The {cookie monster} in me...

Yesterday I made some break-n-bake chocolate chunk cookies and then had some fun with my macro lens. I had to hurry and take these shots so I could taste these yummy treats and let me tell you they were yummy. I almost had to call my sister so she could talk me out of eating so many but I just couldn't make my self pick up the phone because I knew she would talk me out of it and I didn't want to be talked out of it. So I just stuffed my face and felt guilty about it later. I did save one or two each for the kids and Dan but quickly devoured the rest.

{my guitar hero} texturized

Sarah pretending to play the guitar. She does so quite well don't you think?

I am just loving this texture. I used it on the new header I created too. This shot was taken indoors on {M} mode f1.8 using my 50 prime. I had to turn the ISO up to 800 to get the right exposure which was fine because the texture overlay went well with the grain. For processing I used Courtney's beachy vintage on top of her funky vintage. Then I applied the texture using hard light and erased back her skin and topped it with Totally Rad's Troy which I totally love followed by a quick edge burn. What do you think? I made a new watermark as well (to match my header). The flower picture in the middle I created using Photo Impact and I thought it went well with the name since they kinda resemble daisies.

Let me know if I'm getting carried away with the textures. I tend to overdo things sometimes and since I am just learning I have a feeling that I am going to overdo every new thing I learn, but practice makes perfect right? Although I do need to practice more on getting the right picture straight out of the camera. Here is the shot SOOC

Any comments, suggestions, constructive criticism is appreciated. I know there are a couple pros who read my blog from time to time and I always look forward to their comments.

{another texture}

Here's another texture overlay that just rocks! I borrowed this texture from Carin and I am in love with it. It kinda looks old and scratched like a vintage photograph would. I can't remember which actions I used, but I know I used one of totally rads plus I believe one of courtney's vintage actions and coffee shops action to burn around the edges and then I used Carin's texture overlay. All these actions were free too and most were found on flickr.

This picture is my oldest son, Adam. We were vacationing in Canada at Old Woman Bay and my oldest daughter, Sarah tied these twigs together using all material found on the beach and spelled out his name.

{contest}

I entered this picture into a contest on one of my flickr groups. The contest was about your personal style and how you would describe that style in five words or less. My style description was part of my actual tag line....capturing the poerty of life...

Three winners were chosen and great prizes given away. I, of course, did not win, but I didn't expect to either. There were some pretty incredible entries. I didn't fare too bad though as I got two compliments and my picture was favorited twice! Meaning, two people thought my picture was good enough to put on their favorite pics list. I am so inspired by all the great photographers out there and it gives me the motivation I need to keep practicing and really find my unique style, a style that best fits my tag...because capturing the poetry of life is what I like to do.

{macro lens}

This is just a quick shot to show what my new lens can do. The lucky subject was my girls' Carebears Domino that was left on the table. Check it out, this was taken with my new 100mm macro lens, a special gift from a special person. Thanks again, you'll never know how much your gift means to me.

{another card}

Here's another template I've been working on using the same model, the cutie Coby. I had a fun mini session with him a few weeks back so I decide to pull up a picture to use for this greeting card. What do you think? The card could be used for birth announcements, holiday, etc... I've been thinking about designing our own family christmas card this year. I think it would be fun!

October Challenge {textures}

Here is this months Challenge brought you by Carin Davis from Create Workshop All about textures. I used my own texture (I just took a close-up picture of this crinkled paper) and applied it over my picture using the blending option of vivid light set at 61%. After I erased the texture from her face and neck I then applied a filter noise of gaussian monochromatic set at 7% and erased her face and neck again on 20% this time, which was exactly how Carin suggested on her site. I know I am not that creative yet to play around with the settings, but I am learning. Anyway, here is the texture I used and also the finished product. It isn't as dramatic as I would like, but it's my first attempt. Thanks Carin, for putting on these challenges!

{my nieces}kaylyn, jenna, lauren

Kaylyn Jenna

Lauren

Meet Charlie's sisters...My sister's three other beautiful children.

{my nephew} charlie

Isn't he a cutie? He is just a few days over 3 months old.

{christmas card}

Just a sample of a card I made using the same cute little model.

{more coby}

even though his face is blurry in this shot, I liked it because the focus was on his cute little butt. hee-hee!

{coby}

Just trying out some actions and practicing taking photos in manuel mode. I've got a lot to learn yet. It's great that I have friends and family with kids and five of my own to practice on.