SHOOT.EDIT.SUBMIT. 02.17.12.

Once again you guys made our job hard.  The talent you guys have is amazing.  There were so many awesome shots this week again. Check out our incredible winners!

Serendipity is Sweet

Unbelievable colors she so amazingly captured! I'm in awe. {Misty}

Little Adventures

I love the composition of this shot, not to mention the soft, delicate tones of the flower.  Beautiful. {Kim}

Gorgeous lighting and great composition. {Misty}

Living Outside the Stacks

The creativity of this shot is great.  This is a difficult shot to get done right.  My hat is off to you.  Nicely done. {Kim}

   Congratulations, winners! Grab your button!

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And this week's #1 winner is:

Tranquility....& Turmoil

I was totally blown away by this shot. It's kind of Ansel Adams-y. Such gorgeous details, composition and creative idea changing it to b&w. {Misty}

Congratulations on being chosen as this week's #1 photo. Grab your button! You will be in the running to win a fabulous prize at the end of the month.

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Well, it's time for you to submit your entries! Be sure to grab the button below to include on your post.

1. Photo must be taken this week.(Sat - Fri)

2. Only one entry per person.

3. "Shoot. Edit. Submit." button or a link back to this contest must be on your post in order for it to qualify.

4. Link only to your blog post not your main blog url.

**Never a theme, just your best/favorite shot of the week.**

(If you submit a photo you are granting us permission to copy and paste it onto our blogs if you win.)

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I know I say this every week, but you really should go check out my awesome co-host, Misty.  Her blog Through a Photographer’s Eyes is truly wonderful!

What is True Love?

“True Love” is this week’s theme for Project 52 over at Life with My 3 Boybarians.  I have to admit, I wanted to cheat this week and try to stretch it to fit one of my technically better shots.  I wanted to use a shot that I thought was one of my best and try to work the theme (stretch it until it practically broke) into it.

But the other day I thought of a pose.  A very common husband and wife pose that I knew would relate to many.
 

True love is letting your wife put her cold feet on you.  And warming them up for her.

Not to mention posing for a photo so she can keep up with her project 52.  {I love you, Honey}

Here is the stuff I would want to know, so I am sharing with you.  If you don’t care about the technical stuff, feel free to just stop reading now.  I will totally understand.  ;)

• I cloned out part of my window because it was very distracting in the frame.
• I did clean edits in ACR, but also added color haze layers in a soft pink shade and pale blue.  Both at 4% opacity.
• I then added Paint the Moon’s free texture Time Worn (the soft version) in multiply mode at 60% opacity. 
• I did a layer mask of the texture over me and my husband with a density of 70%.

This was shot with my Canon 50mm 1.8 (most everything I shoot is shot with this lens) and my speedlite (a Yongnuo YN560) used as a bounce flash off of my ceiling.  I took this at 9:30 pm so lighting was a big issue.  My aperture was 2.5, my shutter speed was 1/250, and my ISO 100.  Custom white balance, as usual. And I used my wireless shutter release.

If I left anything that you may be interested in knowing, please email me.  Does anyone really want to know this information or am I the only dork that likes it when people include it?  Be honest.

I love HDR

Some of you may not remember how I proclaimed my love for HDR photography.  It is a touchy subject in the photography world.  Some hate it, some love it, and some like it as long as it isn’t really overdone.

When it comes to HDR I look for inspiration from Trey Ratcliff.  He has the look I think fits my style the best.  While my style for HDR may not reflect my regular photography style, though. 

I have not even attempted an HDR shot since October when we went to the Smoky Mountains.  But every week we drive by a cemetery on our way to church.  I tell my husband that I want to shoot the beautiful building in the middle of it.  I wanted to do a blue hour shot, but then my husband asked me if it would creep me out (because I creep easily). I told him that I wasn’t even thinking of it that way, but now I was and couldn’t do it.  I have waited over a month for the right sky to come in AND to actually be able to drive over there.  It is about 30 minutes away.

Well enough talking.  Here is my much anticipated shot. Well anticipated by me, that is.  ;)  I am sure my husband is glad I will shut up about it now.

In case you are wondering, I shot this on Valentine’s Day while my big kids were at school.  I used Photomatix to tonemap it.  Since I am a Canon and do not have a promote, this shot is three bracketed exposures at –2, 0, +2.  If you have no clue what I am talking about you can email me.  I promise to try to explain it better.

Quick Photoshop Tips

I have been doing a lot of self-teaching and on my own learning with Photoshop.  I watch countless video clips and tutorials from experts showing and explaining things. I love it and I am learning so much. 

But the experts have been doing this stuff for so long and so often that they forget to share the simple stuff.  I am talking about the stuff they just say as a step on how to do something, but it is actually a whole new thing I had no clue about.

So I am going to share a couple today and I plan on sharing these little things as I go along and learn more.  So if you know these and are thinking “This Kim is a moron” as you are reading it, I am fine with that.  This is for that person that had no clue just like I did.  These will work in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.

Easy way to resize any layer

If you are adding a watermark, a texture, or any layer and have trouble with the size of it not fitting correctly simply hot CTRL and the T key (Command and T for Macs).  This will make a bracket appear around your object. 

Now you can resize it.

 

How to Maintain Proper Ratios for Resizing

So now you have resized it, but did it lose its proper proportions?  Does it look a tad funky?

To keep this from happening press the “Shift” key while adjusting and dragging the size.  It will make the ratio stay proportioned. 

Who knew?  Well maybe you did, but I had no clue about 4 months ago.  So I am sharing to the one person reading this that had no idea.  My work is done and my day is complete.  ;)

Joining in with Jaymi’s Tuesday’s Tips and Pics.

 

*Looking to get real feedback on your photos? Join Photo Feedback every week.*

Silly Heart Girl

Yesterday I glued some clearance candy canes together for Valentine’s Day decorations.  Charley got some and started being silly with them.  What mom couldn’t resist grabbing her camera?

I couldn’t help but to give it a faded, seventies-ish processing.  It just seemed like one of those photos I am going to look back at decades from now and remember what a fun, giggly little girl she was at three.

Sharing this over at I Heart Faces for this week’s theme of “Heart” and Life with My 3 Boybarians’ Sweet Shot Tuesday.

Get Critiqued with Photo Feedback

Well here it is, the first week of Photo Feedback.  That is what I am calling this.  My hope is that photographers of all levels would feel comfortable to get some honest (yet constructive) feedback about their photos.  While the blogging is world is fabulous and it helps the confidence to get comments like “beautiful photo” or “great shot”, that doesn’t really help hone your skills or help develop your eye.

There are some fabulous sites that will feature someone’s work and ask for critiques (like Click It Up a Notch), but what about getting feedback on your work while helping others, too?  I hope this weekly link up will do just that.

So I encourage you to be brave and put your work out there to get some feedback.  It will help you and the person critiquing you. So pleas join me.

Here is my photo.

Aperture: f/4, Shutter Speed: 1/40, ISO: 100, Canon 55-250mm IS lens at 70mm focal length, 1.3 meters from subject.

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Now for the fun! Leave me your feedback and maybe (just maybe) link up a photo of your own.  The code is listed below in case you want to post the thumbnails on your post, too.  This makes it easier for others to participate and spreads the word quicker.  It is not required to use the code in your post, though.

<a href="http://www.momtriedit.net/" target="_blank" title="Mom Tried It"><img alt="Mom Tried It" src=" http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy303/momtriedit/photofeedback-001.jpg " width="150" height="150" /></a>

Here are the guidelines for Photo Feedback:

• The photo you submit must be your own.
• The photo can be new or old, edited or SOOC, never a theme to adhere to.
• When leaving feedback be sure to say something you like about the photo along with something you would suggest to improve the photo.
• If you join in, please visit a couple of other participants too.  They want feedback just like you do. 
• Please link back in your post with text or grab the button.
• Only ONE photo per blog post, please.  This way we know without a doubt which photo to critique.

SHOOT.EDIT.SUBMIT. 02.10.12.

We had another great week of photos submitted.  You guys (and gals) are truly talented and inspirational.  Misty and I know that there are a lot of link ups out there and we really appreciate you taking the time to join in ours.  It really does mean a lot to see you here. :) 

 

Every week we say how hard it is to pick our top picks and we aren’t kidding.  Once again I had about 8 that I wanted to win, not to mention all the others I thought were fantastic and wanted to share.  I am sure Misty was the same way.  Well here are the ones we finally narrowed it down to…

Awesomeville

This photo belongs on the wall.  The depth of field is perfect.  The black and white conversion makes it really pop.  Beautifully done! {Kim}

 

Jenny Rain Photography

I love this crisp clean landscape. So much clarity in the entire shot capturing beautiful colors and details. {Misty}

 

A Country Girl's Rambling

Look at how dreamy this shot is.  It looks like a scene from a movie.  I love the softness of it. {Kim}

 

  Pieces of Contentment

Yowza! Would you check out the details of the reflections in those droplets not to mention the details of the droplets themselves. Blew me away. {Misty}   

 

Congratulations, winners! Grab your button!

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And this week's #1 winner is:

Butterflies in Time

Wow. Just wow.  The vibrant colors are truly amazing.  The clarity is unbelievable.  I love, love, love this shot. {Kim}

 

Congratulations on being chosen as this week's #1 photo. Grab your button! You will be in the running to win a fabulous prize at the end of the month.

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Well, it's time for you to submit your entries! Be sure to grab the button below to include on your post.

1. Photo must be taken this week.(Sat - Fri)

2. Only one entry per person.

3. "Shoot. Edit. Submit." button or a link back to this contest must be on your post in order for it to qualify.

4. Link only to your blog post not your main blog url.

 

**Remember no theme, just your best/favorite shot of the week**

(If you submit a photo you are granting us permission to copy and paste it onto our blogs if you win.)

<center><a border="0" href="http://momtriedit.net/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac55/markdayton58/FPotWeek/mkbutton.jpg"/></a></center>

By the way, if you don’t read my wonderful cohost Misty’s blog, you need to head over there and check it out. 

Drink Up

This week’s theme for Project 52 is “drink up”.  Oh man, I had an awesome idea in my head for this one.  Let me just say it involved me trying something new with an off camera flash and trying to stretch myself with some cool editing. 

But guess what?  That didn’t happen.  Not because I didn’t really want to, but real life got in the way of my photography and blogging life. The nerve.

Little Lady somehow picked up a nasty virus called Hand Foot and Mouth Disease.  She had a horrible case of it and was covered with nasty lesions.  It made the poor thing miserable.  Charley had infected tonsils and a high fever starting Sunday night.  Cole woke up in the middle of the night Monday night with an extremely high fever and had strep. 

So three little sickies home all week with me.  The good news is that I was doing my best to keep them hydrated.  That means lots of drinking!

Can you tell someone was not too excited to have me try to get a candid of him drinking?  This is the true face of a child whose mom is a photographer.  ;)

And yes, he chose to wear a buttoned up shirt while he was sick.  He is wearing jogging pants with that shirt (don’t ask).

*Reminder: Join me on Monday for the first Photo Feedback.  Submit your photo for your peers to give you honest and constructive feedback. It is all about getting better and improving your eye and your work.

Getting Feedback on Photos

I know I am always looking to improve on photography skills like composition, lighting, editing, and well everything!  I love getting constructive criticism.  I think it helps you grow and learn. 

I also love critiquing other people’s work in my head.  I know it helps you train your eye.  You will start to look for and see the same things when you look through your own lens. 

I had belonged to a small group that would submit weekly photos on flickr and critique each others’ work.  But life happens and things got in the way, so the group dissolved.  There is a series over at Click It Up a Notch called Critique Me that I highly suggest you look at.  One person submits a photo and others critique it.  Courtney encourages a “critique sandwich”, I love the idea and I will talk about it more in a minute.  But with only one submission, it is hard to get feedback on your own work.

So I am going to start a weekly link up.  If you are looking to improve your photography and would like genuine feedback and constructive critiquing, then I encourage you to join in. 

Here is my idea for the guidelines:

• Open for EVERYONE. All skills levels.  Pros, hobbyists, enthusiasts.
• Can link a blog post or a flickr photo.
• Only one photo per blog post. This will make it easy to know which photo you want critiqued.
• Visit a couple of others. They want feedback just like you do.
• You do not have to submit a photo to leave a critique. Feedback is welcome from anyone and everyone.  If you are thinking of going pro you might want a non-photog mom looking at your work.  She represents your potential client.
• Leave a “critique sandwich” (love this idea, Courtney). You say something you like about the shot, something you recommend for improvement, then another thing you like about the photo. 

So what do you think?  Would you like to join in?  I know I want feedback. So if no one joins, hopefully you guys will at least critique my photos.  ;)  I will start this next Monday.

Seeing the Shadows

This week’s prompt for P52 is “Shadows”.  I was stumped a bit at first.  Everything I thought of I have already done.  Then I saw that Project 12 was “Love”.  So I came up with this idea to incorporate them together.  You know I cheated and did this last time, too. But for the record last time had the same prompt.  This month I came up with one concept for both prompts in one photo.  I should get bonus points for that, right?

Here is my final result.  I am pretty happy with it.  I was hoping for more in my head and kept trying to get it in Photoshop, but I can handle this.

No matter what she is doing, this is how I see her.  My children are my little angels and I love them with all of my heart!  So ignore any tweets I may type that say otherwise.  ;)

 

 

SHOOT.EDIT.SUBMIT. 02.03.12

I just want to say that you all really put some of the best work I have ever seen submitted last week. I honestly had about ten that I loved and wanted to feature. This week is my week to pick two and Misty picks two and the winner, so I was stuck.  Misty and I picked a lot of the same ones, including the winner.  Since she gets to choose the winner, it got taken from my selection.  That meant I got to pick one of my other favorites, though.  So enough of me rambling.  Here are this week’s winners.

June Makes Six

I just melt into the days of summer when I look at this picture. Doesn't it look like something straight out of a catalog? Gorgeous colors. Gorgeous selective focus. Love! {Misty}

 

Butterflies in Time

I love HDR photography.  While I am not certain this is an HDR shot, it definitely has the post processing feel of one.  The color and light in all range of the tones is stunning.  The scene is quite picturesque. {Kim}

 

Cranium Bolts

I love how crisp and colorful this photo is. Every single detail of this flower is in focus making it an incredible photo. {Misty}

 

Pieces of Contentment

This shot is so crisp and clear.  The colors are bright and I can almost feel the warm sunshine on my back as I view it.  Took me right there. {Kim}

 

Congratulations, winners! Grab your button!

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And this week's #1 winner is:

White Magnolia Photography

My jaw is just hanging open. I'm having trouble finding the words to even begin to describe how awed I am by this shot. Every single detail down to the tiny splash of the water is so crisp. The reflection is stunning! I don't think I could ever come close to capturing the gorgeousness that is this photo. Well done! {Misty}

 

Congratulations on being chosen as this week's #1 photo. Grab your button! You will be in the running to win a fabulous prize at the end of the month.

<center><a border="0" href="http://momtriedit.net/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac55/markdayton58/FPotWeek/mkwinner.jpg"/></a></center>

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Well, it's time for you to submit your entries! Be sure to grab the button below to include on your post.

1. Photo must be taken this week.(Sat - Fri)

2. Only one entry per person.

3. "Shoot. Edit. Submit." button or a link back to this contest must be on your post in order for it to qualify.

4. Link only to your blog post not your main blog url.

(If you submit a photo you are granting us permission to copy and paste it onto our blogs if you win.)

**Remember, no theme.  Just your favorite/best shot of the week!**

<center><a border="0" href="http://momtriedit.net/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac55/markdayton58/FPotWeek/mkbutton.jpg"/></a></center>

And if for some strange reason you have not been over to visit my cohost Misty, you need to. So link up and then head over. I know you will love her!

Favorite Photo of January

Courtney over at Click It Up a Notch is having a photography contest.  You submit your favorite photo that you have taken in January.  I am having trouble with this.  I did that maternity/family session with the adorable girls that I love so much, but I kept coming back to the photo I took last week for my friend of her daughter.  I know you have seen this before because I shared it last week, so I am sorry about posting it again.  I wanted to join in the fun.

I just really love this photo.  It turned out very much like I had hoped it would.  You still have time to enter so head over there, grab a button, and link up!  And if you don’t read Click It Up a Notch, you totally should!

January Overall Winner

Man I don't know how you guys chose between these 4 photos.

With 37.78% of the votes...

Photo by Ansku

Congratulations, Ansku! Your photo was voted Favorite Photo of the Month of January! Your photo will be featured on the side bar of mine and Misty's blogs the entire month of January as a free ad spot for your blog. Plus you have won a $20 credit to Pocketful of Rosies (you can see samples of her products below). I will be coordinating with you and Stephenie soon so you can claim your prize. Congratulations on the much deserved win!

If you would like to grab a button for bragging rights, you will find it below.

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Valentine’s Day Card Ideas

I have been brainstorming some ideas for non-traditional Valentine’s Day cards.  Of course I want to incorporate photos in them, because… well hello, it’s me after all. 

So here is an idea I have for Cole’s Valentine’s Day cards.  I made it in Photoshop.



I used Kim Klassen’s texture Cinnamon and then added text boxes with the Rosewood font.  I used the “Place” feature (located under the file tab) for the photo.

Under Reward you will see two options.  I am going to use homemade scratch off paint to cover these.  The envelopes will also have a nickel in them so the recipient can scratch off the square.  This will also be stapled to a bag of candy. 

** After publishing this post I realized I had a typo in my card.  NICE!  At least I hadn't sent it off to the printer yet.  That is what I get for trying to do stuff with the kids actually awake. **

I can’t think of a neater treat for family, either.  I think all of our friends and family will have a huge smile on their faces when they open this one up.
Now to think of an idea for Charley. 

What are you doing for Valentine’s Day cards? 

Sister Love

I shared with you last week a photo from a recent maternity/family shoot I did.  I shared it because I had done all of my editing without actions and I have been experimenting with adding textures to my portraits.  Well today I am just going to share some of the photos with you.

Here are the two sisters together having fun.  They were such a joy to work with, too. 

 

I caught this shot as she was hiding from me and popping in and out from between the trees.  She had some twigs in her mouth and just being nutty.  Just like a true 3 year old.  I loved it.

This is the biggest sister being sweet to her soon to be born little brother.  I asked her if she thought she could hide completely behind her mom’s big belly.  She proved that she could.  I snapped this as she was laughing and being a tad shy about being able to. 

I loved the sweetness that I caught interacting with them.  I really feel like every one of the pictures I took was a genuine moment and not a pose or forced situation.  If only all shoots would go this great, I think I would be the happiest and most laid back photographer ever.