Every once in awhile I make a run at starting a photoblog. Ok, I guess it might have happened once… Either way, I think I’m at a point now where I am taking enough pictures and enough good pictures that I can support a website dedicated to pictures. So, without further ado, photos.davekoen.com, the new and improved version. It may not look like much now but just you wait and see.

Last week I was posting on the site begging for help in buying a new camera. Well, after some consideration and some convincing I decided to go with a cheaper, used camera that will still get the job done. There were several lost auctions and hours of research but I finally settled on a Canon 10D. Even though its not the newest of Canon DSLRs it is still an awesome camera. Also, with the money I saved on the camera body I will hopefully be able to get some decent lenses.

Check out the Flickr page for pictures.

Yes. I pumped gas today. Do you want to know why? Because gas boycotts do not work. It’s simple. You NEED gasoline to fuel your car. If you don’t buy it today you are going to have to buy it in the future. Thats not a boycott. Thats just putting off a purchase for another day. People do it on a daily basis.

In order for a boycott to be effective you need several (we’re talking hundreds or in this case, hundreds of thousands) people to get unified behind not doing something. Not, not doing something one day out of the year but rather doing it on another day. If you want a gas boycott to work then use less gas. Drive slower, close your windows when driving to reduce drag, drive the speed limit, don’t use your A/C as much, carpool, ride a bike, walk… Thats the only way gas prices are going to come down. Not by putting your gas purchase off by a day.

Over the past several years I feel that I have grown a lot as a photographer. It started out as a hobby to document the various activities that I encountered in my everyday life. It quickly turned into an art and it has reached the point where I feel that I am ready to turn it into a (part-time) job. The only thing that is holding me back is equipment. Well, of course, that is easy to solve… just buy more equipment! Ok, so maybe there are two things that are holding me back… equipment and money.

It’s with this realization that I am going to try what so many others have done and that is rely on the generosity of others. I’ve set up a Paypal account where you can make donations to help me buy a Canon Digital Rebel XTi. And what will you get for your generosity? Well, if you make a donation of more than $20, email me and we’ll talk.

If you’re ready to start donating I’ve placed a button in the sidebar of the site. If you’d still like to think about it a bit (which is understandable) you can come back any time.

i’m glad i know someone who does good web design -Megan John

With those kind words, I decided to set up and design a website for Miss Megan John. It’s just a simple display of her works for friends and collectors alike. You can view the final results at meganjohn.net.