This day comes and goes every year without a second glance from me. Just another day on the calendar. After dreading this year’s day of love, for so many reasons, I wanted to just come home, eat chocolate, drink some wine and disappear into some creative goodness. Especially after a very frustrating day at work.
But I was reminded today by a very good friend that God has a plan. And while that plan is not quite so clear he is quietly preparing me for someone who deserves both me but my two amazing kids. She said “It’s a waiting game. Enjoy your beautiful family and be proud of how they turned out because that is all you. Think of it as a day to remind you that God wants to give you the best.”
Powerful words and so true.
So this day, the fourteenth of February will have new meaning to me. It’s no longer a day that just plain sucks. But it’s just another day to be happy and content with what I do have. I am blessed beyond words with what I have been given and with what I have yet to receive. Instead of disappearing into the evening I enjoyed my blessings. Conversation and laughter over cherry limeades and cheesy valentine gifts. These two are my only true Valentine’s. They make life better and I am honored that I get to be a part of theirs.
Leaves are beautiful at anytime of the year. I was thinking of how fun and interesting it would be to follow a leaf from spring to winter. From the moment it starts to flourish, then basking in the glory of the summer months, gracefully turning older than falling. The day we had our first snowfall (it lasted two seconds) I went for a little walk around my favorite spots. Macro in hand I was hunched over half of the time taking photos of dead leaves. People walking by must of thought I was crazy. But this is what I got.
A little over three months worth of photos. From November up until today. I turned another year older, made a promise to myself, learned to let go and be fearless, tried a new art form and most importantly became inspired again. There were no New Year’s resolutions made this time around. Life is more fun when you just live in every moment.
Well it’s been three whole months since I have posted anything. What the hell?
Honestly I was un-inspired. And busy with life. Keeping up with this and that and all that comes with this and that. My camera was the last thing I wanted to get out. Even the beautiful colors of the fall didn’t make me want to run and grab the ol D300.
Yes it was bad. Really bad.
Over the course of 3 months, life changed, yet again. And slowly my camera has reappeared. Perhaps the new year will bring some new and fresh changes to this hobby of mine. We shall wait and see.
The post processing of any shoot is my favorite part of the process. I have been able to streamline my work flow so that it takes less time to edit a portrait shoot. Weddings, well that is another story. With most of my clients I do very little editing, mostly brighten the eyes, get rid of a few blemishes if any and in general make the photo “pop”. In fact I could probably just give them the SOOC (straight out of the camera) shot and they would be happy. But I wouldn’t be. What fun is just giving them that shot? A few days ago I took some photos of my daughter. The sun was setting, light was perfect and honestly probably didn’t need to edit these. But I did. Because I love to edit. And I may be addicted. There may be a self help book, if so pass it along.
I wanted to show the following before and afters to give you an idea of what I do after your shoot.
The straight out of the camera image is great. To the casual observer it might seem like nothing needs to be done. If you notice on the edit version I have taken away a few strands of hair off her face, brightened her eyes and used a filter to make the colors pop.
Here is the edited version done in Photoshop. Because I am a geek and have an iPhone, well I just had to do another edit with a new app I found. Pixlromatic is responsible for the edit on your right. Of course I don’t edit my client’s photos on my phone but it shows you how amazing some apps are. Also you don’t have to have an iPhone to get this program. It’s available for a download on your computer! Now if I can just convince my daughter to have red hair……..
I love the edit in Photoshop on this one but LOVE the dreamy quality of the Pixlromatic edit. What is your favorite Photoshop action to use when editing?
by steph
no comments
add a comment link to this post email a friend