Gone Fishin'

One of the best parts of today's technology is that it allows me to enhance an original photograph, bringing out details and features so that the story is more clearly told.

In the original 2 x 3" snapshot from about 1945, the young woman displays a remarkable grace even while hauling in her catch of the day.  From what I understand, this was likely the one and only time she ever went fishing.  Her passion, then as well as throughout her life, was art - certainly not fishing.

Using a variety of digital tools, I was able to bounce digital "light" back onto her face, illuminating her features while preserving contrast in the remainder of the scene.  The finished print is 8 x 12, and in it, you can clearly see the little fish, the stripes in her dress, as well as her wonderfully fashionable shoes.

This photograph makes me long for warmer weather.

Florabella Valentine

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

Takin' It To The Streets

It's a cold Sunday. Snow in the forecast.  A few flakes have begun to fall.  Have Cincinnati-style chili simmering.  Decided to convert some of my old vinyl albums to put on my EVO so I would have some fun "walking music".

This particular album is such a wonderful color and with my monitor in the background.....couldn't resist a shot or two.

I used a digital filter to add a bit of simulated Kodak Ektachrome 400 color and grain.  Seemed appropriate considering the era from whence this album originated - 1977.


It is a remake of big band music with (dare I say it) a disco beat.  Should be a good for walking, don't you think?  That is, if I can just resist the urge and avoid "Dancing' In the Streets"  (wonder if we have THAT album in our stash, too....)

All we need is music, sweet music 

There'll be music everywhere

They'll be laughing, singing, music swinging and dancing in the street.

Life's a Trip

2010 was a trip.  Literally.  Although not a trip on a train. It was a year in which we celebrated events from the past, and a year that brought home the stark reality of the present.

First, the celebration.  We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii.  It was an absolutely perfect trip. 

Unfortunately, 4 days after we returned home, we received a phone call from a health care professional, informing us that my father-in-law required relocating into a facility that was better equipped to provide care for his escalating Alzheimer's disease.

About two weeks after that, another phone call, this time from my sister, to tell me that our mother had suffered a devastating stroke. My father-in-law now lives close to us and my mother in a skilled nursing facility (where she receives wonderful care). 

Life, forever and undeniably, altered for us all.

So to close out the year, we decided on some fun (maybe even a bit silly) photographs of ourselves.

Bend, Don't Break

What a splendid "last minute" Christmas project!  Serendipitous, actually.  I had just finished my last work project and had a couple of days before Christmas when I received a call from the little girl in this picture - a little girl who is now a mom with children of her own.  This photograph had been stored for about 30 years, had never been framed or displayed.

Joy to the World...

The Lord is come...

We hope that you and your family find much joy and love for Christmas and throughout the New Year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

PS  Check back on Monday.  I've got a wonderful restoration project for you to see!  IF I can wait till Monday to post. 

The Night Before Christmas...well, not quite yet

The "Night Before Christmas" book belongs to their mother, who is a dear friend of mine.  I'm wondering if the reason "...not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse..." might be due, at least in part, to the lovely Maggie-kitty.

These are some of the pictures from a "To The Point" mini-shoot for their Christmas card.  Ya'll were loads of fun!  Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Facebook profile pic!! :-)

Christmas - Sneak Peek

From a mini shoot for a Christmas card.....just a sneak peek.....and just maybe peeking is part of the fun :-)

Little Faces

Here is another project for the assisted living apartment we were setting up for my father-in-law.  The image I was working from was about 3x5 and was printed on an consumer grade ink jet printer several years ago.  Even the scan was better quality than the original image.

Coming Home from WWI

 

These are scans of a postcard (about 3x5) from WWI.  The soldier, having served in France, returned to the United States on this ship. 

I combined the two images to create an 20x30 image for as assisted living apartment for the soldier's son.  I chose not to repair the creases and discolorations of the original.  I also chose to leave the soldier's handwritten note at the bottom, "I came home on this boat".  I wanted it to look like the vintage piece that it is.

Matted, framed, and hanging in the apartment, this was quite a surprise to the new resident.  A unique piece of art that brings back memories and creates a sense of "home".