Shooting RAW in CS5: What I learned in Photoshop Class

On July 26, 2011July 27, 2011 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Beautiful Life, Posessed by Nikon17 Comments

I took beginner Photoshop at the start of April. My CS5 was a gift from Christmas and I had not even cracked the box open. MY ADD and HIC (head-in-clouds), a much too strong of a contender, to learn anything from a book or videos. So, I took the class and learned the basics.

My aversion to CS5 and the “art”, and the “creativity”, suddenly had a completely different perspective.

It was a whole new world opening up for me. So much so, I signed up for the next set of classes taking Advanced Photoshop. I am happy to say, it was just as hard, and I learned just as much.

I am FAR from an expert in Photoshop, but I am now a believer. Yes, I want to shoot pictures and have that “perfect” shot, but I also love to play and create.

We learned RAW and I took my first photographs using RAW.

Then? I created.

Then? We learned HDR and panoramic (also shot in RAW).

Then? I learned and I created.

But rather than talk about my new-found love, I will show you my first images, shot and edited in RAW, then tweaked in Photoshop. I will show you why I get so wrapped up in the world beyond SOOC and how I lose my time to editing.

This original photo of glass jars was taken by my instructor Lindsey. It was only two glass jars and they were blue. We made a collage in class, then I added edits to it. I just love how effects made it turn out to look like a reflection.

HDR photograph of the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. You take three photos and merge them into one for the perfect exposure.

My first panoramic shot. I could tinker with this one some more, but love the perspective.

One of my favorites, the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington with Six Flags over Texas next to it. You can hear the screams from here. This was taken at twilight.

This last photo is also HDR with the detail pumped up and probably what most of you are used to seeing HDR looks like. I am not a huge fan of the HDR-ish photos, but love the texture of this one.

So there you have it, from RAW to rich, and a newly turned fan of CS5.

It’s stunning what you can do when you open your mind to the limitless possibilities.

On the Road to SuperBowl XLV

On February 6, 2011February 6, 2011 By AngeliaIn Wee Wee Wee all the way home!11 Comments

We saw some pretty fantastic sights. And this was before the game, not only that, we didn’t even go to the game. We were just trying to get a burger at Sonic. The closest Sonic to our house happens to be on one of the roads to the Cowboys Stadium.

Since yesterday I have been hearing planes buzzing. I hear jets all the time, but little plane buzzes – not so much. Until SuperBowl XLV that is. You might as well not even try to sleep in, because they are relentless in their quest to advertise.

So on the way to Sonic, on the road to SuperBowl XLV, I spot SIX planes in the air flying with banners. The back-up to get into the stadium, luckily enough, began right after Sonic. Excellent!

However Sonic’s credit card machine was down, so on the road to ANOTHER Sonic which goes back by our house since it’s the opposite direction. I remember. I have some cash in my nightstand. AND my camera. Back we go while I snap away. I didn’t get the six planes in the air, but I did get a few.

Then, we saw this creepy guy, riding a bike, and carrying a backpack. Does he look suspect or what? Sorry for the quality of the shot, this was taken through a moving car’s back tinted window. He is wearing a camouflage face mask, a plastic mohawk bald cap, and goggles. What’s in his backpack? Who knows!

We saw cowboy parking attendants. You could find a parking space for $50.00 if you parked a couple of miles away. Not to shabby.

We get back to the Sonic with our cash (credit card machines still down, phone service also went dead), and the ~~bomber~~ biker is a few clicks back. Now the Sonic had a parking sign too.

Then I glimpsed a figure in a glass front window.

Could it be? The sparkly white suit and sideburns, I’d know that guy anywhere.

Is it Elvis?

Why yes, yes it is.

Thank you…thankyouverymuch!

Who knew he was a Steelers fan?

I had no desire to go to the game (and join the masses and madness), but it sure was fun getting a burger for lunch!

Our favorite sign on the Road to SuperBowl XLV…….

Sign reads – Avoid the crowds parking and luxury transportation across the street.

And what’s across the street you ask?

This.

For real.

It’s brilliant in it’s own way. If they even got one? That’s a good Sunday.

These guys are true entrepreneurs. I like how they have the machine all set up for credit too. I apologize for the blur. Moving car, and I just had to wave, since they spotted the camera and all.

Aren’t they cute? Much better than the scary biker fan.

So that was our brief (and incredibly entertaining) outing for the day.

The game was GREAT. Loved the heart the Packers played with and the Darth Vader cutie commercial was my favorite.

Congratulations Packer Champions!

Now, Arlington? Can we please get back to normal?

In Remembrance of 9/11

On September 11, 2010September 11, 2010 By AngeliaIn Life is what you make it.17 Comments

Nine years ago today, I remembered where I was, and what I was doing.

I remembered the fear.

I remembered the love uniting us – one nation under God.

But mostly, I remember the patriotism of the strong, and the brave. Lives were lost, and lives were saved.

To the heros, and to the perished. I remember you.

(Composed by Francis Scott Key, “In Defense of Fort McHenry” in September 1814. Congress proclaimed it the U.S. National Anthem in 1931 — history follows.)

Never Forget.

*Photographs taken in Arlington, Texas, on this day, in remembrance of September 11th.

Engaged!!!

On October 1, 2009October 2, 2009 By AngeliaIn FAMILY, Wee Wee Wee all the way home!10 Comments

Exciting news!!!

Ok, it’s actually not me (was that a mean trick?). My sister got engaged. Apparently, she texted me a picture of her ring but I haven’t updated my iPhone for text pictures. I never answered her, and finally my mom spilled the beans. Good thing my sister called me, because I was all perturbed and stuff. *WHAT??? SHE DIDN’T TELL ME???? HMMMPHHFF*

Well, but, she kinda did? Don’t you think technology is cursing us? I was reading an article about how news is spread via Facebook to family members, quite often, before they can tell the news themselves. They read the news on someone’s wall or see the relationship status change in their news feed, then call other family members and friends to gossip tell them what’s going on. The family is surprised; why wasn’t I told? It can cause a lot of hard feelings when it wasn’t meant to. Wedding pictures being uploaded before the bride and groom can even share them. Babies born at the hospital. The list goes on and on. You get the idea. This relates to my sister, telling me she is engaged by text, basically because she is not on Facebook. HA.

So, I didn’t get it and sent her a text.

TEXT: Mom spilled the beans (you know better to tell her a secret). Is this for real? Is it pretty? I wanna know everything!

All mom told me was that she had a ROCK. *oooookkkkaaayyyy seriously…. date, details, nope just a ROCK*

My sister calls me with “the news” just after I had talked to Jason, Monday Sep. 28. To say I was a bit distracted?? That would be an understatement. Here is how the conversation went, with Jason, not my sister. Not yet anyway. (follow me here!)

6:09pm

J: Hey, babe, what are you doing?

A: Hey, I am sitting in traffic. Cowboys game tonight and it’s NUTS! People everywhere already! Holy smokes! They are parking all the way up Collins by the Sushi Zone. I just saw a bicycle pulling a BUGGY. I had to take a picture, too funny.

J: Yeah, about that, I got an email from a friend, whose company has extra tickets to the game tonight.

A: Really?? Wow! *This is only the most talked about game since…forever….the first Monday night Cowboys game at the new stadium*

J: Well, we have dance class tonight and it’s so last minute. We probably shouldn’t……..

A: Huh? *WHAT??* Are you serious? Listen, why don’t you call them and see if they still have them. Seriously, we may never get to a Cowboys game on our own. Too expensive! My gosh, we have time to take that dance class again. CALL THEM.

J: Ok, I’ll call you back.

THEN– My sister calls.

Am I ever distracted, I am a phone call away from a Cowboys game. She is telling me about the very sweet, very dear, and very Godly engagement. It is beautiful. I am happy for her. It is a surprise, somewhat, I mean when she insisted her guy meet mom and the family soon, like before they ended up meeting him at the wedding. Yeah, well, we kinda knew. But still….wasn’t sure she’d jump back into marriage so soon after her marriage ended of over TWENTY years. Nevertheless, in my pending anxiousness, I am enjoying the sweet story, when Jason calls back.

“Uhhhh, HOLD ON!”, I switch to Jason.

J: Hey, he is at the Sheraton and they are getting ready to walk to the game. He has two tickets. How close are you? *I have not moved in over five minutes-Yes!

A: I can be there in five.

I basically make a U, and rocket to the Sheraton. At this point, I actually have to hang up with my sister and call her back because, the Sheraton is charging to park for the Cowboys game. I don’t need to park, I only need to pull up and snag me some tickets. *FREE TICKETS. Ahhhh!*

No prob, they let me pass through. Now, I don’t know this guy from Adam. I am waiting at the front doors in my car. I see a guy walking towards me. He is smiling. He opens my door, drops two game tickets and two parking passes in my seat and says, “Enjoy! See you at the game.” *My hero!*

I swear my buggy eyes must have bugged out even more. I thank him profusely. He shuts the door and I glance down at laminated tickets. Ring of Honor suite. $125.00 a piece. Ohhh. Mmm. Geee. *yeah, I have 15yr old*

I had to call my sister back, I was navigating the car, as quick as I could to Jason’s the back routes. Giddy. FREAKING OUT. I couldn’t believe this! Wow!

She answers, “Oh, uhhh, hi sis, where were we?????”. What’s really going through my head? *I am going to the COWBOYS GAME tonight* We talk a little longer. I have no idea what else she said. I remember the important part, SHE’S ENGAGED! Hopefully, she remembers how excited I was, for UM her. Yeah. *I’m going to the GAME!!!!!*

Tickets/GOLD/Keepsakes/Memories/Freebies. Whatever you want to call them. Mine, oh sweetness, mine.

Walking to the GAME! This place is ginormous! We missed the kick off but not by much. The parking pass was off Randol Mill Road, to the west of Collins. Any of you game goers, let me give you a tip. PARK HERE. It is, by far, the best place. Parking here you can go West on Randol Mill and hit any number of freeways when the game is over. Any other direction you are in standstill traffic. News flash, the lots closest to the stadium are the worst. The street is backed up for miles and you can’t even get OUT.

Jason’s FIRST ever Cowboys game. Uhhhh , hun? It’s usually not this awesome. Just so you know!

The WORLD’s LARGEST TV. To a child that was raised on TV, I gotta admit-I was awestruck. I wanted to sit right in front of it. (ha)

Ring of Honor,suite #?? can’t remember, doesn’t even matter. Club level, take the stairs by the chandelier UP. FREE drinks. FREE food. FREE programs. FREE hats. Boiled shrimp the size of my HAND. Chicken pizza, wings, and taquitos. Private bathroom. Not to mention, two Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders came by and took photos with everyone.

Just after the Cowboys FIRST WIN in the new stadium. Just to the left in the picture, the ESPN guys were set up doing their show live on the field.

What an amazing night. How that fell into our lap is still unbelievable. The inside of that stadium IS exactly what everyone is talking about. This place is larger than life. Cooler than an Eskimo’s nose. It should be a world wonder! I was in wonder the whole time.

I couldn’t help but look at Jason, brow furrowed, “Babe, you were going to go to DANCE class?”

He says to me, “Yes, because that’s what I thought YOU wanted to do.”

That’s why I love him, so selfless. He LOVES the Cowboys. Always watches the games and he would have gave that up for me? To dance a dance we have no plans of dancing for a long time. He would have missed this opportunity for my happiness? Really? Incredible! *Is he CRAZY?*

I said, “That’s why I love you, but I wouldn’t have let you do that.” *no way, no how*

He looks back at me, smiling, “And that’s, why I love YOU.”

Don’t you love a happy ending? Great game. Precious memories. Even more precious? Knowing the heart of a person is for you, and you for them.