More photo fun…with RadLab

Hi everyone,

How was your weekend? Ours was busy, as usual…but good. After a thorough cleaning of the house on Sunday, I felt ready to start my online class (Blog Boss) today. Felt so good to put Claire down for her nap, make a cup of tea, light a candle and sit down to class. I’ve got some homework to get to and I hope you will all be patient with me as I continue to “renovate” my blog. My goal is to share more with you and teach some of the things that I have learned along the way.

Wanted to show you another little RadLab makeover photograph today. Tomorrow, I will be drawing the lucky winner who will get RadLab for free! There is still time to enter…just go here and leave a comment about why you want RadLab.

Okay…so here is a floral shot from Grace’s birthday gathering last year. One of my favorite flowers – Ranunculus. While the shot isn’t dreadful, it could use a little love…

After RadLab and few layers of textures, I was able to give the image a dreamy quality.

Here is the RadLab recipe:

{RECIPE: Lights On 100% – Oh, Snap 80% – P.O.S. Lens 100% – Edge Blur 100% – Divine Light 65% – Claire-ify 39% – Prettizer 100% – Get Faded Winter 80% – The 600 100% – Flirt 18% – Boutwell Magic Glasses 88%}

I used a few textures to further add to the mood of this image. One layer is from the wonderful, Kim Klassen, who shares layers, textures and tutorials! She is such an inspiration. The next two layers were from Deviant Art – where you can find a vast array of free stock layers and textures to download and experiment with.

Please remember, that just because we can tweak a photo with photo editing programs, it is still important to compose your shot. You have to begin with a good photo or at least a decent one to truly get a magical end product. So don’t let those eyes get lazy, always take time to adjust lighting, camera settings and composition. Also, learn when to stop editing. Just like a painting, a photo can become overworked. Of course, like any art form this is subjective to the viewer but try to trust your instincts. I often switch a layer on and off within Photoshop and ask myself – “Does this layer/texture/effect truly add to the image?” If it doesn’t delete it.

Go check it out these fantastic resources and get inspired!

Have a lovely Monday.

xo,

Advertisement

Up for the challenge…

Hi everyone. Happy Friday. I come to you today excited about possibility, learning and expanding! Even though I am exhausted from a night up with my poor teething, Claire – I am thrilled at some of the new things I’ve been trying lately!

First of all, I am super excited to let you know that I just signed up for Blog Boss – a new e-course with Holly Becker from decor8! I took her first course – Blogging your way – a couple of years ago and it taught me so much! This next one looks to be amazing and I can’t wait for class to begin. There is still time to enroll – check it out here.

Lately, I am trying to expand my photography knowledge so I’ve been dabbling in portrait photography. I know you have all seen my attempts with my children but recently I’ve been taking pics for friends and it has been quite the learning experience. I have such respect for those professional photographers out there that do portrait work. It is a true art! My latest subject was my neighbor, Taryn Emerson. She is such a fantastic friend and an incredible interior designer too! She asked me to take her portrait for her website (in production) and online social profiles. I agreed. So, last Sunday, I handed over Clarie to my hubby and off I went down the street with my trusty camera, in the hopes of capturing my friend and doing her beauty justice! The overcast sky provided the perfect, softly filtered light. We jumped around from her place to mine, outside, inside, front yard, back yard…but ended up with this as our winning shot!

Some of our other attempts…

Taryn was a great sport and put up with all my amateur-ish mistakes. In between giggles, she was poised and patient.

It is so wonderful to have another creative buddy right in the neighborhood and she is always encouraging. She likes to challenge me too…which is a rare gift in a friend. Since I have been avidly taking pictures, she suggested I shoot her gorgeous designer kitchen for her portfolio too. I balked at the request, insisting I knew nothing about interior photography and how we would probably have to rent lights and wide angle lens. She rolled her eyes and said, “Oh come on, let’s just try it!” So over a bottle of wine that night, we styled the entire kitchen and shot it the next morning…

It was so much fun dusting off my interior design skills to style this lovely space and collaborating with another designer is something I have missed! When we started the shoot it was dark and gray outside and I was doubtful that the light was sufficient but like a sweet gift, the sunshine broke through the clouds, spilling light into the room. We scrambled to move Taryn’s heavy kitchen table so we could let the shadow of the window unfurl onto the warm wood floor.

All in all, we were both pretty pleased with ourselves and I learned a lot! There is nothing better than the feeling of meeting a challenge, especially a creative one. So don’t limit yourself, expand your creative gifts – sure it can be a little scary and you might even mess up but one thing is for sure – you will learn and you will grow – and that is worth it every time!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo,

***Check out more of Taryn’s beautiful interior design projects here and like her new Facebook page here.***

French lights, crystal birds, sparkling beauty

I just got Pia Jane Bijkerk’s book Paris: Made by hand. It’s so beautiful.  This small, treasure of a book, is full of beauty, inspiration and the goods of genuine French artisans. Pia’s stunning photography visually documents these amazing shops. One of the many shoots that caught my eye was from a store called Bagues. It’s famous for its decadent, sparkling chandeliers that grace the lobbies of famous hotels and celebrity homes.

So magical…I want one, s’il vous plaît.

xo,

Ivy