A big thank you to defy-the-wind for offering me a brand new sub as I was one of the winners of DeliciousDeviants competition "Food Love"
the winning images are:


and of course my own

I and my partner in crime, videographer Palmyra, decided to offer to a happy engaged to be married couple the chance to win free destination wedding photography.
In case you are interested or you know someone that is, take a look here
I would be grateful if you could help me spread the word...

Every Friday in front of my house there is a street market...
Well... the last 3-4 days I had more time in my hands that I would need... and all that because I fractured a muscle in my right leg... so now, crutches are my best friends!
I had all the time in the world to answer my notes, messages, see your deviations... and now? now what?
I stayed online for I don't know how many hours, finished editing older works... and got sick of watching TV!
any suggestions?

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To see my new 2011 calendar click on the image below:




_{I would like to thank every single one of you for your kindness and support you show me through your comments and favorites. However, my message centre at this point has started to reach impossible numbers for me to control. So, I am afraid that I will not be able to thank every single of your +fav's but please know that they are greatly appreciated! I will continue and answer every single comment of yours as it's the least I can do… thank u!}

Every Friday in front of my house there is a street market...
Veggies, fruits, flowers, poultry and fish, house items and clothing... everything you'll ever need you can find it there...

People shouting from 7:00 am in the morning up until late in the afternoon... a busy day full of colors, voices, noise... and drivers that cannot hold in their heads that no matter how hard they use their car horns, the market is not moving a notch!

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To see my new 2011 calendar click on the image below:




_{I would like to thank every single one of you for your kindness and support you show me through your comments and favorites. However, my message centre at this point has started to reach impossible numbers for me to control. So, I am afraid that I will not be able to thank every single of your +fav’s but please know that they are greatly appreciated! I will continue and answer every single comment of yours as it’s the least I can do… thank u!}

Today I'm going to bother you with my nag… but really, I still feel offended and confused…
Be informed that my ranting will take more than the usual 5 lines of my journals…

Since my return on dA, some days ago, I was trying to promote my images through submitting them to some groups… I was an admin to 4 groups before I left dA but resign my position since I thought it was not fair to be so inactive, as maybe other people would like to contribute more than I could at that period of time… So, I have some previous experience on how admins act and what they have to deal with…
Among others, I submitted 3 of my images to a group, with thousands of members, allegedly being known for choosing extraordinary art images… monofacture

I know that when I visit its galleries, I usually found gems and beautiful images… but there are also some images that do not justify their presence there… so I thought I would give it a try…

All 3 of my images were rejected… I asked for a reason why for the 2 of them… since as stated in the group, they 1500+ submissions per week and no time to explain declines, unless asked.
Please note that I do not think that my images are outstanding, unique or that they should be automatically accepted in any group submitted… and yes, I might overreacted and be a bitch about that… but please let the words speak for themselves:

For my image

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I got this answer:
Admin: This photograph was declined because it lacks the kind of impact, insight and vision it could have.
We get TONS of portrait photograph submissions each day and I surely know the difference of mediocre work and outstanding work when I see them.
A portrait image must be outstanding in order to be accepted.
Try viewing your subject in a new light, in a new angle, in a new and inspiring way to make the viewer of your image say; "Wow, this is truly outstanding work!". Then not only the viewer but also you shall be happy about your work.
Always keep your heart with you while shooting.
Otherwise your attempts shall fall short.
My answer: thank you for this answer.... this is not a portrait... this is under the category of artistic nude...
Apparently it's one of the answers that you have ready for situations like that...I was looking for a more inspiring one...
Images of mine have been rejected by other groups, but never this way...
I do not like the answer, and maybe just maybe my photo is a mediocre one, but make no mistake... first of all don't make an assumption that I am not HAPPY with my image and secondly, please, do not patronize people by saying "Always keep your heart with you while shooting"... you have no idea what it's on my heart or mind when I do that click... it's at least insulting...
Finally, please next time you'll write about mediocre images, take some time to take a look at the group's gallery: the majority of the images are great, even inspiring in some cases... but plllllease, do not uphold that you escaped mediocrity...
I will wait for an answer, I hope a better answer than this one, on this [link] and then leave your group... as I do not need mediocre answers that lack insight and vision.... i give you the impact one... you made a hell lot of a negative impact on me and of course since you represent the group, this negative impact rolls on it as well...

For my image:

I got answers from two different admins and here they are:
Admin#1: I didn't get a chance to vote. But it would have been a resounding YES from me... I love this image. Not sure why it was declined. I hope one of the other members can give you a reason.
My answer: thank you for being kind enough to give me your view...
I was just wondering... an image that has been awarded in competitions, presented in conferences, published in magazines, printed on posters, being on TV and even given a DD here at dA... is not good enough for #monofacture? or there is something else going on that I am not aware of?
I guess i will have to wait until one of the admins that decline this image will find the kindness to honor me with an answer...
thank you...
Admin#2: I don't know why it has been declined. I would have accepted it as well. I guess it was mainly because the thumbnail looks rather "boring". You have to understand that we get 1500+ submissions per week and it's a tough job for our administrators. Sometimes images get declined without even being opened in full view.
Another thing: DDs, TV, Posters, publications have no meaning when it comes to quality. The images i got DDs or publications for are very rarely the ones i think are my best.  
I'll request it into our gallery.  
The only thing to be critiqued here maybe is the really narrow dof and the cut-off hand. but i think it's still pretty nifty.


I got yet to answer that since I really do not know what to reply to "I guess it was mainly because the thumbnail looks rather "boring" or "Sometimes images get declined without even being opened in full view." REALLY????
Are groups here to SERVE and RESPECT art and deviants or simply to be POSH and ELITIST?
Maybe I am just boring them with my thumbnails and I have to apologize for that… I know I sound like  little resentful bitch that is nagging about her images being declined... but please... even if that is true, are those answers ok by you?





To see my new 2011 calendar click on the image below:




_{I would like to thank every single one of you for your kindness and support you show me through your comments and favorites. However, my message centre at this point has started to reach impossible numbers for me to control. So, I am afraid that I will not be able to thank every single of your +fav's but please know that they are greatly appreciated! I will continue and answer every single comment of yours as it's the least I can do… thank u!}

...is officially here!..

I hope you had a blast on NY's eve and you welcomed 2011 loudly and with a lot of love around you!
I spent mine with family and friends... eating, drinking, dancing, laughing... although, the first day found me in bed... with a tummy ache...
I guess I overdid it...
On the other hand, it was so nice spending a whole day in bed... into the warmness and fluffiness!


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oh! btw... does anyone of you have a tumblr account?
well, in any case... here's mine: fiorello's tumblr



To see my new 2011 calendar click on the image below:




_{I would like to thank every single one of you for your kindness and support you show me through your comments and favorites. However, my message centre at this point has started to reach impossible numbers for me to control. So, I am afraid that I will not be able to thank every single of your +fav’s but please know that they are greatly appreciated! I will continue and answer every single comment of yours as it’s the least I can do… thank u!}