The latest addition to products available in our Cafe Press shop Photo Accents is a good example of the benefit of stock photos. Three years ago we had a publishers request for llama pictures.
We found a llama business in Georgia agreeable to our request to photograph herd of llamas. Some of the pictures made then were published in a children’s book on llamas.
Another llama picture is available on products at Cafe Press like the sweatshirt below.
We made photographs of the Giant Pandas at the Atlanta Zoo in Georgia. Today one of the panda designs was added to our Cafe Press collection.
A picture was selected that showed a front close-up view of the panda’s head. The bamboo he was holding was easily removed with PhotoShop and a clear panda close-up remained.
This photograph got added punch by applying a PhotoShop filter. Posterize was used and this is the final design on a women’s cap sleeve t-shirt.
Several hundred images are made on slide film and digital camera flash cards during every photo trip. Today we worked reviewing and organizing the images made in Atlanta, Georgia.
A side benefit is reliving the experience represented in each photograph. But, we have a magazine photobuyer waiting for the images. In this case, it means scanning the slides and burning a CD.
Below are 2 pictures made in the digital camera. The beautiful flowers are growing at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The lionfish is swimming at the Georgia Aquarium. 
The boldly colored Garibaldi tropical fish inspired a new design for t-shirts, coffee mug, baby clothes, etc. Pictures made at the time, are tack sharp with gorgeous orange color. But, we thought the design was better as a drawing.
The beautiful, bright orange Garibaldi tropical fish now decorates t-shirts, coffee mugs, and baby clothes in our Fish Lover Gifts shop at Cafe Press. There are 18 fish species with designs from our fish picture inventory.
Today we worked in the Atlanta Botanical Garden while enjoying the sculpture display “Niki in the Garden” featuring Niki de Saint Phalle’s outdoor sculpture. The display ends October 31st.
The unique glass sculpture of Dale Chihuly can also be seen in the garden. A green Chihuly has been donated and will be here permanently. A blue and white Chihuly installed over a fountain will be permanent if enough money is contributed for purchase. Both are fascinating.
It’s been three years since our last working visit and the gardens have all been redesigned. But, the Japanese garden is still here. So is Frog Baby bronze sculpture; young child holding a frog in each hand.
This is our first trip here without camera bags full of lenses and without tripods. We are now working on travel images more than documentary botany images. So, everything doesn’t have to be photographed at f22.
Now, just a brief word about food. We’ve had 3 dinners at Ted’s Montana Grill on Spring Street and highly recommend it! Ted Turner is the owner and bison from his western ranch is used in some recipies. We tried it in meatloaf, good to the last bite! The buffalo head below was mounted in the restaurant above the bar. A Nikon D200 digital camera with built-in flash was used to make the picture.
Today we worked the Georgia Aquarium. We have photographed large city public aquariums like the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco, California, and Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Florida. But, the Georgia Aquarium is the newest and tops them all in some aspects.
There definately were more children today! It seemed like 50,000, no kidding. Attendants told us the large number is largely due to summer camps.
Of special interest were the Beluga Whales, five of them. They’re hoping for mating and new babies. Did you know the Beluga is the only whale that can turn its head sideways?
There are several huge floor to ceiling walls of glass holding 20 – 50 assorted fish. You see sharks, sting rays, groupers, goliath groupers, and many more. The huge groupers come right up to the aquarium wall and watch the human visitors. Wonder what they think of us?
There is also a moving walkway through a tunnel under an aquarium above you and on both sides. Our first tunnel aquarium experience was San Francisco. It’s fun to have a huge hammerhead shark swim overhead.
Today we photographed some places the business traveler would likely see. Peachtree Mall has lots of windows with interesting reflections. I have always enjoyed photographing store windows. When you have the store interior and the outside street reflection it gives a documentary element.
The outside of the Mall is actually better for the photographer, than the inside. The mall is below ground. There are 2 large areas with skylites giving daylight, but, those spots are filled with casual eating tables.
Next we went up to the observation deck above the Sun Dial Restaurant on the top of the Westin Hotel. Fortunately, there was no haze to obscure the view. The restaurant revolved and the view was fantastic. I used a 28mm wide angle lens for most of the work.
Yesterday afternoon we worked in Olympic Park, not the Westin Observation deck. Olympic Park has some interesting statues and fountains.
Today we worked at the Zoo. Great place for animals. Many of the animals have large habitat spaces.
We have photographed Giant Pandas in several places already. The panda picture here is from last year. It’s available at our CafePress shop www.cafepress.com/framed_print.
Today we arrived at the zoo 30 minutes after opening at 9:30 am. So, we had about 15 minutes with the female panda outdoors before she went inside. The inside temperature is kept around 65 degrees while outside temp goes up into the 80s. So, the only time to get a more natural setting is early in the day.
The elephants were quite cooperative. Although we have many elephant images from prior zoo shoots, I’ve wanted a closeup to use at CafePress on t shirts. Think I got it today. But, since we use 35mm film, I won’t know for several days.
Tonight we intend to photograph from the Westin Hotel rotating resturant. We have beautiful San Francisco photos from Windows on the World resturant. Hope these turn out as good!
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