Fence and Field

I've used this photo as my computer desktop in the past and it remains one of my favorites.

This picture was taken a couple years ago while on a favorite walk of my husband's and mine.  Last summer the grass beyond the fence had grown taller than me.  It did flatten down during the winter, but I'm guessing it will shoot back up to its super tall height again this summer.

I like how you can see a little bit of the fluffy part of our little Squishydoo's head right below the first 'O' in 'Photography' in the logo.  Makes me smile:)

Edit Me Challenge - Hiking Kids

This Edit Me Challenge picture is from Pam, who has been part of the Edit Me Challenge since the beginning. 

I first cropped the picture to make the kids the focus of the scene.

Next I adjusted the color, contrast, and curves adjustment of the photo.

Then I ran a Mountain preset that brightened the picture and added depth the the greens and yellows.  I also ran a Natural Photograph preset that took out the redness that had resulted on the kids faces from my previous edits.  After that I ran the Mountain preset again for an additional color boost.

Next I sharpened the image using Unsharp Mask.  I used the settings of Percentage: 100, Radius: 1 and Threshold: 0.  It seemed to get a good sharpening effect without over doing it.

I then added a slight vignette around the edges and called it quits. 

I love the end result!  And I love how carefree the kids are and in such natural, yet perfect poses.  A very fun photo to edit.  :)

Here is the before:

And here is the after:

Signs of Spring

I captured these signs of Spring today, and I'm so ready for it!

Such a cute little ladybug.  I found him trucking along the outside of my glass door.

I literally got excited for Spring when I saw these baby cherry blossoms.  I flashed ahead a few weeks to when the trees will be full of blossoms.  It was then that warm weather and longer days were a reality to me, rather than a possibility.

What a perfect little bunch of red petals.  And this tree is gorgeous when in full bloom.  The name Crabapple Prairie Fire is a perfect fit.

Left Turn

Edit Me Challenge - Berries

This Edit Me Challenge picture is from Beth, a stay-at-home-mom of 2 little girls.

For this edit I first adjusted the curves level to heighten the contrast.

Next I sharpened the image using unsharp mask.

I decided to add a vignette to bring the eye to the center with the berries.

Then I used a preset called Sixties Slide to add a retro color effect to the picture.  I think it made the pretty berries really stand out and toned down the bright green to a more olive color.

And that's all folks!  Thank you for such a fantastic picture to edit Beth.  I love the bokeh!

Here is the before:

And here is the after:

Dry Grassy Field

While on a favorite walk with my husband and our Squishydoo, I spotted this opening to a dry grassy field and thought it was beautiful.  I love how the dry grass has grown over the wire fencing, so pretty!  And how the sun is enhancing the golden colors in the grasses.


It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,
On an instrument of ten strings,
On the lute,
And on the harp,
With harmonious sound.
For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

Psalm 92:1-4

Train Engines

Edit Me Challenge - Three Brothers

This weeks Edit Me Challenge photo is from Belle, a teenage photographer from a family of ten kids!  How fun:)

Now for my edits...

First up is the above image, the one that I submitted to the Edit Me Challenge this week.

I tried using an old Photoshop version to edit this image and I felt like I was all thumbs, bumbling around the new-to-me program.

I know that I used these actions from The Pioneer Woman:

• Define and Sharpen
• Slight Lighten
• B&W Beauty
• PW's B&W

I thought this photo would look awesome in black and white, which is why I fired up the old Photoshop, rather than the more-familiar-to-me Corel Photo-Paint.  I knew that I had the Pioneer Woman's B&W actions I wanted to use in Photoshop.

It was definitely trial and error! 

I liked the empty space on the right side of the photo for the eye to travel to, so I opted not to crop.

Here is the before:

And here is the after:

And now for curiosity's sake on my part, here is my edit of the same image in Corel Photo-Paint. 

First I masked the boys and adjusted the curves level to brighten them up and add a bit of contrast. 

Then I reversed the mask and darkened the background a tad.

Next I added my favorite Mountain effect that gives the photo an overall boost in color and contrast.  Even though I wanted to make this a B&W image, I've read that its best to correct the image in color and then make it B&W for the best contrast and tones.

Next I used a plug-in called Process FX and desaturated the photo some and gave it a faded antique look.

After that I applied a B&W effect to the image.

Before:

After:

Which do you prefer?

Photoshop Edit:

Corel Photo-Paint Edit:

Waterway Thru the Islands

There Go the Clouds

Purim

And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews.  For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish.  Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Then Ester told them to reply to Mordecai: "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day.  My maids and I will fast likewise.  And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!"

So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.

Esther 4:13-17


The story of Esther is one of my favorites. 

I can only image the racing heart and sickening nervous stomach Esther had as she stood in front of King Ahasuerus, waiting for his reaction to her boldness in approaching him without being called. 

And when her husband, the king, held out his golden scepter to her, saving her life, how she then had to use her courage and wisdom to implore the king to save her people.

Amazing story, amazing circumstances, amazing justice.

What an amazing God I serve.  Overwhelming and humbling and awe-inspiring. 

Today, the Jewish holiday of Purim, is the day that we remember Esther and Mordecai and how through them God saved the Jews of their time. 

Praise to the Lord!

Edit Me Challenge - Week 10

Here we are, at Edit Me Challenge week 10.  I might have to think of a new way to title these challenges, numbering the weeks of the year are making it seem to go by too fast!

This beautiful horse picture was taken by this weeks guest judge, Amy.

Here is what I did to edit this picture:

1) Cloned off the rope, halter, wood pile, shed, utility pole and driveway.

2) Cropped the image.  (Negating my need to clone out so much of the background, but oh well.  A new lesson for next week--find ideal crop, then attack major cloning.)

3) Masked everything but the horse so I could lighten it up a little bit without brightening the entire scene.

4) Used a tool I hadn't used before to adjust luminosity by 50%.  Not entirely sure what it did, but the picture looked brighter and happier after it was done.  :)

5) Applied a B&W effect called MyPhoto to the image in a new layer and then adjusted that layer to 50% transparency.

6) Thought it would look nice with a birch tree border, so I found an image I liked and made it into the border.

Here is the before:

And here is the after:

Little Bit of Whimsy