Happiness - Strolling

 

Out for an evening stroll with Nanu, or "NoNo" as is preferred by both my mom and child.  She took her Sing-a-ma-jig, Blanca (see photo to the right) out for a little fresh air and to pick some flowers along the way.  Twila turns two tomorrow and I am loving her more and more every day.

We came back from our stroll and walked around the garden a bit.  It's simple moments like these that make me feel especially happy and very lucky.

I love my blogging friend - Brandy-Son

I think one of the qualities I love most about a person is honesty...well, first, a great sense of humor, then honesty.  This is why I was first drawn to Brandy and her blog, Brandy-Son Zen Master Flash, she's got both!  We all have our own style-Do we blog about what and who we love?   Do we admit to the world our idiosyncrasies and air out some dirty laundry?  Share step-by-step instructions on crafty projects?  Brandy does it all AND she has an adorably cute dog (featured on Fridays) and fun date nights that include delicious and vegetarian recipes (I may or may not call her a "Hippy in Hiding").  So head on over to her blog for a smile and a fresh dose of honesty!

The other day she posted these photos I loved and I asked her if she would be into a swap...look at what she sent me!!

I love it, all of it.  I put it up prominently in my office.  I have been a huge slacker and still have to send her package off {sorry Brandy} but I love my reminder images and her signature Freak Flag! 

I just love my blogging friend Brandy!

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Besides her blog be sure to check out her Etsy shop!

Chirping

I promise that my next post won't mention,show, nor discuss in the slightest anything to do with birds.  (I can't promise anything for the day after that though.)  Here is something I played around with the other day.  I finally tried Ashley's tutorial for "Planet Making", it was great fun.  I also learned some new tricks in Photoshop so was excited to use them somehow.  Here is what I did...

I started with the image of the birds on a wire.  I like the final version of this shot but since Ashley called for a pano image I wondered what I could create with simple lines running across the frame.

1)  Followed Ashley's instructions to "make my planet"

2)  Next I desaturated the bird image

3)  I adjusted the curves,brightness...all that kind of stuff

4)  I added a solid color frame in Photoshop to showcase the circle

5)  I wasn't happy with the way the lines met up in the center and cloning became too big a job for my first experiment so I thought I would experiment with a shape.

6)  The shape prompted some text

7)  I though it could use a frame or border to finish the image so I experimented with using some more  text

8)  I adjusted some colors a bit and called it a day

To see any of the other edits head on over to the Touch Up Tuesday link up at Paper Heart Camera.

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This week's Phonography is up should you like to link up with your favorite cell shot.

Phonography #32

Welcome to this week's Phonography!  The link will be open until midnight Friday (EST).  Should you care to read more just visit the Phonography page.  Hope to see what you've been up to this week!

This shot was taken while waiting for my mom to arrive.  The airport had one long blue light on the ceiling.  I shot it with the Hipstamatic using the Dali lens and then used PictureShow to add a few layers.  After that I used Photoshop to blend the lines of each layer a bit.  Looks like lightning to me.

Happy Tuesday to you!

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Sharing April

Here's this month's calendar!  Hope you like it.  It fits right into a CD case.  Should you like to download it please do.  Instructions are below.

1)  Click on the image
2)  Right click and select "Save as"  (not sure if this is the same on a Mac but you Mac users are so savvy)
3)  Print off and slip into a CD case, voila!

Scavenger Hunt

Interesting prompts for this week's Scavenger Hunt- Decay, Groups of 3, Kitchen, Things that make you go hmmmm, and "Me" Time.  I kind of feel like my Hunt this week is all over the place but I do like a few of the images.  I think my favorite prompts this week week are Decay and Hmmm.   Check out Ramblings & Photos if you would like to see any of the other submissions or add your own.

Decay

I shot a few things that looked like they were rotting and decayed but decided instead of photographing an item in the state of decay, I wanted to make an image that was full of life look decayed.  So I photographed the Akebia (it's in peak bloom right now) and added some textures from Shadowhouse Creations.  I think it's one of the most interesting blooms and one of the prettiest vines I have ever seen.  Beautiful leaves almost year round and the most unique flowers.  I masked the flowers to pop them a bit and keep their life amongst the thick decay of the textures.

Group of 3 and Things that make you go 'hmmm'

For these next two images I used an image I shot the other day while standing on the sidewalk.  I guess I am in a birds-on-a-wire and wires-in-the-sky phase.  I don't mind though as it makes moments like walking down the street or driving so beautiful and inspiring.  It also seems to keep me in the present moment which I like a lot.   To the left is the original image.  I had taken another three images and made a triptych but decided to stick with the following experiments for the submission. 

 Group of Three

This one is still a work in progress.  It doesn't feel finished to me yet but I like the idea of the birds in three stages, fading. 

 Things that make you go 'hmmmm'

I kept working with the original image and made this. 

Kitchen

This is a light in my mother's kitchen.  I took it awhile ago but she's visiting me now and so the photo was fresh in my mind.

(She's got a great kitchen.)

Me Time

For "Me Time" I wanted to share the photo I used from Friday's post.  My ideal "Me" time is taking pictures and working on projects.  Thanks to everyone for all your sweet comments on that post...you kept the warm fuzzies staying with me through the whole weekend.  I love my blogging friends!

TOOT! TOOT!

At the risk of exposing myself as a "Chatty Cathy" I have some exciting news.   I have long loved reading PhotoGrunt's Focus On feature for the Photographers of Etsy (POE) blog.  So I was very happy and super flattered to be asked to participate!  Care to know more about me?  I don't usually share chunks of my past (even my own blog!) but since he asked, the floodgates opened.  Hope you still like me after your done reading!

Read my interview here.

My great day continued when I found out one of my photos is also being featured here!

Have a great weekend! 

Spring Unfolding

Everything is starting to pop here- delicate pinks and whites, bright and bold tulips...the garden is starting to have rose buds and is already sending fumes from the Viburnum.  I love this time in Tennessee.

Soon there will be a festival  to celebrate this beautiful tree, the Dogwood.  April is beautiful here mostly due to the Cherry Trees, Red Buds, Dogwoods, and the Kwanzan Cherry Tree, one of my favorites.  I have been following the Dogwood in our backyard and its progress.  Here is what it looked like yesterday.

















Linking up with Blogging from Bolivia for Macro Friday and McDougall Friday.

Have a good weekend!

Harmony and Rainbows

The latest round of the ACoLab is up and I just started a new feature for the Photographers of Etsy and the Female Photographers of Etsy.  Firstly, the ACoLab...

Inspiration #16 was "At the End of the Rainbow".  This was the first thing that came to mind when choosing the theme for late March.  I was thinking about St. Patrick's Day and leprechauns and well, end of rainbows.  For my entry I decided I wanted to work with something graphic and the colors of the rainbow.  I think that I prefer this image in the black and white tones but for the theme it feels appropriate.  This one to the left is only part of my final entry.  I ended up with an animated gif to show the changing of the rainbow.  I don't really want to add it here because I think they are a bit distracting but should you like to check it out please do! (Take an Advil first, you have been warned!)  I really enjoyed all the submissions for this round; they seemed thoughtful and they all put a smile on my face, just like a rainbow would.

The other post I mentioned is one I just started for the FPOE and POE teams.  I have been writing for the POE blog for awhile now but wanted to participate more with the FPOE blog.  I really like that group a lot and thought that a nice way to be a part would be to bring the two groups together.  I am calling the feature "Harmony".  The first collection encompasses all shops that are donating for disaster relief in Japan.  Here it is on the FPOE blog and here it is on the POE blog should you like to take a gander.

The image above left, "Wonder" is from POE member Roadside Photographs  and the image to the right "I helped Japan" was created by FPOE member RhodricPhotography

Spring has Sprung

Here are some photos from the other day.  I love walking here.  Not only is Ijams Nature Center a peaceful place to walk but the path is different every time I visit.

She's not even two...you'd think she was posing for the camera but this is how she stood.  Walking along the path she saw this wooden pole and broke off from our walk "to hide".  She put her hands in her pockets and waited for us to find her.  I love her.

I think it was this walk that did her in though...she's been under the weather since and sadly I think it's just allergies.  Breathing is awesome and when you can't breathe it's exhausting, poor thing.  Fingers crossed, with tomorrows rain she will be feeling better.

This scene was much too pretty to pass up a family photo.  (Thanks Stephanie!)  We sat here for a short while admiring the scenery, taking some photos, and examining the new plants and mud.  It was a lovely day.

PS to all you ACoLabers, the post should be up tomorrow!  Thanks for being patient...I know it's exciting to see what we all come up with! 

Phonography #31

The weekend wasn't what I imagined it would be...wait, is it Tuesday?!  Okay, the last few days were not what I thought they would be.  I envisioned me working a lot more finishing up some big projects with deadlines so I could get back into the swing of my routine...not so much.  In fact, zero, nada, not one second on projects.  I was in bed by nine last night (yay)!  Not really complaining as much as sharing...  Gotta say, big props to all of you single mothers out there!  Really.  There needs to be a special medal...or money.  Yes, someone needs to give you large amounts of money...no, time...you earn more time!  My husband was away for the weekend and the baby was under the weather.  It's usually a little more work when Doug is away but these last few days since the baby has been a bit "out of sorts" have taken every second.  I did manage to squeeze in a nice Spring walk with a friend and Twila in (an out, then in, then out, then in...) a wagon, and a wedding!  So, like I said, not complaining even though it may sound like that... it's just been a very busy few days. 

So, here are some shots from the last few days, all shots from my phone since today is Tuesday after all...Phonography time!  Look forward to seeing how you spent the first days of Spring!  Or Fall (depending on where you are).  Care to learn more about Phonography? The link will be open until midnight Friday (EST).  Happy snapping!

Fun swinging and Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall...at the Pediatrician's office.

Sharing some love and a look to the other side.

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Scavenger Hunt

Camera Phone

I love taking photos with my phone.  It results in images that inspire me to experiment more and it also captures everyday moments in a manner that makes those moments special.  Last night I took this.

I was walking back to the car with my daughter after just finishing dinner.  She brought her stroller with "her babies" out with us for the first time.  I was finding her even more adorable this evening and just as we approached the car I spotted a bird up high on a wire.  Just then another bird joined the first and they began to talk to each other.  I think it was the first time she really listened to birds sing with each other.  She watched intently while occasionally asking me, "Song?"  Seeing this photo later on that night felt special.  Such a simple moment, a simple capture with my phone...it feels priceless, all of it.

Camera & Shoes

Chair & Imperfection

I wrote about this chair awhile back so some of you may have seen this photo.  But when I read the themes of "Chair" and "Imperfection" this is the first shot that came to mind.

Happy Sunday!  Head on over to Ashley's Ramblings and Photos to join in the Hunt or to check out any of the other submissions.

Date Night

Join Courtney for her weekend Phonography link!

Macro Friday - First Signs

Today is supposed to be 80!  I was planning on catching up in the posting department but did I mention it's going to be 80?!

For me, the real first sign of and welcoming into this next season is when I see the first buds start to open on our Dogwood trees.  Tennessee in the springtime is one of the prettiest places on earth.  Okay, maybe a bit dramatic but lately I have been appreciating the little things life offers and the opening of this little flower is pretty high up on that list.

I hope you are enjoying the first changes of the season wherever you are!


To see any of the other lovelies head on over to Blogging from Bolivia for this week's Macro Friday.

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**Reminder, the next round of the ACoLab ""At the End of the Rainbow" is due on the 20th. Hope to see you there!**

Phonography #30

Phonography time!  Link up with your favorite shots from your phone, any phone.  For more info you can click here.  The link will be open until the end of Friday EST.  I look forward to seeing where you've been this week!

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Happiness and Tunnels

With everything that's going on in Japan I have felt really grateful for just being. It's hard to fathom what is happening there to so many people...it's just very sad. That being said, I am counting my blessings. This week has been so busy with deadlines for me that I have not gotten to really work on my own projects or go out very much. Life has been simple, quiet. We did have some lovely dinner parties this weekend and well, sitting with friends, chatting by an outdoor fire, drinking wine, snuggling with my child I felt like I was living the dream. So, for this weeks Happiness Project I just wanted to share that. I feel lucky and I am extremely appreciate of what I have.

Since I haven't had much time to shoot and feel like I have shown enough sky abstractions lately I am sharing an image from a couple weeks ago.  I just found it again and it made me smile.
Twila, in a tunnel, experimenting with echoes. We stood in this tunnel for awhile. She danced around while singing and I snapped photos.

The moment is nice but the image needed some love.

1)adjusted the contrast,levels,brightness

2) Ran PW "Seventies" action.  Reduced the warm tone and mid x-process of the action
3)Flattened the image
4)Ran PW "Colorized" action removed the highpass midtone snap, midtone lift, and overall de-saturation
5) I added a duplicate of the background level, changed that opacity to soft light at 65%
6)Added some soft diffusion
7)Flattened and sharpened

I was going for something kind of nostalgic but I still prefer lots of contrast and a pop of color so I am happy with the edits.  It may be a bit "hot" looking but I kind of like that lighting, especially with the muted background colors.  If you would like to see any of the other Touch-ups just head on over to Paper Heart Camera.  Happy Tuesday!