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