Valfal's most read articles

It seems I'm in the same position I was three and half years ago: going back and forth between ipernity and Flickr with regularity. I learned long ago that it is impossible for me to do two photosharing sites at the same time in equal measure. So, until we find out for sure what ipernity's future is, I am forced to divide my time on both sites. As a result, you may not see as much of me as you usually would. On top of that, I am trying to save my important albums to my computer. I only wish…

After seeing several good members and friends close up shop and leave ipernity, I've decided to express my thoughts on this development... Sure, ipernity has its issues, but what photo sharing site doesn't? I think that the photography community here on ipernity is much more alive and interactive than any other photo sharing site I've visited. Thanks to the many gifted and friendly photographers I met on ipernity over the past 2 1/2 years, I learned more about photography than I ever thought…

If you haven't seen as much of me in the last week or so, it is because I am training for my new job as an Americorp volunteer coordinator. It is intense and comprehensive. This job is actually a one year contract for the purpose of working with my assigned non-profit organization to execute a plan to effectively recruit all the volunteers they need for the coming year. It is also my responsibility to set in place a sustainable plan that the organization can use to continue recruiting volunteers…

A lot has been going on in my life lately, and if you don't see much of me during the next few weeks, it's because I'll be taking a rest from all the websites I participate in. It seems that I've lost some of my enthusiasm for photography and just need to "recharge the batteries" so-to-speak. My deepest thanks and appreciation to all of my friends who have commented and faved my work over the years. Hopefully ipernity will have many more years for us to continue on as a community. I wish you a p…

After a most harsh winter, it is a joy to see the snow melting and hear birds chirping, busy preparing for mating season! Now for the flowers to arrive! At least I have a beautiful botanical garden to go to for early color; my last trip yielded a few good images. And then there are the very beautiful photographs of friends like you that I can enjoy so much! It's like drinking water after a severe drought! Keep those wonderful pictures coming, I love them so much! Happy Spring! :-))

Hi all, It was good to get away for awhile, and now I'm happy to be back with renewed energy to photograph and post images. During the interim I was away, I upgraded to an iPhone 7 Plus just for the camera feature. It didn't cost me any more to get it than if I had chosen the regular Iphone 7. It was exciting to discover the merits of this phone camera, and I must say that it is truly a large improvement over any other iPhone camera I ever used (and I really liked the 6s a lot). Last week I h…

I have been very busy the last two days working, so it has been hard for me to process fully what is going on with ipernity. I feel sadness, anger, and yes, even disgust with the decision made by the IP team to shut down this site. As some of you know, Sami Serola, LutzP and I began the group, "Win a Club Membership !", working diligently to recruit members who were willing to donate a club membership to new or old members of ipernity who were not club members. This was both for the purpose…

What can one say when terrorism seems to rule the day? Where are the leaders who can do something about this? Is there no one who can stop terrorist groups like ISIS in it's tracks? My heart grieves for the citizens and tourists who lost their lives during another senseless act of terror in Nice, France. I am sick of crying and sick of being angry and helpless at seeing the bad guys win all the time. We must put a stop to this madness, or civilization as we know it will cease to exist.

I have been slowly getting back to participating on ipernity again, and it was such a pleasure to learn that Explore is finally up and running! I don't know about you, but this was an important tool for me to use to meet new people and as another way to keep up with old friends! I didn't realize just how much I would miss it until it was gone! I know some people look at Explore as litttle more than a "popularity contest", but that is not the real purpose of this feature. It was intended as a…

The year 2014 at ipernity has been nothing short of amazing; it was the year I discovered photography as a hobby. I have all you marvelous ipernity members to thank for that! When I first came to ipernity over a year and a half ago, I was following my fellow doll collectors, hoping that we found a better place than the one we were at. Very quickly, many realized that not all their friends wanted to follow them to ipernity, so they chose to go back to the community they were familiar with. It…

2013 has been an eventful year for many of us, some good and some bad. Here's to a New and Fresh Year full of opportunities and possibilities! My resolutions are few but ambitious: 1. That I use my time more wisely. 2. That I expend less time worrying and more time enjoying what life has to offer. 3. That I laugh more, cry less, and, 4. That I give more, take less. I am thankful for all the new friends I have met on ipernity this past year and I wish everyone a blessed and safe New Year…

Over the past 4 years that I have been a member of ipernity, I somehow managed to join over 400 groups! This is way too many for me to keep up with! In an effort to be a more engaging member to the groups I regularly participate in, I must downsize. Groups that I rarely or never contribute to are the most logical to drop from my list. To the administrators of these groups that I must quit, please don't take it personally! My guess is you probably won't miss me anyway if I haven't contributed…

Hi Friends, Due to a severe winter storm with high winds, my internet service is down. I am able to access on my phone, but it’s a bit of a nuisance trying to comment on photos with it, so I will wait until I can use my computer. Thank you very much for you patience and have a beautiful weekend!

Hello Dear Ipernity Friends, I will be taking a short break to care for my very sick husband who was diagnosed with severe sepsis this week. Thankfully the antibiotic is working and he is for the most part "out of the woods". He is hospitalized and remains very weak, though. Hopefully I will be back sooner than later. Thank you all for your understanding. x

If I appear slow to visit and comment on photos, it's because my work schedule has changed in a way that makes it harder for me to keep up with groups like HFF and Macro Mondays 2.0. As I am someone who likes to comment on all my fellow members' photos in a prompt manner, it has been a frustrating to not be able to wish you a HFF ON Friday. Please forgive the delay, I will eventually get to visit and comment on your photos. Thank you so much for your past support and encouragement, ipernity frie…

Just a short note to wish all of my ipernity friends a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It has been a great year for ipernity and I am so blessed to be a part of this fabulous community! :-)

After the announcement yesterday that one person in the next town over from me has been diagnosed with Covid-19 (two more have since tested positive), I made the hard decision to take time off from my job until it is safe to return. The job entails serving customers directly on the sales floor, checking them out at cash registers, handling their money and merchandise they touch, all of which effectively prevents me from practicing "social distance" from the customers I serve. While I have no "p…

Hello my Friends, If you don't see as much of me lately, it's because I am busy with my job during the holiday season. I have increased hours with the accompanying increased stress and fatigue, so it has been very difficult to take photos on a regular basis or even to stop by and comment on your photos as much as I wish. I want to thank all of you who visit my page regularly, and I hope to visit you more frequently after my schedule returns to normal. In the meantime I will visit you as often…

It seems the Corona virus has infected more than just people; it has infected a way of life. The impact it has in my country (USA) is downright unprecedented! All our public schools in Maryland are closed for two weeks. Other states are also closing their schools. All sports venues are cancelled indefinitely, as is entertainment centers like Broadway. Restaurants are doing deliveries only, no sit down dining. Businesses who service large crowds or who must phyically interact with customers (such…

Spring is in full swing in my part of the world, and I couldn't be happier! I must say that if we had to endure lockdown during a pandemic, it happened at the best time. Can you imagine how much worse it would be if we had to go through this Covid pandemic during the winter months?? One of the activities that I am able to do thanks to this time of year is my garden. As a matter of fact, this was the earliest I started it (late March, soon after I took leave of absence from work). Now on May…