lightroom Archives - Keeping With The Times

7 Powerful Blog Goals for 2017

January 1, 2017 by Barb 5 Comments

Even though I’d known for quite some time that January 1st was fast approaching ;) I didn’t write down any blog goals for 2017 … until this morning … oh my goodness … ya gotta laugh sometimes.

But first, a big hello, and a Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a lovely New Year’s Eve and are now ready to face the new year head on!

I myself am getting a wee bit excited.

It literally took me all day to get this photo, which in turn, led to this blog post (late in the evening I might add.)

7 powerful blog goals for 2017, lightroom, photoshop, camera, tripod

The text for this image is really and truly printed on paper … not added in Photoshop. I plan to share a bit about my process this week.

Of course I wasn’t actually physically working on this photo for 12 hours, but all day my mind was spinning with ideas, and plans, and goals, and … well, you get the picture!

I’m quite thrilled because for the last 10 days I’ve been in a funk due to a cold/flu that left me exhausted and drained. I was sleeping 8-10 hours and feeling a tad sorry for myself (and my lost mojo.) Even so, I was constantly working in the background; taking photos, scribbling notes, writing draft posts, and fluffing up my blog … I just wasn’t feeling too thrilled with any of it.

I’ve also been taking a few classes and doing a lot of thinking which led me to come up with this tiny but powerful list:

Blog Goals for 2017

Take risks.
Be brave.
Take classes. Learn. Work Hard. Grow.
Share.

I have a much longer list scribbled on a scrap of paper, but some things you really need to keep to yourself, if for no other reason than to avoid disappointing anyone (self included.)

I will tell you that:

I won’t be posting Sunday Sundries on the blog anymore, however it will continue on Instagram with the hashtag #sunday_sundries. I also have a new hashtag #stilllifeisreallife, and I’ll be combining both tags for the features.
I’m working on a new series to post here on Sundays.
This Wednesday I’ll be doing a review of my new tripod (squee!)
I plan to get Blogging Bits and Bytes back on track.
And I’m not going to get ahead of myself with any more promises tonight ;)

So there you have it! 7 powerful blog goals for 2017 and a few easy promises!

Lightroom Love

November 5, 2016 by Barb 1 Comment

I’m pretty chuffed that I can now title a post “lightroom love” as in now I get it, I truly get it!

I’ve been OK with using Lightroom for quite some time, but the struggle was real, people! The struggle was real.

When I wrote My Struggles with Lightroom in 2012, I could not have been more confused, and I could not have disliked the organizational part of Lightroom more.

However, armed with some of Kim Klassen’s helpful and information-packed classes, I slowly got the hang of it (I can’t even tell you how many times I went over the free “Leap into Lightroom” class) but it was many, many … many times. And even recently when I realized my workflow had taken a wrong turn somewhere along the line, I revisited it.

So why do I feel the need to shout it from the rooftops today? Well, because this past October I started a new catalog and file system all.by.myself!

I’d been using the same catalog for two years, which isn’t a bad thing. It was pretty well-organized, but I felt the need to start fresh for 2017, so to make good and sure I was going to be using it in 2017, I started in October of 2016 (he he.)

You can see the name at the top of this screenshot “LIGHTROOM OCT 2016-DEC 2017 CATALOG.lrcat”.

I’m not going to go into my file structure or workflow because I think that’s something a person has to figure out for themselves.

However, I will divulge one little secret, and that is; I’m not big on keywords … they drive me a bit bonkers. Bonkers is not good.

Before I switched catalogs I made sure I that:

I studied Kim’s lessons thoroughly (again)
the old catalog was organized as possible (and backed up of course)
I had exported all images I was going to use for Instagram or my blog so I wouldn’t have to be switching back and forth, causing mass confusion in the process
I knew how to set up sync with Lightroom Mobile (again), that part scared me because I viewed it as a hassle

I started this process at the beginning of October, and today I made the commitment.

It takes time and courage … and I found I had both :)

#NaBloPoMo

The Studio 2.0 (a Giveaway)

August 20, 2016 by Barb

This September Kim Klassen is launching The Studio 2.0 a brand new classroom and community space to learn and grow together.

And today, I’m beyond thrilled to be able to offer you a chance to win an ALL-IN membership to The Studio 2.0.

STUDIO 2.0 ALL-IN includes:

a one year membership to The Studio 2.O classroom and community space
BONUS download of The Complete Studio Preset Collection (a $149 value) at no additional charge
Immediate access to the original Studio | Online classroom ($199 value)
One year access to The Lab (launching October 3rd) (a $99 value)
$526 value for just $199/year

I’ve been a member of the original Studio | Online classroom since the beginning, and I can tell you it’s absolutely jam-packed with information and inspiration. Because of Kim’s easy-to-understand instructions and guidance, I’ve grown my Lightroom and photography skills to a point I did not believe possible (and you can too.) I seriously did not think I could “do” Lightroom, but Kim proved me wrong and now I can’t imagine working without it.

So, all you need do is leave a comment on my Instagram @keepingwiththetimes on this post … and one winner will be chosen using Random.org on Monday, August 22nd, 2016 at 12:00 noon MDT.

For more information about the class go to The Studio 2.0 at Kim Klassen dot com.

Good luck to all!

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.

Still Life Styling Process Mini Class

February 11, 2016 by Barb 7 Comments

Today I’m excited to announce my still life styling process mini class is available (for free!) at Kim Klassen dot com.

I put my ♥ into it and I hope you try it (and like it) :)

Day 11 of blogging every day in February.

Photography Backgrounds and Light

February 9, 2016 by Barb 5 Comments

Today I want to talk a bit about photography backgrounds and light.

For the past 2 1/2 weeks, we’ve been spending time in our Arizona home-away-from-home and I’ve been struggling with the colours in our condo. I love them in real life—yellows, golds, and rusts. But I don’t like those tones in my still life images.

I’d set up a still life, take a shot and when I edited it in Lighroom I would desaturate the yellows. I would then end up with a photo that was flat and dull. It became obvious I needed to do something to make my life easier (I’m going to explain and demonstrate how I made these background(s) in a later post).

I was inspired by the lovely Cristina Colli when she shared a tutorial on how she made her own photography backgrounds. I can spy a Cristina shot a mile away … each one is beyond amazing, and she is brilliant. You may already follow her on Instagram @c_colli.

So here is my version of a faux painted backdrop … I’m quite thrilled with it! If it hadn’t been for our yellow and gold walls here in Arizona, I may never have gotten around to trying this. However, I can see that I’m absolutely going to need one of these at home as well.

I’m having so much fun with my tulips from Trader Joes! They’re starting to fall apart, so I separated the pink ones into a white vase:

The bouquet started out with what I called “Spring in a Vase” (from Anthropologie, a gift from the hubs).

Here it is on my first, plain white background. I love it as well, and I know I’ll be using it a lot too. However, in this image, I was a little disappointed in the light. It seems great at first, but it’s so bright that the image appears a bit flat. That’s because it was mostly coming straight on …In the following image, the light is coming from the side, and is much more dramatic. I used a Lightroom preset by Kim Klassen, who is also brilliant :) to create moodier, darker tones:

Photography Backgrounds and Light, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank

Lightroom Preset by Kim Klassen kk_Tangled

I have a post in the works on how I created this painted backdrop. Hope to see you again!

Lightroom Template Download

December 19, 2015 by Barb 21 Comments

Good morning, today I have a free Lightroom template for you!

I was up early (it was very, very, dark outside) so I found myself puttering around in Lightroom and thought I’d compile a few Christmas images.

We’re enjoying the snow and cold … and yes, I did just say that … with beautiful snow-covered trees and pristine landscapes, it’s hard not too. Hubby has plans to clear snow from the lake for skating purposes, and I’ll be out there cheering him on ;) (with camera in hand.)

Of all my decorations this year, I loved my vintage collection the best!

Does not everyone have rusty bedsprings? They make for the cutest little “Christmas trees” …
Roaring fires are always welcome this time of year, so here’s celebrating beautiful birch, pine boughs, and pine cones in vintage bread bowls …
… hot coffee helps … … and so do cute little Charlie Brown Christmas trees in vintage coffee cans …I love my cardboard snowflakes (made from old cardboard using a die cut machine at a scrapbook store) …

Lightroom Template Download*

(*for personal use only please)

Download template here.

Have a wonderful day!

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

Renaming Photos in Lightroom

November 20, 2015 by Barb 4 Comments

Renaming photos in Lightroom is very easy, and today I’m going to share this process for my Blogging Bits and Bytes series. You can find links to previous newsletters, etc. if you check out the tab on the Main Menu here on my blog.

I’m moving on to crafting a blog post from conception to completion. Keep in mind that it may sound like too much work, but I promise you, it’s worth it. You just need to be organized.

In the 7 Ideas for Kickstarting a Blog Post I revealed my top secret for “getting it done” which was to simply come up with a name for your post. You may have the idea, you may have the photos, and you may even have started writing it. But for me, once I settle on a name, it all comes together so much better since my work flow is smoother: I know my keyword, and I know how to proceed on renaming photos.

The next few lessons are about crafting a blog post, and each lesson will build on the previous one. I have a Crafting a Blog Post checklist which I’ll share with you at the end of this series. I use WordPress (self-hosted) but these tips are applicable to any platform.

So here’s the plan for this (imaginary) blog post. I came up with an idea, the photos, a name, and a keyword:

Name: Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas
Keyword (s): thanksgiving table setting

Now it’s time to show you how I re-name my photos, and I have a video for you! Ta da! Always living and learning here! The video is about re-naming photos only. It’s not about the edits, or resizing, or using Lightroom. I simply am doing the work in Lightroom.

Renaming Photos in Lightroom

*Please make sure you’re viewing this in HD and the expanded screen.

*

Day 20 #nablopomo

Supporting Actors

November 17, 2015 by Barb 7 Comments

The prompt in The Studio|Online is about allowing the supporting actors (i.e. tables, etc) be the star for once. As usual, it’s open to interpretation, so I’m letting “the chair” shine.

I’ve had this little beauty for a few years and I don’t believe I’ve given it the respect it deserves. Somehow it got relegated to a bedroom in the basement and as they say “outta sight, outta mind”.

Well, no more. Meet Ms. Chippy Chair.

She’s really quite lovely.

And so are these apples … I still have apples I picked from my neighbours orchard last September, and I don’t want them to go to waste. So, what to do …

I think making apple sauce is once again on the agenda.

Since most of the apples I picked were teeny tiny, I gave up with the peeling part and found I liked it much better. That went for the pies and crisps too … no more peeling for me. I also discovered that after a whirl in the blender the peel virtually disappears. All those years of peeling … what was I thinking?

How do you make applesauce?

Day 17 #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!

Putting Myself Out There

August 20, 2015 by Barb 3 Comments

My latest food styling post is on the blog at Kim Klassen dot com .

I’m always so amazed and humbled that I’m even there … I’m also amazed and humbled at how kind people are … with all the lovely comments and lots of support every single time …
I am not a professional food photographer … not even close … and I don’t pretend to be.

All I’ve done is study the art form, and applied it to what I love … which is working in the kitchen and sharing my creations with family and friends. It’s how I demonstrate love.

I make mistakes … I sometimes don’t get great shots but I still share them. I share my inspiration, my workflow, and my camera settings, and every time I share something, I learn something.

I put it out into the Universe and let it go … and what comes back is amazing … .

Serendipity Part II

July 31, 2015 by Barb 11 Comments

In Serendipity Part I, I wrote about not only the ladder that got away, but also the luck of finding valuable or agreeable things not looked for … those things which may not be obvious at first glance … perhaps it’s an item, or an idea, or simply a treasured moment.

Of course you already know I have a ladder … the PERFECT ladder. But how did that come to be? Even I don’t quite understand, since it’s almost a replica of the one that got away … but there it is, sitting on the deck, gracing my herb garden … perfectly imperfect … in a perfectly imperfect “behind the scenes photo” …

So now on to Part II.

It was almost a week later, and the kids and I were discussing when we should go back into town. I was aiming for Thursday, they were aiming for Wednesday. Wednesday won.

I suggested to the kids that we may as well stop at my fav store for a minute (I was on the lookout for vintage white enamelware), and they agreed. As I casually headed toward the back, something made me glance over to the spot where the original ladder had been standing … and … oh.my.gosh… I nearly fainted … there it was, and as far as I could tell it was the exact same ladder, in the exact same spot! Deja-Vu of the highest order.

This time I touched my granddaughters arm and said “Teagan, look! MY ladder!” As I rushed over to put my hand on it, she ran to get the owner, and I started to remove the items that were sitting on it.

As we headed toward the front of the store (and out the door), the owner assured me it was a completely different ladder just arrived that very morning. Then she casually remarked how strange it all was … someone had called the day before and asked if the store had any ladders, and at the time, they didn’t …

It’s quite inexplicable. What are the chances?

Thanks for stopping by!

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.

Photographing and Editing my Chamomile Tea

July 9, 2015 by Barb 12 Comments

Today I’m sharing my process on photographing and editing my chamomile tea images. I’ll explain the setup, the shoot, and the edit in Lightroom.

I adore chamomile. As I drive along I’m always scanning ditches, and right now this exuberant little flower nods, and waves, and beckons me.

I will acknowledge some people regard it as a (noxious) weed, but I regard it as a wildflower full of possibilities … photography, a bouquet, tea … certainly something to be celebrated.

I do not make my own chamomile tea (I leave that to the experts) but it is probably my favourite tea. It warms, it soothes, and it calms. Apparently it has medicinal properties and any Google search will attest to that. But today I simply want to explain my photography process.

I set a cup of tea on top of the green door which I dragged home a few weeks ago. I chose the green door since I thought the white flowers needed contrast. I then ~~painstakingly~~ lovingly, clipped the flowers off the stems and arranged them closely, leaving one on a stem so I could prop it in the teacup.

In the following images, the one flower is my focal point. I used f5.6 to blur the background, but not too much.

Camera Settings:

Nikon D7100
Nikon 40mm lens
1/125s f5.6 ISO 160
No flash

I was thrilled to have this image featured by @poppytalk (IG) and on their blog Poppytalk: Tuesdays Summer Colours

Photographing and Editing in Lightroom, Chamomile Tea, Keeping With the Times, Lightroom Edit

kk_Hazed

Since my photos were a bit overexposed in camera, when I imported into Lightroom, I did not apply an Auto Tone. I wanted complete control to tone manually, and on an individual basis.

After cropping and straightening, I applied Kim’s kk_Hazed Lightroom preset … and kaboom! magic!! Dreaminess with a click of a mouse … the one thing I loved most was the softening haze it put over the tea …

kk_Hazed

After that I simply grabbed the Adjustment Brush and brushed over the prominent flower, bringing back some sharpness.

Then I decided to experiment just a little … I wanted the images to be “less green”.

To do this, I clicked on Color in the HSL/Color/B&W tab in the Develop Module, chose Green and moved the slider to the left to desaturate … what do you think?

Do you prefer more green, or less green?

I’m undecided … I’ve printed one copy of each and am still debating … I’ll let you know …

Thank you for stopping by today!

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 …

I wonder if it's time to move on from the purple haze? ??

A photo posted by Barb Brookbank (@keepingwiththetimes) on Jun 6, 2015 at 6:40am PDT

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

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Original

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

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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

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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

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

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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

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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 …

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

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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!

Fabulous Friday Finds

May 15, 2015 by Barb 21 Comments

Good morning! Another week has flown by and I have some fabulous Friday Finds to tell you about.

What an amazing week! I’ll start with my second best find—a chippy little green door … to.die.for. but I think I say that about every treasure I drag home … look at that chippy goodness, the dirt, the scratches, the colour … swooning here … and it’s small and light, which makes it easy for me to pick up and carry around.

When I walked into One Man’s Treasure, there it was … the sun was hitting it, and I think I heard angels (just kidding). But those people that own that store can see me coming, and they set these treasures right at the front, in a very prominent position, and I’m a lost cause … .

It was just what I needed to set beside my new chippy potting bench from the Carvel General Store …

… so let the fun begin, it’s green door party time! Notice that little door knob … I wonder how many people get excited about door knobs … adore …

So, now, here’s my best Friday Find this week: Carolyn! When I first “met” Carolyn in The Studio, I knew right away she was a lovely, lively, sweet lady. She’d made some comments that made me laugh out loud, and I knew she was for real. Then, much to my surprise (because I am hopelessly reserved, and an introvert as well), Carolyn contacted me and asked if I would like to meet her for lunch. She only lives about an hour away … amazing … why hadn’t I thought of that! Um, because I am hopelessly reserved and … well you know.

Anyway, long story short—we met, we hugged, we laughed, we talked—we connected. A kindred soul who shares a passion for food, photography, and life, (hey … that’s part of my blog by-line!)

We met for lunch at 12:00 noon and didn’t leave the restaurant until 2:30, and that was only because we had some serious shopping to do.

shaky iPhone shot …

I could go on, gushing and gushing, but I’ll finish by saying how amazing it is to be a part of The Studio Online. So much goodness in there … and not just still life, but real life. On-line friends, and “irl” friends. What more could you ask for? I am already looking forward to seeing Carolyn again, she has the biggest heart (truly).

So, have a wonderful weekend everyone! We’re heading into our first long weekend of the year. The dock is in, the boat is (almost) in, and the s’mores supplies are ready.

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

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

Lightroom Preset Play with Ranunculus

April 21, 2015 by Barb 15 Comments

Applying a Lightroom preset to ranunculus (or any photo for that matter) is like watching magic unfold.

While I still love original images, I adore the rumpled and dreamy edits.

Kim has a wonderful demonstration on her blog today … she’s amazing … and it looks like she’s going to offer her presets for sale!! Right now they’re available only through The Studio|Online, so this is pretty exciting news!