My wonderful friend, Destri, over at The Mother Huddle wrote an article on Monday about an alternative to Picnik. I have never used Picnik, but I know a lot of you have. I also know there are a lot of people wondering what will be a good replacement for it.
I cannot say that I know if it is or not, but Destri knows about photography. She knows about Picnik. She has tried this program. Read her thoughts and see her edits in her post Alternative to Picnik.
Go ahead and head over there!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Photo Feedback: Week 3
I am really enjoying doing this link up. I hope as time goes by those of you reading will become more brave and join in. You are already sharing your photos online as it is. I don’t know if you are worried about mean comments, but we would not do that. And those that would do that are not going to wait for you to ask for feedback. They are going to do it no matter what.
I have already used some feedback when I was composing a shot last week. I used another piece when I was editing. I am definitely learning and growing, so thank you.
So here we go. I took this photo yesterday in the backyard at about 2 pm. The sun was shining brightly and the harsh shadow shows it.
Shot with my Canon 28-135 mm at 117 mm focal length. I was .6 meters from the subject. I did have my macro attachments on (+1 and +2 at the same time). Aperture f/5.6, shutter speed 1/3200, ISO 200.
Just to share this is my SOOC (only editing that was done was to convert from RAW file to JPEG).
First I cropped the image, then I sharpened, added contrast, ran Pinoeer Woman’s Boost action at 60% opacity. I added Kim Klassen’s texture Branded in soft light blend mode at 60% opacity. I flattened my image. I then made a duplicate layer and did some dodging and burning to liven up the texture a bit more. I adjusted that payer opacity to 70%.
Now for the fun! Leave me your feedback and maybe (just maybe) link up a photo of your own.
You do not have to join in to critique my photo. I want to learn from your feedback, so please feel free to let me know.
The code is listed below in case you want to post the link up in your post, too. This makes it easier for others to participate and spreads the word quicker. This is not about people coming back to me to participate, it is about helping each other. Oh, it is not required to use the code in your post, though.
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.
The link up is live from Mondays (12:01 am) through Fridays (11:59 pm) CST. So you have lots of time to join us.
*The code for the blog hop is at the very bottom.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Reinforcing Schoolwork at Home
Some of you know that before becoming obsessed with photography, I wrote about fun and educational crafts and activities to do with your young children. I still write articles, but now I write for other sites as a contributor. We still do a ton of fun activities around here to promote creativity and learning.
With Cole in kindergarten now I have tried to make things even more helpful for him to excel in the classroom. The standards for schools are just crazy. His very first week of kindergarten was completed with a spelling test. Really?! But it is what it is and unless I am ready to homeschool (which I do NOT have the patience or talents for) I need to get with it.
I found a non-profit site that has links to all sorts of resources for the kindergartener. It is really a fun site to go to and hop from as I explore a bunch of different activities to see if they are a good fit for us.
I also found DreamBox Learning. They have a lot of great stuff for Kindergarten through 4th Grade. I really like the information and resources they have for teaching math.
I tend to go way too advanced or too simple. We are currently working on money and their values at home while he is learning it at school. So needless to say that Cole has become money obsessed as he learns about it. The good thing is that his favorite thing to do with the money he has been earning is give it away. It is kind of a good thing and kind of not so much. :/
So here is where I ask if you homeschool? If you don’t homeschool, do you try to come up with stuff at home to reinforce what your child is learning at school? Please tell me I am not the only one that is crazy worried their child will fall behind or not grasp something and fake it.
What are your favorite online resources for parents (not kid oriented sites)?
Voting Poll for February’s Winner
Time to vote for your favorite photo from this month's SHOOT. EDIT. SUBMIT. winners! The winner's photo will get a free month long feature on the right side bar here and at Through a Photographer’s Eyes which gives them more exposure. Not only will the winner win a free month long feature but we also have some wonderful people sponsoring prizes for our winners each month. This month's sponsor is Camera Creatures! 
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About Camera Creatures:
“I developed a serious interest in photography when I had my first baby. Then there were three in total (each 15 months apart), and it became nearly impossible to get them to sit still, let alone look at the camera on command. My shoots consisted of my jumping up from behind the camera with a hand puppet and yelling any variety of high-pitched noises interspersed with loud “peekaboos.” Sure it worked, but it was a logistical nightmare. I also found my friends’ children were not quite as attentive to my antics. The search for solutions led me to find a variety of hand crafted lens props that I knew I too could make at home. I created some of the animals my children loved and I joined the ranks and opened a small shop on the internet. After being contacted by a couple of reputable camera shops wanting to sell Camera Creatures, I decided to develop a professionally made stuffed animal that fits comfortably on all interchangeable lenses. Thus was born Camera Creatures, LLC. “
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She is giving the winner ALL 3 of the camera creatures! She is a firm believer that getting the choice of which one to select helps open up kids and get them in the right mood for a photo shoot. Her site only has images up of the dog and the owl, but they just got a ladybug that she will be sending to the winner, as well. So, sound the alarm and go gather all your friends, fans and families to come vote for you! These are amazing prizes that you most certainly will want to claim as your own. If you are not in the running but still wish to have own one of these adorable camera creatures, visit the Camera Creatures website to get some of your own! You can also find Camera Creatures on Facebook and Twitter. 
Voting closes at midnight on Tuesday. Winner will be announced on Thursday.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Cabin Fever?
Any other year I would be burning up with cabin fever. But here in Southern Illinois it was 70 degrees yesterday. In February!!! Granted this weekend we are supposed to be in the 40s, but that is still better than single digits.
So for this week’s P52 theme of “Cabin Fever” I am sharing a photo I took yesterday of Little Lady playing in the kitchen sink. She has her utensils and she is playing to her heart’s content. Water spilled a little here and there. Bubbles got in the hair, but it was all okay (especially since I hadn’t done her hair yet).
I caught this photo as she was deep in play. She didn’t even notice I had finished unloading the dishwasher and left the room. She is getting to be such a big girl. Tomorrow she turns 18 months old and she finally broke the 20 pound barrier. Woohoo!
Shot with my Canon 50mm 1.8 lens. Aperture: f/2.5 with selective focal point on her face. Shutter speed: 1/25. ISO: 100. White Balance: 6000 (obviously before I decided to edit into black and white).
**If you want to help take your photos to the next level, join me every week Mon-Fri for Photo Feedback. Train your eye by critiquing others’ work and get helpful feedback on your own. I promise it is not as scary as it sounds. :)
SHOOT.EDIT.SUBMIT. 02.24.12.
I really have to say that I look forward to looking at every entry each week. We can only pick two each and then we alternate each week on who picks the winner. So at most I get 3 top picks. And boy is it tough! I want to thank each of you for joining in every week. I love seeing familiar blogs and I enjoy seeing new ones, too. So thank you for including us in your blogs. :)
The winners this week are....Drum roll please....
I love the contrast of the colors against the cold, harsh, snowy backdrop. The varying levels of the lanterns make for a very beautiful and interesting composition. {Kim}
I love how this photo captures the wintery chill yet still looks so serene. Love the muted tones. {Misty}
The subtlety of this shot is beautiful. It is so soft and the crop is absolutely magnificent. {Kim}
Not only do I love the creativity behind the edit but the lighting and bokeh are perfect! {Misty}
Congratulations, winners! Grab your button!
And this week's #1 winner is:
Um, what can I say about this? The depth of field is spot on. Every bit of that water lily is in focus while the background bokeh compliments the colors and textures beautifully. {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.
**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.) 
If for some strange reason you do not read Misty’s blog, Through A Photographer’s Eyes, you need to head over there. She is fabulous.
BTW: If you are looking to take your shots to the next level, then you need honest feedback to hone your skills. Join me Monday-Friday for Photo Feedback.
Train your eye by critiquing others’ photos and get helpful feedback on yours.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Camera Creatures
Do you ever have a hard time getting kids (especially your own) to cooperate with the camera? You always have the “CHEESE”-ers, the alligator smilers, the sour face, and the “I am not even going to look in your general direction”, too.
Photographing children is not easy. You have to dive deep into your bag of tricks sometimes. Something that should be in that bag of tricks…Camera Creatures.
Aren’t they just the coolest?!
You simply put these on your lens. You still can see your shot. You can still maneuver your lens. You now have an eye catching and ice-breaking companion.
Even if you do not have a DSLR, you can use this with your point and shoot camera. Simply put it on your wrist!
As someone that sews, I really wish I would have thought of this and patented it. It is brilliant. I know there are many other companies that offer similar products, but the workmanship on Camera Creatures stands out to me. There is hand-stitching and neat details. It doesn’t look like eyes hot glued onto a scrunchie.
So check them out. You can just click here for Camera Creatures website. Feel free to connect with them on facebook and twitter. Check out their Etsy shop for a HUGE selection of different styles.
For the record: I was not compensated in any way for this post. Camera Creatures is sponsoring this month’s winner of SHOOT.EDIT.SUBMIT. Their sponsorship of that contest has not influenced my opinion. I actually contacted her to sponsor because I thought her products were so amazingly cute. I just want to share and give our sponsors a little extra exposure because they rock!
WW: Roasting Marshmallows
I don’t think I have done hardly any Wordless Wednesdays. I am a slacker. I don’t think I can be wordless. See?!
Charley roasting marshmallows. Watery eyes from the fire’s smoke, but happy to be roasting all by herself.
Shot with my Canon 28-135 at focal length of 95mm. Aperture f/5.6. Shutter speed of 1/100. ISO 200. 1.4 meters from subject. Cloudy afternoon.
Monday, February 20, 2012
John Deere
So last week’s HDR shot I took got me thinking about the HDR shots I took in the fall. The ones just sitting in my hard rive and have not been processed. :/ You know you have a bunch of those, too (Please tell me you do). Well I edited one last night. Aren’t you proud of me?
When I took this shot, I bracketed the photos at –2, 0, and +2 exposure. When I edited them, I merged them in Photomatix and did Detail Enhancing tone mapping. I did a custom adjustment so I could adjust all the levels to give the photo the feel I wanted.
I then brought the photo into Photoshop. I sharpened it, brought up the contrast, and brightened it. I added a texture (Kim Klassen’s Warmly Cracked) at 25% opacity in soft light blending and then put a soft vignette (18%) around the edge.
I told you guys I would start sharing more of this kind of info with you. This is the kind of stuff I would love to see in many posts I read. So if you are a dork like me, enjoy. If not, feel free to ignore it. ;)
[Oh, I have a new computer and the monitor is not calibrated yet, so if the photo looks too cool to you, I am sorry. My monitor is throwing some wildly orange photos at me and I am trying to adjust and keep this in mind while I am editing, but I am not doing that great at compensating. Hoping to get it set soon. You may be seeing a lot of black and whites until I do.]
**Want some real (yet nice) feedback on your photos? Join in Photo Feedback. Linky is up until Friday night.**
Photo Feedback: Week 2
This is a new weekly series I have started. The purpose of this series is to get real feedback and grow as a photographer. The blogging community is so extremely supportive and they are great for building up your confidence, but there is a time and place for more than just “Great shot.” There becomes a point when you need to critique and be critiqued to grow and get better.
You do not have to post a photo to participate. You do not need to be a photographer, either. Feedback is welcome form everyone. We are all trying to get better so I encourage you to be brave and join in. You post your photos all of the time, anyway. Now learn from it.
Here is my photo I took yesterday:
Shot with my 50mm 1.8 with macro lens attachments +1 and +2. Shutter speed 1/40; aperture f/3.5; ISO 100; WB 7100. I was about 7 inches from the subject. The weather was very sunny (but shot in the shade) at 2 pm.
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 link up in your post, too. This makes it easier for others to participate and spreads the word quicker. This is not about people coming back to me to participate, it is about helping each other. Oh, it is not required to use the code in your post, though.
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.
The link up is live from Mondays (12:01 am) through Fridays (11:59 pm) CST. So you have lots of time to join us.
*The code for the blog hop is at the very bottom.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
houzz
One of my close friends is trying to sell her house. It is a beautiful house, but everyone is blaming the market. I told her to hire some home stagers, landscape designers, and interior designers to help make her house stand out.
While doing some research together we found a site called houzz. It is an odd name, I know. This site had everything from general contractors, to designers that specialize in only kitchens and baths. this place is like the HGTV channel at my disposal! You can find qualified and recommended contractors in your area. They even have photographers to take photos of your house for you.
Now don’t think only people selling their house need this site. I would love to call a few of these guys and have them revamp my house for me. Ah, wouldn’t that be nice?
This site is great for inspiration, too. Think of all of the awesome photos you see on Pinterest. Yeah, they are like that. It is just heavenly. So head over and check them out. I am not responsible for hours wasted or any desires to redesign your house. ;)
Sponsored post
Friday, February 17, 2012
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!
Unbelievable colors she so amazingly captured! I'm in awe. {Misty}
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}
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!
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}
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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.)
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!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
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.
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. ;)
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.
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%.
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.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
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.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
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.*
Monday, February 13, 2012
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.
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.
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