Stone's Throwe Photo is the work of Iowa photographer Larry Reynolds and this website is a stock photo outlet for Larry and photographers who are members or associates of the company.

Photography is our passion.

While we do not solicit images from 'non-member' photographers, just about any quality photo image is welcomed here when it arrives under the submission guidelines outlined on the connecting page.

Before submitting work for publication, here are some tips, basics, and recommendations from Stone's Throwe, especially if you're just starting out in photography and are unfamiliar with chemical darkroom work and digital darkroom or workflow techniques.

Beyond the chemical work and Zone System of the b&w or color "analog" darkroom, odd things and phrases you should be familiar with include the various digital image file formats like .psd, .tiff/.tif, raw, .jpg, .nef, .crw, and .gif; things like CMYK/RGB, embedded color profiles, 8/16/24 bit, clone stamping, SLR, ISO, working in layers, camera raw, scanning film and print images into high resolution files, and the ability to manipulate and manage your images with Photoshop or similar pro quality imaging software programs.

We store and move most of our images as prints or high resolution .jpg or .tif files. High resolution means files at least 260 to 300ppi in .jpg, and at least 2200 pixels on the "short" side and no more than 6000 pixels on the "long" side, and around 9 meg in total file size.

If the above phrases, abbreviations or file extension names seem unfamiliar to you, we recommend you do some research and study up before submitting work for publication. DON'T QUIT because this stuff seems confusing or others don't accept your work right away ... the information you need is as close as other photographers, the internet or your public library. The photographers that came before you and the ones that will follow all have had to, and will later have to, learn the technology of their age.

Read up, ask other photographers how they work, learn a bit, then grab the camera, go back out there and shoot some more. Look at the photos of those that came before you and that are working now and find your niche. Enter contests, show others your work. [Have a thick skin, everyone is a critic].

Taking the photograph is just the beginning, the work that finishes the image or print is just as important as taking the photograph.

Two reads we STRONGLY RECOMMEND to those just starting out or wondering what all that technical stuff was all about:

First, and from cover to cover, John Hedgecoe's book "The New Manual of Photography" [ISBN-0-7894-9637-2], it can be picked up used quite reasonably priced and is an excellent self-teacher.

Second, LensWork Magazine, and, if you can afford them, the issue extending CD/DVD's. With this magazine Brooks Jensen and his crew in Washington State have one of the best reads for working in, and inspiration for, photography on this planet, quite possibly the entire galaxy and universe, too. Their website is: http://www.lenswork.com . The podcasts available [free !] on their site [ page - http://www.lenswork.com/lensworkpodcast1-3.htm ] contain a wealth of information and/or inspiration for any photographer.

A few more recommendations for those just starting out:

a. Create your own website. It is relativley inexpensive, it helps get your work known, gives you an on-line portfolio accessible from just about anywhere, and gives you an environment controlled by you, the photographer, to show the world your work. If you're not a geek, use websites like http://www.smugmug.com to show off your work and learn photography all at the same time.

b. We think digital is the way to go, but if you're a film purist, that's fine, too. Lay your hands on the best equipment you can afford and go for it. If you shoot digital, shoot in the highest resolution, highest quality mode your camera can handle. Nikon, Canon, Sony, Leica, and Hassleblad, among many, have excellent digital equipment with interchangable lenses out there, in a variety of price ranges. A local camera store can run you through the options. Get a good tripod, too.

c. Use a quality computer, Mac or PC, doesn't really matter, and have lots of back up. No file is really safe until it is stored in at least two, sometimes three, places.

d. Carry a good sample portfolio on a thumb drive, you never know when an opportunity might pop up.

e. Work all your files in a consistent format and mercilessly edit images you feel don't make the grade.

f. Network with other photographers and friends, talk with anyone who'll listen, find retail outlets for your work. If your customer can't see it, they don't want it.

g. Don't just sit there staring at this screen, go out and make a photograph ...