Applying a texture to a photo...

I love textures added to my photos.  Textures can add a photo artistry effect, dimension, and interest to a photo.  There are a lot of websites that have textures.  Many offer free textures along with packages for purchase.  Some of my favorites places to find textures are : 2lilowls, shadowhousecreations, and kim klassen.  If you have never applied a texture, here is a short youtube video on how to apply a texture.  She is using the full version of photoshop, but it works pretty much the same in photoshop elements.  I hope you take time to try this technique. You might be surprised at how ordinary pictures become extra special.

You can copy the link to take you to the video...I tried embedding it, but it did not seem to work.

http://youtu.be/sAU55kt0tQ4

Here's the embed code for what it is worth.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sAU55kt0tQ4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Up coming Safaris

Get out your cameras, put on your walking shoes, and gear up for some wonderful photo opportunities.  First stop will be the ghost town of Yeso in DeBaca County on Highway 60 between Ft. Sumner and Vaughn.  Check it out here.  This safari will be Tuesday, April 29th...If you want to participate, meet in the Wal-Mart parking lot at 9 a.m., and be sure to call or email Sue: 575- 910- 0124, or scsilverturtle@gmail.com.  After visiting the ghost town, the group may go to "funky" downtown Ft. Sumner, and the Billy the Kid museum.

Next stop, will be Saturday, and Sunday, May 3-4, The Roswell Old-Timers Balloon Rally at Cielo Grande.  You've got to get up early to catch this one...6:30 a.m.  This will have tons of colorful balloons, interesting people, and who knows, you may even be able to get a ride to get some "bird's eye-view" photos of the greater Roswell area.

Our third stop will be the famous Iris Farm in the Hondo Valley.  Their big day is Mother's Day, May 11.  Sue will be watching the paper for their notice, "The Irises are Blooming."  We hope to sneak up there before their big event...stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Not scheduled yet, but in the planning phase are some nature outings in Lincoln, Oliver Lee State Park, and Cave Creek.  Watch for the notice (email) from Cliff.

If you have ideas for some safaris, please contact Sue Ashby.  (contact info in the first paragraph).
Hope to see you at one or all the safaris.

May's Photo Challenge...directional light...

"Look and THINK before you open the shutter.  The HEART and MIND are the true lens of the camera." -Yousuf Kargh

I am finding that different types of light can fall into several categories.   For example, in March we explored 'hard light'.  Well, hard light can also be directional light as you will soon see.   Directional light simply means light that travels in a specific direction, while general lighting provides even, overall illumination.  Directional lighting is usually provided by a strong light source, which will result in strong pictures full of contrast, and it creates a deep, or strong mood.  This type of light will result in strong highlights, and dark shadows.  Directional light can include side, above, beneath, across, back, or rim.  It conveys texture by skimming across details of the subject, and renders form through the use of deep shadows.

Challenge: 

• Take up to 4 photos preferably one each week showing directional lighting.  

• Do not use archives: photos must be taken between the March and April meetings.

• Include you photo information

• Have fun

Here are some examples of directional lighting.

Photo by Steve Adams...strong, side window lighting adds drama to this picture.

Photo by Rob McKelvy...Side window lighting taken with an iPhone.

Photo by Rob McKelvy...Sunset light

Photo by Rob McKelvy...light from a beauty dish...(I think).  Look at the definition of his arm muscles, and face.  

Photo by Rob McKelvy...parabolic lighting

Photo by Rob McKelvy...rim lighting from the sun back light.

Photo by Gennean Hendricks...lighting from a skylight, and a torch light from the side.  This lighting adds so much texture, and creates a dramatic picture.  The mood is strength, and very masculine.

Photo by Gennean Hendricks...taken 30 minutes after sundown...side lighting from  the sun.  The camera picks up a blue light that our eye does not see.  The lights from the mill add depth, and dimension to the structures.  Nice sunbursts.  Very dramatic.

Photo by Gennean Hendricks...night scene...Windmill painted with a flashlight.  Does this not evoke the feeling of loneliness, and vastness?  

Photo by Gennean Hendricks...side lighting from the sun...golden hour.   

I hope this gives you some idea of how directional lighting can stir the emotions, set the mood, and add drama to your pictures.  It is fun to explore, see, and capture different kinds of light.  Go look for some directional light, and get clicking.  I cannot wait to see your photos in May.

The hunted...

Today, we have a picture taken with a new toy…as Cliff would call it.  Bill Flynt bought a Canon EF 25 ll extension tube, so his photos are even closer without him having to get closer.  He is out stalking and hunting.  His photos are spectacular.  Check out this Blue Male Damselfly.

Photo by Bill Flynn: Canon 5D Mark 11; f/16, 1/250, 400mm with his extension tube added.

Photos...

How about some portraiture for a change from our bugs, birds, and animals?  The following photos are brought to you by Steve Adam.  I think these are from our color light workshops.  Enjoy, he has done a nice job.

A few photos from the downtown safari...

I thought I would post some photos of the downtown photo safari that our club did on April 3.

All photos by Rob McKelvy

We sort of got side tracked and ended up in the more rustic part of the town.

I love taking pictures of old cars.  If you look closely, there is a Dr. Pepper can on the front fender.

My sky was washed out, so I dropped in a sky to add more drama, and a texture.

Love the sheet music background, the checked floor, and the bright red drums.

Look very close by the RR tracks, and you will see a cat crossing the street.

Old doors are another favorite of mine...

especially with rust.

We had the best time on this safari, and got some good pictures to boot.

Photo editing workflow...

I am sure all of us have a particular step-by-step procedure for our post editing process.  I thought this one on Texaschicksblogsandpics was very good.  At the end of the post, there is a printable version of the steps.  Go over to take a look.  Here is an example of her before and after photo using the steps she has outlined.

from texaschicksblogsand pics

Also, if you want to learn from some fabulous photographers, you need to visit this website: photo vision video. Until April 15th, they have unlocked their website, so you have access to all their video library.  It is expansive.  It is comprehensive.  You will be sure to find something in your particular niche from fabulous photographers.  If you went to a conference, it would cost mega bucks.  It is at your fingertips for free.  Hurry, it is for a limited time.

Lightroom presets for free.  Visit here to choose some nice Lightroom presets for easier, faster photo editing. http://www.ononesoftware.com/products/lightroom-presets/

Get browsing. Get inspired.  Get better.

Critters, birds, and plants...

I had this great idea to make storyboards so all the pictures would not take up so much room.  So I made them.  Then realized photos from one person did not quite conform to the size I needed in a particular block…so I put different photographer's pictures in them.  Big mistake.  I could not remember who the pictures belonged to.  So, I did the best I could to untangle my mess.  Please, I apologize if I got it wrong.  Bear with me…I will get the hang of this soon…I hope.

Photos from Bobby Goode…from a friend's backyard

Photos from James Tarlton…

Photo by Cliff Powell…

I went back to my friend's house to see if I could find the owl again.  I did. (Yeah).  It is a much better shot.  I also spotted two hawk making a nice nest, and got several photos of them.

Photos by Rob McKelvy: a hawk, and Great horned owl

The birds on the end are photos of Sue Heaton.  I am sorry I did not get their names.
The damsels are by Bill Flynt: Top: male Aztec Dancer, Bottom is the female

The birds are photos by Sue Heaton
Ducks by Bill Flynt: top right: Cinnamon Teal ducks, Bottom: Green winged ducks