The following are some FAQs that might help answer your burning questions.

Have a question not answered here?
Please feel free to send an email to us at: info@wyldfires.com

How did you get the name WyldFire Studios?
When I decided to actually start an online gallery, I wanted to have a name for it.
Names are power. And with the right name, a world of possibilities opens.

So, I went in search of a name. After consulting with many good friends, names were tossed out and rejected. And, I wanted something with fire or flame, denoting creativity and passion. And I wanted to be able to have the domain name available as well. (What use was it to have a name, then have to find another name for online?)

A friend suggested WildFire, and I really liked the idea of it.
Wildfires are uncontrollable fires that eat up acres of land. Or you could say uncontrollable creativity. However, I didn't want uncontrollable creativity, as much as I don't want wildfires destroying precious forests. I wanted controlled creativity. Hence, the name "Studios", which reminded me of photography studios where everything was set up nicely and in a controlled environment.

However, Wildfire.com was taken, but I played around with a few misspellings that weren't too pretentious, and viola! WyldFire Studios was born.

Can I use your artwork on my website?
Only if you ask really really nicely.
I spend a lot of time and effort in making a lot of photographs and montages. Hours are spent photographing elements used in montages, then spending hours in Photoshop creating montages. I'm glad that you like my artwork enough to use it, but I request that you at least ask me first before taking them off my website.

And if you notice, I've watermarked each and every single image that I have on the website to prevent them from being reused elsewhere. Without going into a tirade, there are a lot of problems on the Internet of people taking images without asking first. I have many photographer and artist friends whose work has been stolen by others who innocently just post it on their website, or claim it as their own, or even try to sell them as such.

I'm sure you wouldn't like it if I came into your house and "borrowed" something of yours without asking.

Moral of the story: Ask before you take. Just because it's on the Internet doesn't mean its "free" for the taking. If you're a non-profit organization, I'll let you use some of the images for free. If you're a for-profit business, I'll be asking for licensing fees or fee-per-use on the images.

And PLEASE, don't LINK directly to images on my site. You're STEALING my bandwidth!

Can I license your artwork for single or multiple uses?
Yes. I license the use of my photographs or artwork for single use or a perpetual license (for a set time frame).

Please contact WyldFire Studios for more information at: info@wyldfires.com

How are Your Prints Made?
For the montages and just general photographs, photographs are taken of the images I want to use in an image.
I use either a digital or traditional camera. If a traditional photograph is taken, I scan in the photograph at 300ppi, and then manipulate it in that fashion. For all digital images, I always try to take RAW photographs or superfine jpg images.

Each image is photographed separately in a studio, then all are combined in Photoshop to create a unique montage.

The image is printed at a high DPI setting on an Epson Photo printer using pigmented inks (instead of inkjet). The paper is Epson premium photo papers, such as Epson Premium Glossy, Epson Premium Semi-Gloss, or Epson Heavyweight Matte Papers.

The prints are then sprayed with an archival spray that "fixes" the image and prevents damage from harmful UV rays for additional protection.

Prints sold without mattes are shipped in archival bags (unless you got it at an art-show), and matted prints are matted on archival quality matte and on either foam core boards or archival mounting boards.

How Long Will Your Prints Last?
There is no definite time frame for which anyone can say "These are how long prints will last." If you read Epson.com, for the particular printer I use, they quote:

"Optimized to produce brilliant archival photos on both glossy and matte papers with lightfastness rated up to 100 years"

Of course, there are their standard disclaimers:

"Lightfastness rating up to 100 years based on accelerated testing of prints on select Epson Papers displayed indoors, under glass. Actual print stability will vary according to image, display conditions, light intensity, humidity, and atmospheric conditions. Epson does not guarantee longevity of prints. For maximum print life, display prints under glass or laminations or properly store them.

Wilhem Imaging Research (http://www.wilhelm-research.com/) -- the leading experts on print longevity for both traditional and digital printing, as well as motion pictures -- rates one of Epson's pigment-based printers (which all use the same technology) for at least 104 years under certain conditions.

These conditions include: displaying indoors, away from direct sunlight, and displayed under glass.

When displayed properly (as to the conditions stated above), these prints should last at least 90 years (about the same length of time many traditional photographs will last).

What if the Print Fades in Only a Few Years?
If the print fades in only a few years, I'd have to ask you whether or not you kept it in the sun!
But seriously, if you find that your print fades (excluding limited edition runs) within two years of purchasing it, I will replace it for free.

What Photograhy Equipment Do You Use?
I use a variety of photographic equipment. But, that's the subject of another page.