C.L. Davis Photos

Bye, Bye, Blogger!

2011-06-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

Time for bigger and better things! I have been working on a new site for a few weeks and am now going to stop posting on this Blogger site. Thank you everyone for dropping in here over the years. I am now saying good-bye to Blogger but not to photography or my updates. As my photography grows, my need for a new space has grown as well. Please follow me to my new site:

http://www.cldavisphotography.com/

The site still is not fully up and running, but I have started making postings there and look forward to working from the new site from now on. I will continue keep this site open, at least for a while longer.

I hope to see you all over here!

Advanced Pro - Week Four

2011-06-10T18:25:00.000-07:00

For the last assignment I decided to take a song and use it as the theme of the photo shoot and interpret the message of the song into a more teen angst type of story here. I had to post a couple extra shots to tell the story (I figured since I stuck to the limit in all the other weeks two extra pictures won't hurt this final week.) I shot this with a 50mm lens and a Lensbaby. Also, different this week, I decided to shoot this all inside. I converted the shots to black and white as I felt it fits the mood of the song/theme better. I did include a color photo at the end, so you can see how the photos originally looked. This was fun and it was fun to see my daughter enjoy herself. I told her what I wanted and then let her style herself and do the makeup. (BTW - none of us smoke, so it was a challenge with the cigarette. We had to borrow several from a neighbor and then use febreze on everything afterward to get the smell out!)

The song is "Lies of the Beautiful People" by Sixx A.M.

Well this ain't no sideshow

This is the great unknown

This is the poison we take

Yeah

Outside the velvet rope

Standing there all alone

All the grotesque and ashamed

Yeah

Well if you think real beauty's on the outside

Well that's a far cry

From the truth

Maybe all the information you received

Well you should not believe

There's no proof

Save yourself from al the lies of the beautiful people

It's time to run from the lies of the beautiful people

I feel so traumatized

Doped up and televised

Life can be cruel and insane

Yeah

But we've got these ugly scars

On our infected hearts

Maybe it's time for a change

Yeah

And if you think real beauty's on the outside

Well that's a far cry

From the truth

Maybe all the information you received

Well you should not believe

There's no proof

Save yourself from all the lies of the beautiful people

It's time to run from the lies of the beautiful people

Save yourself from all the lies of the beautiful people

Just run and hide from the lies of the beautiful people

Save yourself from all the lies of the beautiful people

It's time to run from the lies of the beautiful people

My daughter prefers the color versions, but I think for the mood and the "fit" of the project, the black and white work best. Nevertheless, I decided to include a color version so you could see what it looked like.

Thanks for a great four weeks - it was very profitable and pushed me in directions which I never considered before. I look forward to moving forward on this path in the future.

Advanced Pro - Week Three

2011-06-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

Well, to start with this week I have to say, "I got nothin'!" There was no couple nor a child which I could photograph, so it's back to my own kids...sigh. With that, I decided to follow the soccer idea with my son. I know and can question him about soccer as we were taking the photographs. I asked him to do some things - try some tricks. When he heard the camera click only once or so while he was doing tricks he got mad! He wanted to hear the continuous shooting. Given the mid-day light, those shots did not turn out the best.

I kept him engaged by discussing soccer (we had been watching soccer all morning as well and he would talk about a player and some of the moves he was making and try to handle the ball in a similar manner or show me a ball handling trick.

He started out with a white ball and that one went over into the neighbor's pool. Then he tried a black ball. It wound up in the neighbor's yard. The red ball was good for a while, until he kicked it over the wall. We were shooting some with the mini ball (see second picture). These were taken at the end and I got two, before he started acting silly and threw the ball and it wound up in the neighbor's pool as well. They are used to it and all neighbors (behind and on both sides) regularly toss his balls back over the walls, thankfully.

I decided I had better work at capturing his personality and I think some of comes through in the photos, including his "attitude" as well as his funny side. In the end I like the way the photographs turned out and think I managed to get a few good portrait shots. I didn't have a good location - just the back yard, we had to improvise and cropping helped with that. I tried to keep things as simple as possible, so that the focus was on him and not the background and/or surroundings.

This assignment does coincide with another assignment I have with another class, which is to use reflective surfaces and without even trying, the areas I chose to shot in did have these reflective surfaces and I feel I got some very good light in the face and eyes. (When you can spy the eyes through the shaggy hair!)

Advanced Pro - Week Two

2011-05-31T15:51:00.000-07:00

I took a different approach to this week (following the guidelines - but different from what I have done in the past!). I used my daughter's very pretty friend as my subject and used my daughter as an assistant. My daughter held the reflector and provided comedy relief. It was actually good to have her there because she was a distraction and her friend was very at ease. While my daughter's friend "posed" she was still very relaxed and natural because we all kept up a line of conversation about school, other kids and the goings on in the park. I know that sometimes photographers like to work alone and not have other people around to distract, but in this case I think it was a benefit and added to the mood, keeping it light.

We shot in several locations at the school/park. I had my "list" in my head of what I wanted to do and in what order. I directed her to get the poses and looks that I wanted and while we were at each location, I always asked her if she had anything she wanted to try or a pose she wanted to do in each of the spots. She always had something to add, which made it fun and kept the pace flowing forward.

I posed the first two, we collaborated on the third one and picture number four was her idea. I think it actually helped to draw in input and really helped my subject feel relaxed. I used the "formula" of me starting out with the pose ideas and then working with her on a few ideas and then letting her do what she wants as we exhausted each of the locations.

I did used the variations on the poses as you suggested in the video lessons, however I still find myself with a lot of "similar" looks and looks which can be silly as she made some extreme faces or certain gazes were a little off/extreme in some photos. I think what we did pretty closely qualifies for the requirements of what we were to do this week. She was in a single area, did not leave the steps and just moved slightly on the two steps on the play structure. All of the photos in this set were taken in about five minutes from start to finish in this single location/area before moving on to the next location/look.

That wraps up week 2!

I Heart Faces - Yellow

2011-05-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

My entry for this week's I Heart Faces contest - the theme is "Yellow."

Advanced Pro - Week One

2011-05-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

This is homework for the first week of the Brooke Snow class I am taking. I decided to stalk out a location which we have attempted to use several times in the past but have always had disappointing and frustrating results. Neither my daughter nor I have been happy shooting here. For a personal challenge I decided to go here again...it's been not quite a year since we made our last attempt...and this time I was going to make it work. I always come around this area the same time of day, so that, too, did not vary from prior attempts. I used some of the preplanned poses and shot ideas. I believe that thinking this part through before we got here allowed us to have some more satisfactory results.

I took a total of 109 shots with the majority being the experimental zoom shots. I was sure that I covered the bases and included the required "portrait," "partial body," "full body" and miscellaneous poses. I chose one from each of the categories which were my favorites. In the past, some of the criticism which I have received when working with her was that she clenched her hands and mouth (with her braces) too much. We worked on trying to have a little variety. I think that having the plan in place before getting to the location helped in keeping the shoot moving along and did not allow her to get stagnant and fall back into her comfort zone of tight hands and mouth. The portrait shot - the first one - is one of my favorites overall. I like the light and her naturalness.

In the second shot, I tried to keep her moving so she would maintain a relaxed posture. I gave her slight instruction on how to position herself, but let her move around and pose as she wished within my initial guidelines. I did have to stop and adjust her hair, which was falling in separate pieces. After that adjustment I had her shake out the hair in the back and it gave a more natural look to the pose. (The words "natural" and "pose" don't quite work together very well, do they?)

In exhausting the location I determined I wanted to make the best use of the signs which were around this wash. We took a number of pictures around the three specific signs they had posted and painted (on the ground). This was my pick of the set (although you can see she has the tighter mouth - darn!). I shot this low, without looking through the viewfinder. I wanted to get an different angle on it - more free form and something which I would naturally work against when looking through the viewfinder.

The last shot is from the action pictures we took. This was another attempt to exhaust the location. This wasn't planned, but since I was working from a plan from the start and all my prior shots were preplanned, I had a little time/energy to brainstorm. I wanted to play up the structure and lines and try experimenting a bit. She did a number of leaps, jumps and these running shots, where I was playing with the zoom (24-105). I like the lines that are produced by the action of the zoom and I purposefully cropped the photo to have her at the very edge and running into the photo. It was cropped a little tight on the edge, but there was a pole there and with the zoom effects I could not clone it out cleanly enough.

That's it for week one!

Parting shot - creative play:

Maki....Two Views

2011-04-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

An Illustration of the Power of Curves in Photoshop

2011-04-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

SOOC

Edit with several curves layers, a color fill layer to tone, a b&w conversion and selective sharpen:

A Special Photograph of A Special Boy

2011-04-24T15:13:00.000-07:00

A Few More From Saturday Evening At Huntington Beach

2011-04-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

What I Did On My Spring Break

2011-04-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

Chino Hills Soccer Tournament - April 3

2011-04-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

Get Photovision For Only $49.00!

2011-03-31T09:45:00.000-07:00

Photography education can come to your mailbox - Photovision is a great DVD set (6 per year) which comes to your mailbox bringing you videos of photography professionals at work. See them at work and listen to them discuss how they get the great shots! I just received my first DVD last month and it is awesome! Wonderful inspiration for all skill levels!
Copy and paste this url:
http://fansof.photovisionvideo.com/Christina/060893
and use the code PVFAN to get the set for only $49.00 (a discount of $150.00)!

Claremont vs. Hacienda Heights - Our Boys Lost 7-2

2011-03-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

Lovely Girl On A Lovely Afternoon

2011-03-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

Claremont vs. Chino - We Won 3-0, The Boy Scored 2 (1 Goal, 1 PK)

2011-03-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

Claremont vs. Diamond Bar - We Won 5-1, The Boy Scored 3!

2011-03-19T16:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday Afternoon Game @ Claremont. We Lost 2-1.

2011-03-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

First Game of the Day - We Won 3-0. The Boy Scored 2!

2011-03-12T15:48:00.000-08:00

Dance Competition @ Ayala High School in Chino Hills, California

2011-03-06T16:15:00.000-08:00

Claremont vs. Claremont - We Won 2-0 And The Boy Scored Both Goals

2011-03-05T16:34:00.000-08:00

2 Soccer Games: 1 Win, 1 Tie, 5 Goals For The Boy - Rowland Heights, California

2011-02-26T17:51:00.000-08:00

I Heart Faces Fix It Friday #88

2011-02-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

This week we have a photo from Angie Arthur. This is the SOOC:

Here is my edit:

I used CS5 and the methods I picked up by watching the Erin Cobb Clean Color tutorial.

Saturday Morning by Downtown Pomona, California

2011-02-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #87

2011-02-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

It's Friday again and time for another photo re-do! This was kinda of fun. I had never edited an infant photo like this before. This photo was provided by Andrea Riley:

This is my edit/verson, using Pioneer Woman actions:

And here is my own before and after from this afternoon:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

One Of My Favorite Subjects....My Girl

2011-02-17T17:58:00.000-08:00

Dance Competition - El Roble Junior High - Claremont, California

2011-02-13T17:31:00.000-08:00

Second Game, First Win, Two Goals For The Boy!

2011-02-12T18:50:00.000-08:00

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #86

2011-02-11T08:26:00.000-08:00

I'm back again with another fix-it Friday bit of fun. Isn't this just the cutest little girl?

Here's my take on this week's photo:

Dance Competition At Claremont High School

2011-02-05T20:10:00.000-08:00

At My Daughter's Request....Some Pictures of Friends

2011-02-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

Do You Need A Touch Of Springtime?

2011-02-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

First Dance Competition at West Covina, California

2011-01-30T17:19:00.000-08:00

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #84

2011-01-28T07:50:00.000-08:00

This week we were given a cute little baby photo to edit. This photo is provided by Kelli, who also has a great blog, Kidnapped by Suburbia.

Here is the original photo:

This is my edit:

I love these Friday fixes. Check out Kelli's blog link above and join in the fun at I Heart Faces!

Sunday Soccer - The Boys Played Well, But Lost

2011-01-23T15:20:00.000-08:00

Select Season Started Today - We Advanced!

2011-01-22T19:49:00.000-08:00

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #83

2011-01-21T13:48:00.000-08:00

Here we are again with another Friday Fix-It. What a fun shot and I love the fisheye use! This is the original photo, taken by Angie Arthur.

This is my edit for the week:

Spring Select Soccer 2011

2011-01-15T16:30:00.000-08:00

Today was the day we took pictures for the IDs for Spring Select. This is the team the boy will be playing with for the next six months. So far so good....same coach as last fall and some boys he knows from past teams, so the spirit is good - let's just hope the skills will match!

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #82

2011-01-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

It's that time again...fit-it Friday. I really enjoy these challenges. This week we have a photo from Rachel Durik of Savor Photography. This was taken at a past workshop she attended. What a nice original photo:

And here is my edit of the photo:

If you haven't joined in the fun yet, you should - these Friday fixes are always fun and you get to work with some gorgeous photographs.

I Heart Faces - Best Face of 2010

2011-01-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

This past year I worked (a lot!) on my photography. I went through a number of styles as I grew in my use of Photoshop and the types of pictures I settled into taking. Am I finished yet? Not by a long shot. Nevertheless, looking back on where I start and where I am now, I am quite happy with the progress I have made. The I Heart Faces website is running a contest this week. We are to look through our photos from last year and pick out the one which we think is our best "face photo." This is mine.....no question about it!

Merry Christmas, 2010!

2010-12-25T14:01:00.000-08:00

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #81

2010-12-17T06:53:00.000-08:00

This week's fix-it Friday photo was provided by Michelle Johnson. She took this photo while attending the I Heart Faces workshop about a month ago in Texas. This is the SOOC:

My edit of the shot in which I did a few layers adjustments and added the Florabella Pandora action.

A Late Fix-It Friday #80

2010-12-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

I'm late with my fix-it Friday entry, but better late than never! The photo for this week was provided by Jessica Paige. It was taken during a workshop put on by the I Heart Faces Community and took place in Dallas last month (I think!).

Here is the SOOC image:

And here is my edit:

Special actions applied here, were sharpening, reducing red tones, several layers adjustments and skin/eye/teeth enhancements.

The Last Game Of The Season & The Final Party

2010-12-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Fun In The Photobooth

2010-12-11T17:52:00.000-08:00

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #79

2010-12-03T08:25:00.000-08:00

This week's fix-it Friday photo is provided by Dana Suggs. It is a cute picture of her own daughter.

This is the SOOC version:

Here is my edit:

This Boy Could Be A Supermodel.....OK, I'm Biased!

2010-12-01T05:40:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Masterpiece (the 1970's game)

2010-11-30T12:43:00.000-08:00

A "Best" List For the Holiday Season

2010-11-24T08:54:00.000-08:00

Since everybody seems to be posting these lists, I thought I would post up my best, most essential items which I have settled on after much trial and error. (And when I say, "...much trial and error" I mean it! - I tried everything this past year!).

Best Camera - Canon 5D Mark II and the 24-105 f4 L lens.

I didn't buy this combo, but should have because I paid a little more buying the parts separately.

Some people complain that it isn't as good at focusing and grabbing action as the Nikon D700 (which I sold to buy this), but that has not been the case for me. This is the best camera I have used. Also, the pictures SOOC are are wonderful. Often, they need very little adjustment. The metering system is so accurate. For performance, it can't be beat! The lens, OK it doesn't have a great f-stop at f4, but it is awesome for daytime, outdoor action shots. I use it when shooting my son's soccer games. It is very versatile for zooming in on action and getting wide shots when the kids run close by where I am stationed.

Best prime lens: Canon 85mm f1.8

This isn't an L lens, but it is so nice. Wonderful bokeh, light, small, good reach and super sharp!

Most necessary accessory while out shooting - the HUFA lens cap holder.

I have this thing attached to my camera strap. I was always sticking lens caps in my pocket and when I didn't have pockets I was juggling them and the camera. It's a clever little invention I really enjoy using!

This summer I learned to calibrate my monitor. I was intimidated by the process after reading about all these hassles and issues people were experiencing. I did a little research and decided on the Sypder 3 Pro - it is fast and easy and I have never had an issue with it.

I had a camera bag but got rid of it. When it comes down to it, I am a "throw the camera in my purse" type of gal. I purchased this messenger bag from Lands End Canvas. It is roomy and fits everything I like to tote around, including the big camera.

I do have a point and shoot. I like this model, the Lumix ZS7, and it is just great. Takes sharp, snappy photographs and has a big zoom in a nice little package.

Fiinally, the other tools in my arsenal are the classes I have taken.

Clickin' Moms RYC 101

Clickin' Moms RYC 201

Detra's Light Workshop - awesome!!!!

Maggie Holmes Advanced Workshop - wonderful!!!!

I have taken more classes but these are the ones which really stand out and provided me that "push" to really take my photographs and editing to a higher level.

Well, that's it - I'm not too complicated. And, like anything, the best tool is to practice, practice, practice!

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #78

2010-11-19T13:14:00.000-08:00

This week's fix-it Friday photo is provided by Susan Keller. I absolutely love her photography and due to her inspiration, I just bought my very own fisheye lens - can't wait to try it out! Below is the original version of the photo she provided (of her son):

This is my edit - LOVE those lashes!

Soccer Saturday - We Won, 4-3!

2010-11-13T15:43:00.000-08:00

Today She Is Officially A Teenager!

2010-11-07T15:39:00.000-08:00

Thirteen years ago today she was born and today she goes out to celebrate with friends.

Some of her best girlfriends in no particular order:

Soccer Day...We Won...He Scored 5 Goals

2010-11-06T16:43:00.000-07:00

Late Friday Afternoon...

2010-11-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #77

2010-11-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

This week we are given a photo by Michelle Johnson. The photo captures a pensive moment experienced by this cute little girl. Here is the SOOC:

This is my edit. Full edit made on color photo, converted to black and white and then fine-tuned the details.

Happiness Is.......

2010-10-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

....a smiling stranger.

A Lovely October Moon

2010-10-29T13:59:00.001-07:00

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #76

2010-10-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

Oh, I really love summer and today's photo takes me back a few months. This one was provided by Susan Keller of Susan Keller Photography. I highly recommend checking out her site - I visit it daily and thoroughly enjoy her postings and her photography.

Here is the original image:

And this is my edit - only had time for one today!

The Kids, As I See Them Today

2010-10-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

Soccer Today - No Wins, But He Scored Two!

2010-10-23T15:28:00.000-07:00

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #75

2010-10-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the week again...fix-it Friday. I love each weekly challenge. This week we were given a photo from Angie of Angie Arthur Photography. This photo is really cute - to me, it mixes both spring and fall with its blend of colors and freshness. Here is the original photo:

I did two edit on this photo. The first one is bold:

And the second on is softer/lighter:

We Won 6-1 and My Boy Scored 5 of those 6!

2010-10-16T16:27:00.000-07:00

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #74

2010-10-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

This week's fix-it Friday photo was taken by Dana Suggs. This is a cute little girl in a pumpkin patch - just perfect for getting into the fall/Halloween spirit. She might not have a black cat, but the black little fluffy puppy does the job just a well. Here is the original photo:

And this is my edit of it:

I love the fix-it Fridays - you should give it a try!

My Lovely Daughter

2010-10-12T17:35:00.000-07:00

New Nikon D7000 Camera

2010-10-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

This is fun - I wouldn't buy this camera - I love the full frames, but I enjoyed this video. Makes me want to take a little road trip.

Not Interested!

2010-10-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

The kid had no interest in helping me today with my photos. I tried catching him outdoors and later indoors. I was able to take twenty photos of him and this is the only one which turned out. He was throwing pillows from one side of the family room to the other and then rolling around on the floor. I caught him in mid-roll as he passed by my chair.

There Is More To Skating Than Riding The Board

2010-10-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

Picture Fall - Day 9

2010-10-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

Soccer - He Scored Two But They Didn't Win

2010-10-09T17:01:00.000-07:00

Downtown Claremont, Friday Afternoon

2010-10-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I decided to take the boy downtown and do a little exploring. After all, his sister goes downtown frequently on Friday afternoons with her friends after school, so I figured we deserved a little outing as well. We parked by a local restaurant, Espiau's, because the signs caught my eye and the man who paints these (they changes with seasons and events throughout the year) was at work on them. I watched for a minute or so and asked if I might photograph him at his work. He was very obliging. Let me introduce Danny Hinzo, "studio signwriter." He does marvelous work and is very pleasant to chat with. I hope we run into him again.

And, to illustrate the magic of photoshop, here is the above photo, SOOC - or straight out of the camera:

Picture Fall - Day 8

2010-10-08T09:15:00.001-07:00

Picture Fall - Day 7

2010-10-07T11:23:00.001-07:00

Picture Fall - Day 6

2010-10-06T13:05:00.001-07:00

Picture Fall - Day 5

2010-10-06T13:04:00.000-07:00

My Muse....My Boy

2010-10-05T11:57:00.001-07:00

Not a clear sharp picture, but I like it anyway!

Picture Fall - Day 4

2010-10-04T09:00:00.001-07:00

Picture Fall - Day 3

2010-10-03T16:34:00.001-07:00

L.A. County Fair - The Last Day

2010-10-03T16:32:00.000-07:00

Picture Fall - Day 2

2010-10-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

Soccer Day - GOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL! (Times 3!)

2010-10-02T15:27:00.000-07:00

Picture Fall - Day 1

2010-10-01T11:09:00.001-07:00

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #73

2010-10-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

This week we were given a lovely photo by Keli Hoskins. This little girl is just a cutie. I tried out a new action on her and I really like the slightly warm, retro results.

This is the original version:

Crystal Cove Beach On A Hot Sunday Morning

2010-09-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

My SOOC shot - I only took the 50mm f1.4 lens with me.

My edit of the above photo (see me?):

Here are a few others from Sunday morning:

I Heart Faces Fix-It Friday #72

2010-09-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

This week's fix-it Friday photo is a very personal one from Julie Rivera of Julie Rivera Photography. It is a photograph of her husband and daughter shortly before he left for his deployment. I hope I did it justice!

On this photo I ran a B&W action, did an internal curves adjustment, flattened, sharpened, selectively lightened/darkened and did a final curves adjustment, then cropped to size and gave it a little tilt.

The Kid Loves To Skate

2010-09-23T13:54:00.000-07:00

Side Lighting Study

2010-09-20T15:15:00.001-07:00

Studying My Boy

2010-09-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

These photos are cleaned up - A LOT! And I mean that literally. The kid has been going non-stop all weekend, riding bike and skate boarding and running around with his best friend, only to collapse into bed without a bath at night. He is/was flecked with dirt and I could smell him from where I was sitting...or maybe that was his feet. I think these pictures do a good job of making him clean and "presentable." And luckily they aren't scratch and sniff.

Here is one of the originals to illustrate what I was working with - that is mostly dirt spotting his face:

I Heart Faces - Fix-It Friday #71

2010-09-17T07:18:00.000-07:00

This week we get to edit a photo by Angie Arthur, of Angie Arthur Photography. This was from a senior photo session.

Here is the Original:

This is my edit:

School and Skating...Do They Mix?

2010-09-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

Afternoon With My Boy

2010-09-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

It's Her Style

2010-09-13T14:19:00.001-07:00

Little Skaters

2010-09-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

That Time Of Year Again....Soccer Started Today!

2010-09-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

I Heart Faces - Fix-It Friday #70

2010-09-10T16:10:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! This is always fun to do! The original photo was provided by Amy Locurto of Atomic Egg Photography - what a cutie in this picture! The top photo is the original and the ones following it are my edits.

Labor Day Weekend 2010

2010-09-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

Labor Day, and an attempt to grab a little more summer, sun, beach, and ocean sights.

Taking pictures to try to preserve it all and keep it in the present, with us.

And then it was gone - fall had arrived, the season had changed...before we knew it.

My Boy...My Edit

2010-09-04T15:57:00.001-07:00

I "Heart" Faces - Fix-It Friday #69

2010-09-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

I've never done this before, so here is my attempt at a fix-it Friday activity. This was very fun to do and it doesn't hurt to have such a great photo to work with! (Photo from Rachel Durik from Savor Photography.) Here is the original photo:

This is my first edit of the photo - in it, I cropped the photo, did a curves adjustment, ran a darkening action on the background, removed red from the skin tones and ran a sharpening action over the couple:

Here is my second edit. I took the cropped photo, ran an overall enhancing action over the photo, darkened the background, lightened the couple, sharpened the couple and ran the dark action a second time over the background:

I "Heart Faces" Photojournalism

2010-08-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

This is my entry to the I "Heart" Faces Photojournalism challenge. I keep returning to this picture, even months after I took it. This was someone's precious baby and joy of their lives and now, here he is. I always wonder what, in life, led a person, such as this man, to this bench, this station, "this life."

More on this challenge can be found here.

San Diego Views

2010-08-26T18:49:00.000-07:00

Skater Jeans and New Shoes

2010-08-17T20:12:00.000-07:00