How Did I End Up Here?

Dabbling in Digi

I'm getting ready to teach a digital scrapbooking class, and I've decided I need to practice a bit. What I really need to be doing is brushing up on Lightroom as that class is firsr, but this is what I feel like doing. It is what it is.

This page uses an old freebie kit from Jessica Sprague and a free template from Shimelle. What I learned? This template doesn't allow drop shadows and looks flat no matter what I do. And I don't know how to fix it. Bugs me. I also don't know how to line up text on lined paper. No matter how hard I try. Bugs me too. So basically I'm bugged. Good thing I'm not teaching this for a while, no?

For this layout I sort of "winged it." In other words I started without a template. I still can't figure out the text on lines things. To make the text stick out I used a mask . . . I think it's a mask anyway. I LOVE THIS KIT from OScraps. I actually bought it for myself, instead of relying on freebies. The bad thing is I can't use it for my class. Oh well!

Hopefully you will see some improvement. And if you can help a sister with text on lines, well I'd appreciate it.

Photoshop Tuesday, and then some.

First, the news. I made the Lily Bee team! Thrilled! Honored! Touched! All of the above! Here is one of my layouts using Lily Bee. And the new releases? SWOON!

It was a great week off, and a better weekend spent with family. Em and Kevin came home, my nephew and his fiance were home from up north, and the family got together several times, including Saturday night at my house. There is nothing like family to make you feel complete. And to see the next generations, and who they are becoming? Priceless.

Speaking of which, I took some pictures of Em and Kevin. And to answer the most-oft asked question, NO, they are not engaged. NOT THAT I WOULDN'T LOVE THAT! They were just kind enough to let me practice some shots on them. I was going for a soft, dreamy, sun-soaked effect. Here are a few of my faves. I think one of the things I admire the most about their relationship is the fact they love to laugh together. They truly enjoy each other's company.

The fact that they're both good looking doesn't hurt either. LOL!

My favorite photo of the day, hands down. My girl, she's just so beautiful. And kicking butt as a teacher. I just could not be prouder.

Enjoy your Tuesday! Not typically my best day of the week, but who's counting? ;)

 

Photoshop Tuesday

I need to take pictures in the WORST WAY! I was such a slacker this winter. I truly hibernate in the winter. But as the spring approaches, I'm really excited to get out again and shoot.

In the meantime I did some editing of photos I already have, and here are some options.

Original:

Edit #1 - a bit of an urban look with a tint (Florabella Actions modified)

A different crop with a little content aware fill and a rosy tint

Did I mention I need some more pictures? ;) Wish me warm weather and shooting.

 

 

Wordless Wednesday - I miss this.

A Different Sort of Tuesday Post

I was thinking Tuesday's would be about showing before/after processing. But today I'm just going to show the after shots, all processed in Lightroom. It was my first basketball game to shoot, and I had a blast. Today the Lady Chemics take on the next challenge, playing against Arthur Hill in Fenton. Here is a tribute to those fine players. DO WORK!

 

Photoshop Tuesday

Over the weekend we headed to one of my favorite places to visit. Can you guess where?

Yep, back to the Antique Store. I love it there. But the only problem I have is I have my favorite places in the store, so my pictures look exactly the same every time I visit. I've got to snap out of that habit. Wish me luck. Here's J again on my favorite couch in the store, with my favorite hat. Timeless, I tell you!

I worked on some masking, aging, and texture on the first photo. And clean black and white conversion on the 2nd.

Enjoy your Tuesday!

Photoshop Tuesday

I am SO DRAWN to pastel colors right now. It's probably because the landscape out my window is blinding white snow mixed with gray, bleak skies. But who's complaining? ;)

So I spent a little time (10 minutes, it's all I had) to reedit some of my own old photos into the vintage-inspired-pastel-color-thing-that-I-like-right-now. OK, I need a term, but for now it's all I've got.

I LOVE aqua.

And aqua with pink is heavenly

Or how about pink and yellow?

Or light bluw with pink?

I think I need to challenge myself to take more of these pastel photos. It may just be what I need to get me though February.

Enjoy your Tuesday!

More Photo Fun

Again, these edits are with PS. I got the chance to photograph Kajsa again, who is visiting from Sweden. We were talking editing, and I was talking about adding texture. Here's what I came up with, again COLOR being my goal.

Before:

 

After with a texture

 

Before,

After. No texture, but tried to bring out that rich wood behind her.

I also edited this set using Lightroom. If you have a free hour or so, you can see them here. I totally played around with several types of processing. It's what I do for fun. I know, I know. I've got to get out more.

 

 

Before and After

So I'm trying to up my post-processing game. I want rich, colorful images that are sharp and interesting. I know, if I do a better job SOOC most of the work is done. And yet, the images that I am drawn to have been tweaked. Here is round 1. What do you think?

Before: NO EDITS, SOOC

After: Lots of layers. Just sayin.

Better? Too much? The jury is out. It's a good first step for me though. I see a big difference!

Another play. Before. Kind of blah, but cute face, no?

After. Too much?