Quite often people on DA ask me a lot of the same questions, either through comments or notes or emails. Therefore, I decided to put together a FAQ entry.
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When and how did you first get interested in photography?

In the Spring of 2004, I stumbled upon DA while browsing art sites on the internet. On a whim, I decided to create an account and put up my drawings & tattoo designs. Soon thereafter, I became intrigued by the photo manipulations and photographs artists on DA were creating. So, I decided to give both a try. After creating a few pieces, I realized manips were not my thing. However, the more I took photos, the more I became engrossed with photography. Also, I received positive & helpful feedback from other artists, which encouraged me to continue to nurture my fledgling talent.

Have you received any schooling in photography?

No, I have never taken any photography classes. Everything that I have come to know I've learned on my own through practice, experimentation, trial & error, helpful critique, and reading books/articles on photography.

What equipment do you use?

I use a Nikon D70 camera with a Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G AF lens and a +10 close up lens attachment for macro shots. For lighting, I use two (very cheap) standing floor lamps with swivel necks that can be bent at different angles; I believe they were purchased at Ikea. I also use Sylvania-Daylight (White & Natural) 150 watt bulbs and Soft White 100 watt bulbs that I bought at my local supermarket.

What do you use for your backgrounds?

I use anything at hand that has interesting colors, patterns, and/or textures. I've used gift wrapping paper, colored tissue paper, fabrics, paintings, the wallpaper in my house, etc.

Do you manipulate or airbrush your photos and what kind of editing do you do?

No, I do not. The editing that I do, I consider to be corrective & enhancing. I typically clone out scratches, dust speckles, and smudges. I correct the exposure, contrast, and color as needed by adjusting the levels and color balance. I also sharpen the image by using 'Unsharp Mask' and reduce the noise by using 'NeatImage'. On occasion, I will use a color filter or convert the image to B&W. All of this I do using Photoshop Version 8.0.

Can you make a tutorial to show how you achieve your results?

Sorry, but no. Firstly, I do not have one specific step-by-step way in which I take and edit photos. Every photo has its own variation in setup, execution, and editing. While shooting a particular concept, I'm continuously changing things up to see what works best; I move the lamps around, change the shooting angle and background, etc. Moreover, I edit some photos more than others and in different ways; it all depends on the condition of the individual photo. Secondly, I honestly do not have the time or patience to even attempt to create a comprehensive tutorial.

Do you allow the use of your work?

Without direct, written permission from me, absolutely not. If you're interested in any of my photos, please contact me via note or email. In your inquiry, include an explanation of how you wish to use the photo. It's important to mention that commercial use (such as book/CD covers, advertisements, or web designs) is not free. Cost is dependent on the photo and how it will be used. For price information contact me. Also, regardless of the use, I do not allow manipulation or digital alteration of my photos beyond resizing, cropping, and/or inclusion of text/font graphics as specified in the intended use. Finally, credit must be given to me in the form "image title © year, Malgorzata Krawczyk". A link back to my online gallery is appreciated but not required.

Do you have any other online galleries where you post photos not shown here on DA?

Yes, I have a personal gallery over at Neosynthesis.net and some exclusive photos can also be found in the Chronicles gallery.

Do you sell prints of your photos?

Yes, high-quality prints of some of my photos can be purchased through The Untapped Source. If you're interested in prints of photos not shown there, please contact me.

What's the best way to contact you?

The best way to get a hold of me is via email at mgk727@verizon.net. I usually make sure to check my emails at least once a day. You can also send me a note, but I'm not on DA very often, so it may take me a couple of days (if not more) to reply.

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Now, onto something entirely unrelated. A few people I've talked with about my dog have asked me what he looks like. Well, I'm finally getting around to posting a picture of him in all of his cuteness. The photo was taken at the beginning of summer, but he hasn't changed at all since then.

Everyone, I introduce to you Tobi, my 1.5 year old Boxer: