Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Planning A Trip

So now that I have the finances and time to travel.  I'm planning a big trip in the fall to Seattle, Washington.  Why Seattle, well I received my commercial photography degree there and I loved all the exploring I did while I was there and I can't wait to get back there!
 
Knowing my small fear of flying I knew I wanted plenty to keep my busy so I didn't have to think about where I was.  I had heard a lot about kindles and they were very popular at work.  I did some research and finally decided to buy one.  There would be plenty of reading materials and games that would keep me preoccupied. 
 
In my search for reading material I naturally headed for the photography books and there I found many books.  This week I will tell you about my first read.  It is "Before The Shutter, Planning Your Next Travel Photography Adventure" by Anne McKinnell.  I thought this would be appropriate reading considering I'm planning a trip.  I do remember seeing Anne McKinnell on twitter and she also has a terrific blog
 
I read through Anne's book and was very pleased with it.  Very helpful in preparing for my trip.  I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is planning a photography trip.
 
For some folks planning a trip it is where your going, your flight, hotel and car.  And that's what I was thinking too, but I had to consider far more.  Like equipment, what did I need or already have, lighting, time of day is important, consider the weather, what if it rains.  I'll need rain gear for me and my equipment.  I needed to really think about where I wanted to photograph in Seattle.  And it's not just Seattle, there are beautiful locations surrounding Seattle too.  I created a list of locations I wanted to photograph.  But I had to make sure I stayed within my 8 day trip.  Another thing I needed to consider is do I want carryon or check in baggage.  Frankly if I can carryon with my equipment I'd be happy, but I don't know if I can do that.  So maybe I need to visit the airport near by and ask. 
 
There is soooooo much to prep for that I had to really create a file and just start typing and putting it together.  Thanks to Anne's book I will be fully prepared for my trip and have lots of photographs to bring home.
 
The photographs below were taken at a maritime village in Connecticut. 
The 2 directly below were from a few years back.  Both were done with Topaz Adjust.  The B&W one I also use Silver Efex, both had 2 textures from 2LilOwls using haunting 19 and haunting 6.
The sewing room on the bottom was photographed last year at the same village just a different dress.  On that one I used Silver Efex and 4 textures 2 from French Kiss lestex3 gale and fauve gold and 2 from Flypaper textures fly24 and lost void.



                   Sewing Room 2                                                                          Sewing Room 3


                                                                      Sewing Room

Working with these photographs using textures and software are very time consuming, but so much fun! 

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Time for Change........

 For the past several years I've been trying to get my photography business going.  By doing shows, having websites and working on social media to get the word out.  But I've found that to be unsuccessful.  My shows, well some were great, but most not so much.  My websites will not until the last year or so did they really start to pick up, but they would only get sales providing I maintained social media.  I often found myself frustrated and exhausted with trying to keep up.  I was always looking for another way to make money with my photography.  I hated the constant fighting to make a living and keep my head above water.  I felt like I was degrading my photography.  I was settling and I didn't want that.  That was when it was time to fess up and say it's time for a job.  One where I could rely on a weekly paycheck.  During the course of this last year I did very little photography and spent most of my time learning the new job. 
 
Come December I had to start thinking about shows for 2014.  Did I want to do them?  Was it worth it?  I took a good hard look and though I didn't like what I saw I had to face the truth.  I love photography, but I hate having to struggle so hard.  It's not an easy business and I know it's hard, but I know I could do better.  So this year I have come to a comprise.  I will not be doing shows, but I will maintain my websites and social media and do something I haven't been able to do for quite a while and that is travel.  Fortunately I have a job working in a garden center and the people are great!  So my job is manageable and also allows me to continue with my photography
 
So now with a little more freedom I have taken on a new challenge.  I'm reinventing myself and my photography.  For the past several months I've been doing a lot of reading, learning some new techniques and getting excited about my photography again.  I so anxious to get started, Spring can't get here soon enough.  I have to say I have never been one to photograph the winter season.  As beautiful as it can be it is also very cold and quite frankly I don't care for the cold.  So I am anxiously waiting for Spring. 
 
One of my other problems is I have a hard time committing to anything.  So it is my goal to commit to this blog, social media and to my photography. 
 
I feel this is right for me......I feel it in my soul and so happy to get started. 
 
Over the next couple of weeks I will have some new and some old photographs to show and will explain further on my new techniques and goals.
 
I will be telling you about the books I've been reading and how they have inspired me.
 
I have a new website which will be my Portfolio.  It is a work in progress, stop in for a visit and let me know your thoughts.
 
Anxious to see these lovely flowers in the Spring.
Which by the way can come any time now!
 
Lupine
 
 
I processed this lupine using Topaz Adjust soft focus
        then layered 2 textures French kiss Solstic Elan 2 and 2 Little Owls Jewel chalks 13.
 
Hope to see you next week.
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Tuesday Treasury!

Another three awesome treasuries!!  Enjoy!!

This week we are featuring the curators of "Black Purl" by Christianne L'Esperance of CLhandmade Creations
"Pretty in Pink" by Laura of SunFlowerFreckles, "Don't Get Sad When Daylight Savings Time Ends" by Karen of OberleighImages.
  
Be sure to take some time to visit our curator's shops and all the other shops in these wonderful treasuries!
 

'Black Purl' by CLhandmadeCreations

Visit my pinterest at www.pinterest.com/clhandmade to see this treasury and all the others.

Crystal Quartz Necklace in Antique Brass - Simple Natural Geometric Jewelry - etco
Crystal Quartz Necklace...
$25
Vintage Pulled Feather Art Glass Vase - Modred12
Vintage Pulled Feather ...
$225
Black and White Photography - bubbles bathroom decor bath print dark grey gray photo modern abstract, 11x14, 8x10 Photograph, "Bubbles" - CarolynCochrane
Black and White Photogr...
$30
80s Grey Midi Box Pleated Houndstooth Wool Preppy Skirt, Small - VictoriaWestbury
80s Grey Midi Box Pleat...
$40
bird earrings swallow stud earrings woodland creatures large quirky earrings - LolaAndCash
bird earrings swallow s...
$42
Winter, Gray, Dark, Black,  Olive, Emerald,  Rain Drop - 5x7 Print - Nature Photography - 8daysOfTreasures
Winter, Gray, Dark, Bla...
$10
Silver Grey Pearl Necklace Braided Cluster on Silver Chain - Wedding, Bridal, Prom, Birthday Gift - haileyallendesigns
Silver Grey Pearl Neckl...
$42
A2 Asteroid 325 Original Modern Ink Wash Painting 16.5x23.4 "The long roots of the only rose in the planet 004" - Manjuzaka
A2 Asteroid 325 Origina...
$50
Grey fur collar - imali
Grey fur collar
$16
Stoneware English fine bone china white vase with mother of pearl - iridescent - madebymanos
Stoneware English fine ...
$30
HAIR CHALK: White // Temporary Hair Color // Chalk Pastel Dye - SalonChalks
HAIR CHALK: White // Te...
$1.99
Mysterious, 5x5 Fine Art Photography, Digital Art, Nature Photography - CindiRessler
Mysterious, 5x5 Fine Ar...
$14.5
Black and white landscape photo autumn fog nature neutral minimalism modern trees - Grey 8 x 10 - gbrosseau
Black and white landsca...
$20
Fog, Fall Photography, Woodland, Autumn, Mist, Trees, Titanium, Monochrome, Silver, Grey, Charcoal - Tales from the Forest - EyePoetryPhotography
Fog, Fall Photography, ...
$30
Black and White Winter Photograph- Charcoal, Slate, Gray, Nature, modern, wall decor, Night snow 8x10 - Raceytay
Black and White Winter ...
$30
Oatmeal Wool Bead Necklace - Felt Bead - mmimsdesigns
Oatmeal Wool Bead Neckl...
$32
 

'Pretty in Pink' by SunFlowerFreckles

Positively Pink- Floral Photo Wall Art...Three Image Set - OberleighImages
Positively Pink- Floral...
$48
Ruffled Scarf - Knit Ruffled Scarf - Pink - Oceanlvrcrafts
Ruffled Scarf - Knit Ru...
$14
Frosted Violet Midi Wide Hoops -  lucite hoop earrings - Leetie
Frosted Violet Midi Wid...
$12
Pink Peony, 5x7 Fine Art Photography, Floral Photography, Flower Photography - CindiRessler
Pink Peony, 5x7 Fine Ar...
$14.5
Giant Pink Cupcake with a Cherry on top watercolour illustration archival print 13 x 19 - PatriciaSheaDesigns
Giant Pink Cupcake with...
$65
Cone Flowers Watercolor Print - suzannedrown
Cone Flowers Watercolor...
$16
Turk's Head Three Strand Bracelet in Pink - OlioDesigns
Turk's Head Three S...
$5
Set of 4 Coasters made w/ Tone on Tone Chevron in  Bubble Gum Pink - LoveMyCoasters
Set of 4 Coasters made ...
$14
11x14 Canvas Gallery Wrap-Fine Art Photography-"Free Spirits"-Summer-Cosmos-Flowers-Pink-Garden - mymainemuse
11x14 Canvas Gallery Wr...
$160
Baby Girl Night Light - Pink Nursery Decor - Little Girls Room - Pink and Green Flower Nursery Nightlight -  Decorative Lighting - TheOrangeChairStudio
Baby Girl Night Light -...
$16
Tree of Life With Birds Nest Pendant - MyCraftCrayze
Tree of Life With Birds...
$27
Warmie-Pink Moon and Stars-Rice/Flax/Mustard Seed/Lavendar Therapy Pack - outofmyhead
Warmie-Pink Moon and St...
$9.95
Women's Knit Cashmere Beanie, Pink Hat from Repurposed Sweater with Dark Pink Heart Embellishment, Traditional Fitting Beanie - LoveYourHead
Women's Knit Cashme...
$32
Girls Nursery Wall Art, Pink Garden, 12x16, Art for Girls Room or Baby Nursery - nJoyArt
Girls Nursery Wall Art,...
$125
Worm Card - Earl E. Byrd earthworm card, gardeners, fisherman, anglers, pink worm, blank card, pink card - DabHands
Worm Card - Earl E. Byr...
$3.5
Pink Cammo Oversized Baby / Toddler Bib Handmade Camouflage - TheBestGrandmaEver
Pink Cammo Oversized Ba...
$4.5
 

'Don't Get SAD When Daylight Saving Time Ends' by KarenJoyAnderson

These make me think of long, warm, happy days. No SADness (Seasonal Affect Disorder) here!

I'm Spring & I'm a Groovy Bunny, Animal Toys, Stuffed Animals - sallyressler
I'm Spring & I'...
$40
Tropical Abstract - Original Watercolor, Unframed - LynnCyrArt
Tropical Abstract - Ori...
$160
Citrus Color Glass Bead Bracelet - maineladybug
Citrus Color Glass Bead...
$10
Clearance Art, 11x14 Matted Photograph, Colors Flowing Together, Fine Art Photography, Abstract Photography, Reduced Art - CindiRessler
Clearance Art, 11x14 Ma...
$24
Sterling Silver and Malachite Hummingbird Brooch - Mexico - Betsysbijoux
Sterling Silver and Mal...
$34.95
Baby Sun Hat Turquoise Madras Bucket Cap Newborn to 6 Months - Reversible Trick Sun Hat Country Style - worthygoods
Baby Sun Hat Turquoise ...
$36
Coral Turquoise Fusion Wrap Bracelet - atelierfrost
Coral Turquoise Fusion ...
$32
Purple Butterfly Hand Puppet Purple Kids Toy  Eco Friendly Eco-fi Felt Childs Insect Bug Puppet - InJoyEcoCutie
Purple Butterfly Hand P...
$36
Main Street USA Summertime Ice Cream Shop Maine Photography - EmAnnePhoto
Main Street USA Summert...
$20
Lavender  Water Lily 8x10 Matted Floral Photo Closeup - "Lavender Serenity" - mbracestudios
Lavender Water Lily 8x...
$40
Hippie Chicks...er... Ducks- Plush Ducks - SimpleCitySam
Hippie Chicks...er... D...
$28.5
Happy Hummingbirds - Nature Photo Wall Art...Three Image Set - OberleighImages
Happy Hummingbirds - Na...
$48
Maine Lobster Buoy Pillow  ANY COLOR you choose. gifts under 25 dollars. Best Seller.beach house . Summer style. - CobaltSkyStudio
Maine Lobster Buoy Pill...
$25
Beachcombing Series No.19, 8 x 8 photograph - dritwood, clam, shell, mussel, seaglass, crab, whelk - QuercusDesign
Beachcombing Series No....
$25
Seaside Ornament Set (set of 5) - happycreations4u
Seaside Ornament Set (s...
$30
Millefiori Earrings Colorful Beads Boho Bohemian Hippie Long Dangles - RoughMagicHolidays
Millefiori Earrings Col...
$20
 
 
I'd like to thank the curators for including my photography in their fantastic treasuries!
Have a TerrificWeek!