| Every day life may seem mundane to some, but | | | | few years, and other creative options have also |
| for amateur photographer Will Highsmith it is the | | | | become available. |
| perfect inspiration for a captivating image. | | | | "There are a lot more things you can do with |
| "Most of my pictures aren't planned," Highsmith | | | | your digital photos these days," Highsmith said. "I |
| said. "I just take my camera with me wherever I | | | | don't just print out my pictures and hang them on |
| go. I found that's how you get the best pictures." | | | | the wall anymore, I use a PhotoBook Creator ( to |
| Highsmith, who works by day as Operations | | | | make very small photo books to hand out instead |
| Director for an Atlanta-area manufacturing | | | | of business cards. Other people's business cards |
| company, got his first digital camera in 1999 for | | | | get thrown away, mine end up on the coffee |
| an upcoming European vacation. Nearly a decade | | | | table!" |
| later, what began as a means of preserving | | | | Highsmith's book of choice for personal |
| memories overseas has evolved into a hobby | | | | promotions is the 4x6 black-linen photo book. |
| that has landed Highsmith's work in show rooms | | | | Small enough to carry and distribute in multiples, |
| along side the work of more established | | | | they are also easy to assemble at home. |
| professional photographers. | | | | "The 4x6 books are perfect for souvenirs," |
| "Nowhere is the technological gap between | | | | Highsmith said. "I also showcase my images by |
| amateurs and professionals smaller than in | | | | putting them up on Flicker, which gets a good |
| photography," said Highsmith. "Today's amateur | | | | number of people viewing and posting |
| photographers have a lot of choices for | | | | comments," he said. "These things got me into |
| affordable equipment that - up until recently - | | | | the photo shows at Eastside Lounge in Atlanta. |
| were available only to professionals with big | | | | I've got several of my photos hanging up there |
| budgets. Equipment is no longer the difference | | | | now." |
| between an amateur and a pro - now it just | | | | Of course, Highsmith attributes his burgeoning |
| comes down to talent. | | | | success to his artistic talent, "but no one would |
| The revolution in the photography market may | | | | have ever seen my work if it weren't for the |
| have started with cameras, but change is | | | | Internet and the PhotoBook Creator. These |
| spreading throughout the photography landscape. | | | | technologies have enabled me to share my work |
| Low-cost ink-jet printers from manufacturers | | | | with lots of people, and that is what has been |
| such as Epson and Canon have made traditional | | | | key to getting my work into shows. |
| development services ancient history in just a | | | | |