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.

Do Not Disturb – The Future

On March 17, 2011March 17, 2011 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life, In the lives of children14 Comments

A future logophile in her natural state.

Her special secret place of comfort and word enchantment.

Meet my oldest step-daughter tucked away inside – not just a Dora tent – but a land of imagination flowing with nouns, conjunctions, and adjectives.

Maybe she doesn’t know all those technical terms…..well……she’s only six……..she’s only in first grade (No doubt she knows most of them). A master in the making. A budding connoisseur of language.

She did not select a picture book from her Dad’s library. She picked a chapter book. Why? Well, isn’t it obvious? This is mini logophile – better known as a lover of words.

Why else would she maneuver a Dora tent into the hallway taking in great gulps of nouns while lounging with her head on a fuzzy pink pillow? Wielding a flashlight to not miss a single letter. No other reason I tell you. That little brain is bigger than her head. Which explains the four stitches she currently displays in the back. Actually, that was from falling off a playground slide, but truly consider the handicap of a future logophile. An extraordinary head – unbalanced and full of words

She is all patched up and okay. She is still reading chapter books with a vengeance. Tough and smart (grace will come) – what a combination.

I can’t wait to see what this kid will do.

And? I really hope I’ll still be able to talk with her (ha!).

Using the Word of the Day

On February 9, 2011February 10, 2011 By AngeliaIn Life is what you make it.29 Comments

I get the word of the day on my phone. I like to see new words, and normally, I don’t have time to look right then. I might go back and have a look, if I am really curious. So, when I saw this word of the day back in January?

I’ll admit………..I said, “What?!”

Katzenjammer?

Sounds like a pretty good concert in Germany. Am I the only one that says it with an Arnold accent?

Anyway, I like getting the word of the day. It makes me feel smart. It makes me feel accomplished. It makes me feel like I could possibly learn something, even if don’t. Because that would mean reading the definitions and/or using it in a sentence (maybe in that same month?). Ahem.

But katzenjammer intrigued me. I saved it and had to look it up tonight. What did it mean? And who in the world (besides Germany) would use it in a their normal language – not that there is anything wrong with using katzenjammer in every day language in America.

What secret does katzenjammer hold? What mysteries of the language will it reveal? Admit it, you like saying that. Does it make you giggle too?

If it’s not a concert in Germany, then could it possibly be a yacht sailing around the world?

I can smell the coconut oil, and sea breeze. Feel the warm sun as it sinks on the horizon of blue [pan close-up of umbrella drink].

You might be surprised to know the definition.

It is not a German concert.

Nor, a yacht sailing the tropics.