Christmas Surprise #2

Christmas Surprise #2 was crazy-fun! 

For years, the framed original had been displayed on a table-top, along with other photos.  One of the other photos had blocked the sun, which is what caused both the fading and the harsh line across the image.

A little digital magic of layering and blending colors of varying opacity, gave us a color image. Then adding a touch of a soft pink blush and lipstick resulted in an image that accurately reflects this woman's beauty.

A Little Light Please

Yes, it's been forever since I've posted. Tomorrow I'll begin sharing pictures that illustrate the reason for the long silence, but today I'll reveal the cause:  There was mold in them there Hills' (house).  

Fortunately, it wasn't the dreaded black mold. Nevertheless, anything and everything it touched had to go.  And that has meant a rather intensive and unplanned remodel of  my office and our master bathroom and bedroom.

Every now and then,  however, there was a fun by-product of the remodel.  Since the office was affected (more information on this later) and as an upcycled bookcase began to take shape, I realized I needed a new lamp.

Fabulously, Personally Vintage

 I love vintage styled photo shoots.  However, I see so many these days in which the subject is dressed totally in the photographer's props.  In some cases, the props become the focal part of the photo.  While I still love the look,  I prefer that each element in my photographs have personal meaning to my subject.

It's About Time

It's about time I got a handle on off camera lighting.  And this vintage clock was a very patient subject for today's practice shots.  The first goal was to create an image that shows the detail in the clock face.   Second, I wanted  to have a dramatic sky  in the background.   The third goal was to utilize minimal adjustments in Photoshop.

Mission accomplished....

Hinged Book {Tutorial}

If you have never tried book binding, I would encourage you to do so. Handmade books give you the opportunity to choose the perfect size, colors, papers.  You can make a notebook, a photo album, a sketch book all using variations of the same techniques.

As promised, here are some photographs that illustrate how to make a simple book with a hinged cover.   I used 4 sheets of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper, grosgrain ribbon, acid free book board (from Hobby Lobby), glue, a bone folder, my favorite craft knife and a metal ruler.

Fabric Box {Toot}

In good conscience, I can't really call this a tutorial, since so many details are missing.  That's why I titled this, "Fabric Box {Toot}".  Get it?  It's almost a "tutorial"!  Details are missing, not because I want them to be a secret, but because I didn't create this project with the intent of also providing instructions. 

The Year of Light

 I've dubbed 2012 as The Year of Light and this photograph is as good place as any to begin.

The afternoon of New Year's Eve, Tim made a fresh pot of coffee, poured a cup, and set it on the kitchen counter as we talked. Unfortunately for quality conversation, the bright sunlight coming through the window and the steam from the coffee were irresistibly distracting.

Something Different

Tim and I just returned from 10 days on the coast of Oregon + Redwood National Park + Crater Lake.  For something just a little different than my regular restoration posts, here's a link to some of our pictures.  I will be writing about an experiment I'm conducting regarding vacation pictures.  First installment should be available later tomorrow.  See you then :-)

Volunteer Orange

 Volunteer.  It can mean "one who enters into or offers himself for a service of his own free will".  It can also mean "growing spontaneously without direct human control or supervision".  It could also refer to the University of Tennessee sports teams. 

Tennessee Vols Orange.  It's bright.  It makes a statement.  It's just not the best color cast for a photograph.  Especially considering that these little boys are from Kentucky!

Try, Try Again

My great-grandmother always used to say, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."  Regarding the topic of successfully utilizing on-camera flash, I've tried and tried, but up till last weekend......it just hadn't worked for me.

However, in the spirit on Maudie's advice to continue to try, I am currently on a quest to, once and for all, learn to use flash creatively. 

Color Adjustment

Honestly, I find color to be the single most difficult element to restore.  I've tried one technique after another, but recently developed a combination that works for me.

So here's a tip: try using a series of masked color adjustment layers, varying the opacity of each layer and "painting" the image where you want specific color to appear.  I'm liking the result.

Happy Valentine's Day

Thanks to Jessica for a great Valentine's photo and to Florabella for the Valentine's Card download.

Florabella Valentine

 She's done it again - and offering such beautiful card templates for FREE!  Florabella:  check it out!

Practice What I Preach

We are preparing to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii.  We are sooooo excited, I've already started packing!!  

After years of practice, I've become  pretty good at setting my camera on a tripod, using the self-timer, and dashing around to pose w/ Tim and the kids before the shutter fires. But sometimes, it's simply wonderful to have someone else behind the camera.

Case in point, Jessica from 503Photography, did a mini photo shoot with us 2 years ago.  I could have never captured the same look and feel like she did.

I often suggest hiring a professional photographer to folks - even when there isn't a significant life event, like a wedding.  So to practice what I preach, I've made arrangements with a wonderful photographer in Hawaii to photograph us celebrating 25 years together.

Her name is Natalie Norton - I love her photographic style and her approach to post-processing. Those of you who know me know I have some rather strong opinions about this topic - ok, I can just hear you saying, "....really?  Beth has a strong opinion....??" lol.  Anyway, I'm here to tell you that planning for the shoot with Natalie has added to the fun and excitement of our trip. 

Yes, I'll be posting pictures... Aloha!

Skye's Giveaway ---------> Opportunity

Once again, Skye Hardwick and Jodi Friedman are teaming up to offer tools that help photographers produce better images.

Skye is giving away:
* One Workshop Workbook {theworkshopworkbook.com}
                (comes with free Posing Guide & More – read about here)

* Two $50 Gift Certificates to MCP Actions

 MCP Actions { http://www.mcpactions.com/ } is not only a fantastic resource for Photoshop Actions, but is also a great place for Photoshop tutorials {http://www.mcpactions.com/workshops.html }.  The "Blog It Board" sample above was created with MCP's free action "Try It Blog It Board".

 And, optionally:
* Skye will critique 10 of your images

Check out what others are saying { raves }!!

What's the Point?

A friend recently asked me for a quick tip on improving her photographs.  While there are quite a few factors that have to work together to produce a pleasing image, I honestly feel that maybe the most important is answering the question, "What's the point?"  Making that decision before you press the shutter will cause you to more carefully examine the scene, looking for images that will communicate best.

This shot is one of many I took at a local community celebration.  It is a very large event, thousands of people in attendance, and it can be difficult to effectively capture.  I chose to post this image because viewing the crowd from the boys perspective gives you an idea of the size and scope of the event.  Also, now that I look at it, I wonder how in the world this boy managed to wear his jacket??!  The temperature was about 97 with a heat index of 107.  I didn't even notice he had a jacket on - I was too busy trying to not die of heat stroke!!  And yet there he stands, looking all cool.....amazing.

Workbook by Skye Hardwick

Check it out!

I recently discovered Skye Hardwick, her beautiful photography, and fabulous workbook that is jam-packed with valuable information for photographers.

Her photographic images are a masterful combination of elegant images with textures and embellishments that cause me to slow down and examine the details. Inspiring.

Incredible work, Skye. Thank you for making this information available to all of us.....

http://www.theworkshopworkbook.com

Catchlights

You've heard the saying, "The eyes are the window to the soul." Well, in photography, not only are the eyes windows to the soul, but you can sometimes SEE the window IN the eyes!

To the left is a small selection from a restoration I've just completed. The original image was badly faded and discolored and very tiny (only 1.5 x 2"). When you looked at the original, you saw the little boy, but couldn't discern any of the details.

After bringing some of the original detail back, I found that both eyes had light streaks across them. While you couldn't see this at all in the original, in the restoration it became a major distraction.

The catchlights captured by photography are always in the shape of the light source. If your subject's face is illuminated by a rectangular window, the catchlight will be rectangular. If the light source is round, the catchlight will also be round. If you use a flash, you will most often notice a single very bright spot in the center of the eyes. (not the most attractive catchlight, in my opinion)

I couldn't see any visible scratches in the original image that would have caused these light streaks, so I have to wonder if these streaks are actually the shape of the flash the photographer used. Regardless of the source of the streaks, they had to go.

Remember to look at the eyes of your subjects. Watch for the catchlights. A window with diffused lights creates beautiful light in the eyes as does light coming under a porch or other outdoor structure.

By the way: sometimes, you will find yourself reflected in your subject's eyes. (Look carefully at the little boy's eyes at the beginning of this post.)

It's going to be a beautiful weekend here in the MidSouth. Take your camera and a favorite person and practice finding and capturing the light in their eyes.

Curves

Curves - and no, I'm not talking about the Curves fitness centers... :-)

BEFORE

I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because we have become accustomed to high-definition images. Maybe it has something to do with digital cameras. Whatever it is, your images can be improved greatly simply by increasing contrast.

I became a fan of Ansel Adams work when I purchased my first SLR. His Zone System caused me to become aware of the vast range of tonal values visible and of the limitations of representing that range within a photograph. He was methodical both with the camera and in the darkroom to ensure he had a broad range of tones in each of his images.

Today, the kind of careful attention Ansel Adams gave to each of his images can be achieved by, first and most importantly, working diligently to capture the best image possible. There is too often the temptation to take a sub-par image and then crop and Photoshop it to death. Work to create a good image and then you can adjust it in Photoshop, much as Ansel Adams would have done in his darkroom.

For this mushroom (which was conveniently growing in our front yard), I adjusted it with one simple Photoshop tool: Curves. I created a Curves Adjustment Layer and brought the highlights up and the shadows down ever so slightly. The Curves adjustment in Photoshop allows you to ensure that your highlights are bright and your shadows are deep while not losing important detail. That's it. That's all I did. No secrets. No formulas. Try it for yourself.

AFTER

Read about Ansel Adams

As I See It

For the past week, I've been on somewhat of a quest - trying to find a way to capture Fall 2009.

Through the years, I have taken a lot of photographs of trees and their leaves. This year I hoped to find something just a little different.

I also did NOT want to capture images that in order to share, I would have to alter it in Photoshop first. So I went back to the basics. Back to the days of using a manual 35mm film SLR working diligently to get the exposure right, to get a proper saturation of color, an effective composition, and most of all, the feeling of the moment.

Here's the result:


The following photograph has NOT been altered by Photoshop except to rotate the image. This was a reflection in a pond....