Last week I kicked my Blog off with a humorous look at life in Florida. Perhaps I should not have led with that. I am a really funny guy, but I hope to be a bit more serious when talking about Florida.
Over the coming weeks and months I hope to introduce you to some aspects of Florida life and history you’re not familiar with. Along the way I’ll share some of my photos. So,here we go…
I’ve lived in Venice over forty years now and have seen a lot of changes. I can tell how long someone has lived here by asking a few questions about places around town like Sambo’s, Burger Queen and the two bowling alleys.
Back in the day I was a volunteer firefighter in South Venice. I still have a few pics I took back then. I also wrote a few stories for the local papers. That was before my son was one of the last babies born in Venice Hospital’s short lived maternity ward. He graduated from Venice High, went off to Tampa for college and now lives out of state.
I have been interested in photography for quite some time, but it was not until I got my first digital camera that I really started to take it seriously. The ability to take a hundred photos instead of twelve makes it a lot easier to hone ones skills.
Since then I’ve sold photos locally as well as via the internet. My photos hang on walls from Florida to new England to The west coast and places in between. One of my photos ended up on the cover of a trade magazine while another was used for a “Call to Action: by the Audobon on-line.
In addition to photo prints I sell stuff. Tote bags, greeting cards, throw pillows and coffee mugs among other things. I use a print on demand service which means the service basically buys my images and prints them or puts them on the products. Each image is printed as needed Any print, any product you buy is made just for you. Because there is no warehouse full of them it means that you might be the only person on the planet to own an image or product.
Florida landscapes are my specialty, but that is by no means the only subject of my photos. Traveling is a passion that perfectly compliments my photography. As a result you can visit places you’ve never been or find a memory among my photos. Take a moment to check out my images at RobertWilderJr.com. It’s free to look. Hopefully you’ll find something you just have to have if not for yourself them for someone you love. Art is the perfect gift. It is unique, personal and always thoughtful.
Yes, I consider photographs to be art, or at least some photos. Some are just snapshots, the kind you take on vacation. This would include selfies. Seriously, though, try someone elsies instead or at least turn around once in a while. I really can’t tell if that selfie was taken in your backyard or Paris. Your big fat head is blocking out the scenery.
Portraits can be art, but that is not their real purpose. I don’t do portraits, but that is a personal choice.
Landscapes and other photographs are art. They are meant to evoke an emotion in the viewer. True, they often capture a moment in time a place in space, but there s more to them than that.
Personally I hope to show people things they see every day but never really see. And I have had some success with that. On Wednesdays I run a feature called Weird Wednesday where I share some odd or humorous photos I have taken over the years. Several times I’ve had people say they have driven by there many times, or been to that park and never noticed that. It is fun.
I also feature Friday Florida Fun Facts. Some of those will show up in my Blog in expanded forms (both more words and photos).
Most photos that I share will be available to purchase on my web site. Just click and you will be magically transported.
Hope to see you back soon.