A Nice Little Christmas Surprise

Got a nice little Christmas Day surprise.

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Thank you to the buyer from Saginaw, MI who purchased a 30.00″ x 20.13″ metal print of 1965 Plymouth Belvedere. I’m sure it will look great hanging on your wall.

Limited time FREE SHIPPING – Extended

Now along with the discount code you have another way to save.

FREE SHIPPING!!

My photography hosting has generously offered a limited time free shipping offer to any customer from now until the 30th at midnight (New York time).

This offer expires at midnight (New York time) on November 30th. You don’t need any special discount code. Just place your order before the deadline, and shipping will be free!

So if you where thinking of getting something for yourself or as a gift, now is a great time to do it.

Visit Americankiwiphoto.com and place your order today before midnight EST.

Holiday Promotion

It’s that time of the year again for my annual Holiday Promotion

I’m offering 35% off of my markup on all and any of my photography on my site

The discount code to use at checkout is

BCTBXB

and will be good on any order up to December 19th, 2015 at which time the code expires.

It can be used as many times as you would like up the expiration date.

You can visit either of my website URL’s listed below to purchase any of my photography.

Americakiwiphoto.com

mark-dodd.artistwebsites.com

 

 

New Amazing Photo editing software released soon, Aurora HDR Pro

One of my favorite photographers has teamed up with Macphun to produce a brand new photo editor Aurora HDR Pro and from the preview videos it looks like the software to have to help you create some great photography.

I”ve got my pre-order in, but I thought I would post so the rest of you could get in on deal now as it will expire soon as the software will be released on the Nov 19th and will be at regular pricing at that time.

I plan on writing my review of the software after I get it downloaded and installed. So look for that later on this month.

But for now…..

Click on the image below and be sent to the stuckincustoms store so you can get your copy today. If you want to learn more about the application, still click the image below and on the store page, click the learn more link at the bottom of each listing.

 

Got published again….

Just found out today that I got published again in the Johns Hopkins Federal Credit Union 2016 Calendar.

This year I have the honor of having not one but two of my pictures featured in the 2016 Calendar, one of which made the cover.

The cover photo of the 2016 JHFCU Calendar is a cropped version of one of my Baltimore Inner Harbor Panoramas. Here is the cover of the 2016 Calendar showing my photo

JHFCU 2016 Calendar with a cropped portion of my Baltimore Inner Harbor Panorama
JHFCU 2016 Calendar with a cropped portion of my Baltimore Inner Harbor Panorama

 

The other is one of my photos that I took during the Sailabration event in Baltimore and is of one of the reenactments at Fort McHenry. It is the photo used for the month of September and shown below.

Photo used in the 2016 JHU Credit Union Calendar of a reenactment at Fort McHenry during the Sailabration events in Baltimore
Photo used in the 2016 JHU Credit Union Calendar of a reenactment at Fort McHenry during the Sailabration events in Baltimore

 

As always I’m humbled to have my images selected.

At first I didn’t even notice that I made the front cover as I just assumed my images would be on one of the interior pages. I did see the photo, but didn’t look at the caption right away and thought, looks like one of my photos but I didn’t send one in this format so it could not have been mine. I had sent the Panorama version in for possible use on their website, but I have no problem with the crop they choose as it looks great. Pays to pay attention to the details and read the caption. Anyway, very happy I’m on the cover as well.

Picture of Me and two of my favorite photographers

Went on my first PhotoWalk(s)

This past weekend I went on my first photowalk(s) ever and had a blast.

I’ve always heard about photowalks and seen many scheduled via www.meetup.com, but never got around to actually going to one. But this past weekend, one of my favorite photographers (Trey Ratcliff) came to 2 cities near me, so I said to myself, you have always wanted to meet him and now is your chance. So no more excuses, it was time to go on a photowalk.  And it was Free. Can’t bet that. (note: some of the other photowalks I’ve seen on MeetUp charge a fee to attended)

Let me tell you, it was an amazing experience. No only did I finally go to Philadelphia for the first time, but got to meet a great bunch of photographers in all skill levels, all of whom were very willing to talk about what they know with you.  Got to learn a little along the way as Trey would make stops along the walk and discuss why he choose to stop to take a picture along with tips on taking a picture of the subject and general photo tips and tricks.

The first walk of the weekend was in Philadelphia. A city I’ve driven through and around, but never actually been to. Since I’ve never been I decided the photowalk was a good excuse to go.

After my three and a half hour drive to Philly, I arrived a bit before the pre-party so decided to visit the Liberty Bell. I’d say it was kinda cool seeing it for the first time. Located at the end of the visitors center in which you get to read and see all the history associated with it.

The Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell

After visiting the Liberty Bell it was time to go to the pre-party before the real walk started. Got to mingle a little with the other photo walkers along with meeting Angela B Pan for the first time, who is photographer from the Washington DC area and a Master in the Arcanum

Just as the walk was about to start, Trey got up on the roof of his tour bus to introduce himself and talk about the walk that we were about to go on.

Trey Ratcliff addressing the group from on top of his tour bus.
Trey Ratcliff addressing the group from on top of his tour bus.

 

Shortly there after we headed out on the walk and the many stops we had along the way. Here are a few of the photos I took along the walk.

Trey talking his picture of independence hall just before talking to the group about the photo
Trey talking his picture of independence hall just before talking to the group about the photo
An Arcanum Master talking with a fellow photo walker
An Arcanum Master talking with a fellow photo walker
A picture of the group of photo walkers at one of the stops
A picture of the group of photo walkers at one of the stops
An alley in the Olde City
An alley in the Olde City
An alley in the Olde City Black and White Version
An alley in the Olde City Black and White Version

Headed home after the walk and after quick two hour drive home to arrive at midnight I stayed up till 3am to process and upload my photos to enter into the online contest for Philadelphia photowalk.

After getting some sleep it was time to get going for round two in Washington DC

Just like in Philly, arrived early for the pre-party to gather with the other walkers and await Trey to introduce the walkers to the DC leg of the trip. And then head out to the various stops. Again, at each stop, Trey would describe what he was seeing, why he decided to stop there to take a picture, and then some tips and techniques for taking a better photo of the scene.

The DC walk was a bit longer than the Philadelphia walk, so I was a little exhausted by the end of it, but still had a great time.

Here are just a few of the photos I got on the DC photowalk

Trey on the Sylvan Theater Stage addressing the crowd
Trey on the Sylvan Theater Stage addressing the crowd
Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pond
Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pond

This was Trey on one of the stops at the reflecting pool where he described that getting down low is needed to get the reflection on the water since the water was a little choppy that day. You can sorta see the choppy water in the picture above as I didn’t get down as low as he did in his shot.

Trey and one of his daughters
Trey and one of his daughters
View from the Lincoln Memorial
View from the Lincoln Memorial

After taking this photo I realized I had lost where the group had gone to. Never did catch up to them at the last stop, but just headed to the after party.  I will say if you do get detached from the group, the page for each city usually has a map or at least a path that they plan to follow. You can use this to find out where the next planned stop is and just head that way and I”m sure you will catch up with them.

At the end of the photowalk there is an after party. This is the only part of the experience on Trey’s photowalk that you pay for if you wish. If you can afford it and there is space available still, I would recommend it as you get more personal time with Trey and the other photographers from the walk including any Masters of the Arcanum from the area. You can pretty much ask Trey anything or just talk in this more casual smaller setting. I attended the after party on the Washington DC leg of the trip and was able to get my photo with two of my favorite photographers (Trey and Angela) as shown below.

It turned out being 2 very long days, a lot of walking, and staying up late to process photos for the contests, but all very well worth it.

So if Trey is coming to a city near you, I would recommend getting your self out there. You won’t be disappointed.

For information on Trey’s USA photowalks go to tour.treyratcliff.com and see if a city near you is still on his list.  As of this writing he is about halfway through his USA tour. And remember, the photowalk part is Free. So no excuse not to go.

Check out his website www.stuckincustoms.com to see his amazing work and check out his tutorials and other photography information. Many of his tutorials and presets are free, but he does have more in-depth tutorials and other photography items there as well for a fee.

Also, check out a local DC photographer who I’m sure will inspire you to take better pictures of the Washington DC area, Angela B Pan at www.abpan.com

I had the pleasure of meeting both at the DC after party.

Picture of Me and two of my favorite photographers
Me (Mark Dodd), Trey Ratcliff, Angela B Pan

Print of “Arches” Sold

Wish to thank the buyer of my photo “Arches” in Europe. Since I see the place as APO AE I also wish to thank them for their service to our country, be they active military or a family member who stationed overseas.

 

Arches - the ceiling of a Washington, DC Metro Station
Arches – the ceiling of a Washington, DC Metro Station

 

 

Washington DC Day Trip

Washington Monument at Sunset
Washington Monument at Sunset

Back in April I decided to take a day trip to Washington DC, only an hour or so down the road from me. It is one of those places that is awesome to go to, but since it is so close I often neglect it.

Of course it was right in the middle of the Cherry Tree festival of which I’ve meant to take pictures of forever and finally decided it was time to do it.  Although it was a hot day and there were a ton of people there also admiring the trees the trip was well worth it. Worth it just to see the trees in bloom and I think I ended up with a few really good shots.

Oddly enough, one was nothing to do with the Cherry Tree festival, but the Washington Monument at Sunset. I had just taken the obligatory picture of the White House as was on my way back to the Metro stop and had to walk past the monument and the sky was just lighting up colors from the sunset so I had to stop and take a picture.

I’m finally getting around to start processing the rest of the photos that I think might be good, the White House not being one of them. 🙁  Couldn’t get across the street to take a picture through the fence as they had it closed off. Guess it was due the recent fence jumpers.

Here is a link to one of the Washington Monument Photos I’ve posted to my site as the feature image above doesn’t do it justice.

Washington Monument at Sunset posted on AmericanKiwiPhoto.com

Planning on another trip in August as one of my favorite photographers will be in town so if you are a fan of Trey Ratcliff check out his Photo Walk Tour page at tour.treyratcliff.com

Sold a print of the Naval Academy Chapel Dome

I’m always grateful to anyone who thinks one of my photos are worth purchasing and got surprised by a sale that occurred back in April.

Why I say surprised is that I had no idea as I seem to have missed the email letting me know. Got the email today of the payment transfer and was like, what? So naturally I checked to see I sold a 10.00″ x 8.00″ print of Naval Academy Chapel side Dome to a buyer from Virginia Beach, VA.

So a very belated thank you to that buyer.
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