Edit day and something new

Ohhh ho!
Lookie here, I figured out how to add what they refer to in blogger world as a "button".


Somehow, in computer land when you click on that up there, it takes you where it is to lead you.
My poor little right brain just can't comprehend it, but I know it is so!!

On Monday I referred to this link in my comments section (As I was still figuring it out!)

The deal on this site is to take a themed picture on Monday and post it SOOC, then head back to a partner blog on Thursday to post your edited version and to learn a few tips about editing!!

Ohhhh so much fun to learn new things.
I have a feeling Photoshop is still a Loooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg way off for me (especially seeing as how I am saving my pennies for a new camera body)!
So much of what is talked about through that link is either photoshop, or lightroom, or something else that I don't have either!! Ha haha.

I am A-Okay with that. I think at this point I still need to keep working on my initial skills and when the time is right God will provide what I need to grow!
Besides, it is way easy for me to get overwhelmed with technology. (laughing at self)

Blah blah blah...where are the pictures you ask?
My new blog friend Cedar did a super cool thing where both of her images are overlaid on one another, but change with the scroll of a mouse!
I hope that isn't too complicated to learn, cause that is awesome!
For us, we are gonna rely on old school SOOC image first with Edit displayed second.


So on the above image I began by cropping, sharpening, covering up a car with some bushes, bringing the gamma down, shadows down and highlights up.

Do you almost wish I hadn't even tried to tell you all of that??

It was a bit complicated to keep track of....so I didn't for my other two shots.

I have decided that I do like this one the very best, especially after the edit.




This next one I took huge steps with.

I decided since I like the other ones so much, it was just a bit of overkill for me visually to try and rework the same basic composition again.
I decided a nice patriotic wallpaper for my computer would suit me better!!

So I cropped a ton off and boosted and pushed and pulled and came up with this.



Before I go on, I feel that I must thank my loyal readers for seeing me through the many phases of this blog.
I don't know if it is pleasing or frustrating to come each day not knowing if you are gonna get just a single image, a recipe, a biblical quandary, a parental rant, a gushing mom, or who knows what else. Thanks for coming back anyway, and thanks for sticking by me as I transition through this crazy life and all that God is blessing me with!
Obviously right now my focus is on growing my photog skills, so it is what I am writing about!!

Apology/thanks/probably unneeded statement of obvious insecurity over!


Alrighty then, now on to something new!
In the spirit of the newest SOOC challenge I tried to really push myself on composition and lighting today only allowing for minor cropping once the images hit my computer.
I am finding that what I think I see through the viewfinder is not always what I get once I see the image full size.
Maybe I need to mess with that adjustment a bit more.

A friend of mine needed a ride home from the airport the other day.

Before I dropped her off at home, she whipped out this box exclaiming "I brought you a present!!" (yes I re-wrapped it for these shots!)
Ding ding ding...love language speaking loudly right here, second only to acts of service!
I LOVE gifts, I don't care how big or small. Just that someone took the time to think of me and choose something specifically...whoa, love it!!!

Inside was a delightful tri-fold card.


Written to the far right were these words, in what initially looked to be handwritten script; "Antique Thais" are created with metals handcrafted in Chiang Mai, Thailand
For You, JM


Ohhh, my fave...peridot green!




And that is all for today friends!

Hopefully I can share some fun news with you tomorrow!!