Who am I? In some ways it beats the hell out of me. As a photographer I'm pretty clear.
I've been working on completely revamping my website and part of that project included updating my bio and my reason for being as a photographer. I thought I'd put it up in this space as well.
I began my photographic odyssey over forty years ago whilst studying for a degree in Journalism at California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. Raised on a ranch in Ventura County California my fascination with nature and wildlife is as old as I am. That I would find a way to combine the two passions was only natural.
From the beginning my heart wanted me to be a photographer, my head sent me down a path that was more in line with family expectations. I ended up a vice president in international investment banking in San Francisco. But, my love for photography and the natural world never waned. After retiring from banking I was able to spend more "quality" time with my camera. Eventually, with much encouragement from friends, I decided to make my work public.
My artistic inspiration comes mainly from Thoreau and Monet. Thoreau taught me about nature and observation. Through observation I have developed a keen awareness of the wonders of nature. Through my photography I endeavor to share that awareness with others.
Long before it was a popular notion, I believed photography to be an art form. Monet imbued me with the drive to attempt to create paintings with my camera. Using light and reflection, I pay homage to the impressionistic style particularly in "Bow River Impressionism", "Autumn Leaves" and "Whisper of Monet".
My goal with my photography is to create images that look more like paintings than photos. Images that once hung on the wall most observers would declare “a beautiful painting!”.
I do this without the aide of digital gimmickry. Many images are exactly as they came out of the camera. Those that have had some editing received no more than what was done in a traditional darkroom. I no longer use colored lens filters because I get what I want more precisely what with a computer editing program. Other than these minor adjustments my work is au natural.
My primary canvas is water. However, I find extraordinary natural works of art can also be found in rocks, boulders, tree bark, pebbles, forests, clouds, fire, ice and just about anything anywhere, when I am truly looking and seeing.
The world is awash with digital photos. My focus is not in creating more pretty pictures, although I have plenty of those too. I am not out to excite, shock, thrill or titillate. My objective is quite the opposite. I wish to show people the breathless beauty that is all around them. I strive to point out that this beauty can be found in the most mundane places, yet mostly goes unseen and unnoticed. I want people to look at these amazing works of nature and find something that soothes their senses and intrigues their minds. I want to create images that beckon the viewer to step off their spinning wheel, and spend some quality time with the wonders that are nature. Quite simply, I wish to show people a side of photography and nature that they may not have seen before.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." Yogi Berra
I am an old fashioned kind of country gal. I believe my word is my bond and any commitment worth making is worth keeping. My fondest hope is that when I die I am in the wilderness with a Nikon in my hand and a smile on my face.
You can follow my exploits at my blog The Kinsey Kronicles and on Facebook
Also on Twitter
Kinsey Barnard
Just a woman in the wild
Showing posts with label fine art photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fine art photography. Show all posts
20 February 2012
24 November 2010
Internet Scams A Photographer's Story
It is a never-ending source of fascination to me the human drive to create. We humans have created some pretty awesome stuff in our brief history on this planet. What I find even more fascinating is that for every wonderful thing we have created there are those who can’t wait to find a way to use it for nefarious purposes. The Internet was created and Internet scams soon followed.
As an outdoor photographer living way outdoors in northwest Montana I am pretty dependent on the Internet to help me generate sales. The nearest town of any size is Kalispell and it’s seventy-five miles away. In winter it’s one hundred and seventy-five. The nearest city is Seattle and, well, that’s in another galaxy. Don’t feel sorry for me though. I’d eat squirrel stew if I had to in order to be able to live here.
Even though I quite literally live in the Kootenai National Forest I do have Internet service. Not only that this summer the electric co-op installed fiber optic cable (See: Fiber Optics-Rural Utilities). I’m still in disbelief.
About a month ago I was contacted, via e-mail, regarding the purchase of one of my fine art prints. There is just no way to market on the Internet without putting contact information out there for anyone to use. The e-mail said the person, a Mr. Taylor somewhere in Asia, was interested in purchasing my limited edition “Golden-eye On Walden Pond”. That particular image sells for $400.00. I replied saying payment could be made through Pay Pal. Taylor replied a cashier’s check would be sent and my address was required. I thought the whole thing seemed a little fishy but I decided to play along and provided a Post Office Box.
I didn’t hear anything more for a couple of weeks and had pretty much forgotten about it. Then I got an e-mail that said the check was in the mail. I thought “fine”. Then another week passed and I got a message saying the check would soon arrive but there had been a mistake. The check was being sent to me by an “associate” here in the states that had accidentally made the check out in the total amount of a debt, which was greater than the price of the print. No amount was given.
Now my eyebrows are making a very wide arch. But, I’ve done business in Asia and sometimes transactions are conducted in convoluted ways. Finally, the check arrives. It was all I could do not to laugh. Keep in mind I have a background in banking so I may have a little extra knowledge. Here is a copy of the actual check.
What was wrong with the check? Let me name the ways. First, the envelope in which the check arrived had no return address or postmark. Who in their right mind would send a cashier’s check without a return address? Next, the check was made out in the amount of $2,940. Keeping in mind the cost of the print was $400 plus shipping and handling this Taylor person wanted me to send him the print and $2,500! Next there was the check itself. The payee, that would be me, and the amount were handwritten. Cashier’s checks are always typed, unlike money orders. The check had no date. But best of all, the check had been placed inside a blank piece of paper upon which was the ink from the check itself! Talk about hot off the press!
It’s hard for me to believe that anyone would fall for this scam but I am certain people do or they wouldn’t be going on. Most everyone knows that you don’t ship or exchange goods before the check has cleared your bank so I don’t know how this was supposed to work. But, it never hurts to be reminded.
My story is pretty comical but I’m sure there are many that are not funny at all. So, the moral of this story be very careful when doing business on the Internet. It's a jungle out there. Most of us have a good sense of honesty and fair play. And, sadly, that’s exactly what these scamsters were banking on.
©Kinsey Barnard
As an outdoor photographer living way outdoors in northwest Montana I am pretty dependent on the Internet to help me generate sales. The nearest town of any size is Kalispell and it’s seventy-five miles away. In winter it’s one hundred and seventy-five. The nearest city is Seattle and, well, that’s in another galaxy. Don’t feel sorry for me though. I’d eat squirrel stew if I had to in order to be able to live here.
Even though I quite literally live in the Kootenai National Forest I do have Internet service. Not only that this summer the electric co-op installed fiber optic cable (See: Fiber Optics-Rural Utilities). I’m still in disbelief.
About a month ago I was contacted, via e-mail, regarding the purchase of one of my fine art prints. There is just no way to market on the Internet without putting contact information out there for anyone to use. The e-mail said the person, a Mr. Taylor somewhere in Asia, was interested in purchasing my limited edition “Golden-eye On Walden Pond”. That particular image sells for $400.00. I replied saying payment could be made through Pay Pal. Taylor replied a cashier’s check would be sent and my address was required. I thought the whole thing seemed a little fishy but I decided to play along and provided a Post Office Box.
I didn’t hear anything more for a couple of weeks and had pretty much forgotten about it. Then I got an e-mail that said the check was in the mail. I thought “fine”. Then another week passed and I got a message saying the check would soon arrive but there had been a mistake. The check was being sent to me by an “associate” here in the states that had accidentally made the check out in the total amount of a debt, which was greater than the price of the print. No amount was given.
Now my eyebrows are making a very wide arch. But, I’ve done business in Asia and sometimes transactions are conducted in convoluted ways. Finally, the check arrives. It was all I could do not to laugh. Keep in mind I have a background in banking so I may have a little extra knowledge. Here is a copy of the actual check.
What was wrong with the check? Let me name the ways. First, the envelope in which the check arrived had no return address or postmark. Who in their right mind would send a cashier’s check without a return address? Next, the check was made out in the amount of $2,940. Keeping in mind the cost of the print was $400 plus shipping and handling this Taylor person wanted me to send him the print and $2,500! Next there was the check itself. The payee, that would be me, and the amount were handwritten. Cashier’s checks are always typed, unlike money orders. The check had no date. But best of all, the check had been placed inside a blank piece of paper upon which was the ink from the check itself! Talk about hot off the press!
It’s hard for me to believe that anyone would fall for this scam but I am certain people do or they wouldn’t be going on. Most everyone knows that you don’t ship or exchange goods before the check has cleared your bank so I don’t know how this was supposed to work. But, it never hurts to be reminded.
My story is pretty comical but I’m sure there are many that are not funny at all. So, the moral of this story be very careful when doing business on the Internet. It's a jungle out there. Most of us have a good sense of honesty and fair play. And, sadly, that’s exactly what these scamsters were banking on.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
©Kinsey Barnard
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