Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

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Highway 93A – The Old Banff/Jasper Highway

September 16, 2015 by Barb 8 Comments

Backing up a bit here … rather than taking the Icefields Parkway (HWY 93) to Athabasca Falls, we turned off onto the old Banff/Jasper Highway (HWY 93A), which parallels HWY 93 and ends up at the falls. It was a last minute decision and one we were astounded that we hadn’t considered before. It was spectacular.

If you like to avoid major highways in Jasper National Park for the peaceful meander of a Canadian Rockies backroad, then Highway 93A or “the old highway” is for you. Part of the original Banff/Jasper Highway, it now sees much lighter traffic.

Jasper National Park dot com

It was such an unexpected and delightful drive … we met approximately 2 cars and saw an older couple on bikes …
Highway 93A, Canadian Rockies Getaway, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the TimesWhen we stopped to take a closer look at a lake peeking through the trees, this is what we were presented with …
Highway 93A, Canadian Rockies Getaway, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the TimesI haven’t been able to identify the mountains …
Highway 93A
hwy93A_canoe_barbbrookbank-copy
Highway 93A, Canadian Rockies Getaway, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the Times
Highway 93A, Canadian Rockies Getaway, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the Times

It was a dull, drizzly day so most of my photos turned out kinda dark … however, I used several actions by Linda Sattgast from the “Fix Photos Fast” class she teaches at Digital Scrapper.

Just a few clicks to adjust exposure, contrast, and shadows/highlights. Two more clicks … one to flatten layers, and one of my own actions to “save for my blog” … done, done, and done!

Thanks for stopping by today!

See Sunwapta Falls and Old Man Mountain for Part VI

Filed Under: TRAVEL Tagged With: Canadian, digital scrapper, Linda Sattgast, photoshop, photoshop actions, rocky mountains, travel

Fix Photos Fast! My Experience

June 26, 2015 by Barb 2 Comments

Have you had a chance to check out the class Fix Photos Fast with Actions by Linda Sattgast which I’m offering at a discount price?  If you are at all interested, please don’t wait … I can personally attest to the fact that you will be getting more than your money’s worth, and the offer ends tomorrow night.

Fix Photos Fast with Actions, Keeping With the Times, Actions, Linda Sattgast, Digital Scrapper

Final Image

I used a few of Linda’s Photoshop actions on this peony image to create an invitation for an “imaginary” garden party I plan to hold in July ;) oh wait … I think I’m having a garden party all summer long …

Here’s my original image, straight out of camera:

Fix Photos Fast with Actions, Keeping With the Times, Actions, Linda Sattgast, Digital Scrapper

Original

I played the action “Lighter: Shadows/Highlights-minimum” and with one single click I achieved what I was going for; I wanted to lessen the shadows but I didn’t want to blow out the highlights on the peonies. Ya gotta love these results …

Fix Photos Fast with Actions, Keeping With the Times, Actions, Linda Sattgast, Digital Scrapper

Lighter_Shadows_Highlights-minimum

Then I played “Smart Sharpen-Low” and “Color: Boost” which gave just the right amount of color without being overwhelming. I could have played more using the mask to brush away some color, but I had to stop somewhere! It’s addictive and it could not be easier.

Subtle, but powerful changes:

Fix Photos Fast with Actions, Keeping With the Times, Actions, Linda Sattgast, Digital Scrapper

Lighter: Shadows/Highlights-minimum, Smart Sharpen-Low, Color: Boost

The class comes with a money back guarantee so you simply cannot lose … .

Click here to find out more about this class.

Thank you for dropping by and have a wonderful weekend!!

Filed Under: Photography Resources Tagged With: affiliate, digital scrapper, Linda Sattgast, photoshop, photoshop actions, Tutorial

Layer Mask Basics Free Tutorial

June 25, 2015 by Barb Leave a Comment

If you like adding artistic effects to your photos, I have the perfect short (approximately 6 minute) Layer Mask Basics how-to video for you.

For the Photoshop version, click here. For the Photoshop Elements version, click here.

You’ll learn how to blend a photo of an old wooden clipboard with an ordinary photo to create extraordinary results!

Start with a photo like this cute kitty sitting on a column.
Layer Mask Basics Free Tutorial

Add a photo of an old wooden clipboard above the kitty.

Layer Mask Basics Free TutorialLayer Mask Basics Free Tutorial

Change the blend mode of the clipboard layer and use a layer mask to put the slightly grungy effect exactly where you want it.

Layer Mask Basics Free Tutorial

This tutorial is especially helpful for anyone who doesn’t really understand how to use layer masks or why they’re even useful in the first place. The instructor, Linda Sattgast, says, “I use layer masks all the time when fixing or enhancing photos. It’s one of my most often used tools!”

Linda is the instructor for the Fix Photos FAST class I’m offering, so if you’re wondering whether you should take her class, this is a great way to see how she teaches.

Now through Saturday, June 27, 2015, I’m offering a discount on the Fix Photos FAST class. Click here to see my original post, and to get all the details.

Please don’t wait! This is an amazing class at an incredibly low price, and I can hardly believe Linda offers it at such a discount!

Again, for the Layer Masks Basics how-to video, Photoshop version click here. For the Photoshop Elements version, click here.

Filed Under: Photography Resources Tagged With: affiliate, digital scrapper, Linda Sattgast, photoshop, photoshop actions, Tutorial

Fix Photos Fast with Actions

June 23, 2015 by Barb 3 Comments

Actions: Fix Photos Fast! Header
As a new affiliate with Digital Scrapper, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to offer the class “Fix Photos Fast with Actions” by Linda Sattgast, at a discount price!

But first, a little background information … I joined Digital Scrapper in March of 2009, and it has to have been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’d just purchased a copy of Photoshop Elements 4 which included the “Learn Digital Scrapbooking” CD by Linda Sattgast. Linda’s teaching style is friendly, clear, and concise, and 95% of what I know about Photoshop and scrapbooking I found at Digital Scrapper. Amazingly, I went from learning Photoshop to teaching Photoshop! True story!

What if you don’t scrapbook? I say … no matter … we all use photos! We have them in our personal albums, on our blogs, on Instagram and/or Facebook … so why not make it easy on yourself (and your viewers) by using Photoshop actions to enhance them?

Click on the following image to be taken to the full class outline, and an opportunity to purchase at a discount price!

Actions: Fix Photos Fast! Class Contrast

I firmly believe in Linda and her dedicated team of professionals at Digital Scrapper, and am confident you will love this class (I know I did!)

Here’s an excerpt from the class description:

Here’s What You Get With Fix Photos FAST (by Linda Sattgast)

  • Receive my personal set of 36 time saving photo editing actions that I use constantly to fix my photos.
  • These actions are available for the following versions: Photoshop Elements 7 through 12 and Photoshop CS2 through Photoshop CC.
  • You receive both versions of this class: Photoshop Elements and Photoshop, so if you change versions, I’ve got you covered.
  • Print out my action “Cheat Sheet” to use as a quick reference until you get acquainted with what each action does.
  • For those who want more training, I’ve provided more than 25 video tutorials on various topics from how to use individual actions more effectively to my personal approach to photo editing.
  • I’ve also included more than a dozen Watch-Over-My-Shoulder videos where I go through a photo from beginning to end and tell you my thought process. In my opinion, this alone is worth the price of the class. You’ll pick up so many tidbits and ideas you may never have thought of before!

Limited Time Discount

For 4 days only this class is on sale for $10 off, so if you’re interested in a faster way to quickly fix your photos using actions,  click here to find out more about the class.

Here’s what one class member had to say:

I learned in a few weeks what I had tried (and failed) to learn in the prior 14 years.
Terri Fullerton, Michigan

This is a sample video from the Fix Photos FAST class:

Actions lighter less contrast video button

In the spirit of full disclosure, this is an affiliate link, which means I may get a commission if you decide to purchase this class. I only recommend products & systems that I use and love myself. I truly believe in Digital Scrapper.

Do you have questions or concerns? Please leave a comment and I’ll be very happy to answer them!

Click here to find out more about the Fix Photos FAST class.

Filed Under: Photography Resources Tagged With: affiliate, digital scrapper, Linda Sattgast, photoshop, photoshop actions, Tutorial

Photoshop Elements 12 Giveaway!

August 30, 2014 by Barb 39 Comments

NOTICE: DRAW IS CLOSED. WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW HERE ON THE BLOG!

Do you, or anyone you know, need/want Photoshop Elements 12? Perhaps you have an earlier version and have hesitated to upgrade, or you have a student in the family that would just loooove to have this!

Well, I have an exciting offer today! Digital Scrapper has provided me with one copy to give away!! Woot!

Now, I don’t need to “sell” you on the idea but if you’re interested in what’s new in PSE 12, you can check out this article at Adobe.
adobe ps 12, giveaway, keeping with the times, digital scrapper

So please, simply leave a comment and just say you’d like to have it, and your name will be entered in the draw (to be chosen by the True Random Number Generator.)

  • Make sure I am able to reach you … if you’re a no-reply blogger I have no way to respond.
  • Winner will be chosen on Friday, September 5th at 1:00 pm MDT.
  • If no one claims the prize by Sunday, September 7th at 1:00 pm MDT, another winner will be chosen.

Good luck!!

 

Filed Under: WORK WITH ME Tagged With: digital scrapper, giveaway, photoshop

Gingham Style Video Tutorial

August 2, 2014 by Barb 2 Comments

Hi all! Just popping in today to let you know about my newest tutorial “Gingham Style” available at Digital Scrapper (and it’s on sale too!)

Not only is this is an easy and fun technique where you’ll learn a bit about creating patterns and how to use them, you’ll also find some great Photoshop tips that may come in handy in any project you have in mind.digital scrapper tutorial, gingham style, keeping with the times

PS: this is not a sponsored post!

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: digital scrapper, photoshop, scrapbook, scrapbook

Amazing!! Free Offer from Digital Scrapper!!

April 10, 2014 by Barb 2 Comments

Digital Scrapper, Premier, Free Offer

A Little Bit of Whimsy by Barb Brookbank

Here’s an amazing offer that you really should check out. Every month Digital Scrapper releases 4 training videos, a kit, quick pages, and layered templates. It’s all part of a “Premier” package for the low cost of $8.99/month.

But here’s the deal! There’s a promotion going on right now where you can get the goodies for the whole month of April for FREE!! This has never happened before, and most likely will not happen again.

I can personally attest to the fact that if you are interested in learning how to use Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, this is THE place. I am a scrapper, but I’ve learned 95% of what I know about Photoshop at this site and have applied that knowledge to my photography, editing, and design skills.

I can also tell you that Linda Sattgast and her family are the most down-to-earth, friendly, and honest bunch you are ever going to run across! I feel like they are friends…

So I truly encourage you to take a look at this incredible offer. What can you lose? Check it out here Premier Free Trial.

Make sure to read the entire offer – from beginning to end (fine print!)

And, no… I did not get paid to write this!

Happy Thursday!!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: digital scrapper, photoshop, scrapbook, scrapbook

Art of Blending by Linda Sattgast

August 15, 2013 by Barb 4 Comments

art of blending, digital scrapper

Yikes! It’s the middle of August, people… how’d that happen? I hope all of you are having a great summer, I know I am.

July was filled with family visits, a birthday party, lake time, and the never-ending yard work.

Through it all, I’ve been trying to keep up with my classes and have been doing pretty good. I’m a little behind in a couple of them, but I’m sure I can catch up.

One of my favourites has been “The Art of Blending” taught by Linda Sattgast, at Digital Scrapper (it’s not open to registration at the moment).

This week we are on lesson 6, where Linda teaches about edges, and masks. I was completely fascinated with this lesson, and used masks in ways I never had before. I had to watch the video about 5 times to get the concept into my head… very good stuff!

I hope you like my onion bouquet… when I asked the farmer if I could have the tops off the onions, he was completely baffled… what would you want those for?

 

Textures:
cement-LSattgast-11 – Screen 30%
cement-LSattgast-11 – Soft Light 100%
instagram edges

Filed Under: PHOTOGRAPHY, Texture Tagged With: digital scrapper, flower, flowers, photoshop, texture

Summer Classes and Challenges

June 26, 2013 by Barb 14 Comments

I’m taking part in several classes and photography challenges this summer. I can’t believe that July is only a few days away… where did May and June go?

I wanted to get everything straight in my head, so I thought I would share my schedule with you (in order of appearance)…

The Phone Photography Project at Big Picture Classes starts on July 1st and runs until August 1st. It looks like a ton of fun! Lots of yummy new apps to try!

summertimeatthelake

Nurture Photography, Summer 2013 is a Photography Challenge from Kristi of Live and Love Out Loud, and Rebecca from Bumbles and Light. It starts July 5th and runs until August 2nd. I find this one a bit challenging, so I’m hoping I can keep up.

Poppy-Rain

From Start to Finish at Kim Klassen dot com. It starts on July 9th, and runs for 8 weeks. I don’t have to say anything to you about Kim… we all know how talented, creative, and generous she is.

scattered

The Art of Blending at Digital Scrapper, taught by Linda Sattgast starts July 10th and runs for 10 weeks.

Linda Sattgast has the most straightforward, precise, and friendly teaching style I’ve ever come across, and you always get good value for your money at Digital Scrapper:

All class materials (videos, manuals, textures, etc.) are downloadable. View the videos on any computer, tablet, or cell phone that has internet. You have “Forever Access” to the classroom materials, so no need to worry about a computer crash or accidentally losing something. You’ll have personal access to Linda Sattgast, Adobe’s Scrapbooking Expert, in the class Gallery and Forum for the 10 weeks of class, so go ahead—ask her any questions you want about blending! The class Forum and Gallery will be available for posting during the 10 weeks of class, and available for viewing (but not posting) after the class ends.

lakeviews

Whew! So there you have it!

I wonder if I’m going to be able to keep up… the lake beckons…

Filed Under: LIFE Tagged With: blogging, digital scrapper, kim klassen, photoshop, texture

September…

October 2, 2012 by Barb 14 Comments

I can’t believe that September is over… I asked it not to go but it wouldn’t listen…

As I created this layout the song, ‘Please Don’t Go’ by KC and the Sunshine Band just kept running through my mind: ‘please don’t go, don’t go, I’m begging you to stay’. It summed up how I was feeling. It was recorded in 1979 and was one of my favourites.

This is on the road where I take my walks . . .

Our Digital Scrapper October kit “Photographie” was released this morning – and is it gorgeous or what!

October 2012 Digital Scrapper Premier ‘Photographie’ by Joanne Brisebois
July 2010 Digital Scrapper Premier ‘Beautiful Blending’ by Susie Roberts
I ran the ‘Rough Pastels’ filter on the photo.
Font: Pea Mel’s In Between

Filed Under: Scrapbook Tagged With: digital scrapper

New Digi Scrap Tutorial

May 8, 2012 by Barb 3 Comments

Time to check out my new Digi Scrap Tutorial at Digital Scrapper. It’s only available for one week and then it disappears – really, truly, it disappears.


Interested in getting the weekly newsletter? Check it out at Digital Scrapper!

Filed Under: Scrapbook Tagged With: digital scrapper

Happy {i}NSD!!

May 1, 2012 by Barb 2 Comments

Today is {inter}National Scrapbooking Day. At Digital Scrapper we are having a week-long celebration with challenges, freebies, and prizes! Yes! Great prizes! We are giving away 7 copies of Photoshop Elements 10!! All you have to do is enter one or all of our challenges (more entries, more chances to win) to be eligible. Winners are drawn by a random number generator so it’s not a competition as far as creating the best layout is concerned.

Today, our Forum Director, Darcy Baldwin has provided 2 free templates – you choose one, or both, and create a layout. One entry – one chance. Two entries – two chances! Hope to see you there!

This is my layout from Darcy’s Template ‘B’

Filed Under: Scrapbook Tagged With: digital scrapper

Free Font!!

April 17, 2012 by Barb 5 Comments

New blog post over at Digital Scrapper! Darcy Baldwin is our new Forum Director and to celebrate, she is giving away a free, handwritten font! Free – totally free! Head on over to our Blog to check it out! It’s at the bottom of the page.

Filed Under: Scrapbook Tagged With: digital scrapper

Photoshop CS5, PSE Template Tutorial

March 4, 2012 by Barb 6 Comments

My Digi Scrap Tutorial this week at Digital Scrapper is how to create a template for a paint chip-inspired layout. Make sure to save the template so you can use it over and over – as many of you know, this can be addictive!

For more information on how to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter head on over to Digital Scrapper.

Filed Under: Scrapbook Tagged With: digital scrapper

Grenada – Island of Spice

February 7, 2012 by Barb 18 Comments

 

We visited this beautiful island in January of 2010 and I took this photo from the cruise ship as we were leaving. Grenada is known for its spices: nutmeg, mace, cloves, bay leaves, cotton, cinnamon. We toured a spice farm and went to Annandale Falls. It was quite the experience riding a bus on narrow, winding, (I’d say treacherous) roads. Everyone, everywhere you went, was looking for a tip. It could have been overwhelming but we just accepted that this is Grenada. It is a very poor country and the last hurricane, Ivan, destroyed almost 90% of their spice farms. So many people were in dire straights – we didn’t begrudge them their tips.

I chose this photo as the subject of a tutorial I took at Digital Scrapper.

Credits:
Photo… Sketch… Painting.
February 2012 Digital Scrapper Premier—©2012 Digital Scrapper. Lesson by Jan Walker.
Photo Mask – February 2012 Digital Scrapper Premier kit ‘Count the Ways’ by Joanne Brisebois.
Font: All Over Again

Filed Under: Scrapbook Tagged With: digital scrapper

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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