I was pleased to see that Scott Kelby struggled with our British weather (here’s the link)
If a pro can’t take pictures here,what hope do I have.
Oh and by the way I forgot to include this image Erin took of me at the Christmas shop in Walkern.
Dame Edna eat your heart out.
but only just….
I’ve had a very busy week,well for me anyway.
Remember that amazing photography workshop I took with Karen Russell in the summer.Well there were a few of us who very prolific on the forum.Erin being one of them,she’s a Texan currently living over in Germany.
Everyone was encouraging me to attend a Scott Kelby Photoshop seminar in London.The fact that I would have to go on my own and like photography I am a complete novice,was putting me off booking a place.In fact i don’t even currently have full Photoshop!!
But Erin booked a place and I invited her to come and stay with us.
So it was with some trepidation on Erin and my husbands part we set off to pick her up from Stansted.I of course had no concerns.I knew she had the same sense of humour as me and as she loved all my favourite TV programmes,So I knew she was on my wavelength.Plus I can talk to anyone,I am known just to chat to random people!!!!
Chris had the giggles all the way to the airport.I thought he had a planned surprise secret for me.But it turned out he had the giggles because we had someone coming who he knew nothing about.
See they needn't have worried,we all got along famously.And the fact that Erin said she would love a crispy bacon roll for her packed lunch for the seminar sealed it for me.That's the only thing I eat in a sandwich.We must be twins separated at birth!!
Scott Kelby was a very good teacher and he made everything look very easy.I was pleased to find out my Photoshop elements had the majority of the actions I needed.I had my first play yesterday with a picture I had taken of a very reluctant model.After years of stress,alcohol and fags she wasn’t as fresh faced as she wanted to be.So I worked for hours trying to make her look nice and fresh.
I just couldn’t master the mask technique.Elements doesn’t have the layer so I had to download one but I just couldn’t get it to work for me.So I think I will download a CS5 trial monthly package and then have a play.
I wanted to make my models eyes pop how Scott had showed us.After much tweaking I couldn’t get it to work.
But I was pleased to note that when I posted it on her facebook page,she got lots of comments .One from someone who said she was very jealous as she hadn’t seen her for years and she hadn’t changed a bit.
Just the result I wanted.
It takes me hours to get results like this and Scott could do it in minutes.He had the added bonus of a pen tablet and I only have my laptop mouse pad.But who know after some more years of practice I may be happy with my photos!!!!!
One of the highlights of my day at The Design Centre,was popping to the toilets for a loo break and finding I had the choice of oodles of toilets,whilst the men's had a huge queue outside.Heaven.
The seminar was full of men.I hardly dared take a picture in case anyone was assessing my camera skills.I certainly ensured the dreaded flash stayed off.
At the end ,they asked us to fill out a questionnaire on what we thought of the course.Me and the man sat next to me,discussed whether they would give out freebies from the entries.But we decided no,and didn’t bother to fill them in.Imagine our horror when minutes later they said they were going to make a draw for a holiday to Florida and some other goodies.I could have cried.
The first couple of people who won,just put their hands up.The Americans running the event said,couldn’t we have a bit of a cheer if you won.So Erin said I’m going to raise my hands and shout out for the next one.Imagine our surprise when they called her name out.So she got to shout out after all.She won a DVD on Photoshop techniques.
An old lady won the trip to Florida and looked as excited as if she’d been told she only had weeks to live.Shame I didn’t fill that bloody form in.
Just spent 5 hours processing some images from a shoot I did today.
You may recognise the little Lily.I took some pictures for her mum Amy when she was just 3 days old.
Well they wanted some family pictures.So I obliged.
Of course a signature shot
mum and dad (pretending they liked each other!)
I can’t believe Amy is younger than my son.And a mother to two!
I have known Amy since she was as tiny as Lily.Is that showing my age?
and of course little Alfie
I find it practically impossible to get four people looking good at the same time in an image.Professional photographers certainly must earn their money.You need an assistant with you really.If only I had one,I could use a reflector and all my woes would disappear.They could ring bells and make funny noises whilst I concentrated on all my dials.
I’m better at one on one close ups.Then I can use the f stops I love.Listen to me talking photographers jargon.
I’ll be charging next.
I think not………..
I’m far too much of a perfectionist for that.I’d never be happy with what I’d captured.And so I certainly couldn’t charge for it.
But smartie Flurry donations would be nice………
I now have RSI in my wrist and hand from holding my camera and twiddling all the dials.Plus my back has gotten bad again and my stick has had to be recovered from the cupboard.Hopefully it’s just a blip.
I’m off to bed with a cashew nut butter cookie I made.Ryan said why do I make such disgusting things (he hates nuts) So as he doesn’t like them I have to eat my way through two cake tins full.Oh well,no rest for the wicked…..
Be prepared nudity alert.
This is a full on nude shot of me at just 18 years old.I used to have my hair cut at Vidal Sassoon then.
Look at my ribs,I haven’t seen them in years.
you’ll be sure to find an irate boy and his mother…….
My son asked me on Sunday “would you like to photograph my car ?”
Erm not really………
So I asked him “would YOU like me to photograph your car?”
So off we went.He didn’t want anywhere dirty or too narrow roads to drive down.Hey,that car is his baby.
I wished he cleaned his bathroom and room as lovingly and as thorough as he does that car.
So we settled on just up the road at a wooded area.
I was quite pleased with the SOOC pictures and only removed the number plate.
I love all the reflections on the shiny paintwork.
Now at this point in the photo shoot,I asked my son if he wouldn’t mind just popping out of the car,so I could use him as a model.I had wanted to experiment with the light in this area for a while.But it had always been overcast on previous visits.It was a beautiful clear sunny day .Perfect.
Just one problem,said son wouldn’t get out of the car.So this mum refused to get back in.
I walked off into the wooded area whilst he drove along side me.We pleaded with each other.But I won.
I used my first action on a photo for this on.
It’s a Pioneer Women PSE one –seventies.
He nearly made me walk home as I had some mud on my shoes.
And God forbid I should get any on his carpets!!!
Such a shame he hates me taking his photo,he makes a great model.
Mind you he’d do it if I paid him.
I had to crop the bottom of this one as Hilary will tell me off for putting my email and name on the web.Won’t you Hilary?
On another note.What Hilary must think of being seen out with me in public I don’t know.We are so different.
Shall I let you into a little secret.I used to tell my friends,I am going out with Hilary today.They would say who is that?
I explained that it was like Ann Widdecombe and Kerry Katona going out together for the day.Hilary might think she has got the raw deal being compared to the virginal Ann,but at least she’s not a coke addicted commoner.
In fact I rather admire Ann she is an amazing speaker and always sticks up for what she believes in.
I tried making the pictures larger in Blogger but they just go into the margins.You should be able to make them easier to read if you click on each picture.Sorry.
I am open for any criticism or help in anyway…….
