Well hello there. Sorry I haven't been that active. I've been in this sort of funk lately. I just don't have the motivation or the energy to work on my photos and post them. And don't even get me started about answering all my messages. There's one in there that's from the beginning of April. For all this, I am truly sorry. I wish I could just snap out of it because I really hate not being active on the site. I hate not wanting to pursue my passion and do what I love. I mean, the photo that I posted today was taken 2 weeks ago and took me two days to frame. It's a miserable place to be. I'll try to come out of it as quickly as I can!

I've had a car for the past three weekends so I've been able to really go out and shoot as much as I want, whenever I want. It's been pretty great and I was really excited about getting back in the swing of my photography after such a long break from really shooting. I've got some great shots if I could just want to frame and watermark them. So far I'm cranking them out one at a time, slowly but surely. They'll get here, it'll just take time.

Don't expect too much from me this summer. I've been working fulltime at the drycleaners and that takes up most of my day. Hopefully the family will make it to a vaction this summer because we all know I need a break. But, we'll see. If not, I'll do what I can to get some variety in my art. It shouldn't be too hard since I've been hired to do some artwork for my friend's new book. His first one comes out next month and he hired me to do the cover artwork for the sequel. Should be exciting. I'm looking forward to it.

Well, that's about all I have to say for now. Once more, thanks to all who and . I couldn't do this without you!

-Kd

So I was thinking that I wanted to have a contest of my own and since I love to take my own macro shots, it's going to be a macro contest. Before I post any news item about it, however, I'm asking for help. If any of you would like to donate prizes, it would be much appreciated. So far, the prizes are as follows:

1st Place
Six month subscription
A print from my gallery worth up to $20
A month long journal feature

2nd Place
Three month subscription
A print from my gallery worth up to $15
A month long journal feature

3rd Place
One month subscription
A print from my gallery worth up to $10
A month long journal feature

Honorable Mention
A print from my gallery worth $10
A month long journal feature

Rules
Must be a macro shot. (A macro shot is defined as follows: A photo where the image in the picture is larger than the object in real life.)
Minor editing is ok but no manipulations.
Must be a new photo and may not currently be in your gallery.
Submissions are accepted from June 15 to June 30 with voting taking place from July 1 to July 7.

If any of you would like to donate or have other ideas, I'd like the input. Since this is my first contest I really don't know what I'm doing. I'm looking forward to your submissions!



1. Introduction
2. Love
3. Light [link]
4. Dark
5. Seeking
6. Break
7. Heaven
8. Innocence [link]
9. Drive
10. Breathe Again [link]
11. Memory
12. Insanity
13. Misfortune
14. Smile
15. Silence
16. Questioning
17. Blood
18. Rainbow
19. Gray
20. Fortitude
21. Vacation
22. Mother Nature [link]
23. Cat
24. No Time
25. Trouble Lurking
26. Tears
27. Foreign
28. Sorrow
29. Happiness [link]
30. Under the Rain
31. Flowers
32. Night
33. Expectations
34. Stars
35. Hold My Hand
36. Precious Treasure [link]
37. Eyes
38. Abandoned [link]
39. Dreams
40. Rated
41. Teamwork
42. Standing Still
43. Dying [link]
44. Two Roads
45. Illusion [link]
46. Family
47. Creation
48. Childhood
49. Stripes
50. Breaking the Rules
51. Sport
52. Deep in Thought
53. Keeping a Secret
54. Tower
55. Waiting
56. Danger Ahead
57. Sacrifice
58. Kick in the Head
59. No Way Out
60. Rejection
61. Fairy Tale
62. Magic
63. Do Not Disturb
64. Multitasking
65. Horror
66. Traps
67. Playing the Melody
68. Hero
69. Annoyance
70. 67%
71. Obsession
72. Mischief Managed
73. I Can't
74. Are You Challenging Me?
75. Mirror [link]
76. Broken Pieces [link]
77. Test
78. Drink
79. Starvation
80. Words
81. Pen and Paper
82. Can You Hear Me?
83. Heal
84. Out Cold [link]
85. Spiral [link]
86. Seeing Red [link]
87. Food
88. Pain
89. Through the Fire
90. Triangle
91. Drowning
92. All That I Have
93. Give Up
94. Last Hope
95. Advertisement
96. In the Storm
97. Safety First
98. Puzzle
99. Solitude [link]
100. Relaxation

1. Who is hellfirediva?

2. What initially drew you toward photography?

3. When you go out to take photographs, do you have a specific idea or place in mind or do you just go out and wait to be inspired?

4. How much planning goes into your photo sessions?

5. Are there any particular photographers or people who have been an influence to you?

6. What do you hope people experience when they view your work? Do you wish to draw a particular emotion with each different piece?

7. How has your work been received by the online community so far?

8. How far would you like to go with your photography? Is it your life’s ambition?

9. What sort of advice would you like to give to other aspiring photographers?