One of the first things an amateur photographer does with their new digital camera is go out and start taking macro shots of flowers, bugs, and anything little that might look nice or artistic.  After they tell themselves their shots have just created a new art form, a little voice in their head tells them to try to start selling their pictures to people who have never seen such beautiful perspectives before.

Well, that is why I call this path the “blooming idiot” approach, and dedicate this week’s theme to all those who have, or will wander down this path with me.  Just look what I have for you to enjoy.  My first item is a digital plaque that expresses high sounding sentiments, and a nicely matted flower photo of some delicate blooms which reflect the sentiment.  It looks nice, and gave me something to do with one of my flower macros.

Flower macros can be used to make other stuff.

Next, I made this unusual looking digital calendar page offering which took one of my more artsy flower shots, dressed it up with nice colored matting, and put it on a richly textured calendar box design.  Application number two for my close up flower shots.

Make lame flower photos worthwhile by letting me dress them up.

On my third pass to enhance my eye for macro flower shots, I created this fancy digital photo matting around my shot of the partially rotting flower bloom to confirm the claim that nobody else has a flower shot like this one, even if they have some of the same kind of flowers. 

Get your macro shots looking extra special with my matting help.

In my final offering, you will not only find a doubly beautiful digitally matted photo of more open blooms, but the digital award where the picture appears carries recognition to a level which has never been seen until now.  I was particularly happy to accept this award, as tears of joy wet the tops of my shoes.  With this, I close my presentations, but I want to leave you with one more idiotic mental image that occurred to me this week.  When you see people yawning at work, don’t report them to their supervisors; just think of them as empty human Pez dispensers looking for a way to be filled.

I accept this award whole heartedly...I feel like a hero.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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 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.

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

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.

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

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 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.

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.

This week was so busy it took a bit to put together the favorite items worth sharing for this week.  My first offering is a photo and design that reveals a little known secret about how some plants adjust the color of their leaves.  If you look closely at the photo, it would appear that the tree is matching its leaf color to the exact same shade as the barely visible red traffic light color.  So maybe it is not as interesting as I thought, but I liked the idea myself.

How trees adjust their leaf colors...

Next up is this week’s calendar page design offering lots of rich color, and some important dates for this month.  Can you just imagine being able to give out your own beautiful promotional digital calendars with your own logo plastered on the front for all to see, and maybe a little advertising text to boot?  Yes, we can do that if you want.  The beauty of our service is that we can design a whole year’s worth of beautiful pages for only $36.  After that, you can send out as many electronic copies as you want.  How’s that for a nice cheap promotion idea?

Digital calendar designs make great and inexpensive promotional items.

This week’s digital award sample gives you a hint for what we have cooking next month in our new photo contest extravaganza.  We can make your photos award winning, and you can have the kudos to prove it.  The richness of this design will have everyone taking notice.

Digital awards provide a first rate image for recognition.

Closing out this week’s works, is a decorative digital plaque with yet another potentially famous quote from our favorite author and sage.  This elegant design could be an item you would cherish for years to come if you trend toward a cynical view of the world.  Oh well.

Digital plaques offer a whole new potential vista for merchandising.

This week’s featured digital plaque design is a tongue in cheek comment on how our government sometimes seems to set its priorities.  I liked the way the elements in this design came together, and how the photograph compliments the thought.  Whether you agree with the sentiment or not, the design will make you wonder if our leaders are always awake at the helm.  Originally, my wife did not like the bench photograph because she did not think I would find a use for it.  I think it made a nice plaque after all.

Sometimes the cart comes before the horse...

Our calendar design for the week is a nice way to “go green” for the month of June.  The photographs came from separate areas of the beautiful Johnson County, Kansas walking and bike trails.  These trails are well traveled by bicyclists and walkers, so it is becoming increasingly hard to get shots where the trails seem deserted.

If you are a fan of green, this one is for you.

The next item is my own favorite Memorial Day photograph taken during a walk around the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri.  I was particularly proud that I got this picture just as the carriage was leaving its parking spot, and managed to frame it just right, even though the shot was taken on the fly from across the street.  The matting design for the photo was also a first try on a new technique I applied.  The item makes a good print and screen wallpaper if you like this kind of subject.  I think the folks in the carriage were excited about getting a chance to take the ride.  Now all they have to do is find their photo on this site to capture the memory of that day.

Lots of people use carriage rides to mark memorable moments.

The last item for the week is a digital award design that struck me as a possible summary of many frequently used platitudes which seem to become the trademark of many people who like to give themselves and others that extra little charge from the realms of “gung ho.”  This award can be personally inscribed for anyone who lives off the business mantras coined by others, and give them something to quote from for days to come.

For sweeping platitude lovers everywhere

In addition to the open invitation for our visitors to submit their entries in our friendly photo contests, I will continue to post some of the creations that I personally enjoy.  There appear to be a lot of online photo contests, so if you are not tired of getting a free offering, we think ours is worth the effort to enter. 

My first favorite offering is a decorative plaque suggesting a possible rate schedule for men to present to their wives as fair return for going above and beyond their normal sensibilities.

Men should use this to clarify the value of their services.

Biff Boff award from the moon.

Unique textures compliment the photo in this calendar page.

The last item is this week’s favorite matted photo of a brightly colored tree captured on one of my walks around the neighborhood here in beautiful Oz.  I put this photo to various applications of personal use, and felt like this little tree had a lot to say as I passed it by. 

This little tree smiled for its picture.

If you would like to use any of the offerings you find on this site, just donate $3 to the buy page for each item you use.  This will keep the designs coming, and help us pay the bills for doing all the work.  Send us an email if you want us to work with your photos, or create something special for you.  When you ask us questions, there is no obligation or charge for information.  All unique designs cost $3, so take advantage while the price is still too good to be true.  All our digital designs will help to make your photos look like a million.