Personally, I liked this "manta" pic more... Not just form, but also some good detail is beautiful. Also, I think this pic has a better composition... Anyway, what you do, diving and photographing, is very exciting...

Well Thanks I acualy do too, but the other one struck me as unique. Theese mantas were real players. They had no problem going right up to you and saying HI!!! I've had sharks doing that before and I must say that the mantas are much less stressful when they they say hello. -Gabe-

Alpha, Well, it's not as Black and White as all of that, and bare with me cause this is going to be a long mesage. I work for alot of magazines and researchers, and doo alot of boring stuff too. I also do alot of galery shows. How I acualy started is I found a local resturant that would put like a mini photo gallery type thing on the walls and sell the work. Eventialy I got a call from a local small town galery that wanted to do a photo expo and wanted to use my work. I started to then show more and more, and ask alot of questions about other galleries. Then I started the Photography contests, and after a few awards things began to pan out. I think that there is two big secret's here that people must know... One is that there is no such thing as a rich photographer... And of course, there are some very sucsesful and welthy photographers out there, but they are few and far between. I didn't make my money through Photography, it supports it's self and pays a decent amount over, but not as much as I would like, I guess. I'm in it for the love of it. (Beautiful anamals and beautiful women, what else can you ask for...) Two: Marketing your self is the key. Call "National Graphics", and take some of there trips. They have some of the most educational work shops, or "Field trips" open to the public, where you pay your expences and go say to the Galopicos with one of there top photographers. there his purpose is to teach and critique you and show you some of the basics. If you befriend them, then you just made a contact. I learned Under water photography by a woman Called "Cathy Chirch" she is a god of Under water Photography, and lives in Grand Cayman. I went to her shop and talked with her as an above watter photographer for a while to get a feel for her. i was happy to find out that she is truly one of the most wonderful and solid people in this world. So I asked her to teach me everything... It cost me alot of money, but it was worth every cent. But that is the biggest thing. Find the people who are good at what you want to learn and ask them to teach you, or even look at your work and critique it. most are happy to do it. As for your fine art prints. I would start doing shows, if you haven't yet, and see how the croud reacts to it. Be there and observe, and interact with the public looking. you'll be suprised what you will learn from a layman. Develup a bit of a reputation, then releace the prints with another show in the future. Little by little your reputation and art will build on what you did priviously. It all started with me localy.

Continued: As for prices, it all depends. cathy chirch will sell a 4 X 5 (Ruff Guess on the size) foot print for thousands, and an 8X10 for $100.00 to $300.00. I cant do that. My prints are usualy 11X14, mated to 16X20, and go for 50 to 100 each, but alot of the time I sell them with a certain percentage of proceeds going to some charaty. This is not nessesaraly because I have a big heart or anything, but it gives a good impretion to the buyer, makes them more apt, or willing to buy, or spend the money, and stregnthens your reputation. I usualy sell through what I consider local galleries, at times I have done it at larger ones in Boston and NYC, but that is very rare. Most of my prints i get dirt for. 20 to 50 bucks from a dive magazine or somthing, but 30 prints at 20 to 30 bucks starts adding up, and eventialy it gets to be more as your reputation climbs. No matter what, go after it. Now adays no one gets discovered without alot of hard work. I hope that helps, and feel free to ask me anythign else. Best regards, -Gabe-

Ok first print it all. you will only get better if you have somthing that you want to improve upon (At least in my expiriance.). I just put out the "Hiyo Maru" image which I think is the best peace of photography that I have ever done. If for no other reason than, because it has it's faults... But... inperfection can be an incredible ally.(forgive my spelling and conviction, I have had a bad night) I decided to release it here though, not for print or profit, because I will have to do beter the next shoot. End of subject, if you will. My life has been in chaos over the last number of months and the only way to get past it is to push my way through. In this case it was by forcing me to do it in my work. and eventialy everythign will come to a balance. As for filtering down your work... Well I understand... I will say that alot of time and Adoby Image ready... and alot of work is a good combonation. The websight though, I don't know I never tried it so, Let me know if it works. By the way don't let anyone or anything ever intimidate you . People for instance. We are all the same, and the future is in our hands If you want to be a peace of cattle, then you will be, if you want to out live your self, then it is up to you, and you only. All people are born the same and the rest is half chance. We are all masters of our own destany. & PLEASE REMEMBER THAT!!!! If you don't you will find that it's a long fall... Beleve me I know. As for the brass ring and the rest of your post, I am still young, only 28 years Anchent..., but that's 28 years of phisical and about 100 mental I feel. I have done some extrodinary things... In many ways I have out lived myself already, but with all good things there is a balance, and the balance is what tares you down if you let it. I am proud in alot of ways, and ashamed in as many of the things that I have done, or acoplished, but no matter what I refuse to yeald and that makes all of the diferance. Your position, and comments Honor me, because your comments and critiques are very flatering to what my eyes see, so thank you. No mater what though, remember this, "Nothing is imposible once some one wants somthing bad enough..." but, fear is our greatest killer, don't submit to it, because it can destroy you, like it did me tonight. but that's the way life goes and tomorrow is another day... Thank you Alpha, because this post just got me back in focus. With the fondest and thankful of regards Gabriel Salas -Gabe-