Personal Power

I recently read an article on one of my favorite photography websites and loved the final point presented. I wanted to post it here so I can have easy access to it when I need it!

10. Increase Your Personal Power

This is very important. Limit your time with nay-sayers and doom&gloomers. They are not productive. Stay on point and do not let anyone tell you that it is impossible or that it can’t be done or that you are wasting your time.

That, gentle reader, is bullshit.

Keep yourself motivated by creating new things and being busy. A person who is busy cannot make time to be depressed. Depression is for those going nowhere (clinical depression is a disease that should be treated… I am referring to people who are always negative and on a mission to bring you down.

They are everywhere. Everywhere! Shut them out.

Don’t discuss what you don’t have, frame your language and your efforts toward what you do have. Stay focused on the essentials of your business and your art: making pictures and showing them to people.

Look… there are always going to be challenging times. Some more than others. Refuse to be brought down to the failure group… the hopeless tribe of “it’s all over… whine whine whine.”

Opinions Wanted!

Please help me decide on the best photos to showcase on our updated website (coming soon to a computer near you!). Maybe you can give me the list of your TOP FIVE in the comments!?! I'm having a hard time narrowing it down and thought I'd see if there was any type of consensus.
We'll start with babies!

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Blog Permissions Changing - Again

Well, I realized that anyone can just say they are a guest and still see the blog, so what's the point, right? Changing back, so for those who visit, enjoy! lol

So You Think You Can Dream

Of all the shows I watch that make me cry (Grey's, Private Practice, etc.), my favorite has to be So You Think You Can Dance. ESPECIALLY the audition episodes. Why? Because this show isn't about loss or broken hearts, it's about dreams, and making them come true! I love the feeling that comes over me when a dancer is told they are 'going to Vegas'...I get chills, tears well up and my heart expands because I have just witnessed the truest form of happiness there is. I have let go of my dream to become a dancer, and that's okay, because I have other dreams...and this show inspires me to keep dreaming, keep believing, and make them happen!

Redo on Vintage style

First attempt EVER:



After some more research and practice:

Blog Permissions Changing

I don't know how many people still check my blog, since I stopped posting to it regularly, but now that I've decided to use it to showcase and gain feedback on my photo editing, I'm going to make it by invitation only. Basically, I just don't want ANYONE to be able to see exactly what I'm doing, for several reasons! LOL So, if you are a current reader and come across the blog in the future and have to request permission, it's nothing personal...just request and I'm sure access will be granted!

Parker (7 months) - Before & Afters - Set #2

Okay, here are a few more of this cutie!

BEFORE:



AFTER #1:



AFTER #2:

Once again, experimenting with 'less traditional' cropping. I think it adds some extra interest to a portrait!

BEFORE:



AFTER:

What's there to say?! Look at that face!

BEFORE:



AFTER (color):



AFTER (black & white):


Cropped in; I mean, look at those inquisitive eyes! Once again, couldn't decide between color or black & white?!

BEFORE:



AFTER (color):



AFTER (black & white):

Another sweet & innocent moment that I thought came across well in b&w...but I also loved the colors in his outfit so much I had to do both!

Parker (7 months) - Before & Afters

Here are some more of my edits! Let me know what you think! I'm having a blast learning and DOING! Everyone has different tastes, and I'm really having fun trying out different styles and figuring out which are my (and YOUR) favorites!

BEFORE:




AFTER:

I was going for a 'vintage' look. I think I made the vignette a little dark and a little much on this one, but I thought the style worked with the boots & afghan. I may have to go back and redo this one with out the vignette. Hmmmm.

BEFORE:


AFTER (color):



AFTER (black & white):

I wanted to try a closer crop on this one, and make it more interesting. I couldn't decide on color or black & white, so I did both. What do you think?

BEFORE:



AFTER (color):



AFTER (black & white):

Pretty much same thoughts as above on this one.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I just thought this was such a sweet & innocent look and that black & white could really capture that mood. Once again, the vignette is a little dark, I think it could be feathered a bit more too.

BEFORE:



AFTER:


AAAAHHHH! What more can you say about this one?!?

More to come! I loved editing this guy!

Lomo Look

I came across a tutorial that teaches how to create the 'Lomo Look' (a look that comes from using a special Russian made camera, as well as specific film processing, which increases contrast and saturation in the pictures), I thought it was pretty neat and thought I'd try it out on a few pics.

SOOC:

Lomo:

SOOC:

Lomo:

SOOC:

Lomo: