Mountain Drive – Davis Mountains, Texas
Copyright © 2015 Jeff Lynch Photography
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Shot taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with GP-E2 unit attached, set on aperture (Av) priority using an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens tripod mounted. The exposure was taken at 28mm, f/16 for 1/50th of a second at ISO 100. Post capture processing was done in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.
GPS Coordinates: 30°39’16” N 104°15’49” W, 5232.6 ft
Downdraft – Davis Mountains Preserve, Texas
Copyright © 2014 Jeff Lynch Photography
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Shot taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with GP-E2 unit attached, set on aperture (Av) priority using an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens tripod mounted. The exposure was taken at 67mm, f/16 for 1/15th of a second at ISO 100. Post capture processing was done in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.
GPS Coordinates: 30°41’9″ N 104°3’19” W, 6271.0 ft
I have moved my book sales to Blurb and my previous two books, Hill Country Landscapes, released in 2009 and Landscapes of the Texas Plains & Canyons, released in 2010, can now be purchased directly from their web site, along with my latest book, Landscapes of the Davis Mountains.
My love affair with the Davis Mountains began with a short trip to the area in 2011 to cover the recent wildfires that ravaged the region. This seemingly random event opened my eyes to one of the most beautiful and majestic regions in our state and an area that calls to me like a bee to honey.
Join me as I explore the rugged outback of the Davis Mountains and surrounding area with its rich history and unique geology and geography. From the verdant plains to the highest peaks, it’s a region like no other.
Landscapes of the Davis Mountains
Copyright © 2015 Jeff Lynch Photography
Click on the image above for a book preview.
The Dark of Night – Davis Mountains, Texas
Copyright © 2014 Jeff Lynch Photography
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Shot taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with GP-E2 unit attached, set on aperture (Av) priority using an EF 17-40mm f/4L USM lens tripod mounted. The exposure was taken at 21mm, f/4 for 13 seconds at ISO 3200. Post capture processing was done in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.
GPS Coordinates: 30°42’19” N 104°12’49” W, 6007.5 ft
Windows – Davis Mountains State Park, Texas
Copyright © 2013 Jeff Lynch Photography
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Shot taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with GP-E2 unit attached, set on aperture (Av) priority using an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens tripod mounted. The exposure was taken at 32mm, f/16 for 1.6 seconds at ISO 100 using Singh-Ray’s warming polarizer filter. Post capture processing was done in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.
GPS Coordinates: 30°35’57” N 103°54’25” W, 5324.5 ft
I thought I’d repost this article from early 2010 since the economy and market hasn’t really changed all that much (sad but true). – Enjoy!
Fort Davis, Texas
Copyright © 2013 Jeff Lynch Photography
Click on the image above for a larger version.
Shot taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with GP-E2 unit attached, set on aperture (Av) priority using an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens tripod mounted. The exposure was taken at 24mm, f/16 for 1/6th of a second at ISO 100 using Singh-Ray’s warming polarizer filter. Post capture processing was done in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.
GPS Coordinates: 30°35’56” N 103°54’24” W, 5342 ft
Many aspiring photographers and devoted camera buffs ask me the same question year after year, “How do you make a photographic hobby pay?”.
At first I’m tempted to tell folks that it’s impossible because gear lust tends to overcome common sense in most amateurs (and many professionals). The manufacturers keep adding features to keep us dishing out money for new cameras every year. If we fall into this trap (we’re all guilty of this folks) then it’s impossible for amateurs or most professionals to break even, let alone make a profit.
Successful professionals understand this reality very well and look at their gear as capital equipment that depreciates over time. No small business replaces capital equipment before it’s fully depreciated and the key to making money as a small business is watching your cash flow like a hawk.
However, somewhere along the way, serious amateurs begin to realize that their 10 megapixel 20D or 12 megapixel D300 is really all they need to achieve consistent image quality. They come to the realization that a good photograph has a lot more to do with the photographer than with the camera. It’s a profound and humbling realization for most and it’s the time when they sets aside their gear lust and begin their search for knowledge. It’s the time when serious amateurs seek out teaching professionals at workshops, seminars and photo-tours.
It’s also the time when many begin to give back to the photographic community as a whole. This is where many folks really begin to grow as photographers and discover that sharing knowledge freely with others multiplies their opportunities to connect with potential customers, sponsors and other photographers that share their passion.
The next steps amateurs take to make their craft pay for itself depend greatly on the personality of the photographer.
Selling fine art prints or coffee table books to the general public is hard work and most amateurs know very little about their regional market for such images.
Microstock photography is one possible revenue stream but a quick search on sites like iStockphoto turn up thousands of incredible images from very talented amateurs and professionals. (Face it. The stock photography market today is already flush with talent.)
Getting commercial work as an amateur is extremely difficult, given the fact that so many top-notch professionals are already out of work due to the ailing economy and the rapid decline of print media. Competing in the commercial arena means going up against the likes of David Tejada, Tyler Stableford and Kirk Tuck. Not for the weak of heart.
Some how do you make your photographic hobby pay for itself?
If you’re good and can find a local niche for your work, your photographic hobby has the potential to pay for itself. Even if it doesn’t, you’ll have gained valuable experience that most hobbyists never dream of.
Our Lord and Saviour said it best in the New Testament, “Give, and it will be given to you.” (Luke 6:38)
Storm over Fort Davis, Texas
Copyright © 2013 Jeff Lynch Photography
Shot taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with GP-E2 unit attached, set on aperture (Av) priority using an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens and tripod mounted. The exposure was taken at 29mm, f/16 for 1/20th of a second at ISO 100 using Singh-Ray’s warming polarizer and soft, graduated neutral density filters. Post capture processing was done in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.
Click on the image above for a larger version.
Sunset in the Mountains – Fort Davis, Texas
Copyright © 2013 Jeff Lynch Photography
Shot taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with GP-E2 unit attached, set on aperture (Av) priority using an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens and tripod mounted. The exposure was taken at 24mm, f/16 for 1/2 of a second at ISO 100 using Singh-Ray’s warming polarizer and soft, graduated neutral density filters. Post capture processing was done in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.
Click on the image above for a larger version.
Texas Landscape Photography 