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365project

Post Production, Wedding Photography (Days 251-253)

October 28, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

One of the wonderful things about digital photography is the endless creative projects that can be created with wedding photography. While working at Hamilton Color Lab I have had the privilege of viewing some amazing photography and learning various styles of post production techniques.

These following photos were taken by Andy McDonald of Mirror Images Photography, but I’m including them in my 365 project because I did the post production. These were printed at the lab on Fuji Crystal Lustre Professional+ paper and mounted to paramount for open house/reception that took place three weeks after we moved. More on that later.

Wedding cake composite, used a color overlay, sepia at 30% to warm the images
Wedding cake composite, used a color overlay, sepia at 30% to warm the images. This is my favorite series of images form the wedding.
Family Wedding Picture, Black and White
Andy did the initial "chocolate" black and white to this image, I just created the faded background border.
Photoshop, post production Andy McDonald, Mirror Images Photography
Photoshop, post production Andy McDonald, Mirror Images Photography

Filed Under: Project 365 Tagged With: 365project, bride, cake, cake cutting, ceremony, flowers, groom, Photography, Photoshop, project365, wedding

Day, “Who Knows What”, of My 365 Project???

October 25, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Ok, I’m officially lost. I took pictures throughout my absence from this project, but for the life of me I’m sure I can’t figure out what number is which. All I know is I should be on Day 329 and I left off on Day 243 with a few in between thrown in for good measure.  That means I’m 86 days behind. Which in reality I’m not going to be able to make up. So I’m going to post my photos in groups and maybe number them.

Enjoy catching up with my life the past few months.

Here are a few snapshots of August.

Welcome Home sign greeted me on my return from Connecticut
Welcome Home!
Cass County Fair, Nebraska
Cattle in all the Colors of the rainbow at the Cass County Fair, Weeping Water Nebraska.
Pig Dog at the Fair, Super Friendly pig, loved him
Super friendly pig at the Cass County Fair, Nebraska. He acted just like a dog and loved the attention, even rolled onto his back and woofed like a dog.
Cass County Fair, Nebraska
Midway at night, Cass County Fair, Weeping Water, Nebraska

Now I’m four less behind, how many more left to go? I’m trying…but might not make it.

Filed Under: Project 365, Small Town Living Tagged With: 365project, 4-H, Cass County, cattle, country, county fair, cows, Elmwood-Murdock, entertainment, fair, ferris wheels, livestock, Nebraska, Photography, rural, show cows, summer, sunset

Day 243/365: Top 10 Reason Why I Love Southwest Airlines

September 16, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines, flying home from Connecticut late July

I love Southwest Airlines! Just about everything about it, from the friendly staff, the easy, no hassle reservations on their website and even their phone customer service. I have never gotten my luggage lost with Southwest, nor have I ever been charged a luggage fee. Which didn’t used to be an issue, but now, it’s a hassle on every other airlines.

My first flight on Southwest was probably back in the 1980’s or early 1990’s and I’ve flown several airlines over the past thirty years.

  1. Flight Attendents are friendly and casual (no stuffy suits, and overdone makeup)
  2. Pre-flight announcements are normally random and funny (I actually listen)
  3. I get to pick my seat and who I sit next too for several hours
  4. Passengers are more laid back and relaxed than other airlines (maybe due to more casual travelers and less “business” people who are flying the “other” airlines)
  5. Never have lost my luggage
  6. Checking in is easy (first to use computer terminals at airports)
  7. On line reservations is easy, you know you’re getting the lowest price instead of playing the “pricing game”
  8. No change fees!! No change fees!! Did you hear me, no CHANGE FEES or PENALTIES!!
  9. No luggage charges (Hey other airlines, what’s up with that?)
  10. I notice all the employees help each other out and are friendly to one another. Gotta be the khakis and casual attitudes.

First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do DifferentlyThe Southwest Airlines WayFlying LUV: Southwest Airlines Strategic Analysis

The latest reason I like Southwest, my youngest  son graduated Marine boot camp in early October. I made reservations, and a few days later I received a letter saying he would rather leave on a different day to come home on leave. I assumed I would have to pay a change fee for changing my flight. Considering the reason, my logic brought me to call customer service to plead my case a waive the change fee.

This was not needed. The customer service representative said there was no change fee and it’s very easy to change my reservation on line just by entering the confirmation number. No limit, no change fees and if the flight was cheaper I would get a credit. I reminded her I bought the cheapest “Wanna Get Away” Flight. Still no hassle, if the price was higher I would just pay the difference in the flight cost. She walked me through the website and by changing my reservation I actually saved over $200 on three flights by rebooking during their 2 Day sale. Awesome!

Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take ActionSouthwest Airlines 82 Success Secrets – 82 Most Asked Questions On Southwest Airlines – What You Need To KnowSouthwest Airlines Crazy Recipe for Success Nuts!Lead with LUV: A Different Way to Create Real Success

It gets even better.  The flight attendant on our flight from San Diego home gave a very touching welcome and tribute to the armed forces and our service men and women. She welcomed and thanked my son, the new Marine and gave him a angel medallion when he left the plane. I was so touched.

During my eleven year tenure at Oxbow Animal Health the book “Good to Great” was required reading. Without going into business philosophy on how this good company became great I’ll just tell you what I have seen and heard. There is the story about the elderly gentleman who needed help and a random luggage carrier took it upon himself to go above and beyond, find help, and make the decisions needed to satisfy a customers need.

Employees are empowered at Southwest to do the right thing, make decisions and make a difference. To have an impact on customer, make them remember you, make them remember a company is a philosophy every company should have. I have seen small things throughout the years on Southwest that make me smile. But how I was treated the past couple of weeks, and the ease of the transactions, just made me want to tell others. It was a much needed blessing in my very hectic past two months that made a difference.

Give a Southwest Airlines Gift Card to your favorite traveler $100

So here is to Southwest Airline, thank you for being customer friendly!

As as extra benefit Southwest flight attendants are not only friendly, but they are funny and people actually look forward to the pre-flight announcements. Unlike other airlines like Delta and American where most people ignore the safety brief. Enjoy the rapping flight attendant on Southwest.

What Makes Southwest Airlines Great?

Southwest Airlines to Keep a Lid on Bag Fees

Fly Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), and your bags will continue to fly along with you for free. That is the message CEO Gary Kelly had for attendees of a recent conference on business travel. According to The Los Angeles Times, which was reporting on …

Invisible Tribes — Where are Yours? | Small Sparks Big …

And we were off to the races… swapping Southwest Airlines stories and lots of laughs. Several stories later the plane was nearly full and a perky 30-something woman eyed the middle seat. Aisle Guy quickly got up and waited …

The Seamless Brand: Branding Guidelines: Brick by Brick

Branding books (including my own) use examples like Apple, Starbucks or Southwest Airlines; stories that don’t always resonate with small to medium sized enterprises, business-to-business companies, or industrial product …

Teaching us How to Listen, Lead… and Live

Tags: Carla Sprague, Duke Johnson, Granada Presbyterian Church, Influence, Jim Gasior, Jimmy Johnson, Joe’s Stone Crab, Lisel Allbee, Paul Ting, Peggy Gasior, Russell Maryland, Southwest Airlines, stories, University of …

11 of the Best Customer Service Stories Ever | Mental Floss …

… from design community Orange Hive – Vulcan PostIn “Branding”. At the CrossroadsIn “Life”. On my way: Part 1In “Life”. Amazon, Apple, branding, Lexus, marketing, Ritz carlton, Southwest airlines, stories Leave a comment …

Filed Under: Military Pride, Project 365, Travel Adventures Tagged With: 365project, airplane, Bargain, businesses, clouds, company review, Connecticut, flying, Marine Corps, Nebraska, planes, Product Review, project365, sky, southwest airlines, southwest airlines stories, travel

Day 242/365: Starfish Necklace from Block Island

September 15, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

During the summer my thoughts go to the beach, even though I live in land locked Nebraska. I try and wear summer beach themed jewelry and my favorite is my starfish necklace I got on Block Island a few years ago. I try and buy a gift during vacation that reminds me of my trip and every time I put this on I think of my girls weekend at the beach. It never fails to get compliments. It’s my favorite necklace and I absolutely love it.

Pearls and Starfish
Pearls and Starfish

It just radiates summer. Perfect with a tan and summery clothes. I love the water I can stay at the beach all summer and  never been bored. It’s something about the waves, and surf that is just hypnotizing. When I was in high school I had gold starfish ear rings, but these below are more casual and go with my more casual wardrobe.

Seaside Memories Necklace Seashell Charms 18 inch Chain In Gift Box

My daughter likes trendy vintage jewelry and bracelets more than necklaces. Kinda a throw back to the 70’s style with cording and hemp rope. She is a lifeguard at the pool this summer and just a golden tan. I might just buy her one of these bracelets, the petite turquoise one would look so cute with her summery clothes, but then I remember wearing this retro sailors knot bracelet all summer.

Gold Tone Pave Crystal Starfish Aqua Cord Stretch Bracelet for Beach orSailor’s Knot Surfer Rope Bracelets (White)

I didn’t know this but starfish has quite a bit of symbolism and has been used to represent the Virgin Mary and salvation during trying times. It is also a symbol of healing and regeneration, probably because if a starfish looses an arm it will grow back.

Starfish Jewelry

I’ve had so many people comment about my necklace and it is my favorite summer accessory. Although I’ve looked all over the closest I could find was the silver starfish and pearl necklace below. With my skin tone, and a great summer tan, gold looks best on me during the summer. But if you’re fair skinned and are looking for a great summer gift you can’t go wrong with silver.

Bling Jewelry Sterling Silver Pave CZ Starfish Simulated Pearl Pendant 16 InchesSilver Tone Starfish and Pearls Necklace on a Fish Wire with MatchingImitation Pearl Fashion Bracelet with Crystal Starfish, Double Strand Imitation Pearl StretchSilver Starfish and Coral Sea Life Fashion Jewelry Necklace and Earring Set

Hopefully someday during retirement I will spend a season on the beach, maybe work part time at a little cafe, a gift shop, art gallery, photo studio and I can work from my laptop just about anywhere. until then I can always just dream about the beach and let it inspire me. I recently went to Chicago and they have beaches that remind me of the ocean. Soft sand and miles to walk, I could people watch for hours.

Do you have a favorite memory of the beach or a summer vacation?

Trivia and Information About Starfish

Starfish – Many Answers

Where can I find out information about Starfish? LEVEL: Primary. Starfish are also known as Sea Stars and are part of a group of animals called echinoderms. The National Geographic have a really good page packed with …

Chemical Secrets Of Starfish Stickiness | Chemical …

Starfish face a tricky challenge: They need to excrete adhesive from their tube feet to avoid getting swept away by currents, but the secretions’ stickiness must be reversible so the animal can move around to seek food.

Starfish Facts ~ Starfish FAQ – Orma – Ocean Facts & FAQ

What is the widest starfish? The Giant Sea Star is the widest, reaching up to 3 feet in diameter. What is the heaviest starfish? Thromidia gigas (only name for it) can reach 13 lbs, so it’s the heaviest starfish in.

Starfish Facts – Species of the Reef | Great Barrier Reef …

Starfish Facts – Species of the Reef. Plated Starfish on a Coral Bed. When people think of starfish they think of the typical five armed creature as pictured above and that is correct for the majority of species. But the species is very diverse and …

Starfish Facts for Kids – Buzzle

It is fun presenting facts on the starfish as children are always interested in knowing new things. The starfish is a kind of organism that can keep them interested and occupied for a long time, as there are at least 2,000 types of …

Filed Under: Project 365, Travel Adventures Tagged With: 365project, beach, Block Island, jewelry, project365, Rhode island, souveniers, starfish necklace, summer

Day 240/365: Wilderness Lake, Connecticut

September 15, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Wilderness Lake
Wilderness Lake

This lake in north eastern Connecticut was perfectly still and calm, we walked down to watch the girls go swimming and just drank in the peaceful vista around us. Oh to have a deck chair now and watch the fall colors turn and reflect off the water.

Ripples in Wilderness Lake
Ripples in Wilderness Lake

Filed Under: Project 365, Travel Adventures Tagged With: 365project, bathing suits, Connecticut, girls, lake, project365, summer, swimming, travel

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