The Fifth Annual DFW Photo Expo...Arlington, TX, November 14th and 15th, 2015 - 10am to 6pm.
Located at the Arlington Convention Center, Arlington, TX.  The DFW Photo Expo is a FREE trade show that includes, Ongoing Seminars, Trade Show Specials, Door Prizes & Early Bird Giveaways, Factory Reps, Special Product Demos, and an exclusive Photo Chicks Boutique.  The DFW Photo Expo is presented by Arlington Camera.

The Eighteenth Annual Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit "Call for Entries/Prospectus" is now available online at www.starsoftexasjuriedartexhibit.com.  This  juried exhibit is open to all Texas residents, 18 years of age or older.  All traditional mediums, (oil, watercolor, acrylic, pencil, etc), sculpture, photography and digital art will be considered for entry.  Over $7000.00 in awards will be available.  Entries need to be hand delivered on Friday, January 29, 2016, from 5 t0 6:30 pm or Saturday, January 30, 2016, 9 am to 12 noon to the Depot Civic and Cultural Center, 600 Depot St. Brownwood, TX.  The juror for this event is Warren Taylor and Gallery Hours will be February 7 to 19, 2016, M-F 9am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm.

The Fourth Annual Digital Photo Shoot-Out will be held in conjunction with the Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit on Saturday, January 30, 2016.  Click here for information/details, www.starsoftexasjuriedartexhibit.com/info.html

It's been 4 days since seeing this youngster at the feeder.  I'm pretty sure the Hummers have left the area for warmer climes.  It's been a great summer photographing these guys and I'm looking forward to seeing them next Spring.

It's an age old question, but one that keeps coming up especially in this age of digital equipment, photography software, and social media.  I'm often asked this question.  Isn't taking a photograph just a click of the camera or the selection of a filter or slider in some software program?  That, to me, is the perception that many have of what a photographer does to create a photograph.
To answer that questions, lets start with some basic definitions.

ART is defined as something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas of feelings.
FINE ART is defined as a type of art (such as painting, sculpture, or music) that is done to create beautiful things, an activity that requires skill and care.

Types of photography/photographers:
1.  Those that take or produce snapshots, selfies, etc.
​2.  Those that are involved with photographing reality, such as, photo journalist, commercial/product photographers.
3.  Those that are at liberty to alter, modify, or enhance reality and to tell a story or evoke an emotion.

In my opinion if you fall into No. 3 you're an Artist by definition.  Just as a traditional artist uses a paint brush, pencil, palette knife, or medium as tools to create images, a photographer uses a camera, and a digital or traditional darkroom as tools to create images.  Both require the imagination, skill and care to create beautiful things.

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.

This is a great post from Ron Wickson on the Graham Photo Group Facebook Page.  Kudos to Ron and a thank you for letting me share this with my followers.