Thank you all for the unbelievable support!  I had no idea the Photoblogs.org Fund Drive would be completed so quickly.  You are amazing.

I'm looking forward to moving Photoblogs.org to the new server as soon as possible.  In the meantime, the site is still at it's old location and service will continue to be sporadic.  (This means that nasty 503 error will continue to happen.)

I had hoped to make the server move this weekend, but now I'm getting offers from hosting companies to help us out even further... so I've got more decisions to make.

Also, I've gotten several emails from people who would like to continue to donate even though the fund drive is over.  I'm thrilled with this, but we've met our goal.  If you'd like to continue to give, I'm sure any one of these places would appreciate more help.

Edit: added link at the beginning of this post to the fund drive page.

After emailing back-n-forth with Kathleen Connally of A Walk Through Durham Township, Pennsylvania I wanted to put out the early word to one & all here at Photoblogs.org that a meet-up of photoblog'ers will take place here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 23, 2005.

If it turns out that I am the only one who gets to meet Kathleen that weekend and tip back a few tasty adult beverages and shoot a few frames then so be it, but I wanted to let any/everyone know you are more than welcome here in the Golden Triangle, Pittsburgh, PA, and it would be a pleasure to meet anyone associated with photoblogs.org on the 23rd of April.

I know 4/23/05 is a few months away, but better late than never when it comes to planning...Pittsburgh is not that far from quite a few cities here in the North East of the U.S., tons of hotels (cheap) to stay at, shoot, if anyone is hard pressed for $ I'd open up the door to my small 3rd floor apartment for anyone who needs a place to stay...regardless of where you stay Pittsburgh is here waiting for any photoblog'er who would like to make the trip and spend a couple days meeting those people associated with photoblogs.org, having a few (ok, quite a few probably) drinks out on the town and possibly spend some time shooting in one of the most photogenic cities in the world, Pittsburgh.

I'll post this message a few more times between now and 4/23/05 to keep you posted, but if you are interested and need info on where to stay, how to get here, etc. do not hesitate shooting me an email at  btezra@gmail.com - until then, all the best!

p.s. - if you make the trek to  Pittsburgh your first Primanti Brothers sammich is on me!

Craig (a.k.a. "btezra" from WTHHLN.com)

Well, here it is: The Photoblogs.org Fund Drive.

Spread the word.

Let me know what you think.

(more...)

Just ran across this; I thought it was a wonderful, must-share post:

MyLife2Live

I, like most people if not all people, keep learning about new editing tools and techniques and constantly look for new avenues to apply to photography.  I was contemplating buying NeatImage, mainly to reduce noise and correct the exposure (brightness, contrast, shadows, etc.) if I did not 'get it right' the first time.

In this day and age of freeware and shareware there are alternative to those programs that carry a hefty $ tag or are just too darn complicated to use for someone just starting out or with a good amount of experience.

I was referred to a free version (and the pro version) of the noise reduction program called Helicon. The free version works fine and is MUCH simpler to use than NeatImage.  The Pro Version is $50 and does give some nice and simple options, the free version works just as good

Here is the link for the download.

Enjoy!

In the current post about the server issues, a few people suggested setting up a Photoblogs.org Print Shop. It wouldn't help the current problems, but might be helpful for a long term revenue source. That is why I posted it seperately, per Brandon's suggestion in that thread. Is this doable and feasable? Are enough people interested in spending some time and effort to actually make it work? Here are a few questions that come to mind:

Where would it be located? host, server, etc.

Who would run/manage it? Brandon already has too much on his plate.

How would it be set up? Selling only prints, or perhaps a revamp of the calendar idea could be added.

Where would the money go? All to help Photoblogs.org stay afloat, or some back to the memebers.

I personally, like the idea, and would gladly donate a print or two with the intention of the profits going to Photoblogs.org. Also, in the future maybe donations of a certain amount to Photoblogs.org could get a free print, to encourage others outside the community to buy/donate as well?

I'm sure you all have much more to add, so discuss!

Well... it looks like the Photoblogs.org server cannot continue to handle the amount of traffic that it's getting.  We've basically hit the limit.

Now what?

Anyone who's been to my site more than twice probably knows that I spend a fair amount of my time photographing local musicians here in Minnesota, with a strong focus on the Duluth scene which has become quite exceptional. My attempt to comprehensively document what's happening there has been the most enjoyable challenge I have ever taken on, mostly because over the last year this tight community of bands has accepted me as one of their own and I've found that I've become a part of something really exciting.

The reason I sat down to write this was simply to point you to today's post, which is a shot of a fast and furious Duluth punk rock trio called The Keep Aways. I've featured them a lot, but this time there's a little sonic treat to go with the photo: an mp3 of their music. I plan to do this more often, and I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. If you follow my site and you've been wondering what these bands sound like, I will be posting answers to that as often as I can get permission to do so.

I hope this doesn't come off as too self-promotional. It's a pretty cool song, and given the short life of photoblog postings I'm sure a lot of people would've missed it.

After a brief discussion with some people about my
photoblog, I was faced with a question I didn't know how to answer. I love photography
and I love being a photoblogger but when friends ask me, "Why do you have a
photoblog?" I have no idea what to say! It reminds me of those commercials in
the early-90s (Yes, I said early-90s!) for Apple Jacks when the parents would
try Apple Jacks and see no appeal to them whatsoever and when they questioned their
children to why they just spent money on it, the kids just sat there in silence. The
funky music in the background even stopped playing and it seemed like
commercial-eternity while we waited for some sort of reasonable answer to why
these "rebel teenagers" liked Apple Jacks.

After a few moments, they would respond with something along
the lines of, " 'Cuz we just do, y'know?" And of course, their parents would role
their eyes and the commercial would end; however, you were left with the feeling
that maybe there was a deeper routed meaning to eating Apple Jacks.

I know, I know. I just related my entire photoblogging experiences
to a commercial about cereal, but I was curious to know and see what others feel
they get out of photoblogging and why they do it. I'm one of
the younger photobloggers around these parts and am someone who is constantly looking for inspiration. I’ve seen so many fabulous
photographers out there who put there work up everyday. Maybe they can share
with us a deeper meaning to their internet photo frenzy than just relating it
to a bowl of cereal…

Let me know, please.

Fantastic idea here.  Well worth sharing.  The Thought Project by Simon Hoegsberg:

"Over a period of 3 months I stopped 150 strangers on the street and asked them what they where thinking about the second before I stoppedthem. Using a mic and a dictaphone I recorded what they told me, then took a picture of them. 55 of the 150 thoughts are presented on this website as quotes. All quotes state exactly what I was told during the interviews. The interviews took place in Copenhagen, Denmark and New York City."