spare. I have been aggressively networking lately. It is one thing to sell to a person you know, and another to sell to a random person. I have to come up with a new goal now. Examples: 1. Get published. 2. Print enough of my own works that I can go to an art show, and sell something. 3. Get an image put on the wall of an important place. We will see.

Dick Hudson

8 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I am spending more time looking at other people's work. It is actually exhausting, but it is also rewarding. I am meeting other artists, and enjoying a bit of notoriety myself. The more daring I get, the bigger the reward. I have a style now, though it is darker than I want. Lightening things up is my next chore. I only need 430 view in the next 26 days to make my goal for my first year. That is less than 20 per day. I am confident, and seeking a new goal. Don't know what it is yet.

Dick Hudson

8 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

A very strong benefit of FAA is the ability to develop a personal online relationship with other artists throughout the world. Occasionally, a really big shot will show up and review my work. What a blessing that is. There are a million wannabees out in cyberspace, including me. I am not a newbie anymore, and I have even been able to help some others.I haven't run into and asshole yet. Most are encouraging. Who knows. Maybe I will actually meet someone from FAA someday.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

10,000. Who would have thought that I would have 10,000 views in just 10 and half months. It is going to take a little longer than that to add another digit to my total. I am proud of myself. My 10,000th view was from a person who looked at an overgrown flower pot, with the image of a woman on the side. It is like a nymph. I found it under some weeds that had grown around it, and brushed the dirt away before I took the shot. In a way, it is a new birth for the girl. I am glad she is the one.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

Ok, I have a new goal. In my first year I want to have 12,000 visits to my photos. I never dreamed that I would have half of those numbers in a year. It will still take a bit to get there before the middle of May. I have made so many virtual friends, who are critical, in good ways and others. Many of them are in other countries. I thank you all. Now back to my work.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I wonder if I post too much, too fast. I know that my scattered vision of art has produced a wide variety of subjects. I need to work on my galleries so people can find what they like without going through the whole list of photos. I remember when I was excited because I had 10 photos on line. And now, more than 160. So that is my next task. Get organized. My whole life revolves around that task. And, if it weren't for my organizing genius wife, I would never get anything into its proper place.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I sold another image. I used it to apply for a contest. I hardly got a vote. But I left it there, and learned today that someone bought a 10 by 16 image and framing. I was actually surprised. I had it out there, and the buyer found it. I learned a lesson. Be sure your images as high quality as you can. You know that the buyer wants quality. So my large green parrot photo is going to be on a wall. The owner is happy, and so am I.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I am enjoying my interaction with other artists. It never hurts to tell someone you like their work. I felt like I was competing with everyone here, but I have learned that this is not a true competition. The point of contests is to get your own work out there, where it can be discovered. I love feedback, and am getting much better at giving feedback to others. Always positive. No feedback at all is really negative feedback. My goal for views is 12,000 in the first year. Better get back to work.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

Something happening here. I guess I found the right friend somewhere. My views are going up rapidly, but only for a few of my photos. They are all processed the same way, and I have learned to reproduce the style. Yes, a style. I may have found something that works.. I have been making my own textures, and using blending modes. Look at me, I am using technical terms. This avocation of photography is exciting, and I get a rush when I follow up. I am very encouraged. I didn't expect this.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

Over 6500 Views. I can actually sense the possibility of getting over 10,000. I am trying hard to provide a product that is worth comment, or a view. I am energized. I even have a stockpile of photos that I can use in the future, on those days when there are no birds, or sunsets, or any other thing that I used to think necessary to take a great photo. I have learned to find the beauty around me. If I never make sales, it is worth it just because I am no longer blind to the beauty around me.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

6,000 views today. I have learned a bit about generating views and interest. I still join contests and I try to post a quality photo every day. I have friends, better than me, who comment and critique and encourage. I reciprocate. This is becoming a team effort. I make comments on other photos every day, and always enjoy a response. I vote for people other than myself in contests. I spend a lot of time on the computer, but it is good time. I am at peace here.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

On Saturday, January 10, 2015 I made my first sale to a person that I did not know. I cannot explain how this makes me feel. It has been nearly 8 months. I love it, and somehow feel changed. I have been very patient, I think, but just a simple purchase can do a lot to validate. Not a friend, not a neighbor, not me, and not "just a card". Thank my unknown buyer, and I hope they spread the word. I could double my sales in a single day. LOL

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I am beginning to enjoy working on photos now. My grand daughter asked me to take here senior class pictures. It has given me the chance to work with a friendly audience, and in the meanwhile, get a little better. I have also begun dabbling in digital art. I use textures now and I think I am finally getting a "style". My best work, in my mind, so far is the cigar photo and the photo of the lighthouse. Both were much improved by using textures. Selecting the right texture is an art to itself.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I decided to do a photo a day for the next year, 2015. Some are in a queue, waiting to come forth, but I also will have to take a lot of photos. There are a couple of vacations on tap. One in May to Nashville. Another to DC for the VHPA in August. I intend to do a lot with the birding opportunities this year, since I have some experience now. Mostly, though, it will be working in my office, in the quiet, deciding what to do and what to say when I do something. Maybe, a trip to Portland.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I hit 4,000 views today, after months. 2,000 of them were in the last 31 days. I am in stride on producing images, and some of them have been good. I am still experimenting, but it sure helps to encouraged by others, most of whom I never will meet. My goal is to like my own work. It is a bonus when someone else likes it. I am just now beginning to feel like an artist, and my creative juices are exploding. I am also spending time with positive messages to other new artists. This is good for me.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I have been through 66 Christmas celebrations. After 25 years straight with Christmas at our home, we decided to go on a strike. No tree, no lights out front, and lots of quiet time together. Our only extravagance was going to production of The Christmas Story. Christmas, we went to my daughter's place in the boondocks. We had a great time. I got a new camera bag, and an electronic Lazy Boy recliner. Who knows what the future holds. I might even sell something someday.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

I am surprised and happy. I have five contests in the past two weeks, and I am tied for first in another one now. And I still don't think I know what I am doing. I am very encouraged by all of the support I have received. I have added textures to my skill set, and I love the blending modes. My next task is to learn masking. I am hard headed, and have to fail at something many times before I get comfortable with anything.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

Lucky me. I won my first contest today. It was really encouraging. It was simply a photo of a church that was really important in my youth. A couple of people also loved the church, and suddenly I had some fans from the past. It brought a lot of new people to FAA. I want my work to touch people, and this one did. Mission Accomplished.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

Today is Thanksgiving. I am thankful that I have become a photographer. I am amateur. But I'm getting better, with the help of some friends and my own drive to get improve. I am reaching 2,000 views today, after about 7 months. I have learned that photography is a difficult field to enter successfully, and being self taught on Photoshop has helped me find something to do to spend my spare time. I have some high goals, for me, and intend to meet them.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

Seems like there are a lot of emerging photographers like me. People fit into one of three categories: 1. They are trying hard to get recognized, with little encouragement. 2. They are old hands, and more than willing to encourage others climbing the recognition cliff with them. 3. They are those who are old hands, and join into every contest with photos that are so brilliant that I don't even understand how they did what they did. I want to be in the second group.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

Little things are important in life. I got to 1,000 views a day ago. While this might seem paltry by some with tens or hundreds of thousands, for me it was a great milestone. I learned that joining contests was a great way to go. I get to see a lot of other people's work, and I even had my autumn leaf photo come in 4th, out of 192 photos submitted. It was exciting, and encouraging to have some minor success. Not bad for an old man and disabled veteran. Who knows what the future holds?

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

It has been a little over 4 months since I joined Fine Arts America. I am a bit of an introvert, so I don't know the other photographers and artist on the site. By my own standards I am proud of the work I have done so far. But I am just emerging. I am going to join groups with military and Florida subjects. I love the challenges now, late in life. If you are in the Florida area, I would love to have lunch. Let me know. I will buy.

Dick Hudson

9 Years Ago

Kissimmee, FL

Photography has changed my life. I hardly ever got out of the house. An online friend had a chocolate lab, like I do. She took great photos, and suggested I try a 365 day project. I started looking for the picture. Now I love to go find my photo. I don't have a style. I like macro, and nature, but my favorite thing is finding the unexpected. My good stuff was because I was simply there. My motto: Be where the picture is. I love the excitement of the hunt.