Macro Friday

Hello Friday! Another weekend is upon us and I couldn't be happier.  Not sure what the weekend has in store for the family and me but can't wait to find out.  So I tried to NOT post a picture of a flower or a plant.  This is one of my vintage cameras.  Thought it made for a cool shot.  Different than what I've been posting, if nothing else.  

To see more macro shots or to link up one of your own, head over to Laura's blog, Blogging from Bolivia now by clicking the logo above.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Before & After

Before & after photos with Pixel Perfect today!  So, I tried to be original this week and try something I've never done before where my editing abilities are concerned and it was a big fat FAIL.  So I fell back on old faithful - layers.  I love layers and blending and they hardly ever steer me wrong.  Gonna have to do some practicing in PSE to be original next time.

Here is my SOOC shot, using my Canon Rebel T1i, 18-55mm lens:

I just love seeing the layers of the rose petals, but the color is a little bright and heavy on the eyes.  So I wanted to do something about that.

My edited shot:

So I really didn't do too much - added a black/white layer, added a another layer and played with the blending mode (can't remember which I used just now) and then a heavy vignette and rounded corners.  Subtle, but I think it softened the shot and makes it a little dreamier.  I used Photoshop Elements 8 for my edits.  

To see more before & after pics or to link up one of your own, head over to Pixel Perfect now by clicking the following logo:

Black & White Wednesday

As most of you might know, I usually reserve pics of my kiddos for my family blog, but I just shot these and they warmed my heart so much I had to share.  I was sitting at my desk and happened to look over & see this...

They are so sweet with one another - most of the time.  The love the feel is apparent to anyone that's ever been around them.  My cup runneth over.  

To see more black & white photos or to link up one of your own, head over to The Long Road to China now by clicking the logo above.  

Shutter Love Tuesday - Faces

This week for Shutter Love Tuesday the theme is 'faces'. I recently posted this pic for Black & White Wednesday but it was too perfect not to post again. So I thought I'd just edit this one a bit differently so maybe you wouldn't think you're seeing the same picture over and over.  And if you still think that, well... Sorry.  Girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

To see more photos with the 'Faces' theme or to link up one of your own, head over to Trendy Treehouse now by clicking the logo above.  

I'm also linking up this week with my3boybarians for Sweet Shot Tuesdays.  This is my first time linking up to this challenge and I'm really excited to participate.  This is a pretty sweet shot, in my opinion.  To see more sweet shots or to link up one of your own, head over to my3boybarians now by clicking the logo below.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Shutter Love Tuesday - By the Pool

I admit to having been somewhat challenged with this photo challenge today. Trendy Treehouse chose the theme "by the pool" and I wasn't sure if that meant only BY the pool or if you could be in it. So I decided by the pool meant just that and this is really the only photo I had to enter. If my kids or myself are near a pool at all, we're actually IN the pool.  So this is my friend, De Anna and her dog, Scout.

To see more pics themed "by the pool" or to link up one of your own, head over to Trendy Treehouse now by clicking the logo below.  

SOOC Saturday

I have replaced my Saturday morning comedy with a great photo challenge. It wasn't getting too much response (being Saturday and all) so I figured no one would miss it. If you are dying for a little comedy, let me know and I'll bring it back. Otherwise, I'm going to continue to just post for SOOC Saturday.  

I've had this shot for a little while and have been trying to decide when & how to use it.  But it's amazing all by itself so I decided it would best be used for SOOC Saturday.  To quote a bloggy friend, "God got out his magic markers again."

Amazing TN sunset.  

To see more SOOC shots or link up one of your own, visit Slurping Life blog by clicking the logo above. 

Macro Friday

Gotta love that it's Friday once again.  I won last week's Macro Friday photo challenge and was thrilled!  I got to pick this week's winner so head over to Laura's blog and see who I chose.  The shot is worth taking the time to have a looksy.  Here is my entry for this week:

There are just too many lovely flowers to take pictures of this time of year.  Not quite sure what I'll do in the winter.  

To see more macro shots or to link up one of your own, head over to Blogging from Bolivia now by clicking the logo above.  

TGIF, y'all!

SOOC - Facing Myself

I admit to being completely nervous about taking part in Jessica's Facing Myself photo challenge because it requires me to step in front of the camera and I've gotten very comfortable with being behind it.  It's become somewhat of a security blanket for me, I think.  I have a camera of some sort with me no matter where I go.  But it's sort of a catch 22 because I also find myself complaining that I'm never in the picture on family vacations or any other events for that matter.  I'm frivolous about catching every moment of my kids' lives in pictures, but have very limited documentation of my own.  So I took the plunge and have decided I'm going to participate in this challenge.  I need to participate in this challenge.  However, I'm finding it just that - a challenge.  I've tried several "creative" ways to capture a photo of myself and most have been fails.  I've got some brainstorming to do.  

So I resorted to setting the timer on my camera and taking these.  They aren't the best because I couldn't be behind the camera to adjust everything and check the lighting, etc.  But I have a couple of pics of my favorite boy and me.  And these are SOOC so I'm linking up with Slurping Life today as well for SOOC Saturday.  

To see more SOOC shots or more self-portraits - or to link up some of your own - click on the following links:

The Old Nichols Farm

A Photo Challenge - Bubbles

Last week my bloggy friend, Christina at Pooh's Corner created a photo challenge - a bubble challenge - to be more specific.  This was actually my first photo challenge but I was so excited to participate.  As I'm writing this post, the winner has yet to be determined.  I wanted to share my bubble photos with you.  

I actually went into this challenge thinking piece of cake!  I'll throw the kids in the backyard with some bubbles and click away.  How hard could this be?  But it was, in fact, quite challenging.  It was a windy day.  The kids just wanted to pop the bubbles.  Bubbles are not easy to photograph.  Did I mention it was windy?  Ever tried to blow bubbles when it's windy?  

Anyhow, I think I did okay and I truly enjoyed having a photo challenge upon me.  I sincerely hope Christina creates another.  hint, hint     ;)