Journal 6 - Cross-Processing: Color to Evoke Emotion

I started playing around in Photoshop and wondered if there was a way to make photos look like old school postcards. I found a tutorial online for cross-processing and here is the before, the after, and the post card.

I love the feeling of nostalgia that is created with the cross-processing of the images.

Original
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After
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Exercise 6 - Combining Images

These images were created by taking 3 different shots to create a single image.

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New Tat

I have always had a love for mermaids. My first mermaid tattoo was done on my foot, this one as you can see is on my shoulder.
This one is an Olivia de Berardinis of Bettie Page.
Patsy at Fast Lane Tattoo laid the ink in 4 hours, I highly recommend him to anyone looking to get an amazing tattoo.

Exercise 5 - Playing with Layers

Corned Beef and Cabbage

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I made corned beef and cabbage for dinner. Turns out, Jeremy doesn't like corned beef and cabbage, but was willing to try mine anyway. I love it, so there was just more for me. Good thing I bought the smallest piece I could find!

Corned Beef and Cabbage
1.5 lbs corned beef trimmed of as much fat as possible
1 TBS peppercorns
1 bay leaf
1 small or 1/2 large head of cabbage - quartered
3 carrots - cut into large pieces
1 onion - quartered
3 cloves garlic - popped with knife

Place corned beef in pot with peppercorns, garlic, and bay leaf. Fill with enough water to cover meat, place lid on and simmer for roughly 2 hours.
Add onions and carrots and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes.
Add cabbage and simmer for another 15 minutes or until cabbage is done to your liking.

Use slotted spoon to remove meat and veggies. Serve with mashed potatoes.

While this is not a meal I would want to eat all the time, once or twice a year it is as comforting a meal as they come.

Journal 4 - Lighting and Portraits

This journal assignment was challenging and fun. I took it from a slightly different perspective, using colored paper to gather different effects.

The first column of shots are taken with no flash, with just colored paper held up to reflect the color. The color is not very strong, however when enlarged, hints of the color can be seen.
The second column was used in a similar manner, only with the flash turned on and being softened by a white piece of paper used as a filter.
The third column is done with the colored paper as the filter.
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This shot was taken with no filter on the light, the light placed on chest at head level.
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This shot was also taken with the light at head level, with a purple piece of paper over the light as a filter.
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This shot was taken with the light behind her at head level with me looking up from the floor.
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The light was at head level, with the pink paper as a filter over the light.

In Class Shoot - Lighting

We played with lighting in class. There are some great ways to get different results depending on the type of lighting and the angle of lighting.

Side Lighting - Edited with Magnetic Lasso and Edited Levels on Background
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Side Lighting with Black Background - Curves Edited
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Backlit - Edited Levels

Exercise 4 - Selection Tools

Magnetic Lasso Tool
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Magic Wand Tool
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Journal 3 - From the Hip......

I loved this assignment. It was really fun to go out and just "point and shoot" without looking. Many of my shots were pretty crappy, but I was able to get seven really decent shots to post. The ice that formed around the trees was beautiful.

Chest Level - Angled Up
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Ground Shot - Straight Up
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Ground Shot - Straight Across
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Chest Level - Angled Down
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Ground Level - Straight Across
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Above Head - Angled Down
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Chest Level - Angled Up

Exercise 3 - Curves - NOT JUST FOR WOMEN!!!

Adjusting curves can take the image and correct it to be the way you want it to be, or you can change the image to be a much harsher looking image. Below is the original image, along with playing with curves.

Original Image

Curves Editing

Bathroom Ceiling

My bathroom is getting a mini makeover due to some major leakage of pipes. There are holes in my ceiling, the floors are covered in dust and grime, and it is generally not the clean feeling place it should be. However, I was able to take several really cool looking photos that I have edited slightly for effect.

Journal 2 - Portrait of an Object

I had a much easier time with this assignment. I chose an object that is important to me. The conch shell belonged to my uncle. He used it as the fog horn on his sailboat and it spent many years at my grandmothers house after his death. When my grandmother finally passed away, it was one of the few items I wanted. It reminds me of my uncle, it reminds me of my grandmother, and I am one of the few people who are able to blow it and get a good sound out of it. I did struggle a bit with the lighting but in the end I am pleased with how they turned out.