Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

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Texture Tuesday, and One Thing

April 14, 2015 by Barb 18 Comments

Today is Texture Tuesday and I present my “one thing”.

To explain … the “one thing” is a prompt in The Studio|Online whereby we choose one item and use it in a series of photos.

I’m currently working on a series of plate images and decided to use the burnt old cookie sheet I found at a garage sale as a background.

I’m happy enough with these, but my plan is to set up and shoot 4 different plates at the same time, with the same light, and apply the same processing to each one. This prompt is very inspiring and also grounding … as long as my background stays the same I can play and play and play …

Texture Tuesday, One Thing, Keeping With the Times

Texture Tuesday, One Thing, Keeping With the Times

I’ve used this background many times before …

glbmllwwthn

… with lots of different elements …

Texture Tuesday, One Thing, Keeping With the TimesTexture Tuesday, One Thing, Keeping With the Times

… and I’m feeling more and more inspired! So strange how that is—it’s the same thing over and over—but different each time.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Filed Under: Texture Tagged With: kim klassen, lightroom preset, texture

Hyacinth, Willow and Tulip Play

March 31, 2015 by Barb 16 Comments

I was happy to return home last Friday (home sweet home) but there isn’t much colour around so I remedied that with a quick trip to the grocery store for a spring bouquet filled with hyacinth and tulips.

But since I felt overwhelmed by the fullness of it … I plucked out one purple hyacinth, one yellow tulip, added a sprig of pussywillow, and suddenly I could see clearly … ahhh … simplicity …

Hyacinth, Willow and Tulip Play, Texture Tuesday, Keeping With the Tiimes

A little preset play was in order … so on the following image I used kk_within … one of my favourites …

kk_within

km_within

Next … kk_chocolate with a little brightening of the yellow in the tulip:

Hyacinth Willow and Tulip, Texture Tuesday, Keeping With the Tiimes

kk_chocolate

I’m linking up at Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen dot com.

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: flower, kim klassen, lightroom, still life, texture

Tulips for Texture Tuesday

March 3, 2015 by Barb 23 Comments

Tulips in their last moments are absolutely stunning. Delicate, transparent petals curl this way and that, clinging to pale twisted stems that can no longer hold them upright.

As I was making dinner on Sunday, I looked up at the bouquet I’d had for over a week. A few petals were dropping silently onto the counter in front of me. A bit of yellow pollen filtered down and sparkled in the sunlight that was streaming in from the west windows. It’s funny, until that moment I hadn’t had any urge to take photos of them. I’d simply enjoyed their frilly orange selves standing straight and tall in a glass container.

But suddenly, I was more than ready to trade a vegetable peeler in exchange for florist scissors. I walked into the pantry, pulled out a rustic piece of black painted metal and set it on the floor. I gently snipped the blooms and ever so carefully laid them down.

Tulips Last Hurrah, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday, Dark and Moody

I was amazed at the light coming into the pantry and how it was making the petals glow. Here are two more edits in LR.

Tulips Last Hurrah, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday, Dark and Moody

kk_within

Tulips Last Hurrah, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday, Dark and Moody

kk_touchadrama

Linking up to Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

I hope you’ll join us tomorrow for “app” happy wednesday! Come and link up an image edited with apps of any kind – there really are no rules!

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: flower, kim klassen, lightroom, texture

Vintage Kitchen Blues

February 24, 2015 by Barb 12 Comments

My vintage kitchen blues: my Mom’s cookbooks, a couple of  tea towels, a ladle and a blue Medalta bowl. Processed in LR using kk_within.Vintage Kitchen Blues

I’m loving Kim’s new guidelines for Texture Tuesday! Texture is now texture, whether it’s an overlay, a preset, or texture in an image … woot yay! I’ve become so enthralled with presets it’s almost all I use anymore. BUT today I added one (very light) layer of kk_touch-a just because …

Update: I got my postcards mailed – I’m so stinkin’ proud! and excited to receive six pieces of amazing art in the mail from people all over the world!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: kim klassen, lightroom, photoshop, texture

Texture Tuesday: On Ice

December 16, 2014 by Barb 21 Comments

About two weeks ago hubby cleared the snow from a large area on the lake to use as a skating rink (check this IG image for the action shot). We’d had a ton of snow and the temperatures were brutal. However, the forecast was for unseasonably warm temperatures to arrive … the perfect recipe for perfect ice!

texture tuesday on ice

kk_oldendays

As the sun shone on the ice, it melted slightly and formed an even and perfect surface for skating.

texture tuesday: on ice

texture tuesday: on ice

Just in time for the holidays …

keeping with the times

Hot chocolate, marshmallows, and truffles …

texture tuesday: on ice

texture tuesday: on ice

keeping with the times

 

keeping with the times

skating and hot chocolate11

kk_gentle

Thanks for dropping by today, and have a wonderful week!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Texture Tagged With: lightroom, texture

Texture Tuesday: Echinops on Potting Bench

October 28, 2014 by Barb 19 Comments

Yesterday I spent a pleasant, but chilly couple of hours outside playing at my potting bench. The temperature was hovering around 3C but I found it rather invigorating.

I had some tidying up to do; washing clay pots, putting tools away, and gathering items to bring indoors for props during the winter. I just wish there was some way I could bring my potting bench in …

Echinops on Potting Bench

I shot and edited this image with my phone, then sent it to Photoshop to add one layer of kk_way on soft light at about 50%.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: texture

Texture Tuesday and “On a Chair”

October 21, 2014 by Barb 25 Comments

I’m combining Texture Tuesday with some of my Start to Finish lessons. I used a white vintage chippy chair, baby pumpkins, an old bowl, and some burlap.

We’ve been enjoying the most wonderful Indian Summer … which is hard to believe after the dump of snow we had six weeks ago!

I want to take advantage of every second, so yesterday, I took my chippy chair outside and sat on the lawn and stared at it. I found this chair several weeks ago at “One Man’s Treasure” and nearly fainted when I saw it! Then I nearly fainted again when the dear owner said she only wanted $20.00 for it! How could I leave without it? I’d been watching for it for months and months.
Texture Tuesday, and "On a Chair"

Once I set it on the lawn, and saw the tall crispy grasses and semi-bare trees behind it, I instantly “felt” it, and I spent a couple of hours playing with different setups!

On a Chair, Start to Finish, Texture Tuesday

DSC_2491-copy

On a Chair, Start to Finish, Texture Tuesday

DSC_2479-copy

I wasn’t entirely happy with all of the results (simply because I couldn’t express what was in my “minds eye”), but they are certainly OK.

I processed them in LR with the Start to Finish – Day 8 lessons in mind. So much to learn there … I could go over them 10 times and still find some new tip or trick! The biggest thing I learned had to do with cropping … nothing earth-shattering, just something for me to think about.

I used the texture kk_simple on all of the images, except the last one.

Happy Tuesday! and thanks so much for dropping by!

Texture Tuesday at kimklassen.com

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: texture

Wabi Sabi: Setting Up a Still Life

September 16, 2014 by Barb 19 Comments

Today I want to share my process in setting up this still life, and how a simple change of angle gave my wabi sabi image much more impact.

I’d been watching a gazania wither and dry for over a week. As the days went by, I knew it was going to be my post for Texture Tuesday. It could qualify for Be Still 52 as well because it took some thought (but not effort), for me to visualize what I wanted to do with it.

I knew I was going to set it on an old wooden door I’d salvaged quite some time ago. I also knew the photo was going to be taken “from above”, and that I’d be using my little garden snips, and twine.

I really wanted to show you a “before” image as a mouseover, but I cannot get it to work in WordPress… grrrrrr … if WordPress doesn’t like a certain html code, it takes the liberty of stripping it from a post … major grrrrr. If anyone knows a workaround for this annoyance could you please share it with me?

Anyway, following is the image I was working on to start with, and I just did not like it … can you see what’s wrong?

This is the back of the door, and the support board was going straight across from left to right and it was really bothering me. It didn’t look crooked, but it did not look straight either.

wabi sabi gazania

So, I ended up tipping the whole image, and instantly, everything felt right! ahhh … don’t you agree?

I think this is a much better version… wonderful and very wabi sabi!

I processed it in LR with kk_whisper, then added a layer of kk_quiet on soft light at 50%.

wabi sabi gazania

The following close-up image was processed in LR with kk_gentle.

I’m loving these presets from Kim I tell ya! They add instant charm and a beautiful feel to every still life, and you just know it’s going to be perfect.

wabi sabi gazania

lr preset: kk_gentle

I hope you’ve enjoyed the explanation of my process!

I’ve registered for the new round of  Start to Finish that begins later this month, and I’m so looking forward to it! Who else out there is taking it?

Oh, and please don’t forget to join me here tomorrow for “app” happy wednesday!

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: flower, texture

Texture Tuesday: Silverware and Serviettes

September 9, 2014 by Barb 19 Comments

Wrap vintage silverware with twine and a spring of rosemary for a great addition to any autumn tablescape!

Good morning! I’ll try not to whine too much about our overnight dump of snow … but I did have to mention it, so as to get it out of my system … ugh …

Many of my flowers are mush now … but not my herbs, they’re  fine, so I decided to bring a few in and play around with them.

I edited these images in LR, first adjusting exposure, cropping, and then I applied the preset kk_lightly.

For the first two, I added the texture kk_leslie, at soft light (65%) which warmed  them up …

Silverware-and-Herbs

Silverware-and-Herbs1

The following set has just the preset with no added texture, which left them cooler …

I can’t decide which I like best! Usually I prefer the cooler tones but this time … it may be a tie! What do you think?

Silverware-and-Herbs

Silverware-and-Herbs2

kk_lightly only:

Serviette-and-Silverware2014

Many thanks to all who have signed up for my newsletter! I’m thrilled and honoured that you did! I’m looking forward to communicating in a more personal way.

So … exciting changes for me! The automatic RSS driven e-mail subscription will not be available after today …

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: lightroom, photoshop, texture

Feeling Wishy-Washy

September 2, 2014 by Barb 11 Comments

I’m feeling kind of wishy-washy tonight as I prepare my post for TT. A busy week last week and a busy weekend combined with computer woes, e-mail problems, updates, passwords … all spinning around in my head … ugh … double ugh … I’m really hoping I finally have everything sorted out. I look forward to a quiet and uneventful September … fingers crossed.

I did so much to this photo that I can’t even begin to explain … I’ve been practicing in LR with presets and I’m pretty sure all that really ended up on this is Kim’s kk_lightly. I’m loving the 31 Days of LR with all the fantastic info and wonderful free presets! Yes, I’m behind but what can I say. I’m behind in just about everything right now.

gazania and tea

So for now I’ll bid you a “good-night” even though it will be morning when you see this!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

PS: I’m giving away a copy of Photoshop Elements 12 (draw on Friday, September 5). Check out this post for details.

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Texture Tagged With: lightroom, photoshop

Friday Finds: Oregano

August 22, 2014 by Barb 20 Comments

I seem to be drawn to tiny, understated flowers, so when I saw that my oregano was blooming I had to snip a few sprigs to play with.
oregano-copy-2

I think it would make a great bridal bouquet … for an elf …

Friday Finds: Oregano, keeping with the times

The cute font is free and is DJB Jacked Up Kinda Love from our own fontographer, Darcy Baldwin (from Digital Scrapper). You can find her fonts in the shop here, and Darcy can also turn your very own handwriting into a font! Check that out here.

LR Preset: kk_lightandairy

Texture: kk_poetic

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: flower, friday finds, lightroom, photoshop, texture

Time to Start Thinking About It

August 19, 2014 by Barb 15 Comments

Autumn Whites

 

Our summer this year was amazing. We had above average temperatures and no violent storms. We had lots of time with our family which we spent out on the lake, having campfires, and just generally hanging out.

Now the sun is rising later and setting earlier … there’s just no getting around it. That’s one of the first signs that things are changing. The leaves are looking tired and so are my flower pots.

I have to admit I’m a bit relieved to have some rain and cooler temps this morning and I plan to do some baking, something I haven’t done for weeks because of the heat.

And as far as blogging goes I feel like I’ve fallen off the grid and must now either step it up or … else …

So I pulled an image out of the archives this morning; something that has become a lot easier since I’ve been working on my LR organization. However, I was watching one of the videos for the 31 Days class and oh.my.heavens … my keywords are a disaster … oh my … but onwards and upwards!

Today I’m posting a creation and that’s what counts! I ran kk_lightandairy_film and then added one layer of kk_quiet on soft light.

Don’t forget “app” happy wednesday tomorrow! I hope to see you there!

 

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: lightroom, photoshop, texture

Texture Tuesday: Oh What an Inspiration!

August 12, 2014 by Barb 12 Comments

echinops, lightroom, adobe, adobe photoshop, lightroom template, kim klassen

Today is TT and I’m late to the party … but as it turns out, it’s a good thing.

When I read Kim’s post I was so struck by her words “something good is about to happen” …

Those words! So full of promise, anticipation, excitement.

Something good is about to happen!

I don’t really know what she is referring to, but that doesn’t matter. It’s not the point. If I saw these words on my bathroom mirror every morning I’d be so excited to start the day wondering what it could be … Perhaps it’s only that …

  • it’s a most beautiful summer day here
  • the echinops in my garden are glorious
  • I found the best tools and cleaners for my windows which are now beyond sparkling
  • I spent over 30 minutes organizing LR and now my presets are in order
  • I thought of a great new idea for an (autumn) wreath
  • and on and on … who knows? the day is not over.

For today’s image I used kk_melancholy and the font is Arsenale White on Overlay Blend Mode

 

Don’t forget! tomorrow is “app” happy wednesday!!

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Texture Tagged With: flower, lightroom, photoshop

Texture Tuesday: Daisy-a-Day

July 29, 2014 by Barb 14 Comments

daisy, still life, texture tuesday, keeping with the times

kk_way

Oh my, July is whizzing by … as I spend beautiful day after beautiful day with grandkids on the lake or in the yard as they play, I make sure to say a little thank you every day for all my blessings.

lake fun 2014

Here’s my day yesterday:

6:00 am – greeted my youngest grandson (said a little thank you inside) … gave him breakfast and set him up in front of the TV (yes I did).

6:00 – 8:00 I wrote a tutorial. Yes. I wrote a tutorial! Sometimes you just gotta do what you just gotta do.

8:00 – greeted my two older grandchildren (said a little thank you inside) … and then helped hubby prepare breakfast for all.

Spent some time washing their clothes and towels, then made lunch to take out onto the boat. We were out on the lake from 12:30 – 3:30.

lake-fun1-copy

When we came in hubby and I spent the next couple of hours in the yard while they splashed around in the pool.

Hubby lit a fire and we roasted hot dogs and then s’mores. When I glanced over at the youngest grandson I could see he was staring straight ahead with s’mores all over his face. He was zoned out, but blissful.

I took him in, gave him a bath and put him to bed (he actually asked to go …).

At 8:00 I took some Ibuprofen and laid down on the sofa with my iPad and proceeded to watch a marathon of LR-Begin classes. I’m so behind but I really want to get this one finished – it’s bursting with info.

Took a little break and helped the other two fold their clothes and get ready for bed.

Then I went back to LR-Begin. I remember drifting off a few times … I hope I was at least getting subliminal messages …

lake fun 2014

See you tomorrow at “app” happy wednesday!

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: flower, texture

Texture Tuesday: Reflecting

July 8, 2014 by Barb 18 Comments

Good morning! The peonies are producing like crazy and I have light pink, dark pink and white ones vying for attention.

Today I have a single light pink blossom to share with you. I’m cheating … I know it’s Texture Tuesday but with all the lr presets that Kim has provided in the Be Still 52 class … I cannot stop playing …

I used kk_oldendays on these … sigh …
Peony Mirror Still Life, Keeping With the Times

Peony Mirror Still Life, Keeping With the Times

Peony Mirror Still Life, Keeping With the Times

… and be still my heart palpitations … I applied kk_darkmood and reduced the clarity from 57 to -44.

Peony Mirror Still Life, Keeping With the Times

… good heavens, I can’t decide! here it is with the clarity at 57 … which do you prefer?

Peony Mirror Still Life, Keeping With the Times

Oh my … you are getting off easy today. I could post 15 of these but I’m going to restrain myself and save some for a rainy day.

Happy TT!

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Texture Tagged With: be still 52 class, flower, lightroom, photoshop

Texture Tuesday: Anemone Flashback

July 1, 2014 by Barb 14 Comments

Texture Tuesday, keeping with the times

Just popping in to say hi! and happy TT! Today is Canada Day, so Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians!

We’ve had such a fun holiday visiting with family. Our oldest daughter and her family have been here since Friday. Today they are heading home … so sad … already can’t wait for next time … .

Have a wonderful day and I hope to see you tomorrow at “app” happy wednesday!

kk_awaken
LR Preset Melancholy at 25%

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Texture Tagged With: flower, lightroom, photoshop, texture

Melancholy Lilac III

June 24, 2014 by Barb 21 Comments

Melancholy Lilac III, Texture Tuesday, Keeping With the Times

As one lilac shrub finishes blooming, I have another one just starting. I’m afraid the melancholy days may not be over … .

kk_greyday

kk_melancholy lr preset

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Texture Tagged With: lightroom, photoshop, texture

Scentless Chamomile for Texture Tuesday

May 13, 2014 by Barb 16 Comments

Good Tuesday Morning!

I had to rummage through the archives for something yellow and came up with these lovely wildflowers which some would call weeds (some would call them even worse than weeds).Scentless Chamomile for Texture Tuesday

But really, they are such pretty “worse than weeds” wouldn’t you say? I’m looking forward to seeing them blooming by the wayside again this year.

Chamomile-Chair3-copy

I’ve been going full steam ahead on several projects as well as trying to clean the house, paint the dock, and tidy up the yard after a long winter. I’m running out of steam… so this is going to be a quick post – I just didn’t want to miss another TT …

Don’t forget “app” happy wednesday tomorrow! Please come by and link up your mini masterpieces created with apps – apps of any kind! It’s just so much fun!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com where the theme today is “yellow”

kk_3003

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Texture Tagged With: flower, photoshop, texture

Texture Tuesday: Pressed Flowers

May 6, 2014 by Barb 10 Comments

Texture Tuesday

We finally arrived home yesterday after driving 3,000 km in three days (which is much more civilized than driving it in two days). I’m going to need at least a week to catch up on some work and I can’t even think about posting about our trip until Thursday.

As I sat in my office/sitting room I was leafing through one of my journals and came across this pressed bleeding heart. I was quite intrigued by it.

Last summer I had embarked upon a flower pressing project, even making the press myself. Then I put it on the “back burner” and forgot about it. It’s funny how a project can seem so much more interesting after some time passes.

This is kind of what my garden looks like right now. Dry, brown,  and flat but filled with memories and new hopes. I feel inspired to dig out that press and resume my project. Just doing something for the joy of it would be kind of a nice and I should do more of it. Speaking of that, don’t forget about “app” happy wednesday tomorrow!! I hope to see you there!

PS… you can see I’m quite out of the loop – I forgot today’s theme was “cuppa”… oh well … next week will be better …

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen.com

kk_rene

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Texture Tagged With: texture

Texture Tuesday: Heavenly Hydrangea

April 29, 2014 by Barb 34 Comments

Today I have two treasures to share with you. First up is the Ball Jar, found while browsing antique stores in Prescott, AZ with three of my blogging friends: Melinda, Terri, and Barbara.

It was Terri who alerted us to the jars. She collects them and even knows the dates they were manufactured according to the typeface used for the logo. I figure this one was made sometime between 1910 – 1923.

Hydrangea in Ball Jar, Texture Tuesday

Hydrangea in Ball Jar, Texture Tuesday

Second up is the hydrangea. It was so dreamy I couldn’t decide whether I liked it in the Ball jar, or just a plain old white vase, so I went crazy and posted both versions today.

Hydrangea White Vase, Texture Tuesday

Hydrangea, Texture Tuesday

Hydrangea White Vase, Texture Tuesday

Tomorrow I’ll be posting my Waterlogue version and what I did to get the results I wanted.

BTW, don’t forget that “app” happy wednesday is tomorrow and I really hope to see you there! It’s a fun place to share your photos edited with apps and maybe learn a few tips and tricks from fellow bloggers.

Check it out here: “app” happy wednesday.

Have a wonderful day!

 

kk_berrily (LR Preset)

kk_sybil texture on Soft Light

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: arizona, flower, kim klassen, lightroom, photoshop, texture

‘Tis The Gift to be Simple

April 22, 2014 by Barb 20 Comments

tis a gift to be simple, texture tuesday, shaker song,

What could be simpler and have less impact on our environment than an antique wooden bowl?

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: kim klassen, lightroom, photoshop, texture

Texture Tuesday: Wabi Sabi

April 15, 2014 by Barb 19 Comments

Texture Tuesday, Perfectly Imperfect, Wabi Sabi, Kim Klassen, Barb Brookbank

Right now my whole world is the colour of a pussy willow; off-white, cream, brown.

Yesterday I observed a rabbit that had this exact colouring! It’s starting to change from the snowy whiteness of winter to the dusty brown of summer.

We have old dirty snow, brown grass, and tangles of branches everywhere.

It’s beautiful. It’s my world, and I feel alive.

Today Kim talks about Wabi Sabi. Oh my! it’s the only reason I got this posted this morning. I won’t say any more… you must pop over to read about it! Thank you Kim!!

Disclaimer:

I’m going into town today with the girls, and I’m making a bee-line to the flower shop …

Have a wonderful Tuesday and thank you for stopping by!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

kk_sophia

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: kim klassen, lightroom, photoshop, pussy willow, spring, texture

Texture Tuesday: For the Love of Simplicity

April 8, 2014 by Barb 19 Comments

Antique Wooden Bowl

I love simplicity in everything whether it’s art, decorating my home, or life in general. And even though I can’t claim that my whole lifestyle is simple, I do try to keep it that way.

Antique Wooden Bowl

I have the luxury of keeping my life simple. I hope I always do.

Happy TT!!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

kk_justatouch2

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: kim klassen, lightroom, photoshop, texture

A Trio of Visual Triangles

April 1, 2014 by Barb 18 Comments

Texture Tuesday

I have this thing about collecting little jars and filling them with dried bits and pieces. Here we have some birch branches, a sprig of yarrow, and some poppy seed heads. I considered this arrangement for quite some time and decided what I like about it is the orderliness of it all.

The image is made up of three visual triangles:

  • The jars themselves; shorter to taller then back down to shorter. The little small one in the middle draws the eye across the bottom.
  • The three dried sprigs.
  • The colours; dark gold yarrow at the top, a brown and beige label on the left, and the dark bottle on the right.

Yes, I am a little bit obsessed with triangles. I believe it goes back to my days at “Get It Scrapped” where Debbie Hodge devotes several classes to just this concept. Then she teaches a class about how to throw out the whole idea of visual triangles … wait a minute … hmmmm … anyway I now look for visual triangles everywhere I go. I think I love them. You can see it at work on some of my decorating when I created “My Quirky Autumn Mantel“.

Couple things to note today. If you are an Instagrammer, there is a fun little challenge going on called #prettywaterlogueapril hosted by @prettyhandygirl. Check it out on my feed “keepingupblog“, it’s nothing but fun!

Focusing on Life  has a new theme for April, which is “Earth Day”, lots of fun there too! You can participate on Instagram, your blog, or flickr – check it out!

And don’t forget to check out all the beauties over at Kim Klassen dot com for Texture Tuesday. I used Kim’s kk_1808 for my image today.

Thanks for stopping by!

Also check out Still Life Photography at Cheryl McCain Photography.

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: kim klassen, lightroom, photoshop, texture

Medalta Pottery Still Life

March 18, 2014 by Barb 22 Comments

Here’s another photo of my lovely Medalta pottery bowls, and while I started the edits in LR, I did allow myself to take it into Photoshop to finish it up.

I’m so much more pleased with the results this time.

Medalta-Still-Life

I used a series of similar images in a collage last week for Friday Finds. I had challenged myself to see if I could create a collage from start to finish in LR, and while the results weren’t great, I posted it anyway. It’s part of my ongoing struggle with LR, which I am proud to say I am slowly conquering. Slowly.

This morning I received an e-mail from Pinterest saying that they had removed one of my pins due to a copyright complaint. Gasp! I almost had a heart attack! But they were quick to explain that the complaint was not directed toward me, it was against another user. Hmmm, in the future, I think I’m going to be more careful, maybe visiting the original site and reading their policies before I re-pin something. Stealing content is the last thing I want to be accused of. This has been my first brush with the dark side of Pinterest.

Today this country bumpkin is heading into “town” with friends for a day of shopping and lunching. The perfect antidote to the March blahs…

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

kk_anne

 

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: kim klassen, lightroom, photoshop, texture

Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen

March 4, 2014 by Barb 24 Comments

Hover your cursor over this image to see the “before” photo.

 

I think I may have become so accustomed to playing with iPhoneography that it has spilled over into my TT creations. I’m also working on a tiny laptop with questionable monitor colours. So I guess I’m asking you to forgive me if my image looks a bit, shall we say, different today.

Oh good heavens! I need to get over it – I’m just having fun! We’ve been suffering through dangerously cold temperatures with ghastly wind chills on top of it, so if I want to go a bit wild on my Tucson doors, I guess that’s what I have to do.

When I added Kim’s “cherishedscripted” texture with the “Hue” blend mode, something magical happened. Hover your cursor over the image to see the “before” photo and you’ll see what I mean.

Here’s the texture I used:

kk_cherishscripted-example

I also ran a couple Photoshop filters to simultaneously sharpen and blur the photo.

I know spring is around the corner, at least that’s what the calendar tells me. And that’s what the stores are telling me too. They are overflowing with colourful capris, and t-shirts, and light jackets, and I’d be lying if I said I had resisted the urge to pick up a “few” new things … it’s a form of dreaming, I guess.

So what about you? Are you caught in the vise grip of winter too? or are you enjoying spring? Do tell!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Texture Tagged With: arizona, kim klassen, lightroom, photoshop, texture

Be Still

February 25, 2014 by Barb 20 Comments

Tulips, Be Still, Texture Tuesday

kk_sophia

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: flower, kim klassen, lightroom, photoshop, texture

Texture Tuesday

January 14, 2014 by Barb 27 Comments

Texture Tuesday Pansy

What do I dream about? When I thought about it, I didn’t really have an answer so when I challenged myself to come up with one, my garden came to mind.

Yes, I dream about my garden. I miss being able to walk outside to pluck even the tiniest little bloom. I miss my potting bench (which was a simple dream of mine that came true), and I miss photographing flowers. I had to dig around my files this morning and I came up with this tiny pansy bouquet. Such a simple little thing and at the time, I don’t think I appreciated it as much as I do now.

What’s one simple thing you dream about?

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: flower, kim klassen, lightroom, photoshop, tutorial

Vintage Blue with a Touch of Lemon

January 7, 2014 by Barb 21 Comments

I felt I needed a bit of colour this week and because I couldn’t find any flowers I liked, I bought some lovely Meyer lemons. I piled them into my big old glass cookie jar with the blue stripes and blue lid, and added one vintage blue mason jar in the background.

meyer lemons

myer-lemons1-copy

What a bright spot in my otherwise white and grey wintry world. When I went back and looked over my last few posts I was struck by the lack of colour in them. Not a bad thing, just an observation … .

As I mentioned in my 14 in 2014, I’m trying to get a handle on LR. It’s really only the organizing part that I can’t (couldn’t) seem to grasp. But I decided to start over with a brand new catalog and simply go from there. I ‘m pleased to say that something has “clicked” and so far, so good. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

kk_trace

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Still Life, Texture Tagged With: kim klassen, lightroom, photoshop, texture

I’m Working On It

December 31, 2013 by Barb 14 Comments

Yesterday I spent a lot of time trying to write a post about my word for 2014 and I could not get it done.

I think I know what’s standing in my way, and it’s the fact that I first need to write about my word for 2013 and how it all went down. I may never post it – but I need to get it out of my system.

Let-Yourself-be-Drawn

My word for last year was WORK and it served me well. I had made a commitment and I worked hard all year to fulfill it. Now I’m looking back and reassessing, trying to decide how to approach it this year. I really need to think … .

So today, I decided to simply join in with my friends at Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com. Kim has suggested we write out a list of 14 things we want to see happen in 2014. That feels like less pressure to me, not so precise, and perhaps it will help me think more clearly. Until then … have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve everyone!!

Textures:

kk_desert

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Texture Tagged With: kim klassen, photoshop, texture

Snowstorm

December 17, 2013 by Barb 17 Comments

Our world outside is grey and brown (and white). It’s no wonder that inside we light candles and put twinkly lights on trees.

Shed-in-Winter

I was watching the news last night and contemplating how parts of the world are in so much turmoil, and how so many people are in desperate situations – and I mean desperate… there seems to be no hope…  it’s hard to comprehend.

I know, I’m being a downer and I’ll stop right here.

I just feel so grateful that my world is simply cold and grey and silent. I am warm, and well-fed, and safe… and so is my family.

Have a grateful Tuesday!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Snowstorm courtesy of : kk_magicfilm2

Filed Under: Artful Photography, Texture Tagged With: kim klassen, lightroom, photoshop, texture

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Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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