3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Project 365

Day 81/365: Antique Buttons Under Glass

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Day 81: Buttons in a Jar

In my continuing Photoshop CS2 theme here is my latest experimentation. The original shot of antique button in canning jars was blurry, but I really liked the composition. So I decided to play with it to salvage my photo of the day. The other pictures I took today were glorified snapshots and I’m trying to push the envelope when I have the time.

Once again this photo location was Bit’s and Pieces thrift store (Elmwood, NE) in the antique consignment area. If I ever run out of ideas for photos this is where I will head. There is an never ending supply of interesting objects that will satisfy my creativity.

Photoshop CS2 notes: Action (Standard adjustment layers), desaturated about 25%, increased the red, green, blue, +43 , +36,  +78 in Color Adjustment and Added a Crosshatch Filter Brushstroke filter

Day 80/365: Colorful Gumballs

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Day 80: Gumballs & Playing in Photoshop

Yes, my photo opportunities disappeared with the setting of the sun so I went into my daughters room for inspiration. This led me on a 30 minutes exploration into different Photoshop effects to brighten images and make my images “Pop”.  What better image to try this on than a container full of gumballs. All the colors of the rainbow.

I tried the Shadow/Highlight function which works well, and also adding a select color layer. I like that layer and might add it to my actions. You can tweak just certain colors in an image, like make the green or blue deeper or richer without affecting the whole image.I have another gumball image that I’ll post in my Flickr account. Should show up below in the right hand border soon.

I welcome Photoshop tips, I have CS2, no light box or anything else fancy, but I am looking to stretch.

Can you tell my kids aren’t home tonight? Otherwise I wouldn’t be on the computer.

Day 79/365: The Wind in a Pup’s Ears

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Puppy Spring Day

What a gorgeous day, called for a short walk with my pooch Brody before supper. The sun was shining and there was a light breeze at the elementary school playground. Enough of a wind to blow his ear back, they don’t normally stick up. He was so happy sitting with his face to the sun and running around.

He normally wears a harness and I use a 16 foot retractable leash, but you can’t see it here. I wonder why? Smile. I’m getting better at PhotoShop. Smile.

 

Photoshop Notes: I have set up actions that automatically duplicate the background, add adjustment layers, resize, and smart sharpen to 11%. All with a click of one button. So easy and fast! Love it! With this image I adjusted the brightness , contrast, and reduced the saturation on Brody’s white fur. I also adjusted the exposure and the shadow/highlight slightly. Oh, and last but not least I cloned out the black chest harness and leash.

 

Day 78/365: Nebraska’s Foggy Countryside

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Day 78: Nebraska Lifting Fog

A sign that spring is on it’s way, foggy days. The farmers around here very much believe in  “90 day Fog Days.” Which is supposed to indicate that 90 days after fog there will be precipitation. Since the fog lingered all day, this photo was taken in the later afternoon we should get a lot of rain on May 18th.

This photo was taken looking east on Elmwood Nebraska as the waning sun hit the fields and illuminated the lifting fog.Who said we don’t have high rise buildings. We have grain elevators at the Farmers Co-op.

 

 

Photoshop Notes. Standard adjustment layers, smart sharpen 11%, custom saturated the foreground, brightened and contrasted slightly

Day 77/365: Melting Snow Means Spring Isn’t Far Behind

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Day 77: Snow Shovel and Melting Snow

Yet another walk to the mailbox when I realize “I need a picture for today!” I do carry my camera in my purse and  today I did drive to Lincoln.  I also drove down a scenic road where there were many photo opportunities. I just keep forgetting until I get home. So I’m left trying to be creative and artistic with nearby subjects.

So, thanks to my friend and neighbor inspiration came today from the melting snow and the wonderful 60F weather we’re having today. It’s amazing what melting snow uncovers. In this case it was the very apparent snow shovels, I think I counted five, near the driveway and sidewalks. At one time they were propped up in snow drifts. Not anymore. They lay forlornly in the remnants of snow piles which are literally melting around them.