Friday, January 8, 2010

Amazing What A Little Photoshoppin' Will Do For You.


            I have been dabbling in photography this week.  Everyday I have had the camera out and I have been shooting like crazy (see, I am even using photography lingo).  I have one small problem: I am not good at photography.  I want all these amazing memories that we are creating as a family to be captured by some amazing photographs.   But my photos are mediocre at best.   Every once and awhile I will grab a good shot, but the majority of time, no.
            After cruzin around the www this week, I have learned something pretty cool.  Bt it is a big secret, so don't tell anyone ok?  Majority of "amazing photos" have been "photoshopped".  Huh?  You mean they don't just come out of the camera amazing??  Some do, but not all.  Therefore,  I now need to learn how to take better pictures AND how to photoshop them?  Great, that makes it so much easier.....
           I also have a fantastic camera.  I have had it for 1 1/2 years and the mode I mainly shoot on is "P".  P is for Program (automatic), or Pitiful.  The Best Buy salesman suggested that.  Nice.  I am taking advice from the guy who is probably NOT a professional photographer.  So, my goal this year is to learn what an F stop is , what Aperture means,  and what bokah is (I learned that this week- everything is fuzzy with the exception on one thing!  Yay for me!).
           So, to force myself to learn my camera I have joined a little meme in the blog world- Project 365. I am going to attempt to take a picture each day and post it.  My goal is to learn all the different modes I can shoot in and get better pics of my babies and the world around us.  Plus I think it will be fun to capture everyday life each day.  Let me say upfront that taking 365 pictures for a full year will be a BIG undertaking and I truly hope I do not fizzle out mid-February.  Will you check in with me every once and a while and give me a little encouragement??  Thanks my friends!  My newest blog can be found in my sidebar or here: The Darling 365 Project

          Today I did a little magic with Photoshop...ok not THE Photoshop, it was iPhoto and it worked.  Tell me if you can see a difference:

With the flash..yuck- I hate the artificial light


no flash-too light & fuzzy for me


no flash & photoshopped


sweet Bubba


my favorite shot

       Amazing what a little computer program can do.  Maybe I will get the hang of this after all.


15 comments:

Rhonda said...

I don't care what your pictures look like, he is sooooo cute! No, seriously I want to learn the same things about my camera and learn how to photoshop too! That is one of my goals this year!

Got your SHRED on yet? ;o0

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Looks great! I have had my camera about that long and I shoot on that mode too. I really am hoping to learn more camera skillz this year too. It's true that photo editing programs are amazing!

Love your pictures! Another program that is great is Picassa and it's free :) I have Photoshop too but haven't quite figured out how to use it yet....

XOXO
Jen

Jen said...

It does look great! I don't usually mess with editing much, other than cropping - just DO NOT have the time :) I've also purposefully avoided buying editing software so I don't feel obligated. You'll get the hang of it! Just keep experimenting :)

Kelli said...

My friend Lyndsey (she's on my sidebar) loves i heart faces and all that they teach. She is also trying to be a photographer. There is a lot of information, but I have no doubt you'll get it done! This 365 will help I'm sure. Good luck. I will tell you that she taught me that the lower the aperture the more it focuses on the object and less focus on the background.

Aimee said...

I have the same problems as you...I love photography, but I don't know how to use all the things on my camera! I'm going to follow your 365 project. Maybe it will inspire me to learn more stuff about my camera too! I do love photoshop, but like the camera, I only know how to use a few things on it!

Julie said...

I am terrible at taking pictures! I can't wait for you to share all the tricks you learn and tell us about!
He is sooooo precious!

patti321@att.net said...

Hi, Just discovered your blog! Love how your blog has a lot of handwriting! I love that look! You have such a sweet family & great posts! Have a great weekend! Patti

Anonymous said...

WTG.. sounds like a great goal for the new year! I will certainly be stopping by to see you progress as the year goes on :-)

Miller Racing Family said...

I think Bubba is cute not matter if he is photoshopped. But I do agree you can see the difference with a little computer enhancements. I really like the sweet Bubba photo.
You will have to share what you learn about photoshopping, I think we could all use a little help.
Have a fabulous weekend!

Sugarplum Creations Blog said...

I've been thinking about this challenge too. I already take photos almost daily, and I love photography. I just haven't committed. And can I just say that your sweet little boy just keeps getting cuter by the day. We're so lucky to have such cute subjects to photograph ;)

Jessica said...

That sounds like a wonderful plan to learn about your camera and I should do the same! I need to learn more about editing pictures in Photoshop though. I have the "design stuff" down, but not the "photo stuff"!

P.S. Did you take those pictures you emailed ME? They are fabulous!

Keri said...

New camera coming in the mail next week and I'll be trying to learn that thing, too. Just been using my little digital and iPhone.....I have to admit, I'm a little intimidated, but motivated by the desire for some amazing shots!

Good luck and keep passing on the advice for those of us that don't like reading manuals.....ahem....

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

He is adorable...I am buying a new camera this week and I so want to learn all the tricks.

Melanie and Jason said...

I'm impressed- just keeping sharing what you learn so that I don't have to commit to a shot a day!

Connie said...

My friend Manic Mother is giving photo lessons.....I'll email you the link.

I just discovered a website called Picnik that I'm using to make my photo's look cool!

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