I HATE pop-ups ads. They are a rude intrusion. But banner ads and side-bar ads are not only tolerable but sometimes quite useful.

While puttering around on Digital Image Cafe this morning, I spotted an ad for Topaz image editing plug-ins. Image editing plug-ins are one of the creative photographer’s best friends. Many incredible effects can be achieved through Photoshop alone (if you’ve got the time to learn them all), but not all. The right filter, applied creatively and correctly, can bring out the awesome in even the most mundane shots.

At the Topaz site, an incredible discounted offer for the Topaz Photoshop bundle was mentioned and linked to Scott Kelby’s blog page. TWO great finds in ONE! I own one of Scott’s Photoshop For Digital Photographers books and use it as a literal HANDbook.

This incredible product and discounted offer from Scott’s blog is good only through THIS WEEKEND, so check out these links TODAY!

(The image accompanying this post was pre-Topaz…good but nothing that would knock your socks off. My original intention was to post a before and after, but upon attempting to install my new plug-ins, it became apparent that my current CPU is not supported. One more incentive to graduate to a new mac SOON, very soon…)

I watched a FASCINATING documentary throughout the day today on Ovation TV, a cable network devoted to the arts, featuring programming on visual arts, theater, opera, music and dance. This week features the FRAMED event, including the U.S. premiere of ‘Picture This!’ and the Thanksgiving Day marathon of the Genius of Photography series, a visual and intellectual feast of which I indulged in with gluttonous enthusiasm.

The event today consisted of 6 segments covering every aspect of photography, from in-depth studies of the history, inventions and techniques of early photography throughout today’s modern and new digital and artistic techniques. Other segments cover notable photographers throughout the history of photography, changes in the medium, and its place in the world throughout history. I was completely captivated…it was an incredible documentary!

I’m left with only one question…beyond the simple assumption that your image must be incredible to begin with, how does someone manage to get $16,000 for a great photo?! Granted, it WAS a great photo, but I’ve seen equally great photos that great photographers were hard pressed to get $100 for, much less $16,000. (Another original photo, printed with ancient photographic technology by a long deceased and famous photographer actually brought over $2 MILLION at an art auction!)

How does an artist make this cross-over from great to sinfully wealthy? Inquiring minds want to know…