Books… books…. adore…. books!
Kinfolk is more like a book than a magazine….so beautiful….. Have you read it? Do you love it too?
Share your book-love with us today……
for the love of processing
I love taking pictures….. and I love processing. In fact, I would say it’s a LOVE-LOVE scenario.
It’s a process for me. I imagine a photo, set up the ‘scene’, click the pic….then off to my computer to finish the vision. I may do just a few tweaks, or I might take it even further….edit, effect, texture, and even type. This is my way of making art…without using my paints and brushes.
I dove into photography and photoshop at the same time. I took my first few photos, then moved immediately into photoshop. I wanted to apply textures to my images. In fact it was because of the textured images I was admiring online that I picked up my camera in the first place. It seems a little backwards when I think of it now. Eventually I began to learn the other pieces of photoshop and grew to love everything about processing.
A few years later, along came Lightroom! It’s been life-changing… at least creatively speaking. I often wonder what I ever did without it. Thanks to Lightroom’s catalog feature my images are now organized and easily accessible; something I thought may never happen. I can crop, edit and so much more; quickly and efficiently on several images at once. It’s quick, painless and completely non-destructive. Lightroom also works beautifully with photoshop/elements. It really is an incredible program.
Where do YOU fit in all of this? Lightroom, Photoshop, another editing program….or no thank you; editings not for me? Share with us today.
Today we are giving away a space in my new Lightroom class, Round Trip – from Lightroom to Photoshop and back again. The next session begins on January 15th. To enter, simply leave a comment under this post before Thursday at midnight EST for your chance to win a complimentary space in the Round Trip Class. Even better, double your chances by joining our mailing list. The winner will be announced on Friday. Good luck!
we love what we love ……
I’m sitting on my friend’s sofa in California right now! I’m here on a little inspiration vacation. The thing is, hopping on a plane to Caliornia isn’t a typical ‘thing’ for me to do. I’m such a home body… very content just to ‘be’ in my quiet world. I was telling my husband before I left how excited I was to see new things, take different photos, get inspired. I went on to say ‘I’m always photographing Ben, my walks, pretty cups, old bottles and books…This will be good for me. Right?’ I was feeling anxious about leaving home. I think I was trying to reassure myself, that this was a good thing.
I’m here, and YES I have seen all kinds of beauty and inspiration. I’m so grateful. California is just so beautiful. I’m so glad I took the leap to come.
The other night Myriam made a cup of tea and there it was in front of me, just waiting for me to take a picture. I’ve taken many photos this week, but this cup is one of my favs. Myriam’s home has so many splashes of the things I love; beautiful cups, old bottles…. art, and texture. There’s such comfort in the familiar. I love it all! I’ve been taking many photos of the things I love.
We are who we are. We can change things up, choose different locations…. and that’s so good. But it’s okay to be true to who we are, recognize what brings us joy…and love what we love….
Today I ask you, what brings you comfort, lights you up and begs you to photograph it? Share with us today.
::
December is almost here! Can you believe it? We have a new hashtag for the One Word photos, #ssdecember. Feel free to continue using #shuttersisters as well. Thanks so much for sharing your photos with us!
my world….
I arrived home from Palm Springs to freezing rain and snow on it’s way. Talk about a reality check!! Big sigh…for sure! A few days later, down came the snow…. Thank goodness it’s so pretty. I love capturing Ben outside, a little snow on his nose…so cute.
As I’ve been posting my snow photos on IG others have been posting images of lunch on the patio, walks on the beach…..Such a contrast….so hard to believe some days.
Today, share with us….a little glimpse into your world. We’d love to see.
just the beginning….
the lovely Cyndy B
Oasis has come to an end. I can’t believe it’s over. I’ve been looking forward to this for so long. It seemed like forever away, and just like that it’s over. Kinda like Christmas….. endless preparation and expectations…. it finally arrives….. and just like that, it’s over.
For me, Oasis, was a bit like being in a bubble…. surrounded by the most amazing creative energy. I’m going to miss it so much. Most of my life….I was quite happy in my creative bubble, doing my thing, making art. Last year’s camp experience totally changed that. Now I NEED/WANT to experience the connections, the energy, the love. It’ll be a transition….returning to my everyday quiet life. But it’s all so good. I’m holding tight to the Oasis love. I can’t wait to watch the magic unfold.
Today, I’d love to see your connection photos, or hear your stories. Please share with us below.
Squared
Lately I’ve been loving square photos. It’s funny, it goes in stages; from square to landscape to portrait. For several months, before the square thing, I was cropping almost everything 4 x 5.
Maybe it’s an instagram thing….seeing the world squared? I’m not sure. But I do know I’ve always been drawn to square photos.
How ’bout you? Do you crop? Squares… love ’em? not so much? Share with us today.
Sights to See
Oh my…such a crazy month September has been. Thank goodness for my boy Ben. If it wasn’t for his sweet persistance each day; twice a day….I may just have missed all this…choosing to work rather than walk.
This fall has been extra lovely….so thankful for Ben’s gentle push…and an iPhone to capture it all.
What’s your world looking like these days? Share with us today.
with meaning….
Do you ever question why you are taking pictures? Does it ever feel like you are just going through the motions? This feeling hits me…now and then…..It comes in waves… and then it goes… the ebb and flow of creativity I suppose….
I find it helps to shoot with purpose… the goal… to create a meaningful picture.
I’ve been doing a lot of vision shooting lately. I have a vision in my head; a picture or a mood I want to create… some days it comes together, others not so much. I may see an image that sparks an idea… or perhaps it’s a feeling I want to portray… In my photo up top I was trying to share my mood…..a little uncertain, a little sad…. a little unsure….
Tell us… show us… how do you bring meaning to your photos? What works for you? Share with us today….
rest and relaxation
‘Give your stress wings and let it fly away.’ ~Terri Guillemets
Oh my…yes please… I could use a little of R&R… Some weeks just knock it right outta ya….and you just gotta stop, breathe…rest and relax….
Today I did a little front porch day dreaming……. just me, Ben and the warm sunshine…. so good… so needed… so necessary.
How ’bout you, have you taken a little time to rest and relax? Share a little R&R with us today. Be sure to add your photos to the OWP Flickr pool or tag your images #sselevate on Instagram.
Focus
The word focus keeps crossing my path. It’s so interesting how that works. Little whispers from the universe.
I strongly believe that whatever we focus on will grow. I love this quote by Marianne Williamson.
We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what’s wrong in your life, or you can focus on what’s right.
~Marianne Williamson
Over and over I’ve seen this work in my life, both positively and negatively. I’ve focused on my troubles and they’ve continued to grow. I’ve focused on my art and it’s flourished. I’ve focused on a bad relationship and it kept getting worse. I’ve focused on beauty and found more beauty. I could go on and on.
It works. We can use this ‘power‘ for good or for evil. I try my best to choose good.
Tell us/Show us….what are you focusing on these days?