Ireland / Scotland # 16 ~ miles to go before I sleep

Chas. McHugh / Nancy's ~ Ardara, County Donegal, Ireland • click to embiggen

I returned from Ireland / Scotland with approximately 1200 picture files. I had absolutely no idea that I had made that many pictures.

To date I have processed 404 files. Eventually I'll work my way through the lot of them and then I can start on the edit.

FYI, even more updates on markhobsonblog

Ireland • Scotland # 14 / WP updates ~ where is it headed?

dusk ~ Pennan, Scotland • click to embiggen

Now that my rambling daze is over - at least for the time being - I have some time to think. And thinking is what I'm doing.

THINKING ITEM # 1: what to do with this blog. It is apparent there are no fixes coming, re: resizing and posting issues, so I've given up hope on that issue. And, I am very displeased with the fact that when one uses the embiggen feature, the picture pops up in a window, a window over which I can not specify size and add scrolling - an issue which is now part and parcel of the goofy work around needed to post pictures. All in all, very frustrating.

I am giving thought to harvesting all of the text from the blog, deleting all of the entry pictures, keeping just the links to my Bodies of Work pictures, putting a link to WordPress and letting the whole thing be dormant. Assuming ...

THINKING ITEM # 2: that Wordpress is the best format for a new blog. At this point it might have to do. I am still exploring the free format's capabilities but I think I will have to buy into the paid subscription to get more custom control over / more features with the format.

I really like the all-picture presentation on the 'front page' of the current format I am using. However, I hope visitors will know enough to click on the pictures for more information and my commentaries (reference Item # 3). Consequently, I will most likely be trying a more conventional blogging format of single column entries with text visible. Opinions on either approach appreciated.

THINKING ITEM # 3: how much more commentary will I be posting? Current answer: I don't know but I am leaning toward letting my pictures do the talking because ...

THINKING ITEM # 4: I want to spend more time organizing and printing portfolios of my bodies of work. That is, to put more effort into getting my work in front of gallery directors. And/or writing a book, significant overview of my pictures included, about my approach, thoughts and ideas on the medium and its apparatus. Which also leads to ...

THINKING ITEM # 5: a hankering for a more focused approach to picture making. That is to write, less discursive promiscuity in order to concentrate on a specific body of work - existing or new - and by doing so, giving myself the chance to go 'deep'.

And so it goes. Just thought I'd let you know what I'm thinking.

FYI, more new pictures posted on markhobsonblog.wordpress.com

Ireland / Scotland #1-4 ~ an endorsement of sorts

Dunes ~ Ireland • click to embiggen

Barbers ~ Scotland • click to embiggen

Sweeny's ~ Ireland • click to embiggen

Amsterdam airport ~ Amsterdam, Northern Holland • click to embiggen

Back home and my internal clock is just about reset to EST. Catching up on work and processing some pictures. Off to Pittsburgh tomorrow through Monday.

FYI, while over on the other side of the pond, I was able to post pictures to Instagram after some down and dirty processing using the PS Express on my iPad. Actually, the processing was not so dirty. For my intended purpose the program/app worked very well. And, indeed, it was very quick and easy. No crashing or other problems, it just worked as advertised.

So, consider this entry an endorsement of sorts. I will continue to use it under similar circumstances - if you haven't visited my hobsonspictures Instagram page, do so in order to verify my endorsement.