The Power of One

"The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do."- Thomas Jefferson 

As you know, we kicked off the month by asking you to celebrate your word all month long for the One Word Project, and that you have.  Many of you have chosen your words and showed us how you celebrate those words with the photos you've added to our One Word Project Flickr pool and let me just say, they're pretty darned awesome.  Correction: you're pretty darned awesome.  

So inspired I was by your words and photos, that with the help of some friends, I put together a One Word video to share with all of you.  If you haven't found just the right word for you yet, then maybe this lovely little video will inspire you.  And even if you already have a word, may you be as moved as I am by all the collective love of the beautiful women that contributed to the making of this video.  Because, like you, they're pretty darned awesome, too.  

In honor of our One Word Project, the always lovely Stacy De La Rosa of Bella Wish Jewelry (and contributor to the video!) is giving away one custom made, hand stamped, sterling silver pendant with your word for 2012! For your chance to win, leave a comment telling us what your word is for 2012 no later than tomorrow, January 25th, midnight PST. 

a RadLab Tutorial

mouse over to see the before

Have you heard the fabulous RadLab news? 
It's now FREE to try for 30 days! You can download it from Totally Rad, HERE. 

RadLab is an amazing interface that works within photoshop or photoshop elements. It is compatible with Elements 8 and up or Photshop CS 3 and up.
Once you download and install RadLab, it will be ready and waiting for you within your photoshop program.
RadLab has the coolest effects, called stylets. There are 78 to choose from. Each stylet comes with it's own editing options. You can also stack the stylets to create unique recipes.  

At camp I offered a RadLab class. Today, I thought I'd share the info with those who were not able to be there. Many of the lovely Camp SS girl's have downloaded the trial and they are loving it.

I decided to Rad-Labify my prairie barn photo for this tutorial. This is my world, right now....a little sad and dreary, don't you think? It's a far cry from the beaches of California! But, it's home. 

Watch as RadLab brings this old prairie barn back to life.

Have you had a chance to play with RadLab yet? Do you have a favorite stylet or perhaps your very own custom recipe?

Haven't tried it yet? Whatchya think? Click HERE for more RadLab info?

RadLab by Totally Rad - True Awesomeness

mouse over to see the before 'RadLabified' and Texturized image

Today, I'm super pumped to share a little video review of Totally Rad's new Photoshop plug-in, Rad Lab! If you've used their actions or presets, you already know that Totally Rad is amazing! But, Rad Lab is BEYOND amazing. 

'RadLab is a revolutionary new way to style your photos.  Unlike using Photoshop actions, RadLab allows you to get instant previews of how your image will change.  You can layer together effects, called Stylets, in infinite ways, and customize your Recipes with simple, intuitive sliders.  RadLab comes with 78 Stylets for you to use, and operates as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.'

It's seriously sock-dropping stuff, my friends!

Please take a moment to check out my little vid... then run on over to Totally Rad and check it out!!

I processed today's image in RadLab and then added a little texture to seal the deal.
I just can't help myself! I'm a texture addict!

How 'bout your? Have you been doing any creative processing lately? Maybe you've tried something new, or just changed things up a little. Share with us today!  We'd love to see.

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p.s. Don't forget that we are giving away one $100 Paper Coterie gift card EVERY SINGLE DAY of September! Is that not awesome? Share a comment each day before midnight EST for a chance to win that day's random drawing. Be sure to leave links to your story shots!!
Soooo exciting!!
 

life in a day

The other evening I had the honor of seeing the unique documentary Life in a Day. It is the project that brought National Geographic and YouTube together with a mission to tell the story of one of day on earth. Let me tell you, it was wonderful. You can read more about the concept of the film and how it was created (the idea in itself is totally inspiring) at the Life in a Day site. Once you watch the trailer and all the hair on your body stands on end, you'll know what I mean when I say wonderful.

The points of view, the perspectives, the subject matter, the video shorts themselves; all totally unique and even still, there was a Universal cohesion, beauty, and honesty that left me feeling so grateful to be alive on this planet.

With our One Word Project wordthis month celebrating life, today I ask you to pick up your camera and capture yours in way that's both everyday and unique. Capture a moment of your life, just as it is, that you never ever want to forget.

And be sure to visit Ali Edwards this week as she's inspiring us to document our life all week with her Week in the Life. Talk about sweet sisterly synchronicity!

Lens on Life: a non-profit with much to give

If you would have tugged me to your side and whispered that I might travel to Rwanda, Tanzania, and Nepal and be blessed to document incredible wealth found in the poorest conditions a little more than two years ago, I wouldn't have believed you. I would have been intoxicated by the idea and curious about the flutter in my heart, but no, I wouldn't have believed you.

But it happened. Winning the Name Your Dream Assignment photography competition with Jen in May 2009 and having the opportunity to execute our Picture Hope assignment forever changed me in very profound ways. It stretched, cracked, blessed, opened, flattened, and pushed me to look at my life through a different lens. And it inspired me to create Lens on Life with support from these special people.

Lens on Life is a non-profit organization with a mission to reveal and illuminate a visual voice for the unseen, particularly children living in impoverished conditions around the world. Our first program is scheduled to launch in April with students from Koseli School in Kathmandu, Nepal. Jen and I are excited to return Nepal to teach the art of iPhoneography to these kids. I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch this video to learn about our students, join the Lens on Life Founders Circle to share the experience with us, and put your old iPhone to good use by donating it to our camera bag for the students.

Grateful for you, Shutter Sisters, and your support.