with meaning....

Do you ever question why you are taking pictures? Does it ever feel like you are just going through the motions? This feeling hits me...now and then.....It comes in waves... and then it goes... the ebb and flow of creativity I suppose....

I find it helps to shoot with purpose... the goal... to create a meaningful picture.

I've been doing a lot of vision shooting lately. I have a vision in my head; a picture or a mood I want to create... some days it comes together, others not so much. I may see an image that sparks an idea... or perhaps it's a feeling I want to portray... In my photo up top I was trying to share my mood.....a little uncertain, a little sad.... a little unsure....

Tell us... show us... how do you bring meaning to your photos? What works for you? Share with us today....

A Touch of Drama

mouse over to see the original image.

There's a beautiful field of black-eyed susans on the trail, Ben and I walk each day. They are such a happy flower...one of my favs, for sure.

I took my camera out the other day, so I could capture the gorgeous yellow before it fades away. The summer, as always, is flying by so quickly. 

After I snapped a ton of yellow field photos, I thought I'd focus in on just one. I got down on the ground and shot from below. I love the dramatic feel of the capture. The sweet susie seems to appear strong and stately.

I decided to add some texture, just to give it a little more drama.

What can I say? I can't help myself! 'smile'....

Here's my photoshop recipe.

• Ran the MCP Action, called charming, from The Fusion Collection. I love what it did to the sky.
• Added a layer of Light Paper 4 texture (part of The Ultimate Texture Bundle) at soft light 100% opacity.
• Added a layer of Waterstained Framed at soft light 100% opacity. (the latest Texture Lovin' List freebie)
• Created a new blank layer. I set the layer blend mode to soft light and with a black soft round brush at 50% opacity I painted over the petals and leaves, and a little around the edges of the photo. (a simple and fab non-destructive 'burn' technique.)

There's all kinds of tricks for creating drama. You can add a little something extra in your post-processing, or shoot from below, or maybe from above, maybe with a wide angle or perhaps up-close. 

Share a little something dramatic with us today.

Making Art With Textures

mouse over to see the before

I love using textures on my photos.... 

It's a creative process for me.... very much like painting. Layer upon layer ...blending, building, and chipping away... til I'm happy with the final piece.

I don't think texturizing is meant to be hurried or rushed. I think it's a process... a bit of an experiment.....and it should be a pleasure.

I often have people ask me 'how do you know which texture to use?'

There are so many right and fabulous textures. It really depends what you are trying to create. 

For me, it starts with a vision. The vision may come before the photograph...or it may come after, as I'm looking at the photo on my screen. Once I have a vision (a starting point) I begin building layers. Often the finished piece is not at all what I envisioned. And honestly that's one of the things I love most about the process. 

Today's photo was definitely a progressive piece....  

I had taken a bunch of shots out in the yard and on the porch, and at the last moment, snapped this one. When I opened it up.... it just seemed to say 'MAKE ART'! I knew some texture was just what it needed.

As you work with textures....play, experiment...and grow... the process will become more natural. It may even seem like a certain texture just calls to you.

.....

Here's my photoshop recipe for today's image......

Texturized with 'cloudy day' and 'inspire' overlay from The Studio Collection.

Layer 1 - Background Image

Layer 2 - Background Image sharpened to accentuate the detail in the petals.

Layer 3 - Cloudy Day Texture at screen blend mode Inverted (Hit Command - on a mac or Control - on a pc plus the letter 'I' with the texture layer highlighted). Added a layer mask and removed a bit of the texture from the petals.  

Layer 4 - Duplicate Layer 3

Layer 5 - Duplicate Layer 4 

Layer 6 - Inspire Overlay at Soft Light Inverted (see layer 3 instructions on inverting)

Layer 7 - Hue Saturation Adjustment Layer - Lowered the Saturation for a more soft and romantic feel.

....

Have you been bitten by the texture bug?

If not, you really outta give it a whirl....It may just surprise you. :)

Today, share your a favourite textured photo. We'd love to see.

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If this photoshop/texture thing is brand new to you, check out my FREE Skinny-Mini eCourse that starts next week. I'd love to see you in 'class'.....

old and worn...tattered and torn.....

I have a love for old and worn, tattered and torn. I love rust and peeling paint...chipped and crackled... Bring it on! Definitely love old abandoned buildings....especially antique RED barns. The older the better. Even our home is 107 years old.  

'sigh'

Last Sunday (Mother's Day) John insisted we go for a drive.... he'd been out on an ambulance call the week before.... and discovered a few places he knew I must see! Oh my, was he right.  

We found this sweet old barn....on an abandoned yard.... I'm thinking it'd be a wonderful photo shoot location for sure! Is the red not PERFECT?  

I love images of old buildings, mixed with textures. Images such as this, and this and this...and oh my...THIS... Adore. Honestly, anything old ... and I'm in..... vintage pieces...yes please and thank you!

How bout you?  Do you love the old, and aged, creaky and crackled?  If so, I'd love to see...

back in time

Spending Spring Break on the Sea of Cortez means capturing hundreds of photos that boast bright vibrant colors. Shooting my daughters splashing in the shore where impossibly clear blue water meets soft white sand under a cloudless blue sky and full sun offers conditions where the shots come out perfectly, just as they are, straight out of the camera (aka SOOC).

Even still, some moments captured aren't about the color of the landscape. In fact, processing them in a way that dials out all distractions is one way to allow them to say more. About childhood. About simplicity. About a place and time we can all relate to. Whether it's looking back at old vintage photographs or remembering our own retro childhood, some images we capture now can still up those distant memories and remind us of the beauty of the past.

Today, let's be time-travelers. Share with us the shots that take you back in time.