I believe the decline in visitors to this site is coinciding with my lack of input. It’s totally understandable because I seriously have done nothing to increase the traffic. I haven’t been perusing other blogs as much as I should because it seems like I don’t have the time to do everything that I would like to do. I have great intentions of visiting some blogs and photo sites but then I get wrapped up in something and…poof!, hours have gone by and it’s time to go to sleep for another work day. I’m telling you, having a normal job sure gets in the way having fun!
© David Guidas
So, since spring is refusing to arrive anytime soon, I am still going back in time to previous years and visiting what I shot around this time of year. It’s amazing how many photos I have taken and never got around to doing anything with. In 2011 I was focusing on a 365 project and I would pick a photo for the day and that would be my main priority, thus leaving plenty of perfectly fine photos on the proverbial editing room floor.
Every other folder it seems I find a photo that makes me wonder what I was thinking at the time to totally disregard it. This shot from May 2011 being one of them. I know it’s not totally original, I have seen probably hundreds of dandelion closeup shots, some quite interesting, most quite ho-hum. This shot did, and probably still does, fall into the latter category but I thought I would see what I could do with it. Since I recently acquired the whole Nik filter collection for FREE, thanks to Google (it’s rare that I say that!), for being a long time Silver Efex user, I have been revisiting some photos and trying some new processing.
I shot this with my Pentax K20D and a reverse mounted Super-Takumar 50mm lens. Most likely hand-held, as I rarely drag out a tripod. Not a good habit but It would have been quite awkward to tripod this ground level shot without a serious ‘pod.
With all of that, I’m going to try to kick things up a notch around here and see what happens!
What I Pic 
I am in the same situation-very little traffic, but I am sure it is because: 1-I don’t post frequently, and 2-I have also done nothing to increase my traffic.
But, hey, you got at least one hit today! 🙂
Haha, thanks. I’m not overly concerned about increasing traffic just for traffics sake, I just like the idea that more people are seeing my work. But it does take an effort to get noticed in the crowded blogosphere.
Oh, and I love your flower picture-is it a dandelion? It looks very ethereal.
and…I just went back and re-read, I had missed the part of it being a dandelion. I should read more carefully.
I love the photo David! It’s delicate and simply effective. Fantastic work as always. I completely agree with you on blog maintenance viewing other blogs. There’s just not enough hours in the day sometimes. I am looking forward to visiting more often as your blog was one of the first I began following. Love your work!!!
Thanks. So much to do so little time. Yeah, it’s an effort but I guess most things worthwile are an effort, so I don’t mind that aspect of it. I would just like to get back out and take some new photos (which I think is the main factor in my lapse).
I like the editing effect! Regarding blog traffic – having a full time job and other distractions makes it hard to maintain a steady stream over a long period of time. I find it ebbs and flows. Post and follow when you can! Your work is fantastic, people will always come back. 🙂
I agree on the ebb and flow thing. To paraphrase my post title, the “flow” has been more of a trickle for quite a while, but it never was any kind of rapids either 🙂 , so no big deal. This is no pop culture Perez Hilton kind of blog and the arts, and especially photography, are way down on the popular interest radar.
I am in completely the same boat as you. My job is always getting in the way of things I would rather be doing. But if I didn’t have that real job, how would I afford to do the things I love? Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place!
I guess the good thing is that I like my job. It pays well and I have a good schedule. It wasn’t always that way so I’m thankful for that. Of course, if I didn’t need that job anymore I wouldn’t miss it – I would be too busy doing other things I enjoy!!
The way my life is now, I am amazed I was able to find time for a 365 project last year. What I need to do is go through and winnow the collection.
Trying to keep up with all the blogs I follow is hard, and half the time I try to catch up on the weekend. And I still want to shoot! Not Enough Hours.
Love the dandelion though.
Thanks Carissa. I am amazed that I was able to complete a 365 at all, but the year I did it was, unknowingly at the time, the perfect year where I was able to pull it off. I was laid off the first half of the year, which means I had plenty of time but no money. And the second half of the year I worked on some projects with a very small engineering firm with a casual relaxed atmosphere and they were actually fans of my photography and encouraged me. It was easy to shoot around my schedule. Last year I started a new job and although it has a normal work schedule, the work and what I can do during the day are more focused and professional, so I can’t just wander off.
I can definitely empathize with the feeling of being overwhelmed and unable to keep up with blogging. I typically love to write, and even read, but the pace my life has been moving at for the last few months has kept me from doing much of either. Between my job and my school-work, I tend to forget about trying to keep up with things.
I must admit that I like the dandelion. It’s serene and peaceful–two things I could use more of, lately.
Thanks. As for the photo, you nailed it on the mood I was trying for. Something different from my recent darker, contrasty work. I wanted a spring-like zen feel.
Well judging by the comments I am not alone on the ‘can’t keep up’ thing, so I don’t feel so bad. I guess modern life is busier than ever. I need to stop and smell some roses 😉
Or just look at the dandelions 😀 … (Roses can be so pretentious…not to mention they make me sneeze.)