Fix it friday

I was talking to a girl last night about photo editing programs. She was certain that you can't use anything BUT photoshop and she was really struggling to "edit" her photos. I told her you didn't have to and you could do many cool things using free software. Or for a minimal fee upgrade to the "pro" account. So I thought I would edit my photo today using just a "free" software.

I added a texture of a cement wall ( yep.. it is a cement wall) Turned the photo black and white and adjusted the filter to red. And the texture added gives the grainy feel. I also used the rotating feature and flipped the photo so it was "unique" from the original.

365 day 5

I had to use my flash for this photo. It was indoors and late and the indoor lighting was poor. I hate using a flash. That said I preferred to make it black and white because I felt there were some blemishes that I could hide :(

I am trying to figure things out a little bit at a time. Things are getting better. I thought it would be easier. Pictures I took today I HATE them.. so guess I have a lot of work to do!

365 day 4

Today we did food again. Yep! That would be why I am chubby. Actually we were asked to bring desserts for Valentines dinner tonight at Dallas parents house. So we did a family reciepe of Oreo cookies with Red frosting. Like I said if I took another food picture I would get at least 2 percent better and it worked.

Today I looked at Cheryl Muhr. She has been a guest judge over at I heart faces and I really like her work.

I guess I got a little bit better with a food picture. I am pretty proud of that!

*135 mm f 5/6 edited using CS4 and resized with picnik*

* I find using picnik to resize is the easiest for me and to save it to my flickr from there.*

365 day 3

I took this one today. I can't wait to see what I can get tomorrow. I see myself looking around with what can I do with that to get a good picture. I don't know what my "kind" of photography is just yet but I like pretty pictures and I like learning. For today my favortie photo was Tyler. He is my perfect photo!

* 127mm f/5.6 no flash ISO 1600*

*My professional blog that I looked at today was Larry Reeves. He was in our LDS ward in Arizona and I really like his photos. He does a lot of weddings. I want to do more family portraits and he does a few of those. He has some great links to others that I plan to use to find more people!

365 Day 2

I am not WONDERFUL at my challenge yet. Though I have taken my camera with me a few more places than I normally would I didn't capture the glorious work day of a mom on Tuesday so I am honestly skipping a day so I can take the challenge and get better. I want to get better.

I am not a food photographer. But that was all we did for day so I took the picture. I blogged about our day and what we did all that day and really though the photo may not be the best. The next time I make a scrumptious meal.... I will be photographing at least 2 percent better!

*41mm f/4.5 no flash*

My Professional blog I looked at was the Pioneer woman. She does some pretty cool, fun, everyday pictures. Just life. That is what I want to do. Just life.

Taking a challenge- Day 1

I decided to take a challenge from a photographer who's blog I read. I LOVE her photos and she takes amazing photos. She is a great read!

The Challenge is to take a picture a day and do three things. So the challenge is called The 365 day to 300% better photos!

The challenge is A) one photo a day B)Read one page in your camera manual a day and C) View at least one other professional photographers picture every day.

So with this new challenge at hand I thought today would be the most perfect day to start. I signed the list yesterday, and today on the way to our eye appointment for Tyler I put my trusty camera IN my bag and this is what I got.

* Taken at 135 mm f/5.6. Edited using CS4 and resized and saved using picnik.*

The blogs I looked at today for Photographers were Adam Barker ( I look at his almost everyday) I don't want to do landscape but I find his pictures very interesting and he finds the most perfect element for breathe taking photos.

And I looked at Angie Andrews photos. I love them. She has taken some for us and I have always loved hers.

Texture

I took this photo of Dallas and our son Tyler. I have the original in black and white and I love it. I made a copy for the coffee table in the sitting room. The challenge was to use a texture. I kinda liked this one. Not a favorite but textures are all new to me. I want to find some softer ones that I like using but this one still worked well for me.

This is the above photo in just black and white before adding a texture and a action in Photo shop. I tend to crop and and re size in other programs but that is what I came up with.

A photo of Things

Taking pictures of THINGS not just people is something I want to keep getting better at. Some of the best pictures are just things.

I have really enjoyed crafting and painting and the works so I did this for my Aunt Linda.

Its a Monogram of her Last name initial. I am going to be heading up to help her with some scentsy stuff and figured I would give it to her then .