We are testing the new, SmartFrame image embedding technology, on our website.
This is exciting news for all photographers and artists.


Our conclusions so far.

pros:
- a good quality image is displayed with the photographer's copyright credit, and image description
- a link to license the image or buy a print is given inside the SmartFrame
- image copying and screenshot protection without a distracting watermark
- theft proof detail zoom-in and hi-res, full screen preview options are available

cons:
- the buy button is wired through the SmartFrame website which doesn't help your website with SEO backlinks
- the SmartFrame is essentially an iframe object custom rendered on the SmartFrame's website, which means it improves SEO for the other party but not for your website. It also doesn't help with SEO in image search, which is important for websites that have images as the main source of interest on their pages.
- the SmartFrame images load slowly and create a blank gap in a webpage design while loading
- you need to upload the source images to SmartFrame website and create smart frames from there, which means giving an access to unprotected, full resolution media to a third party
- sharing is available only through their share button, however sharing an image on pinterest creates an unprotected crop of the image without any watermarks. Thus a watermark is necessary to protect from such sharing, which renders the whole SmartFrame theft protection system redundant and useless.

Overall, we like the functionality, the copyright protection and attribution, but in our opinion this should be done directly from the image supplier's website and not through a third party. A standard, integrated smart image object needs to be created and adopted as a mainstream web element that carries all this information and is linked directly to the source.

The displayed image is © Alex Maxim and can be found in our Japan travel photography collection:

We have just released an absolutely unique, versatile and inspiring yoga meditation app to assist you on your inner journeying. Yoga Deep Meditation app offers an extensive and in-depth guide to the most prominent yoga meditation techniques, with detailed and interactive visuals and information on chakras and mudras.

Please use the iTunes link Yoga Deep Meditation or search for 'Yoga Deep Meditation' in the app store.

Just as peace is the inherent nature of this world, which rather than being "made" needs to be realized ("real eyes-ed", perceived with the eyes of the heart); silence is the natural state of our mind. Peace is amidst all chaos and conflict, whether we realize it or not our whole planet is blanketed in peace. It's what becomes apparent once we remove humans from the environment; we are immediately struck with the resonance of peace. The same way silence is in the heart of the whirlwind of our minds. Our minds have the innate ability to be quiet and meditation is the surest way to harness it. Our task therefore is not to change our mind and make it more peaceful but to rise above it and realize the ever-peaceful Self. When we are quiet within, we are in touch with our true Self, our genius.

Meditation is the state in which we systematically allow our minds to return to their natural state of stillness. The word systematically is of paramount importance because meditation is not a meditation unless it is a habit. We have strayed too far from our still point. Our minds are freeways, generating thoughts from the moment we wake up and until we fall asleep at night and well into our dreaming state. Our nervous system is thus full of obstructions, imprints and impurities that block our natural state from manifesting in the world. This makes it hard to see or sometimes even to believe that we possess a natural capacity to be still and silent. The silent seed within us needs to be awakened.

The effects of meditation, as of any other spiritual practice, are cumulative. It means that only through regular honest practice full of intent will we gradually see our inner silence manifesting in our daily lives. It is akin to digging for gold. The digging process doesn't resemble the treasure chest full of gold, but it is the digging that gets us to it! So let's dig in!

Our stress free, impeccable quality, swift retouching services will put you at ease over any projects that you need to deliver in time without sacrificing on the quality. Our services are recognized by the World's top brands, Advertising agencies and Editorial industry. Every detail is refined and perfected, friendly service, swift communication and shortest possible turnaround times.

Our current clients come from all over the world: US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, UAE, China, Russia.

Please see our Retouching Portfolio and judge by yourself.

Your faithful retouching provider, MaximImages.

We don't do this often, but you will get a 10% discount on your orders at MaximImages until the end of the year if you register your account with us today!

The offer expires on Nov 27, 2018.

A tightly selected number of our Zen style inspired Home decor products, duvet covers and pillows as well as fine art prints is now available for purchasing through our Etsy store AwenFineArtPrints Home decor at Etsy



We'll be happy to customize all available designs to meet your taste and color palette.

Beautiful tranquil photographs of empty and quiet Kyoto streets lit by sunrise in early morning while the city is still asleep. Japan travel photography.





Amazing views around Kiyomizu-Dera Buddhist temple.

I am much inspired to learn about Japanese culture, language, traditions, gardening, architecture, exploring the philosophy of Wabi-Sabi and the world of shadows, the beauty of imperfection and the depth that lies beneath of what is exposed, I came to love Japan and am trying to integrate their wisdom into my work and art, trying to express the fleeting awareness of Yugen and the unaltered, unpretentious reality as it exists in the universe.

Can it all coexist with a refined and carefully retouched work, you could ask, yes, absolutely. I believe it is very important to simplify photography to the most basic elements and not to overload it with unnecessary details, while keeping those imperfections that are important in conveying the message.

Alex Maxim / MaximImages.com