lightroom preset Archives - Keeping With The Times

Meeting Online Friends: Making it Happen

January 26, 2017 by Barb 11 Comments

Meeting online friends these days has become pretty common … and when said new friend visits you in your home, you make lemon loaf, serve tea, and then you shoot it ;) (that is, if your new friend is a fellow photographer and lover of still life styling!)

Meeting online friends is easy ... serve tea and lemon loaf ...

I’m loving the new Lightroom presets by Kim Klassen. Today’s photo edited with kk_claro: click, boom!

I met Kathy @kpardell at #findingstillness2016 with Kim @kimklassen back in September and I was immediately struck by her enthusiasm and determination to learn everything she could; from styling, to photography, to editing. She was already styling beautiful images which I’d been noticing online in The Studio 2.0 and I was curious to discover who this new talent was!

So after a few days of getting to know her (in real life), and because she lives in the same province as I do, I invited her to come stay with me “someday”. Well, with Kathy Pardell “someday” is not a day of the week ;) quote by Denise Brennan-Nelson

As soon as I uttered the words, the wheels were in motion! So after spending several months trying to come up with a mutually agreeable date, we finally settled on a late January visit.

Suddenly, I was nervous. Very, very, nervous. I (would have said) Kathy and I are on opposite ends of the personality spectrum. Kathy being a Type A, and me being a Type B. And while there may be a bit of truth to that analysis, it certainly wasn’t a problem. We got along famously!

She arrived around noon so I had homemade soup simmering on the stove, ready to warm hearts and hands. A perfect way to break the ice!

I also had a lemon loaf I’d baked just that morning, so I suggested we use it to create a few still life images around two friends enjoying tea and cake. That kept us busy for hours … shooting, editing, and finally eating some of that yummy loaf.

After lunch we took a walk to soak up the bright January sunlight and work off a bit of the sugar high from the cake we’d eaten. I also wanted to give Kathy an idea of how I live—quietly, on the shores of a small lake, in a somewhat secluded area.

For dinner I made a simple salad (recipe to come later this week). I’d marinated a salmon, which I barbecued and served with asparagus and rice. Easy, but elegant.

With bellies full and feeling like we’d known each other for ages, we retired to the living room where we talked and talked: about food, photography, and life. We enjoyed tea, wine, and a roaring fire.

Yesterday I took her around to visit my favourite little stores: one a country store about 5 minutes from my home, and the other a junque store in a small town about 20 minutes away. A few purchases and a delicious lunch later, we headed back to relax for the evening (but not before a few more still life images were created and shot.)

Today I find myself alone at the kitchen table … basking in the beautiful sunlight pouring through the windows and thinking about this new world we live in; where meeting a new friend does not depend solely on geography. You can simply remain on-line friends (which is great), or when possible, you can take it to the next level and meet in real life … you just have to make it happen … because someday is not a day of the week.

This has been a bit of a ramble, I know, but I wanted to document our visit before the details fade into oblivion. I’m still in the processing stage … and writing this post has helped so much.

Click image to download.

**Word Art is for personal use only :)

Daylight Was Fading

January 6, 2017 by Barb 3 Comments

Daylight was fading fast when I captured this scene, and a certain little something stopped me in my tracks.

Although I wanted to get a better image, this was the one that had to be shared because #isawhearts in my tea :) and those tiny bubbles didn’t last long. In fact, this was the only photo that captured them!

Today we have 7 hours 43 minutes and 23 seconds of daylight, and are gaining over a minute a day.

A cause for celebration, wouldn’t you agree?!

The shortest day has passed, and whatever nastiness of weather we may look forward to in January and February, at least we notice that the days are getting longer. Minute by minute they lengthen out. It takes some weeks before we become aware of the change. It is imperceptible even as the growth of a child, as you watch it day by day, until the moment comes when with a start of delighted surprise we realize that we can stay out of doors in a twilight lasting for another quarter of a precious hour
Vita Sackville-West

Lightroom Preset by Kim Klassen

Bottles and Twine Prompt for the Studio Online

June 29, 2016 by Barb 5 Comments

This morning I was thrilled to see Kim used my Instagram photo for the “Bottles and Twine” prompt for the Studio Online! Thank you Kim! :)

I was so thrilled, it caused me to write a blog post (he he) …

A few days ago I was so overwhelmed with the explosion of peonies in my garden, I decided to keep things simple and focus on one small bloom. So I grabbed my little glass jar with the rusty handle, and for some reason decided to tie it to a chair. Probably because, somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind, I remembered something Kim had taught us!

With my pretty white dining room curtains as a backdrop, and kk_Softhaze for processing, the background blew out and left the peony, jar, and chair in sharp focus. I then brought back some blacks, and whites, and upped the clarity. I also sharpened the overall image.

Camera Settings:

Early afternoon light (bright, warm)
D750
24-120mm lens at 48mm
1/50 sec at f/4.5 (on a tripod, and using a timer)
ISO 400

Now I’m inspired to see what else I can come up with for this lesson …

New Perspectives in Still Life Photography

April 18, 2016 by Barb 8 Comments

Being in a different climate (not to mention country) brings new perspectives and opportunities for my still life photography. If I was at home, I’d be shooting potting benches and perhaps baby bedding plants (even though it’s too early for plants, I’d be keeping them inside.)

As it is, we’ve been going to a lot of garage sales here in AZ, and there are always treasures to be found.

I like the southwestern “look” but I want it to be subtle and that’s what I was hoping to achieve in the following photo.

It was the handmade basket that sparked this image, and I’m kinda going with my “gut” without knowing how to explain my choices. I try to create vignettes that really work in my decor. Again it’s still life is real life is still life.

Of course my tall entranceway table made from an old door is the gem that’s sets the stage here. I absolutely adore it. I make use of all four sides in my photography—this time it’s the back with the beyond amazing hinges. When I set the little metal drawer on the table I was quite astounded to see how it matched the hinges!

Can you say “serendipitous”?!!

Still Life Perspectives, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank

kk_Lilly preset by Kim Klassen

The little handmade pottery vases and old books just seem to fit … adding to the rustic feel.

Settings and setup:

West wall with north sidelight coming from the right
Manual mode
1/60s (on a tripod using a timer)
f7.1
ISO 500

I focused on the basket which resulted in it, and the hinge, being quite sharp. The rest of the image is slightly out of focus. I’m OK with that. I could have tried changing the f-stop but by the time I got my shot, I’d had enough and was done for the day. So I’m taking artistic licence here and declaring that this is how it’s supposed to be … although I did try a little sharpening in Lightroom.

This is for the “Gather” prompt for The Studio Online, and the “Utilitarian” prompt for the Be Still|One Year Wiser class at Learn | Kim Klassen dot com.

Hyacinth Bulb in Glass Vase

February 3, 2016 by Barb 4 Comments

Last week I found this lovely hyacinth bulb in a glass vase (at Safeway) and was so smitten! I mean, look at those roots—I have root love!

And to keep myself accountable and in tune with my Intentions for 2016, I am pleased to tell you I purchased only one … when I really wanted at least two, since there was a white hyacinth as well (this one’s purple). But now, a week later, I’m very happy that I only bought one.

One. is. enough.

All these images were edited in Lightroom with kk_Eve, which reduced the overall saturation and upped the contrast.

This brings me to my quandary about backgrounds and reality. Here we are in sunny Arizona, our condo is light, bright, and airy. And very yellow. Most walls are varying shades of yellow and gold. Some feature walls are dark rust. It’s very Southwest, which I love in reality, but not so much in my still life photography. So when I posted these images on Instagram, I continued to desaturate them to the point of being dull (I’ll try to not be too harsh).

So began my quest to resolve this issue. It was clear I needed some kind of white background. One large enough to set behind my table, or against a wall, and I’m happy to report that with the help of my sweet hubby, it’s done! And I’ll share that story in another post.

Have a wonderful day.

Day 3 of blogging every day in February.

Vintage Tools x Three

February 2, 2016 by Barb 3 Comments

Vintage tools seem to be creeping into my prop stash, but if I’m honest, it’s not really a new phenomenon.

I have an assortment of vintage tools for the garden, as well as a hammer, nuts, bolts, and a few other bits and bobs, but as you can see it may be expanding into paintbrushes.

Now, here’s where I have to admit I may be developing a bit of an addiction … oops … I do love anything that’s paint splattered … .

I found these lovelies at a garage sale here in Phoenix for $0.25/ea. Dear hubby was only slightly mystified (he’s getting used to my quirky props), and he even helped me barter for the pegboard ;) because I can’t do it!

I adore pegboard, but do you have any idea how hard it is to photograph? Goodness, I wore myself out trying to get those holes straight.

But, no worries … I present to you my paint brush bouquet:
I wanted to create a series with an industrial tone, and Kim Klassen’s Lightroom Preset kk_Eve did the trick, lightening shadows and bumping up contrast and sharpness.Do you prefer the dramatic shadows …
… or not?

In the following image, I placed a piece of white foam core on the right side to reduce shadows and what a huge difference it made.

I personally think it’s a bit too flat:

For the My Still Sunday class.

Day 2 of blogging every day in February.

PS: did you grab my free word art?

I Had Good Intentions

November 27, 2015 by Barb 3 Comments

I got out of bed this morning with good intentions … I had a great blog post in mind for #nablopomo, and I was ready to tackle it (after coffee and breakfast).

But life being what it is, time slipped away. It’s not that I/we wasted it. The hubs was home and had seen my new curtains.

Being the type A personality he is, he wanted to tackle the rest of the job which meant a) remove the old brackets, and b) order new blinds/shades. Two hours later we were finished with the blinds and it was (way past) time for lunch. I wasn’t showered or dressed.

kk_Lilly

After that I’m not sure what happened. I spent a bit of time preparing some eucalyptus for a wreath, and then decided I should create a little flatlay for IG.

Next I dragged in the old paint splotched table I bought this past summer and tried a few more arrangements …

kk_DarkDay

… and now the sun is almost setting! I kid you not! Sunset here is 4:21 … aack. Time to get supper on.

Day 27 #nablopomo

Light Study at My Daughters’ Home

November 23, 2015 by Barb 4 Comments

It seems I can’t go anywhere without doing a little light study …I took a few moments to quickly capture some of my daughters’ (props) … I’m not sure I can call them props, since she sees them simply as her decorations, and kitchen bowls …

… and recipe books …
… but goodness … what’s a lover of still life to do when presented with such beauty?

The Studio | Online

kk_SoftHaze

Day 23 #nablopomo

Wabi Sabi Wood Table Study Part I

November 12, 2015 by Barb 9 Comments

Hello, today I have a little “wabi sabi wood table study” as well as a study of the light and how it changes in our little end-unit condo in Arizona.

When Kim posted the new prompt in The Studio | Online, I was astounded!

It was exactly what I needed … I’d been thinking I should get some shots of this wabi sabi table before we leave for home, but I hadn’t felt inspired.

Wabi Sabi Wood Table, The Studio Online, studying light, shadows, focusing on tables

kk_Lilly – photo taken at 2:00pm north and east light

Here I am, holidaying in the sunniest state, and yet feeling completely blah about taking photos … specifically still life photos—and not just blah … a bit blue … I think I miss my props :( which is silly because I’ve been gathering many wonderful items for this place as well.

Items like this sweet little Wabi Sabi Wooden Table I found last year at a garage sale for $0.50. The story is comical and fits perfectly with the new hashtag #stillswithstories I’m hosting with Kim on IG (have you checked it out?)

Anyway, after reading the prompt and listening to Kim’s inspirational video, I jumped up and started gathering a few treasures to set on my table. I’m also “studying the light” in our little condo, and I’d have to say it’s abundant … we have an end unit so we get north, west, and east light. Mostly, I prefer an east or north exposure for the cooler light and when I get a corner with both lights … well, I’m in heaven.

So, my table doesn’t have great legs ;) but what I love are the grooves along the edge. Apparently they’ve formed because the softer part of the wood has worn away over time and left the hard ridges.

So that’s where I put my focus, on the rough edge.

Camera Settings **
f4.5
1/100s
ISO 250

Wabi Sabi Table, The Studio Online, studying light, shadows, focusing on tables

kk_Chocolate – photo taken at 2:00pm north and east light

It’s dry as tinder and the top boards fall out if you don’t handle it properly … someone suggested glue, but I think I’ll just leave it and see what happens.

kk_Air

… same image, different crop …

Sweet little oak leaves from our trip to Mount Lemmon …

kk_Lilly

I’m now on a mission to capture this table in all sorts of different locations and lighting situations.

** Just wondering** do you find camera settings helpful when listed on a blog post? Does it ever influence how you shoot?

Updated Shoot Info (for Petra) thank you Petra! Your comment made me think a lot harder about my settings, and I’ve tried to answer in the order you asked ;)

I’d say, that it’s interesting to see camera settings when they are listed on a blog post, I always have a look at them, but generally I don’t find them helpful. They usually represent just part of information, don’t they? You don’t know where and how far from the scene the photographer stood, whether they had a lens hood in place and where exactly the focus was aimed, whether the flash fired and at what power, what metering the camera was set to and what kind of light there was, whether they were shooting in manual or aperture/time priority… Also, if you don’t have that particular lens, you can be sure that with your lens the conditions would be different… Yet I admit that if there is most of the above listed explained, then the data have some value. They may not be comparable with your data but they may teach you some principles. They may not give you a detailed manual but they may show you a way. Well, does it make sense, as contradictory as it seems?

~Petra~

My Camera Settings: (these setting are based on the second photo, although they are almost identical for all the shots.)
f4.5
1/100s
ISO 250

now, in answer to Petra:

I was sitting about 3 1/2 feet from the table.
focal length 38mm
no lens hood
focused directly on the edge of the table
no flash (I never use a flash)
matrix metering (now I wish I had used spot metering!)
north and east light (2:00 pm)
manual mode
18-105mm lens

Oh my … you just never know how a reader may challenge you! and in a great way – thank you once again Petra. Please feel free to challenge me some more!

Day 12 #nablopomo

Rivers, Manitoba Walk-About-Town Part I

November 6, 2015 by Barb 3 Comments

One of the many things I enjoyed while attending Finding Stillness|2015 in Rivers, Manitoba were the walks we took …

Not only did we take walks along the many beautiful trails, we also walked around the town itself, and were delighted to find some of the most intriguing buildings you are going to find anywhere!

While I know it’s not a true still life, as I composed this first shot and then later edited it, I found stillness in there; the weathered wood, the window, the door, and the chippy paint … these are all things I love to incorporate into my photography … I just wish I could have brought everything home with me!

Don’t you just love it when a photo opportunity is just sitting there, waiting for you to take notice!

All photos edited in Lightroom using kk_DarkMood

Read Part II here.

Day 6 #nablopomo

Succulent Parade and a Lightroom Tip

November 3, 2015 by Barb 7 Comments

I’m not ready to say goodbye to the succulent parade …

Succulent Parade, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the Times

kk_Lilly

I guess I’ll have to spend the winter editing photos and playing with Kim’s presets …

Succulent Parade, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank, #nablopomo

kk_Lilly

kk_Hazed

kk_Organic

Do you use Lightroom? Have you ever spent a ton of time getting a photo just right (which is great) but then deciding you want to adjust exposure, or contrast,or try a different preset?

Lightroom Tip of the Day:

In the Library Module, with the original image selected, right-click and choose Create Virtual Copy.
Work on the virtual copy.
Now you still have the original to go back to.
You’re welcome!

Day 3 #nablopomo

kk_DarkMood

Foraging for Fun

October 19, 2015 by Barb 5 Comments

I spent this past Sunday morning outdoors, foraging for relaxation and a few photos to work with for The Studio | Online prompt. Foraging is good for the heart, mind, and soul wouldn’t you agree? I’m so lucky that I can walk out the door and into a natural reserve where there is no shortage of inspiration. I need it like I need air to breath.

It goes without saying I’m smitten with succulents, leaves, and rustic wooden backgrounds. And there’s nothing I love more than a quirky succulent … there’s just something so fun about them. I watch as they sprout up and spray outward, reaching for the sun (and probably more space.) I rescued these two from my Upcycled Toolbox Planter which had become extremely crowded over the summer.

I’m also a lover of repetition … leaves, leaves, and more leaves …

Foraging for Fun, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the Times

kk_SoftLightMoreLeft

… so perfectly imperfect … I was shooting outdoors so I didn’t use studio lighting as did Kim in her lesson, instead I used kk_SoftLightMoreLeft to slightly enhance the natural light coming from the left …

kk_SoftLightMoreLeft

That pot of succulents on the top shelf is so funny; it’s been struggling all summer and I love it to pieces!

Rustic Photography Background

August 25, 2015 by Barb 17 Comments

When shooting still life, I love using a rustic photography background. Therefore I’m aways on the lookout for new and unusual pieces to add to my collection. I have a lot of barn wood in the form of coffee tables, side tables, and potting benches. I use old doors (front and back), and my recently acquired old table, covered in scratches and paint splats. But it seems I’m never satisfied!

So begins my (shameful) story of … dumpster diving … . As we live in a rural setting, we don’t have garbage pickup, and I have to take our garbage to the dump once a week. Well, at said dump, there’s an area called “take it or leave it” and I’ve done my share of leaving (mostly junk that could go into the landfill, but with a little tlc, could be salvaged.)

But on occasion, my eye wanders as I’m dropping stuff off … and one day I spied these … and of course it’s not the poppies … or the books …

Rustic Photography Background, Keeping With the Times

kk_MatterFact

At the back of the building sat a pile of something … something I recognized, but couldn’t quite believe. It was an old Hoosier, falling apart, and not all there. I gasped. I have a Hoosier, and it’s a treasured family heirloom from my husband’s parents. Check it out here if you feel the urge to see what I’m talking about.

With a sinking feeling, I knew in my heart I wasn’t going to be able to drag the whole thing home. I’m not physically capable, my car isn’t big enough, and I couldn’t involve the hubs. On top of that, it would need to be completely restored with new pieces built from scratch … just.not.going.to.happen. What to do.

Well, I knew I could not walk away from the enamel table top, so I sheepishly dragged it to the car and hoisted it into the trunk. This table top sparked a whole series on white enamel #fromtheenameltabletop so I have no regrets about it. I know I’m going to be using it all winter, it’s easy to move, and will work extremely well with the changing light in my home.

After that, I couldn’t stop myself … into the car went all the drawers … the pile was impressive …

When I got home, I washed the pieces, and proceeded to hide them under the deck, all the time wondering what I was turning into … an eccentric hoarder perhaps? During the summer I felt guilt and angst every time I saw the pile … but I knew … I knew I’d be using pieces of it sooner or later. And what the heck, I could always take all of it back to the dump.

So, the background for my images today is metal … a metal drawer and a metal lid. I think it looks beyond amazing, especially when one of Kim’s Lightroom presets is applied. Pure magic.

kk_Truly

kk_MatterFact

My only regret is I didn’t drag home more.

Serendipity Part I

July 30, 2015 by Barb 8 Comments

Today I’m sharing a story of serendipity … after you read it, let me know if serendipity is the right word … can you think of a better one to explain this event?

The New Oxford Dictionary of English defines serendipity as the occurrence and development of events by chance in a satisfactory or beneficial way, understanding the chance as any event that takes place in the absence of any obvious project (randomly or accidentally), which is not relevant to any present need, or in which the cause is unknown.

say wha? lets just go with this:

Serendipity = the luck of finding valuable or agreeable things not looked for.

If you’re part of The Studio | Online I need not explain why I had to have a ladder … well, actually not just a ladder, but this ladder … this vintage, weathered ladder, covered in paint splats, splotches, and drips.

Oh, and just look at that hardware … that gorgeous grey hardware … love … .

If you’re not part of The Studio but you love the old, the weathered, and the worn … you’ll understand as well.

Ladder, Vintage, Keeping With the Times, Serendipity

kk_SoftLightMoreRight

Several months ago, one of the prompts in The Studio | Online was “on ladders” but Kim shared some images on her Still Sunday on Ladders blog post (take a peek if you want some amazing inspiration).

Ever since then, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect specimen, so I now own one red ladder, one 11′ grey ladder, and now this wonderful paint splattered brown gem. Newsflash: when Kim suggests a prop, said props are scooped up across the country … heck no … the world! So here’s the puzzling and amazing story as to how I got my hands on this …

kk_Hazed

One lovely summer day whilst browsing my favourite junque store “One Man’s Treasure” I spied an amazing ladder. The PERFECT ladder. But after looking at it and swooning and exclaiming loudly about how wonderful it was, I walked away. Why did I walk away? Well, I’ve pondered that decision a lot.

On that fateful day, I had three of my grandchildren with me, and I guess I thought I was going to demonstrate self-control to the kids … aaacckk … is it possible I didn’t want to appear impulsive? I really don’t know. I remember telling them I was going to walk around and think about it … but I KNEW better. Well, it wasn’t 5 minutes later when my granddaughter touched my arm and said “grandma … look! that lady is taking YOUR ladder!”

Gah! I spun around and stared at the woman as she began removing the items that had been set on it. She clearly was on a mission … and I swear she shot me an evil look. It didn’t phase me. I took a few steps towards her, my mouth open, wondering how I was going to stop this. But all I could do was gawk helplessly as the shop owner appeared and began to help that woman take it to the front of the store and out the door … and, er … I may or may not have followed them … I can’t remember.

Within 10 minutes the whole event was over, the ladder was gone. I turned to my granddaughter, and with some weak bravado croaked “I guess it wasn’t meant to be mine.”

Suddenly I didn’t feel like junquing anymore, so I suggested we should come back another day … for now, let’s just go to Walmart (insert a chorus of hooray’s from my grandsons) and out the store we went.

kk_Hazed

In the car, my sweet grandchildren expressed their sadness for me, so I had to make a joke out of “the ladder that got away”.

We discussed the whole matter at length, until I was sure they had had enough, and I promised to never mention it again.

But of course I brought up several times that week how the ladder wasn’t meant to be mine, how I had enough stuff already, how it didn’t matter, and oh yes … I won’t mention it again. It always elicited a huge laugh. I was having a wonderful time teasing them, and they were enjoying it wholeheartedly … a valuable and agreeable memory … one we weren’t looking for.

If the story had ended here, it would have been fine. But it didn’t.

Continue reading Serendipity Part II

Blackberries

July 15, 2015 by Barb 3 Comments

Blackberries can be somewhat difficult to photograph. I spent the better part of a day figuring out how to best show off their gorgeousness and it happened by chance …

Check out my process, and a few Lightroom tips, on my food styling post at Kim Klassen dot com.

Purple Haze

June 12, 2015 by Barb 13 Comments

It seems that when I was choosing flowers and pots for my garden and deck this year I gravitated towards so much purple that I dubbed my Instagram feed “Purple Haze”.

So today when I was writing this post, and entering a keyword for SEO purposes, up popped “purple haze lyrics” … hmmmm … oops, I have to admit I didn’t know (or remember) the Jimi Hendrix song, so that led me down a cyber path whilst I did some research … very interesting. Serendipitously I named the following photo “let’s dance”.

Purple Haze, Lavender Love, Keeping With the Times, Friday Finds

“let’s dance”

OK, how about “let’s hang” …

Purple Haze, Lavender Haze, Keeping With the Times

“let’s hang”

Here’s the soap dish, on the back of the green door, served with wild cranberry florets and cranesbill geranium …

A purple haze post would not be complete without my little Johnny Jump-Ups …

Bachelor buttons, anemones, columbine, and wild vine”y” things …

This is my interpretation of “the human touch” for The Studio On-Line” … me, myself, and I at the potting bench … I have quite a few more ideas for this prompt, swirling around in my head, it’s just too much fun …

Check out my “purple haze” post on IG …

https://instagram.com/p/3lvh03JZ1H/?taken-by=keepingwiththetimes

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Lilac Party II

June 9, 2015 by Barb 9 Comments

Today I thought I’d better get on with the lilac party … even though the shrub I picked these from has finished blooming. It happens so fast … but I have another type that’s just starting … too much fun around here I tell ya!

Lilac Party II, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday

kk_dreamlike

Original

You can’t even imagine the scent … or maybe you can …

kk_QuietDreams

Here’s a favourite from last year, edited with the new preset kk_Hush …

Lilac Party II, Keeping With the Times, Texture TuesdayLilac Party II, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday

kk_Hush

I take hundreds of photos and it seems that once a few weeks (or years) have passed, I don’t feel right using them. Well, I’m on a mission to get over that! Does it matter whether I took a photo today or last year? I don’t think so … a lot of work goes into setting a scene, shooting, and then processing images. It’s a self-imposed restriction I’ve put on myself … one of many it seems.

I do think a side note letting viewers know you’re using an older image is all a person needs to do … or maybe not even that? Anyway, seems like I was into a lilac series last year as well:

Melancholy Lilac I

Melancholy Lilac II

Melancholy Lilac III

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Lavender Love

June 5, 2015 by Barb 17 Comments

I can’t believe how fast I went from the lilac party to lavender love … but when I spied these lovely plants at Costco I was thrilled!

I haven’t been able to find this specific type at any of the greenhouses I’ve been haunting. I love the small, slim wands with the tiny flowers.

The scent is beyond words … but even more so when dried (I know because I’ve already dried a few sprigs).

So far I’ve simply photographed the plant like it’s growing in a field that goes on forever, but ideas are spinning around … small bouquets, dried bunches, perhaps even a wand or two …

Lavender Love, Keeping With the Times, Friday Finds

kk_Hazed

I want my summer to look like this … lazy, hazy, and dreamy …

kk_Hazed

Thank you for dropping by, and have a wonderful day!

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

Lilac Party Part I

June 2, 2015 by Barb 13 Comments

Oh my heavens … it’s lilac party time around here and I haven’t shared any photos on my blog! And I’m so overwhelmed I’m going to have to break them into Parts I to III, or maybe even IV or V.

Spring is one crazy season in these parts … it’s like a dam has burst and every plant is pouring blossoms out in torrents. Everything from shrubs and perennials, to annuals in the garden and pots on the deck … flower overload … and then there are the wildflowers popping up everywhere I look.

Therefore, today I’m going to take it slow and concentrate on my #fromthechippypottingbench series from Instagram.

Lilac Party Part I, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday

kk_Lilly

With the rustic nature of the bench and the tools, I felt stronger edits (presets) were in order; kk_SoftLight and kk_Lilly. Both enhance clarity and colour. Everything just pops, including the white paint, but believe it or not, there’s a slight (de)saturation adjustment as well … and that’s a good thing …

kk_SoftLight

Here I set a few snippets on the back of my “green” door, which is white …

kk_Lilly

OK, I guess I’ll stray one tiny bit and share my white lilac that clearly is not white … note to self … don’t buy shrubs unless there is at least one bloom for colour verification …

So, I'm going to go slow and concentrate on my #fromthechippypottingbench series. With the rustic nature of the bench and the tools I felt that strong edits (presets) were in order.

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“Believe none of what you hear, and only half of what you see”

Oh I had fun trying to give credit for this quote! Who do you think said it?

Happy Texture Tuesday everyone!

Kim Klassen dot com

Spring Flowers

May 26, 2015 by Barb 23 Comments

It’s a good thing my friend asked me to go for a walk last week, or I may have missed these Marsh Marigolds entirely. There’s one spot in the ditch where these flowers flourish … technically its a mini swamp. A mosquito-infested mini swamp … ask me how I know … .

Quite honestly I think my head may explode … there are so many flowers starting to bloom right now and I can’t keep up. It’s like a parade on fast-forward.

Marsh Marigold, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday, Still Life

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So of course I had to have a bit of a play in Lightroom …

Marsh Marigold, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday

Original

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Caltha palustris, known as marsh-marigold and kingcup, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Ranunculaceae, native to marshes, fens, ditches and wet woodland in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Lightroom and Finding the Light

May 22, 2015 by Barb 10 Comments

I’ve been so inspired by Kim’s bright and airy images lately, that I set about finding (creating) the right light and then enhancing it in Lightroom. Now I think I’m going to change my dining room window situation from no curtains, to white opaque curtains …

Oh, and I’m loooving the new presets she’s created, some of which are available in The Studio Online … can I say magical … basically one click …

Lightroom and Finding the Light, Keeping With the Times, Friday Finds, white cosmos, flowers

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When I saw this vine at a local greenhouse, I didn’t hesitate one second before putting it in my cart … it’s called a Wire Vine … love …

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Light + Lightroom Presets = Magic:

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The weather has turned so incredibly beautiful and I’m finding it hard to stay inside … hmmm … I just happen to know where to find a garden that needs to be weeded …

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

Radish Tea Sandwiches

May 21, 2015 by Barb 5 Comments

My food styling post is now on the blog at Kim Klassen dot com where I explain my process, as well as the trials and tribulations of a still life artist ;) … but for now, here’s another version of the Radish Tea Sandwiches, and the travelling knife …

So what is the travelling knife? Well, it’s a knife that’s travelling the globe, making it’s way to several members of The Studio Online. My turn has come and gone, and I must rush to the post office to send it on it’s way to Spain! Yes, the knife is heading to Rosana … and I can’t wait to see what she does with it!

Thank you for stopping by today!

Potting Bench for Friday Finds

May 8, 2015 by Barb 15 Comments

Of course you knew you were going to get more of the potting bench for Friday Finds … right? And about Friday Finds …I can hardly believe it … where did that week GO? It’s just … gone …

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It was a crazy, chaotic, and creative week—I had messes all over the house; from the basement, to the deck, and everywhere in-between …

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Parts of it were a bit more organized, like when I went to town to get a hair cut, and then groceries. Of course I had to visit every greenhouse in the area (just to look, I told myself).

However, I did bring home a few pretties … such a miracle after a long, cold, colourless season …

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Oh yeah … we did have a bit of this … aaacckk …

… and I fell down some icy stairs (ouch), but other than that, it was all good …

Potting Bench, Friday Finds, Pansies, Keeping With the Times

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Thank you so much for dropping by today!

Rhubarb Leaves are Beautiful

May 4, 2015 by Barb 29 Comments

I can’t be the only person who thinks rhubarb leaves are beautiful; they’re so full of curly, crispy, crunchy texture!

Rhubarb Leaves are Beautiful, Keeping With the Times, Texture Tuesday, rhubarb, potting bench

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We’ve just recently returned home from Arizona where I played with roses, and ranunculus, and gardenias … all breathtakingly beautiful, colourful, and exotic flowers.

But this northerner is extremely happy to be home, and as I took a stroll around my garden, every tiny green shoot filled me with wonder and awe. It’s such an amazing experience to witness the miracle of spring.

When I saw some tiny rhubarb leaves pushing up through the soil I was so struck by the beauty of it, I had to pull a few stalks for a still life set-up. This is almost sacrilege because, for every tiny shoot I pull, it means one less stalk of rhubarb that will make it into crisps or pies. I think I’m OK with that … I can always throw in a handful of strawberries to compensate.

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So, now I must introduce you to my new potting bench … oh my … when I saw it at the Carvel General Store I nearly fainted. I wanted it badly … very badly … but I made myself go home and think about it. I already have a gorgeous potting bench, and numerous other barnwood pieces … so I really needed to consider the pros and cons.

Turns out there were no cons ;) … it’s smaller than my “real” potting bench, and as you can see, there’s chippy white paint all over it … to.die.for.

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I’m in the process of rearranging the deck, painting a couple of wooden chairs, and getting my plant pots ready to go. When I accomplish all that, I’ll post the reveal of our full deck makeover. Such an exciting time of year!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

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 …

I’ve used this background many times before …

… with lots of different elements …

… 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!