Two Easter Layouts

Okay, so Designer Digitals was having this rocking contest where you could win an iPod nanochromatic.  Seeing as how I left mine in the last hotel room we were in, or dropped it somewhere over spring break in Nashville, I was thinking I was bound for this contest.

I worked on it some this morning, taking a break from life, and wanting to scrap some Easter photos.

However, having finished, I realized the contest was over already.

I hate it when that happens!

On the up-side, there were some really great layouts to see.

I started with blocking, then decided to try some photo-merging (above).

Only one of the photos is used twice, so I think I can switch it out and have a two page layout ready for print?   I’ll try to do that while files are open!

It was sunny, so it was easier to let her “look around at things” than to look up…her eyes hurt too much for that.  But the sun made her dress glow, so I didn’t want to waste a pretty, clear day!

I’ll have to print and 8X8, but I can mount that on another layout for a 12X12 book if I want.

Products Used from www.designerdigitals.com

Ali Edward’s Frames/KPertiet_WingedClusters-4

and free download:  FadedSwirlStar

Same ‘Ole Sky?

Dori posted pictures of the same sky that I’d taken pictures of this week.  Same morning, but she’s in Nasville. 

Take a look.

Tips for Using Photoshop Elements

 

Before…and Afters

Worth it?  I think so!  I’ll tell you how.

DIRTY LENS:  SOLVED!

First, I’m using Photoshop Elements 5.0. 

The photo setup:  very impromtu.  My son walked up to me, leaned over, into me, and looked up at me.  I loved the moment more than the photo itself.  But, there were a few problems with it being a “keeper”.

• pink on my shirt
• sunlight only highlighted my chronically dirty lens (note chin, forehead, and my shirt)
• dark winter purple under eyes

WINTER EYES:  SOLVED!

First, I created a new layer by duplicating the photo, and used the “healing tool” and smooth around his dark eyes and to deal with camera lens spots. 

NOTE:  Duplicate each layer and you never do anything “destructive” to your original photo.

At the end:  save as a photoshop .psf file, save as a .jpg file.  finally, “Save for Web”…at a 425Xproportional size(save these in a FOR WEB) file so that you don’t get them all mixed up.  That way, your “full size” pics are this size:

GET RID OF THE DISTRACTING PINK SHIRT!   (& EXTRA LIGHTING FOR EYES)

How:  for pink shirt–I duplicated the photo into another new layer of it’s own, and used the “magic” tool to select my pink shirt.  I went to the toolbar and used Enhance|Adjust Color|Color Variations and kept adding colors until I liked it.  Red did the trick.

On this layer, I should have duplicated the layer again before each step, but didn’t. 

How:  for eyes– I selected his eyes (circle tool, hold shift key down to select second eye and work on both at the same time so that the effect are the same!), and did “Enhance|unsharp mask”.  I often use the magic tool to select only the “lit” areas of the eye, and moved the contrast slider to get a little more brightness to his eyes if that isn’t enough “life” added to them.  Eyes are…delicate and changes need to be subtle to keep from making people look like zombies…as most of us have done early on!

SUBTLE PROBLEMS…SOLVED!  (found another lens spots above the eye)

How:  for dirty lens spot.  I duplicated the layer again, and removes some purple around his eyelid.

 

EXTRA UMPH. 

How:  to use filters — (one approach of many)  I duplicated the layer and applied a downloaded free effect from OptikVerve Labs.  I’m not sure which one.  I just went through their list until I found one that I liked.

After that, his lips were too pale,  I used the magic took brush on them, and applied a bit more color, as I did before on the shirt.

This was the effect I wanted. 

If I choose to go backward a step at a time, each of these layers are saved on my .pdf file.  I can print or send any of the versions I want to use for various purposes.  If I make a mistake, I just delete that layer and go to the last good one I was working on.

I could have stopped before this stage, but this is exactly what I had in mind…a dreamy, sleepy, magical  effect . 

You want to do adjustements for lighting contrast, and photo fixes and save the filters for last, though they can make the most dramatic impact.  Also, it’s generally a good idea to do “unsharpen” as a last step.  Just on the eyes, you can do it earlier.  I usually AlWAYS apply “Enhance|Auto Smart Fix”.  If I don’t like it, or it’s too extreme (you can change the % you want it to change things…just do Control Z to “undo what you last did”.

How:  (another filter)  For my header use, the pink and red casts worked with the other other colors.  But, for printing, I may not want such an effect.  I just went back on and fooled with the photo, backing up one step (before the optiVerve filters were applied)

I removed a few freckles right new the eye, because I awnt to accentuate them without taking away from the eyes.  Just a personal artistic choice.  Them, I applied another filter, this time “Mountain” was a good choice.  But, it left a color to his skin lacking in that “cool outdoor feel” I wanted to keep.  So, I used Enhance|Adjust for Skin Tones, and used the dropper tool to get to a more pink skin tone.  This is really helpful if you have totally incompatible skin tones in photos…one can be adjusted slighty…such as in a tan bride and a rather pale groom.  

How:  — skin coloring adjustment.  A little more crisp on this approach.  Not as dreamy, but still good in it’s own right. 

On this view, I’d probably work on the whites of the eyes a bit more.  They color filter brought out some veining in the whites of the yes I don’t like.  I took the “clone” tool.  Selected a bit of the white of the eye I liked, then duplicated that through the red portions.  I didn’t want to overdo and take out some fo the needed border and shadowing needed to keep it natural.  I went “too far” a couple times, and just selected Control Z to take it back to the point where it was helpful, not destructive in change. 

What do you think?

To teach yourself, take this, print it, and try some of these tricks one step at a time.  You can’t hurt anything working in layers, and you learn each time you try.  Remeber, save as a .psf file, then individual .jpg effect you like will “flatten” the image so that you have an individual picture to share and print.  Reduce the size with “Save for Web” with a width of no larger than 435 for most blogs.

Until next time! 

Maggie

FAVs

Just some of my FAVs from FlickR I thought I’d share.  No particular rhyme or reason, I liked the color, photo, or was inspired enough to click”FAV!”.  

Click the following artists titles to view full photo and read photographer Notes/Comments/Thoughts:

1. a new morning……………., 2. poppy(lar) California Beauty………, 3. the gathering……., 4. not a cloud in the sky……., 5. bubble eyes….., 6. ready for the party……???, 7. Never Never Never, 8. Whitetail in Snow, 9. Mesdames Butterfly, 10. Little Butterfly, 11. Come Home With Me, 12. Hi There!, 13. Robin 1, 14. bike rack in Oakland, 15. Happy Holidays !, 16. winter, 17. Happy Holidays y’all!, 18. Red Flavor, 19. Blue Drop, 20. At an Angle

***Use Parental Caution surfing Flickr.

Comments are open.

Frosty the Snowman– by the fireplace!

It’s not often a red-headed little boy cuddles in Mom’s lap to read to her!  I was lovin’ it.  

Sweet transformation little voices take when they are reading.  I’ll bet Mommy and Daddy voices do the same: probably why little ones love to be read to so much, too!

Why You Need to Correct Digital Photos (and Photoshop Elements Tips)

I thought I’d throw up one quick post before I start tackling the pre-holiday house chores (ugh!  I don’t care for that part).  I am planning to scrapbook, as I did last year, through the in-betweens of cold weather and the “to-do” season.  It somehow helps me slow down and enjoy things, remembering family, and what it’s all about. 

Here is the reason I love Photoshop Elements, even if you never use it to create layered files.  By email, you can get PSE 5.0 for $35.00 or so, and I think it’s well worth that to not print bad pictures.   

The difference in these shots?  I clicked “Enhance|Lighting|Render|Levels”…then I slid the dark pointer a little to the right, the middle pointer (for midline contrast, I’m guessing) until I liked it.  I also applied “AutoFix” which I do on a lot of my photos to correct contrast and lighting.  It’s SO easy. 

If I really wanted to overkill, I’d also move the contrast slide slightly sharper, and ALSO end by applying the “Unsharpen” mask button, which I heard you are supposed to do last.  ”Unsharpen”, what does that mean?  Well, it’s really just a way of saying sharpen the unshapened part of the photo to make it all sharper.  Or something.  I just made that up, as I heard someone else do recently somewhere, and I laughed because I’m not sure why you’d say “unsharpen” to sharpen something either.  Sounds like language my kids use when “hot” means “cool” and “bad” means “good”.  

So, there’s your lesson as to why digital snap and shoot photographers need to use digital correction…the same effects can most often be accomplished with any photo-editing software, so USE IT!  Take the time!  You’ll be much more impressed with your photography, and so will everyone else.  People ask me all the time what kind of camera I use, and I just laught because it’s not that technical…it doesn’t have to be.  I’m not a purist with a manual focus.  I just keep the cam in my purse for the times when I want to drink deep and remember something I’d otherwise forget.   

This morning, I went grocery shopping for the Thanksgiving meal today, making four laps around the store to try to remember everything I needed, but it was enjoyable because we chose to actually get  rested Sunday.  I’d been sick too much last week.  It’s amazing how a day of rest and recovery makes you able to slow down on Monday.  I thought I wasn’t going to get “unslow”, which means…out of my snow suit from walking Daisy (meaning, she walks, I don’t), and into the shower.

But, I’m glad I got going, for I went shopping in those golden hours between 8-9 AM when the staff is still friendly, lines are short, the store is pretty empty, and there are even a few Moms with cute preschool babies to smile at you if you are lucky. Ah.

I called my Mom a few times there for recipes and ingredients…who needs a grocery list? 

I came home a little overwhelmed with the items to be put away, took a call, checked email, put stuff away, got a pretty severe naseated headache immediately (what is it with everyone and those lately) when I smelled my less than fresh outdoor fridge, reminding me of other unpleasant chores I have to do this week, and my need for my meds.  And all that called for a nap to top off my almost daily (this season) cocktail of Claritin, Sudafed, Tylenol, and if I really need to feel good, Naproxen also.  I almost got rid of the headache and dreamed some really stupid-weird dreams which forced me back up.

All that to say:  I know it’s a blessing to have a nap.  I don’t know how you ladies work feeling like crud. As bad as the tedioum and monotony and is working at home, and as little as I get done some days, I think I still prefer it to working when we all feel totally rotten, and I’m praying for those of you today who have to “push through” in that area.  I’m not sure I could keep going. 

Blessings and grace to you!  Work on those pics, and let me know how they turn out!

Maggie

Flowers from God: Volume 2, Autumn Video 2007

Well, here it is.  I had to upload it to youtube in a smaller file to fit all the pics in, but it’s still decent.

Nobody expected this after the drought!  Creater God, Lord of all Creation, “woo-ing” us all over again.

This was the song on the radio while I was driving around looking at nature the other day.  Loved snapping photos as it played.

Photos/Video: Maggie

Music:  Phillips, Craig, and Dean “Open the Eyes of My Heart”,  Album:  “Let My Words Be Few”

Photoshop…How to Grow Stuff “out of the box”

This is a very cool Photoshop tutorial on how to make images grow out of the “frame” of the photo border ONTO the background.   Very cool effect for you photoshop people, irregardless of whether you do the scrapbook thing or not!  (If you are familiar with photoshop, you can learn it in 5 minutes flat!)  I’m still dreaming up my next project where I can use it.  I’ll post a link when I do. 

You’ll find that handy and clear tutorial here  (Click the colored text for linkage).  Check it out!

(Thanks to Jessica Gordon , site owner of scrapbook ideas for sending the image to use here.)

God Grants Sleep to Those He Loves

My Son, Sleeping–  

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

 1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
       its builders labor in vain.
       Unless the LORD watches over the city,
       the watchmen stand guard in vain.

 2 In vain you rise early
       and stay up late,
       toiling for food to eat—
       for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Or, the Amplified says: 

2It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil–for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep.

There can be physical reasons that prevent good sleep.  But, as a principle, Lord Jesus Christ promises His people rest, and is grieved when they don’t ”find it” (see also (Hebrews 4) . 

There is a “balance” being ”being” and “doing”.  I read the other day on someone’s blog that they were reminded that the English language calls us human “be-ings”, not a human “do”ings.   

Do you know how to find rest when you’re weary?  I pray for your rest and refreshment in God’s energizing presence:   

“I labor with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me”.  (book of Colossians, I believe, BibleGateway isn’t bringing it up for me…I’ll have to dig.)

The Altar

 Brushes: beautiful cloud 7491, JS Sculley & Japenese [sic] Foliage

   Layout:  SkEtCh IT Lines to Design

Friday Rest

Today is Friday.  Good to have my kids home from school and sleep in today–a vacation.  Just ate a peice of left over pecan pie and a cup of Constant Comment Tea for breakfast!  (Don’t tell my health guru that I just cannot get myself into the game…I still have goals.)   

Thankfully, I just about have my laundry room whipped into submission–two baskets waiting on me always.

Refueling a bit this week,  reading Beth Moore’s Get Out of That Pit.   I’m enjoying the way she is leading people to understand that normal highs and lows come in life.  Somehow, a great deceit as a Christian is to have some perception that it’s all supposed to be the high road all the time–we were never promised anything like that. 

An earlier work that introduced meto this concept was “Hinds Feet on High Places”, an allegory by Hannah Hurnard. 

With a sick family, I stopped by Psalm readings this month.  Perhaps I will pick up fresh with a new month.  My Sunday School class is studying Proverbs–I may shift my emphasis there for a season.

Today I need to plan my Sunday School lesson for my second grade class.  I teach there every other week (weeks I don’t do Praise Band).  Trying to do both at the same time has proven to fall the mightiest.    

Tomorrow, a huge get together with my family.  I met my new nephew this week!  He is SO cuddly and sweet–a good baby.  The children are just now old enough to “hold the baby”.  So, a huge deal for them.

My husband is beginning to feel better this week…breathing treatments, prayers, and meds are finally beginning to help, praise God!

Our littlest one woke with a mighty cough this morning.

Enduring winter to the end, the theme. 

I picked a lovely batch of fresh Easter Flowers yesterday–hope in the air with the coming of spring. 

So many prayer needs again in our body this week for health and God’s touch.  God hears and is answering!  I made this layout as a tribute to answered prayer.

My friend, Carol will soon hear from the remainder of her tests, but cancer has been ruled out!  A big praise.  Thank you for praying!

Many others I lift up today.

The Gate

In honor of  Called to Fish‘s Proverbs study.  Today, she wrote on God’s thoughts of thoughtless versus purposeful living–  Proverbs 5.  

 

My Creative Copywrite (Photography & Layout)

 

Winter–Stay a While Longer!

Red’s fever rose to 103.6 today.  Finally got it down.  Whew.  I saved a Motrin dose for bedtime, so surely that will get us a peaceful night. 

On the upside…I made my first paper tonight!  Poor seque, I realize.   

Fun to start from scratch and build.  Now, I’m seeing the Photoshop advantage.  Wow.

(I played after I got tired of watching the conjoined twins on The Learning Channel with my two boys, both feverish…can you imagine learning to drive with two heads?!)  Started checking out the “PS brushes” did that came in my free digital download kits.   Oh yeah, I’m likin’ the brushes! 

As I saw this paper taking shape, I remembered this pic I took last winter.  The barn stands across the road from our house. 

Here was my train of thought:  MY FIRST EASTER JONQUIL BLOOMED TODAY AND STILL NO SNOW!!!!!!  Yup.  A jonquil.  Go figure!  It’s not been THAT warm!  Right outside my garage.  It mocks me every time I pull in…No Snow, No snow, ha, ha, ha, ha!  In a little sing song tune.  Not that I’m bitter, nope, not bitter.

This layout took about an hour, almost as fun as sledding (though I’m still holding out!–   They say maybe Sunday!  We’ll all be over colds by then, I’m sure.) 

(Credit to this freebie-producing folk– 

Free Snow and Sparkle and Grunge Brushes : 

www.photoshopbrushes.com/www.sheishido.biz )

Check ‘em out.

Christmas Layout

Journaling reads:  Two years now you three have put up the tree.  The first sign in our house that the Christmas season has begun!

If you have a popular digital program and don’t know where to begin, you might find this link helpful.  I know I plan to do some reading there in the next few days!

Home Fireworks

4th of July~Testing Out My Sony Cybershot 5.1 on “Fireworks Setting”

First good fireworks shots I’ve ever gotten