Skinny Mini Day 9

Day 9 in Kim Klassen's Skinny Mini course seems to have brought some clarity and understanding of the Photoshops Elelments process.

Here are Eliza's grungy boots using a couple of layers, "Pumpkingrunge" and "Andthensome", which has really brought out the feel of these old scrappy boots and fixed that rather over exposed background which was just the garage floor...

Happy with how it looks.

Homework (Day 4)

Here's my attempt at homework for Day 4.

I took the last bud off the Summer lavender and stuck it in a bottle... then I shot into the shining gardenias for maximum bokeh and achieved that soft background.

Next step Photoshop - I adjusted the light levels, and increased the colour in the flower by masking, then added some text. Just happy I could remember the steps.

And here is photo number two

My cute little pumpkin in combination with my two finds from the local junk place.

Old garden trowel and my $10 stool...

Tracks

This one's from the archives - taken on the Canning in 2011.

A lonely rail crossing, where I took the opportunity to jump from the 4WD and grab that classic 'rail lines to infinity' shot.

I love the texture and colour in the stones and the cold steel of the rails. Would have wished it was a little more symmetrical and centered in the frame but I am still happy with it.

St Stephen's

Coming home tonight the sky was full of scattered clouds that I hoped I could capture...

I rushed inside and grabbed my camera and headed for the local church to see what the spire would look like against the sky.

It is a beautiful old sandstone church and the colour is gorgeous but I thought black and white gave it a much more dramatic contrast.

Anniversary

Today is my wedding anniversary - 24 years seems a long time but it has flown by.

My dear husband is away today, and even though I knew he wouldn't be here, and told him it 'doesn't matter', I think it really does - I am slightly sad :-(

I decided to capture his collection of hats, stock whip and his heavy old Dryzabone raincoat. It is so him... he's my bushman.

I used the lovely gift he bought me too... my new baby, the Manfrotto tripod :-)

I'll tell him about it when he gets back... lol.

That look

"Mum, stop taking photos..."

They grow so fast and I will never get this time again ~ so I keep snapping shots, trying to capture moments each day, each week... My daughter :-)

9D

From times long past ~ before my memory ... and what the heck was a "D"

Grunge... style?

Captured my daughter stressing over what to wear to a festival. Not sure about that gold belt? And those shorts leave a lot to be desired! Oh to be young again...

Babydoll

Been wanting to capture my perfume bottle for a few weeks now... decided to try it tonight with some long shutter speed photography. Used my 50mm lens with f/22 at 400 ISO for 15 seconds. Pretty happy with it... the background is a calendar I bought in Italy of some marvellous hand drawn manuscripts. Will use them again I think...

My Mason Jars

This morning saw me out early, off to Arnie's Atic, where he had promised to open a treasure trove of new stuff he's acquired recently.

Plans were to just take photos :-) but I made the mistake of bringing my purse with me!

When I spotted these two Mason jars, I just had to have them, then tucked in the corner, was this delightful worn old stool. I had just the right place for it!!

Chasing the moon

Tonight the moon was full and we took a chance to head for the hills and try to capture something special. Unfortunately the sky had other plans and brought it's neighbour, the clouds...

Not to be outdone, we concentrated on the trees and this was the surprising result.

Happy with it's overall layout ~ had to remove a few power lines, which I did with some difficulty, but I am happy as a first attempt. Will go out again another night and do better :-)

Pumped up kicks...

These atrocious boots have joined my daughter's wardrobe recently... not really sure where they came from. They are scruffy and worn, the laces are knotted and broken and yet she adores wearing them. With leggings, jeans and even with a dress!! *shudder*

His Master's Voice

The crackle of the old phonograph, the long play records... reminiscent of times past. This old thing lives in our front room and, on occasion we will spend hours listening to the old music. It sounds glorious even with it's crackle and pops. Brings a smile to our faces...

Trojan

A gorgeous old wooden horse caught my eye at Arnie's Attic this afternoon ~ made me wonder what it has seen through those blue eyes...

Reflections

Tried to catch the echoes of the rain drops in my bird bath - will have to keep practising on that ~ but I do like how the reflections turned out.

Gutter flotsam

The recent rains have flooded the gutters collecting the summer gum leaves in their journey. Shot this one with my iPhone on a trip through the park...

Painted pumpkin

I loved how this little pumpkin looked on my old chair - almost like a painting. The scrappy paint which I am slowly removing added such great texture :-) ENJOY!

London Cornet

I was looking for something to take advantage of the warm light tonight - the little brass cornet I bought in the markets in London was the perfect thing. It's a little battered around but has some lovely character in the tones of the metal.