Posted by David Mayhew on January 19, 2012 at 1:30 PM
Greetings all, I have been lurking on the RMNP forum for about 2 years so thought I'd introduce myself properly!
I am a storm chase photographer based in Fort Collins. I call my body of work "Skyscapes", incorporating the sky and weather into my pix as much as possible including my Mountain & Chicago shots.
Born and raised in England. After my Engineering degree I globe trotted for 18 months. Took an international job with Fiat Auto in Italy that brought me to the US (designing combine harvesters!).
Quit the tedium that is the 9-5 to move back to Chicago in 2004 to study photography. Set-up business 2006 selling my prints at Art Fairs. Still doing the Art Fair circuit, but branching out into Galleries and other arenas. Moved to Denver Nov 2009, Fort Collins Nov 2010.
So I thought I'd share some of my Top Ten's of 2011. Attached is my favorite shot from 2011 - June 20th in NW Kansas, saw 7 tornadoes in one day!!
That tornado shot is easily the most impressive shot of it's kind I have ever viewed.
Posted by Todd Caudle on January 19, 2012 at 3:09 PM
I stopped looking as soon as your logo prevented me from enjoying the images. I'll bet there's a lot of that.
I know you guys who put the gigantic watermarks on your photos are only trying to protect yourselves, but in doing it so abrasively, you're really making it a chore to like looking at the images.
Posted by David Mayhew on January 19, 2012 at 3:27 PM
Thanks Kane, glad you like it.
I see your point Todd, especially with the copyright location on this image. My Facebook page uses larger images (1000 pixels longest side) so on that I add the copyright across the middle since it could be printed at a small size as that resolution. On my web I use 800 pixels longest side, but I've had issues of people using my images or forwarding them. I've even had people claiming to have taken the shot themselves on their blogs.
I am revamping my web next month including all the galleries. What would be your suggestion? I could at least go to a more transparent copy.
Posted by Karl Buiter on January 19, 2012 at 4:31 PM
That is an impressive shot of the mesocyclone structure.
The violence of that against the - almost gentle - look of the funnel really makes the shot for me.
I also do a bit of monsoon-season storm chasing in the southwest as "Western Storms" on chasertv.com I am kinda envious and not so envious about the access you and the folks in the plains get. Love the imagery - but the hail damage and close lighting strikes scare me !!
Posted by Todd Caudle on January 19, 2012 at 4:35 PM
It might sound like blasphemy to the photo community, but if you don't want your images used/stolen from the web, then don't put them on the web. Yeah, it totally sucks to have someone save or forward your photos without permission, but such is life in the 21st Century. Put a copyright on them, conspicuous but not so brazen, and let people enjoy your work. Someone is going to save your work to their hard drive because they really like it, others will forward a picture to friends, but the vast majority will simply look at them on your site or FB page and move on. In the end, you've lost nothing, because those who would save your shots for themselves were likely never going to pay money for your shots anyways, but you've gained a lot, since a lot of people will see and enjoy your work.
If you think this is just crazy talk, let's see a show of hands - how many photographers with views similar to yours have pictures of naked women on their hard drive that they didn't take? Wow! That's a lot of hands!
Posted by David Mayhew on January 19, 2012 at 7:56 PM
I agree that my copyright is a little heavy, it's just what I've always done and I'm glad you brought it up. I do however feel that if my photo is doing the rounds I'd like the recipients (who hopefully like the photo) to be drawn to my website - call it advertising if you like. Plus people who see an image without any copyright think "Well there's nothing saying that I can't help myself".
I'm thinking I'll keep it, reduce the opacity and move it in images where need be. Planning to have a new slideshow/video without copyright and more detail on the home page. I used to be over protective, but now I am printing large I am not so concerned for the little stuff.
WANT TO EXPRESS YOUR VIEW? I've added a vote to my Facebook page, so far the most votes go to "You should do what you need to do to protect your work"
Posted by Joshua Hardin on January 19, 2012 at 8:58 PM
I don't have a problem with copyright watermarks. At the very least they're good for marketing if photos are shared on the web somewhere. Though I don't like them if they deter from the enjoyment of viewing a photo: when they're large, smack dab in the middle, or at full opacity. Subtlety is key IMO. For instance in the image you posted in this topic: The text is blocking the view of where the tornado is touching down, the focal point of action that most peoples' eyes will be drawn to. Had the text been in the opposite corner (maybe a little smaller, perhaps at a more transparent opacity) your viewers might not be so miffed.
BTW you have some very cool photos. Love the storm images and that Chicago panoramic is pretty sweet. Hope to see more!
Posted by Todd Caudle on January 20, 2012 at 12:25 AM
Like I said:
Put a copyright on them, conspicuous but not so brazen...
Posted by Stan Rose on January 20, 2012 at 12:29 AM
Hey David--good to see you on here (finally ) One of these days we should convince guys like Mike Umscheid to get on here too. Even Roger Hill is branching out to landscapes these days, guess he's getting bored with tubes (never!) I'm still trying to decide whether ill hit Chasercon this year--will see. Yeah, make those watermarks small or don't use em at all. Register your copyrights, then when someone steals them, collect your damages and be thankful they stole them
Posted by Howard Cihak on January 20, 2012 at 4:07 AM
What Todd said. I stopped looking as soon as I saw the overdone watermark. The point of posting is to show off your work. Anything that interferes with being able to see and enjoy your work defeats the point.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on January 20, 2012 at 8:53 PM
I can see why this is your favorite shot of 2011. It's an amazing photo, David. There does appear to be a funky green tinge though, going from the lower center area to the upper right. I don't know if that was intentional or not. I find it distracting. You've got some really nice work on your website. I just love that Chicago night pano.
Posted by Jeff Hackett on January 21, 2012 at 8:18 AM
Welcome David! Nice work and can't wait to see more.
Posted by Todd Caudle on January 23, 2012 at 10:53 AM
I've seen funky green tints like that in stormy weather, and it usually means hail is lurking.
Posted by David Mayhew on January 23, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Paul, like Todd said it is believed to be hail hail refracting light into blue/green hues. This is actually something I intentionally look for and I think it adds to an otherwise monochromatic image.
FYI - I have adjusted my copyright! It is much smaller, but I still feel like I want to keep it.
STAN - Hey there! Been following your posts. Yeah, looks like Roger and Caryn having been living in the South West a lot lately. Might see you at Chaser Con, I am one of the sponsors again.
KARL - Where can I view some of your monsoon shots? Done a few Aug monsoon chases, AZ, FL and 2011 went to Monument Valley and Grand Canyon to try my luck to little avail. Might stick to CO this year, will have to watch the flow!
Discussion
14 repliesI am a storm chase photographer based in Fort Collins. I call my body of work "Skyscapes", incorporating the sky and weather into my pix as much as possible including my Mountain & Chicago shots.
Born and raised in England. After my Engineering degree I globe trotted for 18 months. Took an international job with Fiat Auto in Italy that brought me to the US (designing combine harvesters!).
Quit the tedium that is the 9-5 to move back to Chicago in 2004 to study photography. Set-up business 2006 selling my prints at Art Fairs. Still doing the Art Fair circuit, but branching out into Galleries and other arenas. Moved to Denver Nov 2009, Fort Collins Nov 2010.
So I thought I'd share some of my Top Ten's of 2011. Attached is my favorite shot from 2011 - June 20th in NW Kansas, saw 7 tornadoes in one day!!
Top 10 of 2011 - My Fave Pix!
Top 10 sellers - The Public Vote
You can also follow me on Facebook and check out my website:
http://davidmayhewphotography.com
http://www.facebook.com/davidmayhewphotography
I've enjoyed following everyone and will continue to do so!
I know you guys who put the gigantic watermarks on your photos are only trying to protect yourselves, but in doing it so abrasively, you're really making it a chore to like looking at the images.
I see your point Todd, especially with the copyright location on this image. My Facebook page uses larger images (1000 pixels longest side) so on that I add the copyright across the middle since it could be printed at a small size as that resolution. On my web I use 800 pixels longest side, but I've had issues of people using my images or forwarding them. I've even had people claiming to have taken the shot themselves on their blogs.
I am revamping my web next month including all the galleries. What would be your suggestion? I could at least go to a more transparent copy.
The violence of that against the - almost gentle - look of the funnel really makes the shot for me.
I also do a bit of monsoon-season storm chasing in the southwest as "Western Storms" on chasertv.com I am kinda envious and not so envious about the access you and the folks in the plains get. Love the imagery - but the hail damage and close lighting strikes scare me !!
If you think this is just crazy talk, let's see a show of hands - how many photographers with views similar to yours have pictures of naked women on their hard drive that they didn't take? Wow! That's a lot of hands!
I'm thinking I'll keep it, reduce the opacity and move it in images where need be. Planning to have a new slideshow/video without copyright and more detail on the home page. I used to be over protective, but now I am printing large I am not so concerned for the little stuff.
WANT TO EXPRESS YOUR VIEW? I've added a vote to my Facebook page, so far the most votes go to "You should do what you need to do to protect your work"
BTW you have some very cool photos. Love the storm images and that Chicago panoramic is pretty sweet. Hope to see more!
FYI - I have adjusted my copyright! It is much smaller, but I still feel like I want to keep it.
STAN - Hey there! Been following your posts. Yeah, looks like Roger and Caryn having been living in the South West a lot lately. Might see you at Chaser Con, I am one of the sponsors again.
KARL - Where can I view some of your monsoon shots? Done a few Aug monsoon chases, AZ, FL and 2011 went to Monument Valley and Grand Canyon to try my luck to little avail. Might stick to CO this year, will have to watch the flow!