Thursday, March 24, 2011

Shoot and edit!!

I haven't been playing along with Ashley's shoot and edit for two reasons.

Reason #1. I'm still trying to get over the whole "can't post a picture twice" thing.
I'm going to therapy for it three times a week and I'm starting to get over it

No I'm not going to therapy and well... I'm not really over it either, but I'll move on...

Reason #2.  Anytime anyone says anything about photoshop it pretty much sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher, "wah wah wah wah wah"
All the words reach my ears (or my eyes in most cases) but my brain does not process them.

However.... after owning pse8 for over a year now (!!!) I finally decided to buckle down and figure it out.
Focus.... all I need to do is focus.....

Ergh.


Shockingly, things started to make a little more sense.
I figured a few things out on my own, then I went to Ashley's blog and realized that the words were starting to penetrate my brain.
I was able to follow her tips and a light bulb went off and I finally really understood not only what an action is, but how they work.  
Very cool.

(Thank you, Ashley!)

And just in time too.  
I'm doing this 365 project ( a picture a day)
and although I had taken a few pics on a particular day, none were particularly great.
I saw one that had some promise and decided to play with it in photoshop.

Now don't ask me what I did.
I haven't a clue really.
I just tried this and that until I came up with something I was happy with.
I can tell you that I cropped it... but that's kind of obvious isn't it.
Anyhow, I'm pretty happy that I was able to take a not so great picture and turn it into something I kind of liked.

Now I'm still all about taking the absolute best picture possible while still in the camera,
but I'm seeing the benefit of an edit here and there. 
Also.... I'm really wanting to use textures. 
But I haven't figured that out yet. 
:(




22 comments:

Jen said...

Lovely shots! SOOC and edited! I just started a free "mini-course" on photoshop and it has been so easy to follow and fun. I have a link to the Skinny Mini E-course from Kim Klassen Cafe on my blog - www.sugarsnaps.blogspot.com, I'm not sure the registration is still open, but bookmark her site anyway.

Unknown said...

beautiful SOOC shot and GORGEOUS edit! glad you are joining in.

Jen said...

what is so wonderful about you is the natural talent you have. you don't need to edit. editing can be overrated at times so don't feel bad about not editing. sometimes people over edit, in my opinion. all you need is the camera you have on you and you are great just with that!

Unknown said...

It looks like your catching on now! Love the sun flare!

Mommy2Four said...

Beautiful edit!

Unknown said...

wow - no one would ever know you have been "avoiding" photoshop :)

Joanna said...

Love this edit, so warm :)

Alita said...

You know, I really like the edit. But there is something to be said for all of that sooc light. It is gorgeous. Just sayin :D

Jess said...

I'm with Jen and Alita. Editing is overrated. Getting great shots right out of the camera is what we should be striving for, and something you do very very well. You are doing great! I just want to strangle some of these ladies who think they have to learn every editing trick in the book, just so they can polish up a crappy photo. Ack.

Tara said...

Love your SOOC shot and I love the warmth you gave your edit!!

Gina Kleinworth said...

I absolutely LOVE how it turned out. I know what you mean about hearing one thing when people talk about this or that in photoshop. I don't have it- in fact- I was going to actually join everyone & buy it- but turns out I need a whole new computer just to be able to handle the software. *sigh* - So I will have to just chug along as I have been for a while longer. :) Someday I will know what you all are talking about when it comes to editing lingo :)

Unknown said...

Love the dreaminess of this shot! Great job!

Cedar said...

I'd second Kim Klassen's class. She opened up my eyes to a whole new level of layers, but isn't about over editing! She even has some tutorials on textures :) I think your crop and edit is beautiful!

T.J. said...

well done!! I guess this is what editing is about- taking a great sooc and making it even better, but not obviously edited.

Kathleen said...

You are so funny!! And you did an AWESOME job on your edit! (PS - It goes against my grain to post the same pic twice too, but I guess when it's acceptable to everyone else...:))

Susan said...

These are both great! You're going to love textures, they are addictive!!! (I still have a hard time posting the same picture twice too.)

Ashley Sisk said...

It looks absolutely gorgeous so you did fantastic with it. Let me know if you ever have any questions...I definitely want you to get the most out of PSE! It's an awesome tool if you know how to use it.

Patricia said...

Those are FANTASTIC!!! GORGEOUS!!!
Great job editing! You know more than I do! ;)

Anonymous said...

Both shots are lovely Colleen. I still haven't learned how to do layers!

terri browne said...

Very nice! Cropping is pretty much the extent of my photo editing, so I'm in the same boat that you are. I look forard to learning a few things from you! :)

julie said...

Lovely edit...I'd 3rd Kim Klassen - I learned ALOT from her, and from Ashley! Sign up for the Skinny Mini course, it is wonderful & it's free! The beauty of photoshop or any other editing program...beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Be open to the vast ways it can open your creative spirit! :)

Brooke said...

I ADORE this photo - so warm and glowy! You did a fantastic job with the edit!