So my very long and circular concern about whether to sell my photos and now has taken yet another turn, in case you missed it over the weekend. The Blue Heron photo, offered for sale last week as a signed and Limited Edition of 50, for $110, sold out over the past weekend.

That was very nice, and I thank you. I have offered another photo, the one above titled “The Farm On Route 67” (actually, it’s on Route 61), but I like to change the names around on titles). It was taken with an Achromat art lens, the farmhouse is in sharp focus, the surroundings are  captured in soft focus to create an otherworldly affect, or something closer like a painting, or even a dream..

Digital photography is more literal. This lens is modeled after the very first optic lens for photography, built in the 1830’s and first used widely in the civil war and for portraits. I like it very much, especially when mixed with the sharper images of modern digital photography. The lens is hard to use, but rewarding. It has no automatic focus or image stabilizer.

it will not replace my usual work, but occasionally supplement it.

This image will be slightly smaller (and thus less expensive) than the Blue Heron print. It’s and 81/2 by 11 print unframed,  selling for $60 plus $10 for shipping (more overseas), it will be signed, an open edition printed by the photographic genius George Forss on archival paper. So the total cost is $70. About a dozen prints of this image have been sold over the last day or so. It is an open edition, no cap, but each photo will be titled and signed.

A warning. Some people don’t like them, this is America, everything is controversial.

“Too blurry,” said Deborah on Facebook, “they hurt my eyes.” On the other hand, I’ve sold 60 photos this weekend from people who do like them, far more sales of my photos in one short period for one photo than ever before. “That’s a very nice photo,” said Karen about one of the new lens pictures, “it would be awesome framed.”

George Forss, my friend, the printer of these images,and a world renowned photographer, says the lens is the most exciting thing I’ve done since he has known me, we are making plans for the two of us to out together and take some pictures, I will loan him my lens. George runs an art gallery and sells paintings. He believes this lens has created a new kind of picture, a hybrid between a digital photo and a lens.

George is a tough critic, I have the scars.

I don’t want to be selling photos all the time, I’m only selling images that a significant number of people have said they like and would like to buy. My photos are not copyrighted or watermarked, they are free for people to use in any way they wish.

My friend Cathy politely but firmly suggested to me over last weekend that I might consider selling photographs occasionally to set up a modest revenue stream. Writers who are awake are looking for new revenue.

This reminded me that while I have been doing a lot of fund-raising, it would nice to have a new and modest revenue stream, especially as we approach our first real vacation, an October trip to New Mexico.

Thanks Cathy, I was stunned when the first offering, The Blue Heron sold out.

We will be dining well in New Mexico at least once and seeing all of the museums Maria wants to see.

So I’ll try this again, we are working hard to sell professional quality photos and prints at modest prices. I see these photos as being distinctive, they are not photos that could be taken on most smartphones or with most digital cameras.

I dearly love using a lens just like the first lens used to take a picture in the 1830’s. And I like learning how photography really works, with this lens, I can’t just push the shutter button. I have to really think about it.

As part of this new experiment, Maria is taking over the sales of the photos, she will  get a commission in exchange for her work. And some photos will be sold at our Open House in October.

You can purchase “Farm On Route 67” on Maria’s blog, there is a Paypal button there. The cost is $70. The image will sold via Paypal, and also by check to our post office box, Full Moon Fiber Art, Bedlam Farm, P.O. Box 205,  Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. You can contact Maria at [email protected]