This
has not been an easy decision. I
have had a good run of taking photos at the Psycowpath mountain bike
races. Thanks to feedback from some riders, I have improved my photo
composition. There were good and bad shots – too many times I had
the camera just set wrong. For
other times, needed
to refine my techniques. All-in-all, it has been an educational
experience and a better photographer.
Many
of you know I rediscovered the bicycle as rehab from a heart valve
replacement. The first 5 years, my riding got stronger. But for the
last couple years I have been plagued by 4 different cancers. That,
arthritis in the left knee, and getting older (turning 68 later this
year), I cannot get around to get the shots I used to get.
There
have been another crop of photographers that can get the shot better
than I can. Add in that most folks just want small photos for the
social media pages, its
not worth my time to send a day shooting photos, posting them up to
the web site, and hope there are a couple of sales. One rider told
me he just grabbed the photos he wanted from the web site (there were
big enough for facebook). He was nice enough to tell me about it and
gave me a donation for the photos.
The
first 2 years, I just posted my photos. The rest of the years, I
asked for $5 for a cleaned-up photo. When I was shooting 400-500
shots at a race, I was not going to process all of the for sales of
2-5 photos. When a customer ordered a photo file, I start from
the camera RAW photo, touched up exposure, shadows and highlights,
and sent them via e-mail.
I
did not take a portion of sales as a donation to THOR. What I did
was donate any photos that the THOR and Psycowpath folks wanted for
their web site, facebook pages, and publicity. I appreciate the support from my customers and race friends. Its time to move on to a new chapter in my adventure called "life".
There
may be more changes in the works. I am now at over 10 years from the
stroke, open heart, and first cancer. In the next year or two, my
cancers will pass the 5 year mark. I will be getting more
information about moving SW for better riding weather and less
humidity. Watch for updates.
Last
year race photos are still posted on the win_photo.photoreflect.com
web site. They, and the Tranquility races will remain on the site
for a month or two.
Enjoy
your racing.
