Busy As A Bee

The bees are busy and so are we! Some of you may recall early in the year that I said I was going to take a small break from the regular postings to Open-Window because there was so much else to do. You may also recall that it never really happened then, but I expect you're noticing that it's happening now. My sincere apologies for being so unpredictable.

What are we up to? I am learning more about blogging, and how to monetize a blog, and we're learning more about the business of photography and how to create revenue streams, with the hopes that these two can meet. You all know how much I enjoy writing for Open-Window and sharing our adventures on the road and in the kitchen, documenting it all with our photographs. Well it's time to see if this can truly become a revenue-generating business, so I apologize for posting less frequently of late and ask for your patience for just a little while longer. What does this mean? It means that rather than three to four posts each week this summer, there will only be one, and I promise I'll keep to that schedule.

In the meantime, I'd like to seek some help from those of you who follow Open-Window. Tell me:

What do you get from Open-Window?
Why do you like Open-Window?
What do you like best about our blog?
What do you dislike about this blog?
What could be improved?
What would you like to see more of and of what would you like to see less?

Any and all feedback would be a big help and in appreciation for your assistance I will be happy to send you a copy of your favorite photograph from Open-Window over the last two and a half years. Just let me know which one it is and it will be yours. We look forward to hearing from you either in the Comments section or via email, it's your choice. You can easily access my email by clicking on the words "Email Me" under the picture of the Open Window painting on the left hand side of any page of the blog.

Happy summer everyone, and thanks a million for your loyalty, help, and support. 

Comments

[Claudia]

Paul, Your comments and sentiment are greatly appreciated, and I love knowing I'm part of your Sundays! Thanks as always for your continued support.

[Paul Angotta]

I have thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the blog - but as others have stated, the photographs are what really make it special. There have been many instances where the beauty of these shots took my breath away - - and the picture of the veteran in the church brought tears to my eyes.

As you know , Claudia, your blog has become part of my weekend ritual that I look forward to - - please keep up the great work.

[Claudia]

Deb, Your comments mean a great deal to me and I like your ideas - good food for thought (no pun intended). I had to go back in Open-Window's archives to find Generation to Generation and smiled as I reread the poem. Thanks so much for the feedback and your support over the past couple of years.

[Debra Cobb]

I have truly enjoyed the blog and hope it will continue! The nature and scenic photos are stunning, and I still remember your "blue hour" studies as being outstanding. As a foodie I love the recipes, as well as your travel and restaurant posts,and I think this is an area you could perhaps find a way to commercialize. Some kind of online cookbook? Or a travel/restaurant review blog that accepts adverts? While I'm personally not that interested in the more technical posts about photography, I know many in your audience share your enthusiasm, and I can certainly
see how much you guys have learned and advanced in your craft. Your writing is always top-notch, and some of your personal anecdotes have been very meaningful to me, such as the poem about "Generation to Generation."

[Claudia]

Ally, I cannot thank you enough for your commentary on Open-Window. I found it interesting that the randomness of topics, although they do center on food, travel and photography, is one of the things you enjoy the most. I too enjoy that variety, it keeps me entertained and I feel affirmed that it entertains and interests you too. Of course, the photography is the lynchpin of it all, and I cannot wait to see which image you've selected as my thank you to you. Thanks again. Ciao!

[Ally]

Well, I really dislike nothing about your blog, except perhaps the decreased postings....
I LoVe your photographs, always, and love your random subject inclusions. Jumping b/t nature,animals,food,people,environment, and of course your amazing travels is endlessly enthralling and like a gift, never knowing what each posting will expose. While I certainly enjoy your text and your recipes, many of which I have even made (& I am not the cook in the family as you well know) my favorite aspect of your blog has to be the gorgeous photography, definitely. The slide shows paired so perfectly with your music are such fun to watch and of course include your amazing photography. What I "get" from your blog is an exposure to all I have listed which has previously been foreign to me. I am not a true web surfer, tend to dip into email, Facebook viewing with rare postings, and a flew sites on my usual path through cyberspace. So your blog opens the world of your likes which I find fascinating.
I am unsure how this might help your monetization-I lack the imagination for that. Perhaps why I remain in my self-titled dead end job- ha
Cannot even fathom which lovely photo might be my primary choice-something requiring further research although I have one in mind.
I truly love your blog and would sadly miss it were you to eliminate it entirely.

[Claudia]

They were on the same focal plane.

[S.hughes]

I love this photo of the bee and the flower.
The flower is tack sharp - so obviously that was what you were focusing on - but the bee is pretty sharp too...
Were they on the same (or close to the same) focal plane or did you have a smaller aperture setting to get them both?