". . . I'm blending in so you won't even know me"

I had this idea for some song lyrics... it turned out even cooler than I'd expected! ha. I love playing with photoshop. :) 

Spring Has Finally Sprung

Happy Spring, everyone! \o/

Introduction

I was so excited to capture this! :D I took the picture on my ipod, so it's not the greatest quality... but still adorable. :)

our new puppy and my cat, Petruchio

Post Processing: Why I love RAW

I take photos in the RAW file format. Which means I have almost complete control over the photograph once it's taken. Which is pretty awesome!

In an instance where there is a low light situation, you can often underexpose a photo and edit the RAW file to brighten the image. I have a couple examples here.



This is a picture that was taken last Friday at our home school group's Annual Winter Formal.

My friend who took the picture used a fast shutter speed and no flash. 

Extremely dark... yes. Hopeless... no. 
Adobe LightRoom to the rescue!! :D

 After I adjusted several things, the photo is quite grainy but at least now you can see the subject of the picture.

I personally like the B&W grainy look! :)

Here are the steps I use for fixing most low-light photos....

This is the original photo

I boosted the exposure all the way up, and now you can see the subject of the photo! 

Me dancing with Clay. :D 

The colors are pretty cool in this one, but I kept editing.......

I converted it to B&W....

And tuned up the details a bit.

I love taking pictures... and I love editing them, too! :D I'd love to hear what you think 
about how I did these. ;) 

P.S. Thanks to Snap Of The Shutter, I was introduced to this file format last May. Thank you! :)

Crimson

Happy Birthday, Grace!!!! I hope today has been as special as your friendship is to me. <3

"The surface, soft enough to be easily bruised, feels like a heart filled with Cupid’s miniature arrows. 

The points of impact healed, creating the rough seeds that are used to germinate more berries in the future." -Grace S. on strawberries

Twelve Twelve Twelve

Today is a special day! It is the last triple number date we will see in our lifetime! That is unless we live to an exceptionally old age. If you haven't figured it out by now, It's 12/12/12! This date will not be seen again in a hundred years! Last year we had another exciting date, too - 11/11/11! If you'd like to see my eleven eleven eleven posts, they're in my archive here (top two results.)

I decided, for this special occasion, to mention twelve things I'm thankful for. So here goes! :)

I'm thankful for......

I.)  Salvation

Thank you Lord!

II.)  Scripture

I'm thankful to have been taught at a young age, the importance of reading God's Word and forever keeping it in my heart and mind

III.)    Friends...

...and family.

IV.)   ♪ Music ♫

I love to play music...

 

...and listen to music!

V.)  Books

  I love

           books! :D

VI.)    Cats

I've loved kitties ever since I was very small :)

VII.)  A Home

Everywhere we've been, we've been blessed with a wonderful home.

VIII.)    Duct Tape

"Duct Tape is like the Force. 
It has a dark side, a light side, 
and it holds the universe together." 

what would we do without it??!

IX.)   Laughter 

Laughter is the best thing in the whole world :D

X.)   My Camera!

^^^ My very first camera :)

XI.)  The Time We Had With Elle

Our little family dog, Elle, got hit by a car a couple weeks ago. We are still grieving deeply, but are extremely thankful for the time we had with her. 
♥ We miss you, Elle ♥

XII.)    Christmas Lights!

They're fun to put up... 

...fun to wear...

...and definitely fun to look at.

I'm thankful for much more than just these twelve, of course, but these are a few special things that came to mind. :)

Blessings!!

                       

Inardesco

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PETER!! I hope today is an especially fantastic day for you.

"The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it." ~Galadriel