Since these two are music related, I'll share them here:
They are pictures of my MacSax tenor sax. It was a custom job - the "Notes Norton" signature model. As far as I know there are two of them out there. Somebody wanted one just like mine. MacSax is no longer in the sax business, but is where the real profits reside for sax players, mouthpieces.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
When photographing instruments (or any inanimate object) think very carefully about the background. The viewer will see that, as much as they see the instrument (although you may not). How well the background fits with the instrument will determine if your image sells. See my 2 examples below...
When photographing instruments (or any inanimate object) think very carefully about the background. The viewer will see that, as much as they see the instrument (although you may not). How well the background fits with the instrument will determine if your image sells. See my 2 examples below...
snip ... My Alamy images (I license maybe 3 or a 4 a week) often fetch upwards of €50. The one below was licensed last week for $425. Several pots of Skinny latte Mocha!
And we get to see it for free!
This is an interesting conversation, beautiful photographs and very informative tips. Loving every minute I read.
I used to do manual focus with my Pentax K1000. The K1000 was all manual, and it forced me to think about f-stop and aperture, which was great but with a target like wildlife that can move unexpectedly, the extra seconds it took could be the reason I didn't get the shot I wanted.
I upgraded to a Canon EOS and started to use auto-focus in the manner than StephenP explains in his video.
It's a much quicker way of getting the shot.
But the way I see it, there is an advantage to both methods.
Notes, I think you hit on a critical point here. And that is the importance of understanding aperture size, shutter speed and how it affects depth of field, foregrounds, and backgrounds.
No issues with using auto-focus at all, but understanding the theory and technology behind the technique basics always works in your favor. I'm sure that both you and Stephen would agree.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
My humble advice comes from a lifetime spent in photography, as both an amateur and a professional. My father was a professional, and he taught me to shoot. He also taught me darkroom skills, developing and printing, dodging and burning, etc. That was over 60 years ago now. Back then it was all manual, and one had to learn the essentials of photography to apply them successfully.
That experience equipped me to actually work in the field, running a photography department for 16 years at the third largest teaching hospital in the U.S. - Jackson Memorial.
I would also advise against 'digitizing' negatives with a camera mounted on a copy stand. For $229, you can get a decent scanner that will digitize photos, negatives or slides, and give a better result.
That's great. I've used photos from that catalog before.
WTG!!!
Bud
PS And a shoutout to another forum member, BabuMusic, who has many photo books on Amazon. He uses a lot of his shots in his music vids.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
One (Everglades Sunset) is a Kodachrome slide I scanned with a dedicated film/slide scanner.
The slide had been stored too long and had some small spots that wouldn't blow off with the rocket, so I used editing software to get rid of them. It was time-consuming but pleasant to see it get better.
This was a very old slide, I think from back in my K1000 days. That's when I was living in Ft.Lauderdale and this shot was from the levee behind Ft.L before they expanded the city even more and ate up more of my beloved Everglades.
I'm not spending much time at this, only when I have a few spare moments, but I'm enjoying it.
I'm not spending much time at this, only when I have a few spare moments, but I'm enjoying it.Notes
And that's the main thing to bear in mind, make it something you do for pleasure. Unfortunately, since the advent of digital cameras, half the population of the world seems to be into stock photography.
This makes it more about 'numbers' than quality images. With 15 images, you've got more chance of making money from the lottery than photography.
I've got nearly 9000 images with the stock library I use, and probably only sell 5 images a month, even though my photos get looked at a lot - because there is so much competition these days.
That said, a friend just sent me an image she sold with Stockimo (the library for camera-phone images) to ask if I would re-size for a print, as someone else want to buy it. She's probably only got 10 images with Stockimo, so you never know!
I'm definitely enjoying myself, and don't expect to make enough to buy a second home in the south of France, but I'd like to sell at least one so I can go on record as a professional
I just edit and upload when I have a few spare moments.
I need to convert my slides because I've got thousands of them. I'm not sure my slide projector works anymore, it's been in storage way too long. Plus I live in a tiny 900 square foot house and storage space is always at a premium.
The main problem with the slides is that I don't live with air conditioning, and there are some dust specks that the rocket will not blow off or the microfiber cloth will not gently remove.
I've scoured the 'net and there doesn't seem to be a very good way of removing the stubborn ones without unmounting the slide, cleaning, and remounting the slide, and I don't have that much free time.
Depending on where the spots are, I can edit them out. If not I'll keep scans that are good memories.
I now have 17 images on AdobeStock. I am the proverbial needle in the haystack. I don't think I'll hit 9,000 any time soon so you don't have to worry about competition from me
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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