Tag-Archive for ◊ digital award ◊

12 Sep 2009 September Favorites – Bad Photo Week

One of the premier advantages of digital photography is the ability to immediately cull out bad photos.  Instead of wasting time and money filling up drawers and albums with all those terrible compositions, over exposed, and under exposed pictures, we can simply delete them before we head out to the store to buy those prints, or load up our digital picture frames. 

As I scan back through my albums for “keeper” shots, there are still more bad photos I have taken and kept than there are good ones.  The reason for this is varied.  Often I keep pictures of seemingly uncorrelated junk because it reminds me of a place I went, or a time I enjoyed on one of my walks.  I know my pictures are bad because people who look at them ask, “Where is that?” or “Why are you taking so many pictures of weeds?”

If any of this sounds like the kind of experiences you get with your own photos, then take note of this week’s creations made from nothing but bad photos, (as if some past weeks have not.)  When you add the extra dimension of letting me create a digitally matted photo, digital award, digital plaque, or digital calendar page, you will start hearing a different tune about your bad photos.  Though you may still hear some of the same old questions about your pictures, many will preface their remarks with, “Oh! That’s pretty.” or “That’s interesting, where did you get that?” Thus is the power of my digital creations.

See for yourself with this week’s offerings.  The first item is a digital plaque which includes a quote from my favorite sage regarding the future of digital camera technology.  The center piece of this plaque is an under exposed twilight shot I took of some tall grass and scruffy trees at Heritage Park in Olathe, KS.  I particularly enjoyed this day in the park with my wife, so I kept the bad photo, but look at it now.  Beautiful.

You do not need perfect photos to create a thing of beauty.

You do not need perfect photos to create a thing of beauty.

Next in line is the digitally matted photo I took during a walk on part of the Mill Creek trail that passes through Shawnee Mission Park, KS.  This photo of the lush greenery we saw on our walk takes me back to that spot, headed for some shade on a warm summer day.  The digital matting accents tell the world, “I meant to do that,” when I took the shot.  Now, before you respond with, “So what?” let’s move on to the next item.

Digital photo matting accents the statement you were making with your photos.

Digital photo matting accents the statement you were making with your photos.

This week’s digital calendar offering features the soft highlights of a small grassy area along a walking trail near our home in Overland Park, KS.  Made from a combination of textures, highlights and shadows, this picture beacons for you to come and spend a few minutes relaxing comfortably in the soft lush grass.

Passing time with digital calendar creations that shine.

Passing time with digital calendar creations that shine.

When you think you have taken a photograph with few redeeming qualities, because you are not even sure where the bad picture came from, you can always hold out for making it an award winner.  Under the right circumstances, bad photos can fire up the competitive spirit like nothing else.  I have rewarded myself with this stunning digital photo frame award, so the question is, “Are you going to be next?”

Find your own reason to be recognized with digital awards.

Find your own reason to be recognized with digital awards.

If you want me to create a unique design from your photos or specifications, just send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com and tell me what you have in mind.  Please do not attach photos to your email.  I will tell you everything you need to know about how to start getting the most from your digital picture frame content.  If you want to use any of the work posted on this site, just pay $3 per image at how to buy photo matting services then send me an email to let me know what you use or want to download.

Thanks for visiting, and come back often.  If you like what you see, tell your friends.  If you don’t, then just keep your mouth shut.

29 Aug 2009 August Favorites – Art Fair

As this month draws to a close, I thought it would be nice to feature some art bits for this week.  The first item is a digitally matted photo of a gift presented to me by my friend, Joseph Ruiz who departed for Fresno, California this week.  Hope you had a good trip Joseph.  I will keep your carving safe, and I hope to see you again soon my friend. 

Memories of a friend captured in digital photo matting.

Memories of a friend captured in digital photo matting.

Next in line is a digital award which was created from a photo taken at the Nelson Art Gallery in Kansas City, which demonstrates the value and antiquity of the hearty handshake.  The award applauds warmth, friendship, and agreements that rise from our clasping of hands.  Handshakes also give us a feel for how sincere our greetings and agreements truly are.

What's in a handshake?  Centuries of tradition.

What's in a handshake? Centuries of tradition.

Rolling out the third work of art, the digitally matted photo used in this digital calendar cube design also originated from a painting displayed at the Nelson Art Gallery.  I like this design because of the depth, unusual variations, and accents that are possible with creating new calendar themes. 

Calendar cubes keep rolling out unusual possibilities.

Calendar cubes keep rolling out unusual possibilities.

In keeping with the theme that a picture is worth a thousand words, this week’s digital inspirational plaque rounds out the offerings for the week.  If you are in Kansas City and have not visited the art gallery recently, it is worth your time to go.  When I took these pictures last week, I was careful to turn off the flash on my camera, as per the rules for taking photos.  Even without the flash, I was able to get some nice pictures that I could take home and transform into my own private image collection.  The friends I went with took the whirlwind tour through the place, which suited me fine, while others took the time to stop and read information about almost every exhibit.  One of my friends told me, “That was an interesting way to kill some time.”  I had to agree.

Inspiration from art works can be captured with digital plaques.

Inspiration from art works can be captured with digital plaques.

If you want me to create a unique design from your photos or specifications, just send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com and tell me what you have in mind.  Please do not attach photos to your email.  I will tell you everything you need to know about how to start getting the most from your digital picture frame content.  If you want to use any of the work posted on this site, just pay $3 per image at How To Buy Photo Matting Services  then send me an email to let me know what you use or want to download.  Thanks for visiting.

22 Aug 2009 August Favorites – Hodge Podge

My first bit of work this week came as a greeting to someone who will always be on my personal hall of fame list of people.  The digital plaque birthday greeting immortalizes a defining moment of humorous memories that lives on in our local lore.  Happy birthday, Jim.

Digital plaques make good greeting cards.

Digital plaques make good greeting cards.

Next on the list is another smooth digital calendar design based on a photo taken of some animal tracks beside a creek along the local walking trails I like to visit.  I personally liked the color tones that came from the soil.

Digital box calendars provide a change from mundane pages.

Digital box calendars provide a change from mundane pages.

On a museum of art trip this weekend with some friends, this painting caught my eye and the attention of others, so I took a digital photo created my own digital photo matte for the composition.  The scene is dark, but quite interesting in its night time volcanic eruption.  I thought it came out very nice.

Digital photo matting works of art can be economical and fun.

Digital photo matting works of art can be economical and fun.

My last item for the week is a whimsical award constructed from the inspiration of some Roman bust sculptures at the art museum.  I like the way this award looks from a visual standpoint.

Digital awards are nice for just about any kind of recognition.

Digital awards are nice for just about any kind of recognition.

If you want me to create a unique design from your photos or specifications, just send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com and tell me what you have in mind.  Please do not attach photos to your email.  I will tell you everything you need to know about how to start getting the most from your digital picture frame content.  If you want to use any of the work posted on this site, just pay $3 per image at  how to buy photo matting services  then send me an email to let me know what you use or want to download.

Thanks for visiting.

15 Aug 2009 August Favorites – Botanical Beauty
Greetings to you, and I hope it was a nice week for everybody. My offerings this week were inspired by the beauty of some botanical garden shots that formed the basis for a wider scope of inspiration.  The first item up is a variation on the digital calendar cubical design.  I have started with offering next month’s calendar page, and a nice shot of flowing water and greenscape.  I liked the way this composition came together, so see for yourself if it is something you can use.
If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

Next up is a cheerful play of rocks, flowers, grasses matted on a sparkling green background.  This digital photo matting design looks great as both a screen wallpaper or used as intended for digital picture frame content.  Just when I think I have come up with my favorite photo and matting design, something new and different takes its place.  I think these treatments enrich every photo I take the time to work with, do you agree?

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

This week’s digital award design is inspired by what I would rather have given to someone entering our photo contests.  The award features another nice shot of flowing bushes in the botanical garden setting.  I am still waiting for visitors to show me their own shots that I can feature as award winners. 

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

Beautiful awards await for those to participate.

My last offering is a digital plaque design using a spherically arranged flower grouping and some special lighting effects to dazzle the eye with this week’s inspirational sentiments.  All my treatments are made from the kind of simple photos taken by every day people like me.  I think these ideas turn my pictures into something special to see. 

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you want me to create a unique design from your photos or specifications, just send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com and tell me what you have in mind.  Please do not attach photos to your email.  I will tell you everything you need to know about how to start getting the most from your digital picture frame content.  If you want to use any of the work posted on this site, just pay $3 per image at how to buy photo matting services, and then send me an email to let me know what you use or want to download.

Thanks for visiting.

08 Aug 2009 August Favorites – From the Lone Star

For this week’s selections, I used some of my Texas photos to build some unique digital photo matting creations that express the mood and focus I had in my approach. 

The first item is a variation on a 3-up calendar presentation using textures, colors, and a matted photo at the entrance to Hemisfair Park, San Antonio, Texas.  Though I have personally found these kinds of designs handy for ticking off the days at work on my screen wallpaper, I am not sure I like using them as much on my digital picture frame.  I guess it is a case for budget and different strokes for different folks.

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

My second presentation is a digital inspirational plaque, sporting another matted photograph of a portion of the beautiful fountains in Hemisfair Park.  I was really taken with the clean beauty of the fountains, and the rushing water pouring down from everywhere.  If you have not ever been there, it is worth the trip to see.

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

For this week’s digital award offering, I decided to create a potential award presentation for the beleaguered mayor of Kansas City, Missouri.  The matted photo of a drowned armadillo came from Dallas Texas while we were visiting a lake near the botanical gardens.  I guess the animal hopped in over its head, and though the shell seems to float fine, maybe the creature should have learned to float on its back.  Now, all I need is for somebody to buy it and present it to the lucky winner.  Will anybody step up?  I’ll let you know if they do.

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

My digital photo matte for the week gives this picture from the San Antonio Riverwalk a nicely highlighted dimension, as it brings out the earth tones in the photograph.  I think this matte provides a new level of richness for this scene, which is one of my favorite pictures.  This matte will look good in whatever means selected to showcase it.

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you want me to create a unique design from your photos or specifications, just send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com and tell me what you have in mind.  Please do not attach photos to your email.  I will tell you everything you need to know about how to start getting the most from your digital picture frame content.  If you want to use any of the work posted on this site, just pay $3 per image at

http://digitalphotoframetemplates.biz/how-to-buy-photo-matting-services then send me an email to let me know what you use or want to download.

Thanks for visiting.

01 Aug 2009 August Favorites – Fast Track

Another month begins, and I am not ready for the summer to come a month closer to being over.  In the past month I have heard from a few people who are coming to the site, and some of them are asking if I can help bring their own ideas to life.  This is good, so keep those inquiries coming.

Based on an inspiration from one idea I heard last month, my first image will show how a person could create a perpetual calendar of images for their digital picture frame.  Since this effort would require gathering 366 images, and omitting the year, the cost of this approach might be somewhat prohibitive at $3 per image.  With that said, one could make the calendar with some promotional logos or ad copy in other areas of the border, and have a nice way to recover the original creation cost of my design by selling to interested digital picture frame customers at reduced cost until enough copies have been sold to recover the production cost.

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

The second image on this week’s agenda is an actual digital award presented to Paula Eubanks for her work in setting up a charity fund raising event where she works.  The design was adapted from an earlier award posted on this site because I was not in a spot where I could create a completely new design when the need to have a presentation arose.  At any rate, Paula liked her award and thought it was a nice way to recognize her efforts.

Appreciation awards encourage and reward effort.

Appreciation awards encourage and reward effort.

My digital inspirational plaque for the week comes from a sudden realization I had in a work conversation I was engaged in.  I used a photo I took in Waterfall Park in Independence Missouri because inspirations often have pictures like these associated with them.  The people at work got a giggle out of the punch line, so I hope you do too.

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

My final offering is yet another photo from the Waterfall Park in Independence MO.  What surprised me the most about this place was how many nice images I could grab from such a small area.  This picture of the drowning trees appealed to me, and I thought the shiny green matte would make it more interesting to view.   

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you would like to see/buy the 1024 x 768 image send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com

If you want me to create a unique design from your photos or specifications, just send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com and tell me what you have in mind.  Please do not attach photos to your email.  I will tell you everything you need to know about how to start getting the most from your digital picture frame content.  If you want to use any of the work posted on this site, just pay $3 per image at

http://digitalphotoframetemplates.biz/how-to-buy-photo-matting-services

Thanks for visiting.

11 Jul 2009 July Favorites – Another Angle

Since my last post, I have been tromping around in the woods along the leafy pathways surrounding the Mill Creek Trail in Kansas, which runs through several cities in Johnson County.  The wife and I love to relax by taking long scenic walks, and we had never traveled some of the areas along Mill Creek, so we got busy and did it.  This first offering is a picture we took of a quiet little pasture we passed, occupied by a lone mule that was happily consuming the tall grass.  I thought this digital photo matting treatment came out looking very nice to my eyes.  What do you think?

A quiet day in the summer pasture.

A quiet day in the summer pasture.

Next, I decided to use one of my photos from the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, and create an untraditional looking digital calendar cube effect.  This one made a few people take notice, so I may go down this road with several more digital calendar box designs in the months ahead. I am always encouraged by positive feedback to reach out for more unusual presentations.

Calendar boxes offer a different variation to tracking days.

Calendar boxes offer a different variation to tracking days.

After making the calendar box, I dreamed up this digital award design which celebrates the benefit of using digital photo technology to save natural materials and energy, while presenting beautiful simulated designs.  I thought I deserved an award for my ground breaking digital photo work, so I went ahead and made myself one.  One of the perks of making awards is putting a few of your own up on the shelf.

Go green with digital creations from Matte Watch

Go green with digital creations from Matte Watch

My final effort for the week carries forward the cubism into the digital inspirational plaque realms.  This inspired cube design plays well in a digital picture frame and as a screen wallpaper.  Of course the ever enriching inscription about friendship reminds us all not to let our bridges of friendship fall into disrepair due to neglect.  Any time is right to circle back around and refresh an old friendship that might have gotten away from us.

Use my inspirations to express yours.

Use my inspirations to express yours.

If you want me to create a unique design from your photos or specifications, just send an email to jdir@bhotechnologists.com and tell me what you have in mind.  Please do not attach photos to your email.  I will tell you everything you need to know about how to start getting the most from your digital picture frame content.  If you want to use any of the work posted on this site, just donate $3 per image used.  Thanks for visiting.

27 Jun 2009 Matte Watch – July Monthly Photo Contest

The month of July marks a special time of celebration in the United States, so we thought it would be fun to add to the festivities by launching a special series of digital photo contests.  Starting in July, we will launch the first weekly contest using a theme of scenic photos.  The competition is open for all digital photo enthusiasts, with details available with each week’s prize posting.

As the weeks progress, the top three winners from each weekly contest will automatically be entered into the monthly competition, to receive more prizes.  Since the monthly prize winners are selected from the weekly competitors, this means that you have a chance to win another prize without any extra effort!  If nobody enters one or more of the weekly contests, chances improve for anyone who participates to win a monthly prize as well.  The July monthly prize offering will be awarded to winners chosen from first, second, and third place weekly picks.  Prizes offered at the monthly level include the following:

First Place – 3 free digital photo treatments of your choice, made from your own photos, or you can use your prize credits toward one of our own creations posted on our site.  You can choose from a digital plaque, award, matted photo, or calendar page creation from your pictures.

Second Place – 2 free digital photo treatments of your choice, made from your photos, selected from the product categories mentioned above.

Third Place – 1 free digital photo treatment of your choice from one of our digital creation categories.

If there are no participants in the weekly contests, no weekly or monthly prizes will be awarded.  Winners can choose to have prizes made from winning weekly entries, or provide new pictures for us to work with.  Winners will be notified by email, and given prize credits for monthly winnings to be redeemed within 30 days of prize notification. 

Unredeemed prize credits will be void after 30 days.  Your finished creations may be showcased by being posted on our site.  Give your photos the highlighting they deserve by entering them in our contests. 

When we receive regular monthly participation in our contests, the top 3 winners of monthly prizes will be automatically entered in our yearly prize competition levels.  Details of potential yearly contest prizes will be posted in an article describing our yearly contest rewards.  If we do not have regular monthly winners, there will be no annual prizes awarded.  You have nothing to lose, so cash in on the fun, and make your digital photos look like a million.

27 Jun 2009 Matte Watch – Yearly Photo Contest

Beginning in July 2009, we will start the first set of weekly photo contests which have the potential of rolling forward into monthly and even yearly winnings for those who wish to participate.  When people submit their photos into the contest on a weekly basis, the top three winners will receive a weekly award for best submissions.  From this group of top three winners each week, we will automatically enter them for monthly prize eligibility. 

When we have a year’s worth of monthly winners, we will take the top three monthly winners and automatically qualify them for prizes established for the top three best photos of the year.  In the beginning stages of our contest plans, we will need to get the word out and wait for participation to build.  During the weeks and months when we get no entries, the prize levels will not be awarded for those periods.  This makes winning much easier for people who discover us first, and get busy participating before the crowds find out about our offers.

Once the real challenge begins, it will still be possible for contestants to win multiple times during any given month, and to continue to receive weekly and monthly prizes throughout the year.  The more weekly wins a person has, the more chances they have to win the monthly prizes and prizes slated for the yearly level.  While there is a lot for people to get acquainted with about our lower level contests, we are not going to fill in the details of our yearly prizes, but they will be greater than what we offer at the monthly levels when they start to kick in.

To help keep things fair among all our participants, we may need to look at making some adjustments to the way our contests are structured from time to time.  For example, we may adjust our criteria or create different submission categories to level the playing field for more people to have chances to win.  We reserve the right to change criteria, or disqualify certain entries due to things like inappropriate material, improper submissions, or other circumstances we have yet to experience.  Our contests are being created to showcase the talents of our loyal visitors, and give people a chance to see what we can do to raise the bar for their digital photos.

27 Jun 2009 June Favorites – Summer Heat

Summer showed up quickly from the South this week, punching up the heat index like a trip to the sauna.  In this inspiration, I got busy putting together some cool images to soothe my mind from the scorching temperatures.  The first image is a July calendar page centered on one of my favorite eateries in town, and I hope they will appreciate the advertising opportunity this showcase provides.  This Jack Stack location is on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City.  Everyone in my circles would enjoy a chance to kick off the summer by wrapping their lips around some of the enticing barbecue from any one of the available locations. 

Jack Stack barbeque helps put KC on the map.

Jack Stack barbeque helps put KC on the map.

Fortunately, I live in close proximity to three of these restaurants that provide a nice variety of decor, and consistently good food.  Though I cannot speak for their entire menu, I might be able to some day if I can ever get tired of eating my favorite sandwiches there.  Judge for yourself if this picture has enough bull in it for you.  I was personally grateful when this particular location replaced the KC Masterpiece restaurant that preceded the remake into another Jack Stack.

The second item is a matted photo of a small church I passed on one of my walks around the Brookside area, near the Plaza.  The picture captured my attention because of the lighted clouds in the background of the roof and the tower.  I thought the clouds made a nice contrast to the lower lighting of the building and surrounding grounds.  Could this have been a little “howdy” from above?  Maybe.

A nice little church deserves a good matte.

A nice little church deserves a good matte.

This week’s digital plaque uses an emerald green and some additional accents to bring out a different feeling for this composition than some of the other kinds of metallic based themes.  The tree photo was taken in the back yard of a home near a walking path around a local golf course in Overland Park, Kansas.  The image caught my eye not only for its beautiful tree blooms, but also for the carefully manicured shape of this tree provided by the property owners.  The white tree flowers and the white picket fence are an almost idyllic image of the American dream home.  I hope it is as nice to live there as it looks.  Certainly the owners are working hard to make it look that way.

062709pl

Is this the American dream?

My last piece is a sample award that one might expect to see as a third prize treatment in our upcoming weekly photo contest competition.  Notice how the award not only makes a rich prize for the right winner to cherish, it is specially created to reflect the attributes of the photo associated with the presentation.  This photo was another picture taken at Brush Creek on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, MO.  If you are wondering why so many recent pictures of the Plaza area have been showing up lately in these blog entries, it is because I have so many nice scenes to share, so why not?  There just might be more to come.

Do you think you can win a nice a award like this?  You have to try to find out.

Do you think you can win a nice a award like this? You have to try to find out.

If you would like to use any of my images for yourself, please donate for each one you download.  If you want me to go to work on any of your photos to create some eye-popping digitally matted photos, calendars, awards, or plaques, send me an email at jdir@bhotechnologists.com to let me know what you have in mind.  Please do not attach photos to your emails.  Let the summer begin.

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