Caedes

Artist Spotlight #10

Submitted by Piner 01/31/06 1:46 AM GMT

It is time once again to present to you all the latest Artist Spotlight nominee, the votes have been tallied and the person in the limelight this time is none other then our long-time member and talented image-meister, the one and only Samatar. Be sure to checkout his gallery and give him some feedback on his works. Sam has kindly provided us with the following biographical info.

Here 'tis: First of all, thanks to everyone who nominated little old me to be the featured artist this time around. You put a smile on my face. Hopefully I can give you a little more info here without boring the pants off you all.

To begin with, I live in Brisbane, Australia, in an old "Queenslander" as they are called, which I am in the process of renovating. It's the first time I've really done anything like this and am hoping to be able to make a living out of it, by selling after a year and then moving onto another one. So far it's going pretty well, although as I think is probably always the case in projects like this my initial budget was a little conservative... if you want to see photos there are some posted at www.rescope.com.au/renovation. I live here with my partner of nearly 11 years and my oh-so-precious (and spoiled) beagle Jasmine.

I have been taking photographs since I was about 10 or 11 years old I guess. I was lucky enough to find a camera that someone had lost (and didn't claim after we handed it in to the police)... I had that one for a few years until it broke, and then would you believe I found another one while on holidays! When that one kicked the bucket, my parents bought me one for christmas. I can recall that after returning from one particular school trip away for a few weeks, I was dubbed "Trigger happy Triglone" by my teacher; much to my parents dismay I was unaware of the price of film processing, but I still have an album full of shots from that trip (even though it is only about a third of what I actually took). I bought my first digital camera, a Canon Ixus IV, just before a trip to Thailand; you can still see some of the shots I took there in my gallery. All the cameras I ever had were fully automatic, just "point and click", but I finally took the plunge back in mid '04 and purchased a Nikon D70 digital SLR equipped with two Nikkor lenses, a 70-300 mm zoom and an 18-70 mm. On my last birthday my partner also got me a Tamron 90 mm Macro (probably after some none too subtle hinting) which has quickly become my favorite. I still have a great deal to learn about this camera and it's unbeleivable number of features, but I'm getting there.

As far as CGI goes, I really only got into that after I became a member of this fine website. I heard about photoshop, and just had to try it out, and later decided to give Terragen, and then Bryce a shot. I have performed many, many experiments with these three applications, and a small portion of what I consider to be successful I uploaded to caedes. It is largely thanks to the encouragement of this community that I have persisted in this area, and also gone as far as I have in photography, so I want to thank everyone who has ever given me feedback and suggestions for that. The caedes artists who have inspired me are really too numerous to list here; however the early encouragement and criticism from fantastic photographers like Pierre, Darryl (Mayne) and Samarn was certainly flattering. To think that people I considered to be equal to professional photographers would take the time to comment on my work was very inspiring. I have also always admired to work of TracyJTZ, Cain, Mythica and Mum42.

I must admit, I felt a little guilty to discover that I had been nominated as featured artist, given that I have recently been spending less time here. Perhaps now that there is a chance I might actually make a bit of money out of my hobby, I can justify my addiction! In any case I am just glad that there are others who are dedicated to keeping caedes a great place for artists, new and old, and making it even better as it grows and develops. Before I sign off I should say thanks to Piner for taking over the running of the featured artist scheme while I am being lazy. And finally, of course, a big thanks to the eye in the sky who made it all happen and continues to put up with all of us and our artistic whims. Thanks Geri!

Comments

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+mayne
01/31/06 1:52 AM GMT
Big round of applause for Sam and paws for Jasmine. Have a great week(or longer;-)Sam!
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Darryl
=Piner
01/31/06 1:54 AM GMT
Not a problem Sam, you got the ball rolling on this, I am just running with it. Congratulations Sam! :c)
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The work of art may have a moral effect, but to demand moral purpose from an artist is to make him ruin his work. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - 1832)
.mimi5947
01/31/06 2:17 AM GMT
Congratulations Sam. My favorite piece of art that you did is the"prize" for the "Guess the Artist" contest. I remember all the work that you did on that and the clues that you continually kept track of and the midnight oil burned for days for dreamer & bj.....ahhhh. what fun that was. Of course, I have many pieces of your art in my favorites folder and many that run on my screen-saver slide show. I appreciate the time you do put in to help moderate this site so people like me can continue to enjoy it day after day. Give Jasmine an extra doggie biscuit for being cute and spoiled. And you can just sit back , have a cup of tea (or coffee) and enjoy your week of fame. Well done Sam. Thanks :~)
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~ Mimi~
::J_272004
01/31/06 3:43 AM GMT
Congratulations Sam.. its great to see an Aussie get the award.. hehehe.. even better cos your a Queenslander.. =) seriously though.. your work is always a pleasure to view, from your fractals, manipulations to beautiful photography.. I look forward to viewing more of your work in the near future.. you never know one of these days I might bump into you at Southbank.. lol.. once again CONGRATS.. sit back, relax and enjoy the limelight.. you truly deserve it.. =)
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"I cannot change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination" / Jimmy Dean
.cgImagery
01/31/06 4:13 AM GMT
Congratulations!
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::kjh000
01/31/06 7:18 AM GMT
OMG, now where did my pants go??? Just kidding. ;) Congratulations! You were bound to get the honors. Like many of the others proceeding you, you have a broad span of talent. Kudos on that and good luck with your ongoing projects.
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::kodo34
01/31/06 7:46 AM GMT
Congratulations .
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have a nice day and read more fantasy. my images
::dreamer100
01/31/06 10:51 AM GMT
Sam. Of course! It was only a matter of time. Looking at your body of work here and at Reoscope it is staggering that you only came off point and shoot a year and a half ago. That's an intuitive photographer. Can't thank you enough for lending your support, drive and organizational skills to this site. Ripe bananas and Orange are in my favorites here but I have so many more stored, some that are still here, some that are not. A standing ovation for you!
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::kiciaczek
01/31/06 11:54 AM GMT
Congratulations Sam, I admire your gallery, it's really exquisite, you are no doubt, very talented photographer.
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"Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought." Albert Szent-Gyorgi
.sansoni7
01/31/06 12:38 AM GMT
A very big and great story from a friend of mine , is spite the milions of miles who separate us.
I have no english mods to tell you that i like your works and our friendship and you have teached me lots of things on pics.
Thank you very much, best regards and keep on doing great works.
César Borges ( Sansoni7)
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Look around and catch it ; the Art is there !
.ekowalska
01/31/06 1:38 PM GMT
Fully deserved award Sam. Congratulations to you my friend. I hope these two weeks will be unforgettable. I have to say I am impressed: your gallery is well diversified and I see you are successful in each single category: photography, fractals, manipulations. It is good to know there are people for whom this web site is also a passion. Thank you very much for the pleasure and joy your images brought into my life...

Hugs from Ewa
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If you admire nature for its creations why don't you visit the gallery of its reporter...
.monkeypuzzle
01/31/06 1:57 PM GMT
congrats Sam, soak it up some. a well deserved spotlight :~)
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Regards . Avi . Beware the anti-cinnamon stare!!!
.scionlord
01/31/06 2:27 PM GMT
Congratulations.
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'Study the past, if you would divine the future.' - Confucius
::groo2k
01/31/06 2:34 PM GMT
Congrats! Your gallery is very diverse and exceptional in quality. You have always been a great resource for all of us. Thanks.
-Rob
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&trisbert
01/31/06 2:43 PM GMT
Good on ya mate. It’s nice to an Aussie up there :-)
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There are three colours, Ten digits and seven notes, its what we do with them that’s important. Ruth Ross
.nmsmith
01/31/06 3:00 PM GMT
G'day! And my warm congratulations on being artist of the week. You certainly deserve it, IMHO. :)
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.mesmerized
01/31/06 3:22 PM GMT
Hey there, congratulations...glad to see you here finally...your diverse gallery, impromptu projects/contests, and all your time and efforts on the site make you a most deserving recipient of this acknowledgement...enjoy all the kudos and attention...and Good Luck with the renovating/real estate business.:Pat.
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The new year is full of time. As the seconds tick away, will you be tossing time out the window, or will you make every minute count?
::arneh
01/31/06 5:56 PM GMT
Warm congratulations from The Cold North to you, Sam !

Good luck with the renovation - watch you thumb...!
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-- Arne --
+ppigeon
01/31/06 6:48 PM GMT
Hehe! In french, we have a typical expression: "L'arroseur arrosé".
Literal translation: "The sprinkled sprinkler" ;-)
Thank you Sam for your very versatile gallery and your everlasting friendship!
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-Pierre-
::philcUK
01/31/06 10:54 PM GMT
Many congratualtions Sam on a well deserved nomination - good to see your name up in lights at last. House is looking great - probably one of the plushest Queenslander's i've seen :-)

well done.
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"Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps"
::Morwyn
02/01/06 12:13 AM GMT
Congratulations, Sam.. You certainly deserve it..
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One bead at a time
::ianmacappin
02/01/06 12:19 AM GMT
Congratulations, Just checked out your gallery and your work is fantastic and so varied.
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Don`t cover yourself in petrol and smoke.
&jojomercury
02/01/06 3:26 AM GMT
Congrats from St.Louis Sam and enjoy your time off!!!
Peace&Respect Jojo
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Laying Easy Somewhere Shade Across My Mind
::jds
02/01/06 4:52 AM GMT
Bravo to a true artist.....Jim
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::verenabloo
02/01/06 7:27 AM GMT
Hello Sam:::wow, how good is that..to be Artist of the Week...so you get to have that big ol' spotlight on ya for a bit...You are one person I really appreciate on caedes. You have helped me many times in many ways. The aussie people are one of my favorites because they are always happy...well, at least I've only seen that side of them..I have enjoyed the times you and I have chatted online and I certainly enjoy your creations here. One of my favorites has always been "Orange" and I've many times put it on my desktop when I need something to truly brighten up my day. I also love your "Tiny Universe" very much. The idea is fantastic, as are many many of yours. Also the photos of the birds you've taken are magical. And one pic I really love is the close up of the Tiger...and one of the most favorite things I Love in Aussie..is the opera house. The first person from Aussie that was my online friend...he was a poet as well, actually conducted there when he was younger. He was a conducter and a writer and played bass guitar. So I love that building. My "mascot" is the little platypus that resides in Australia...But anyway, I have really enjoyed your postings and your kindnesses you have shown to many on here and the many good ideas you've had. Thank you for all your lovely creations. Enjoy this time, as it is certainly a pleasure to have been a part of "your" week....Verena
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Tact is the unsaid part of what you think...
.BRIX
02/01/06 12:57 AM GMT
Congratulations!!!!!!! well deserved. keep it up!! :)
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“Suspiros etereos se abrazan con un beso eterno” Enjoy My Gallery
::WENPEDER
02/01/06 8:07 PM GMT
Hat's off to you, Sam! You are very deserving of this special spotlight! I love the diversity of your work! Congratulations! Wen
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+Samatar
02/01/06 10:44 PM GMT
Thank you very much to everyone! Your comments mean a lot to me!
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-Everyone is entitled to my opinion-
::laurengary
02/01/06 11:45 PM GMT
Hi Sam.....congratulations on becoming our latest Artist of the Week ! I was just peeking over the fence at your gallery & son of a gun, look at what you've done ! I've put Pearls and Oil 2 on my desktop before, I just love that, along with Mechano. But I really love the elegance of your Droplets. I'm really happy to see you get this honor, enjoy it !!
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Ask Not For Whom The Bell Tolls .......Let The Machine Get It ........ MY GALLERY
::cuddlebuddy48
02/02/06 1:59 AM GMT
Congrats...Sam
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.mythica
02/02/06 6:51 AM GMT
Wow Sam - I'm honoured, I really am. I am fascinated by your photographic history, and how it has fascinated you since your childhood. My father was a fantastic photographer, and always took lots of shots of the family, which has sadly been lacking since he passed away. I think it's great that it has been with you for so long, keep up the great work, and congratulations on being artist of the week!!! (The house is looking GREAT!)
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The Universe conspires to help those who help themselves. My gallery.
.razorjack51
02/02/06 8:39 PM GMT
Hey Sam! Congrats on being chosen Artist of the week. You deserve it! Enjoy!..=)
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.mum42
02/03/06 11:45 AM GMT
Go Sam!
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Never give up. “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” John Quincy Adams
.bubbly_pop
02/03/06 6:42 PM GMT
Good on you Sam, you really, really deserve this. Ive been a fan of yours ever since I stumbled onto Caedes last year, before I became a member, and its great to see you getting some kudos. Its also great to see an Aussie here :)
I think its fantastic that you fell in love with photography so early, and that you've kept up with it to such beautiful results. Thanks for being such an inspiration.
Soph
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"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle"-Plato
+photoimagery
02/04/06 1:04 AM GMT
Congratulations Sam. I don't know why it hasn't happened sooner.
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&Crusader
02/04/06 6:50 AM GMT
I'm a bit late, but congratulations Sam. You definitely deserve it!
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+grimbug
02/10/06 3:26 PM GMT
ahhh! about time one of my nominee's got up here! Always nice to find out that little bit extra info with these spotlights! Congrats!
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- 'Insert witty quip here'
+Samatar
02/13/06 2:35 AM GMT
Thanks to everyone who sent me a message in whatever format over the last two weeks. I really enjoyed all the attention :-)
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-Everyone is entitled to my opinion-
::madmaven
02/13/06 11:38 PM GMT
Sorry I missed your special week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :(
Congratulations: belated, and very deserved!
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::DigiCamMan
03/14/06 6:53 AM GMT
I'm a new guy and don't know you very well but have seen some of your photos and you deserve the honor. Congratulations.
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Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer - and often the supreme disappointment. -Ansel Adams,............... My Gallery...and please vote on everyone's photos. .

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