Tag: editing

Shooting RAW in CS5: What I learned in Photoshop Class

On 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.

Photo By Lindsey MIller

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 Cowboys Stadium at Sunset

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.

B&W Panoramic of the Rangers BallPark and Six Flags

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

Rangers Stadium and Six Flags

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.

HDR from the Park Pillars

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.

Just write! Just post! Just try it!

On By AngeliaIn Blog on with your bad self, Life is what you make it.9 Comments

Just when you think WordPress has done it all – well – they introduce distraction-free writing.

A screen of words on white. An empty vessel lighting the way for all font-happy WordPress writers to fill, the best way they know how, by typing.

Enter Full Screen mode.

The reason behind this genius-mode? Well, I assume it is for people like me who just don’t have the concentration they used to (totally blaming social media).

I always plan on writing, but I get too busy doing other things. I see an email pop up, a Facebook notification, or a Twitter message. I’ll be honest. I can’t help myself. I have to click! I have to see! I have to find out what’s going on. It’s just too easy to navigate away and get lost by way of interaction.

I have tried to write during my lunch hour (seems like my only free time), but it never works out. The reason? I was on an old version of Internet Explorer which had buggy WordPress issues. I couldn’t type anything without my screen mode moving to the top. Luckily, they posted about that too and now I’m on a newer, wiser version of internet surfing. Not sure if you are? Try Browse Happy to find out. It made me happy for sure!

Posting about this new feature does not do it justice. DO try it for yourself. I am super ADD on anything techy. I love technology and new formats, but get a little overwhelmed. I usually give up before I get it going (at least once or twice). So, for me, this is good. In the end – fewer distractions. This change has cleared the playground for me. I can now write.

Just write.

No tweaking of my settings, or wandering my eye to categories. No more pondering of my stats via drop down. No more checking for comments, or spam. No more gazing at the widget, links, or general setting tabs. Nope, none of that. I even applied the Full Browser toggle to end the email, Facebook, and Twitter interruptions ( F11 on windows or command+shift+F on Mac).

And since I am blonde? schooled in Oklahoma? allergy fuzzy, it took me a few tries to figure this out (and I didn’t get distracted). And because I like you, and I LOVE WordPress, I have created a very special tutorial for others – ahem – like me.

Full Screen Mode

From your post just click on the full-screen mode.

Title

Enter your title and write. It’s that simple.

Distraction Free Writing

Ta Da! Distraction-free writing at it’s best. Thank-you WordPress.

I actually got a post done today. And? I have MANY more to complete……..newborn photo shoot, wildlife photos, stepping on a snake, and a picnic vintage photo session.

Good stuff…coming soon. So please, come back, I won’t distract you…….for long (ha!).

*****All thanks go to the WordPress Blog post Just Write. Are you a subscriber? If not, why? You might be missing out on some cool WordPress information. That’s why I do. Technology, it will leave you behind if you don’t keep up.

My Life Edited

On By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life, Mama Kat's Writing Workshop, Timeless Treasures42 Comments

Mama's Losin' ItI chose weekly writing prompt #1.
1.) If you could do it over again…
(Inspired by Barb from Half-Past Kissin’ Time)

Truth is, almost every time this question comes up, I answer it the same way. I wouldn’t change a thing about my life, or where I am today.

However, today I decided to answer this burning question with absolute honesty, and a little of the stuff dreams are made of.

I got a Nikon D3000 DSLR mid January this year. Since then I have had a burst of creativity. My mind has enlivened. The camera frees photographs, the photographs free words, the words tell a story. For me, it flows in a never-ending whirlpool of spectacular visions.

Recently, I decided to try portrait photography for the first time (with a non-family member). That post could be written using writing prompt three: 3.) Steppin outside the box (describe a time when you went way out of your comfort zone)
(inspired by Sherri from Matter Of Fact).
Believe me, this was the time. Yes, I had a big camera. No, I had zero bridal portrait experience and very little experience of non-family photos. I started out extremely nervous. What made it easier was – she really didn’t expect much. She knew I had a nice camera and liked to take photos. So, we did.

The result.




See more photos here, or here.

The story.

She had brought these army boots to take pictures in and an army helmet. Those and her bridal veil were very important to her. She wanted to make sure, I had some poses with them. I noticed the veil did not quite match the color of her dress, but never considered anything else, other than my eye was seeing it through the lens. The boots and helmet made me think a loved one was in the army. A dad? A brother? Come to find out (after the session), her fiance is in Iraq. The boots and helmet were his. Now when I see the pictures; the story unfolds.




She is not just a beautiful bride-to-be. She is the ultimate bride awaiting the safe return of her groom. And the veil? Her mother’s. To me, it became a story of love, and family. Made more endearing by the photos taken.

She wants me to take photographs of them both when he returns home from Iraq. What an honor.

This is not the first time this has happened. On the drive back from Houston – which definitely qualifies for writing prompt four: 4.) A long drive…
(inspired by Lindy from Lindy And Ree). For me, Dallas to Houston is the worst drive. Ever. But I digress.

We stopped North of the Woodlands, at a little 7-11. There was a man seated in front of the store with a dark green duffel bag. I could tell he was homeless. He had on worn clothes. He didn’t smile, or frown. He just sat there; still and tall. Browned by the sun, his facial features resembled leather, as if they were chiseled on his face. I was surprised he didn’t have a cup, or a sign. But he had nothing- literally nothing. And he didn’t ask for anything more.

I gave him a few bucks upon leaving. He thanked me profusely and we blessed each other. I got in the car, but couldn’t help notice his features again, the bag next to him, and his story. What was it?

I wanted nothing more than to grab my camera, offer him twenty bucks to take his picture; ask his name and where he was from. Get his story. How he got there? What he did before? Was he a vet, a father, a brother? The opportunity passed. We drove away. But I never forgot that burning desire to know and to capture.

Maybe, I should have been a photo journalist. Maybe, I still could be. If I could, would I? Would I choose to discover this desire earlier in my years and turn my life in that direction? Maybe.

I find it all very fascinating and interesting. I have my camera ready…..what’s your story?