for the love of processing

I love taking pictures….. and I love processing. In fact, I would say it's a LOVE-LOVE scenario. 

It's a process for me. I imagine a photo, set up the 'scene', click the pic….then off to my computer to finish the vision. I may do just a few tweaks, or I might take it even further….edit, effect, texture, and even type. This is my way of making art…without using my paints and brushes.

I dove into photography and photoshop at the same time. I took my first few photos, then moved immediately into photoshop. I wanted to apply textures to my images. In fact it was because of the textured images I was admiring online that I picked up my camera in the first place. It seems a little backwards when I think of it now. Eventually I began to learn the other pieces of photoshop and grew to love everything about processing.

A few years later, along came Lightroom! It's been life-changing... at least creatively speaking. I often wonder what I ever did without it. Thanks to Lightroom's catalog feature my images are now organized and easily accessible; something I thought may never happen. I can crop, edit and so much more; quickly and efficiently on several images at once. It's quick, painless and completely non-destructive. Lightroom also works beautifully with photoshop/elements. It really is an incredible program. 

Where do YOU fit in all of this? Lightroom, Photoshop, another editing program….or no thank you; editings not for me? Share with us today.

Today we are giving away a space in my new Lightroom class, Round Trip - from Lightroom to Photoshop and back again. The next session begins on January 15th. To enter, simply leave a comment under this post before Thursday at midnight EST for your chance to win a complimentary space in the Round Trip Class. Even better, double your chances by joining our mailing list. The winner will be announced on Friday. Good luck!

texture

Amongst the many qualities that make my hair such an enigma to me, my favorite is the way I can manipulate the texture of it. Every night before bed, I spend time parting it into sections and then twisting it. Sometimes I spray water on it, other times I add jojoba oil to the ends. After it's twisted, I put on a very unsexy hair bonnet (and yes it is a bonnet!) and tuck all the twists under for protection. No matter how thick/big/poofy it has gotten during the day, this gentle routine every night guarantees that in the morning my hair will have the soft texture it has in the photo above when I let the twists down. I never know which way the curls will go or how big they will grow once I step outside. I do know that these beauties greet me every morning and just as the day unfolds with twists and turns and ups and downs, so does my hair. It has taken me quite some time to be comfortable with this unknown. When I was growing up and even into my college years, I longed for straight hair that would be consistent and manageable. Now into my forties, I have come to welcome the unknown and enjoy the anticipation of what it will become. It's a wonderful metaphor for my life really. What will it become? 

Today, can you find a texture that has been a challenge for you that you have come to love? A type of food, an item of clothing, a patch in your front lawn, can you choose a different way to see it and elevate your experience of it? Share with us on instagram at #sselevate or on the OWP.

on my windowsill

I bought a dozen roses at the super market the other day. I divided them into 4 bottles. I have them sitting throughout our home. It's always nice to have a little touch of pretty in different rooms. Don't you think?

This sits on our kitchen windowsill.... right by the sink. It's lovely to see and smell as I do the dishes.

How about you? Share a little touch of something pretty with us today. 

beginnings

I recently did an interview with a lovely blogger. She asked me how my photography/texture loving journey began. 

This tree is where it all began for me! Up until I clicked it's pic, my creative medium was painting alone.

But one day, after a very difficult time in our lives, my camera called to me. I picked it up and headed off to the trail. I took many photos that day. But it was the image of this beautiful tree that changed my life!!

It was one of the first images I shared on flickr! And it was featured as a daily click here on Shutter Sisters!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I discovered the comments under my photo. Goosebumps, I tell ya... goosebumps!

Photographing our beautiful trail tree, and adding texture for the very first time, was a life changing experience. It was also my new beginning.

I think we all have a story. Perhaps we don't even remember. But, today, I encourage you to dig a little deeper, and  share with us your 'camera-clicking' beginning. 

We are giving away one $100 Paper Coterie gift card EVERY SINGLE DAY of September! Share a comment each day before midnight EST for your chance to win that day's random drawing. Be sure to leave links to your story shots.

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.