Monday, September 24, 2012

Day 29 - Being Brave

Today is a two/three parter.  I will probably only do two.  

Part II
5 Brave & Bold Photography Dreams

     - take photos everyday varying the subject
     - do a tour/photo tour of Prague 
     - Europe
     - work with my photos without guilt
     - become better at marketing my work

Part III
Being brave is not something I attribute to myself.  The house is for sale and moving East will be a brave thing for me to do.  The move was going to be in 2008, although when I moved here, my goal was to move back to Idaho when I retired.  Our daughter decided to go to college locally and the move was postponed.  Then the market dropped out of sight.  The house is on the market again.  It didn't sell last year.  Moving will be big for me.  Lots of changes heading my way.  

I'm anxious to move in both definitions of the word.  I'm anxious to be closer to my mom and help her since my dad has passed.  I'm also anxious for all of the changes that happen with a move. I'll surely miss my friends here.  Making new ones will be different.  And finding a new place to live.  Where will it be?  How big of house?  Buy?  Rent?  Lots to make me anxious.  This is the best photo I have to represent me being brave:


I pretty sure I'm ready.  Now, if the house would only sell.  


Day 28 - 1 Photo 3 Ways

Today was a struggle, yet again, for me.  I don't have many photos that work well as a still life.  So... here is number one:  


I used the kk_framed texture, lowered the opacity and used a brush to take some of the texture off of parts of the coneflower and frame.  Number two:


Here I used kk_cool grunge and kk_abstract textures, lightened the layer and added the inspire brush.  And lastly, number three:


This one was changed to black and white, lightened, a noise filter was added, as well as adding the white brush "who so ever loves believes the impossible." 

I put them altogether here:


The three versions were placed on the kk_wish texture.  

It's fun to add these different techniques to my photos.  I am learning quite a bit, but wondering if I will use any of the techniques in the future.  I guess it's better to know how and use them sporadically than not know how.  




Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Day 27 - It Begins With You

Today's mission was to put myself first at least once this week.  I had already done that, so I was a step ahead.  Next was taking a photo of how we had done it.  I had bought a bouquet of flowers because they were so pretty in the store.  They made me feel good.

I lightened the photo, added a texture, added text and made a frame after feathering the photo.  I like how it looks.  I don't have any great spots to get good light, so I placed the vase close to the kitchen window.  Here's the result:


Looks like the frame should have been a little bit darker.  

I skipped days 25 and 26.  Self portrait was the theme.  I'm not comfortable with my photos of myself, so I will work on it and hopefully, do it later.  

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Texture Tuesday - Something Orange

Here is my Something Orange for Texture Tuesday:



I added a texture (kk_partings), text and a frame.  I love zinnias.  This one was so pretty and the orange almost jumped off the page.

Zinnias are for absent friends or lasting affection.

kimklassencafe


Monday, September 17, 2012

Day 24 - How 'bout a little pastel process?

Another exercise...this one was pretty fun.  I like being able to produce a new photo out of my old ones.  One of the things I learned is you can't just use any photo.  I really had to go through my photos to find a couple that would process correctly.  The pastels really make the photos beautiful.

First try:


I like this, but maybe it should have been lighter...  I also used a brush, like a stamp.  That was kind of cool.  I had trouble figuring it out at first, the stamp thing.

Here is my second try:


I love it.  I am so happy with the outcome.  I like the perspective.  I took the photo looking up.  I lightened it, added a texture and removed the texture from some of the flowers.  Then I added the quote and there you go.  

The last one I did:


One of the hardest parts is getting a quote I like.  Which shouldn't be that hard, but if it isn't just right for the photo, I don't want it. 

OK, onward and upward.  Next is a self portrait.  That will be interesting since I avoid the camera.



Monday, September 10, 2012

Day 23 - Ask Yourself This Question

This question applies to so many aspects of my life right now.  If not now, when?  I'm kind of big when it comes to procrastination.  Which is probably why I'm behind in this class!

I just finished "The Language of Flowers" by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.  In Victorian times, messages were sent with flowers.  A tussy mussy is a bouquet of flowers, each with a meaning.  For instance, a bellfower means "thinking of you" and a red rose means "true love."  You could also add baby's breath for "innocence."

The question came up again while I was reading this book, "if not now, when?"  I decided to do more research for my Day 23 lesson and tried to find the flower or plant that means procrastination. It turns out to be an ironwood tree of which I have no photo nor do I  know where I can find one.  So I looked for persistence.  

As it turns out, there are a few different ones.  One is euphorbia, one is dogwood and another is bindweed.  

For this lesson, I used the euphorbia, which is not in bloom now, and dogwood.



I'm going to try to find flowers that also apply to the lessons.  It should be interesting.  

Oh, and the book was good, too!



Monday, September 3, 2012

Day 22 - Frame It

Wow - I forget to post a blog when I learn a new technique. Today's lesson was learning how to frame a photo.  My first attempt:


I used the kk_gesso texture, then added a like color frame.  I do like the result.

Here is another:


Here I used kk_antique and kk_vignette and added a frame.  I need to re-watch the frame video because I can't figure out how to get the frame with no texture.  

Overall, pretty easy.  Just need to practice!






Thursday, August 16, 2012

Day 12 - Brush Lovin'

I find myself getting behinder than ever.  I need alone time to concentrate and it's been a busy couple of months. My goal is to catch up!

This photo was taken in the Lake Quinault Lodge in Washington State.  The chess set was placed by the window and I loved the light.  I used one of the brushes from my class.  Learning as I go.



It was a good, if not long day.  My sister and I drove to a memorial service which was about 3 hours away.  We decided to take the scenic route home and ended up much later than planned.  A good testament to a relationship is a long day of travel.  I believe we fared quite well.

The nice thing about traveling with a fellow photographer, is being able to pull off at any time to capture an image.  We did that - a lot.  

It was a good day.  


Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Day 8 - Start to Finish

I couldn't put together a still life.  This is about as close as I get.  I don't feel I have talent in that area.  I use things already in place.  I like this one.  The watering can is old and the treatment for this assignment fit it fine.   This photo was taken a year ago at one of my favorite nurseries.  I looked up quotes for gardening and this class is to help me cultivate MY garden so I felt like it fit fine, too.




The treatment used for this photo was vintage gradient.  The font is Rough Typewriter.

Fitting in is tough.  I'm pretty good at faking it.  Most of the time, I'm uncomfortable.  Maybe I spend too much time alone.  I like being alone, but it does make it tough sometimes.  It seems like I used to be comfortable and outgoing in social situations.  When I worked I had to do it all the time.  Maybe now that I am not working, I am unsure. Maybe I'm just out of practice.  Maybe it's too much Facebook.  Maybe it's not important to me anymore.  

What that has to do with Start to Finish is beyond me.  I started this assignment and I like the finished product.  I learned from it, but not sure when I'll use it.  It is nice to have in my bag of tricks though!







Thursday, July 26, 2012

Day 7 - Choosing Happiness

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."  Abraham Lincoln



I do believe this to be true; however, today I found out Lincoln didn't say this even though it is attributed to him.  Well, I still believe it to be true.

I find I'm happiest when I'm in my garden or taking photos.  The potential is of what it can be is what I like.  When I take photos, I have big dreams of what they will be like:  no noise, clear, brilliant colors, great composition.  Then the doubt comes.  The happiness creeps away when I compare to others or when a shot I thought would be great, isn't.  But roars back in when I find I've taken one that is outstanding!  Vicious circle.  

I am going to stop comparing.  I am still going to analyze other's photos, but I'm going to learn from them, not look down on my work.  

I am going to choose happiness.  OK, I'm really working on choosing happiness.




I used kk-felicity for the texture on this photo.  








Monday, July 23, 2012

Day 6 - Let's Make A Storyboard

Some times I think I get more behind every day.  I'm trying to catch up, but seem to have trouble getting there.

Day 6 was storyboard.  Day 5, uh, eluded me.  I just am too boring to have a routine, I think.  Or to intimidated to show myself.  Probably a little of both, I suppose.

Here is my first storyboard which is actually more of a collage.


I do love hydrangeas.  I love the colors.  I love the textures.  I love the different types of leaves.  I love how they change from day to day.  I love that there are so many different kinds.  I love that I can't determine a favorite.  

I have more photos of hydrangeas than anything.  So that's what I used.  I am going to do a few more to get the practice.  Maybe I can figure out a cohesive line to actually make a storyboard!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Texture Tuesday - Textured x's 2

I've been on vacation and haven't had much alone time to do my assignments.  I'm working on catching up, but starting with my Texture Tuesday.  Here's is today's work:


This is the before photo:




The two textures I've used on this photo are kk-elevate & kk-sunkissed.  My text is called OLIVEOIL.

Two of my favorite things here.  The poppies and the sunshine.  It was a beautiful day and these poppies called my name.  I ran across the street and captured their beauty.

kimklassencafe

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Texture Tuesday - Posie Edition

I have been struggling with my vision & blur assignment.  I'm working on the photos of my day in a life.  Slow.  Hard for me.  In the meantime, I did my Texture Tuesday:




I used two textures on this photo:  kk-organic and kk-reverie.  The clematis was originally white.  I am enjoying taking my flower photos and making more of them.  It's the personal stuff where I struggle.  




kimklassencafe

Sunday, June 24, 2012

PLAY

Play is basic.  Play is important.  Play is simple.  Play is complex.  Play is educational. Play is fun.  Play is necessary.  Play is not just for kids.  


I need to play more.  When did I stop?  When it wasn't cool anymore?  When I got a grown-up job?  I know when my daughter was young, I played for a while.  Then I stopped when she didn't think it was cool anymore.  

I need to play more.  My physical health will benefit.  And my mental health will benefit.  I need to make walking playful.  

Uh oh...I think I might need a puppy.  




Thursday, June 21, 2012

Blue Thursday



Blue Thursday

day 4 ~ vision & blur


I had a tough time finding one word for my photo.  I decided on sunlight because of the morning sun shining on this foxglove.  I had my aperture set on 5.6.  I did get blur, but am going to try again with my macro lens. I think that one has 2.8.  I also used the texture kk-organic and I like the outcome.  i also used ck primary for the font.


I'm going to try this lesson a few more times.  I like to get it firmly in my brain.  This class is really making me use my noggin.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

day 3 ~ our stories continued



Six words...  "You in six words."  Interesting, but hard.  I don't think about myself often.  Maybe that's why invisible popped into my head.  Getting older is not for the weak.  One reason for taking this class is to help find myself, make myself visible again.

I did come up with another.



When I do think of myself, it is in these words.  I will be thinking of more.  I think I'm strong, independent and worthy.  I just need to believe it.  

Monday, June 18, 2012

Welcome to my overthefencephotos blog

I chose the name of this blog because many of my photos have been taken over fences.  I take them in neighborhoods, parks and sometimes, even my own yard.  


I'm learning to blog and to enhance my photos.  Cheer me on as I make my way!  



I hope you enjoy...