the joys of pregnancy

Here are a couple of shots I took last night.
I learned a lot and it makes me want real studio lights even more. I had a rough time with a flash that was too unpredictable for my liking.
White lightnings here I come.

lighting

I took some time last night to play around with lighting. I have a job coming up and the subject wants a studio look with black and white pics. They will be pregnancy shots and is looking for something very dramatic. So I went to town trying different things. I took my extended flash off my camera and set it up and to the left of the subject also a little behind the subject. Then I used the flash on my camera as a second flash but set it to a lower power. I had to adjust several times and did a little bit of tweaking in photoshop but finally liked the result. As you can see from my subject...he was posing only because I promised he that he just had to sit there and could sit however he wanted. :) He was tired.
Extended flashes are awesome tools. I encourage you to play with yours. I can help anyone who has a Nikon to get their flash to work off the camera. Don't know how to work the Canons though sorry girls.

Actions

I have to give credit to Rowena...I didn't even know what actions were a month ago other than something I could create. I didn't know they were available for purchase. Apparently a lot of people use them. I am actually thinking about marketing my own actions as I have not had to rely on them in the past. When I first started working in Photoshop I think it was version 5. I was soooo bad. I had no idea what all the tools were for or how to manipulate them. It seemed way too complicated to me. But I was forced to use it for work and so as I experimented and played with the program I learned. Photoshop has become my instrument even as much as my camera. It is truly my darkroom. But despite this I am going to investigate actions. And see if it can save me time or gain me better effects.

But enough about me...there are ACTIONS people!!! So all you ladies out there who have not had to endure learning photoshop...there are these things you can purchase and some are free to download. They achieve a basic effect on your photos. Soft focus, romantic, soft vignette, crisp black and white etc. There are many to choose from...and believe me, I am planning on coming out with my own!!! So look out girls.
In the meantime here are a few links to browse.

http://www.atncentral.com

http://www.liknes.no/photoshop/index.asp

http://www.panosfx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=4&id=13&Itemid=27


have fun looking around this weekend.

But also remember if I can learn it you can too! And don't pay for anything that you can learn yourself!

On a side note. I just have been reflecting on God's word today in Galatians 5.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Praise God for His Spirit!! I know everyday life gets challenging girls. But thank God we don't have to do it on our own.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!

We went on a trip up the coast to visit good friends. My son took this picture of me when the sun was going down on the side of the road at a pit stop! Pretty good huh! He's my budding photographer!


I'll try to upload more later but to be honest I really didn't take that many pics. I ate and ice skated and ate and ate some more. More tips and tricks coming soon. I promise!