Focal Points...

So tricky - I've only got 3 on this camera - the one I'd like to upgrade to has 12!!!

S'okay as long as I have time to fiddle and watch closely through the viewfinder.

Used Pioneer Woman's Actions (yes again!). I used Lovely & Ethereal (apparently it's becoming my favourite) and Dim the lights.

My ISO was bumped up to 800 since I was inside at night and my aperture on this lens only starts at a 4 so I did my best (my favourite part is fiddling until I get the right shot - I took 46 pics of this flower and I learned a lot from the bad photos).

So, seeing as I had some noise, I thought I'd better darken the background instead of trying to fix it.

Before......I only cropped to 5x7 otherwise it's SOOC.

After some photoshop fun :)

I find it's the subtle differences that make is so dramatic don't you??
(and yes it's supposed to be slightly fuzzy and 'etheral' when you zoom in lol)

~MAGOO~

It's snowing today....

And they are the most beautiful fluffy snowflakes I've ever seen - I love winter.

Seeing as there is more than one way to skin a cat (what a terrible analogy! lol!) - here is more than one way to edit the same photo! :)
I'll update these photos soon with fstop, iso, shutter speed soon.

ha! fooled ya, threw a different one in there at the last minute :)

Are you getting in the Christmas mood yet? :)

~MAGOO~

Another Pioneer Woman Action example

Thought I'd show you another photo I played around with using the Pioneer Woman Actions (both actions used are from set 1) I used PW's Black and White, and Lovely & Ethereal.

I thought I'd make it a selective coloured black and white - something different :)

So, if you really like the effects I've been trying - go and check out her incredible site here:

The Pioneer Woman

Have a great night!

Magoo

Actions in Photoshop...who knew?

Who knew they'd be so darn COOL!!?? I know I didn't!

I'm not sure exactly what rock I've been living under....but I stumbled upon and learned about Photoshop Actions today.

I downloaded some amazing FREE ones and I even *gulp* tried them out.

so cool.

I almost peed my pants with the results I got with just a push of a button - oh did I mention they were FREE??

The amazingly talented lady who is offering these actions (she has some for Elements users too! yay!) goes by the name REE. She is the woman behind the website titled: The Pioneer Woman.

I just couldn't believe this place - all the information, all the tips, the wonderfully written posts...and she is generous enough to offer free actions on her website. I have been having so much fun trying out these actions all day :)

Seriously though, if you have some time (and a cup of coffee) go visit her site - my favourite tab is her Photography tab - I got lost in there all morning :)

Here are some of my before and after shots using her actions (and adjusted to my taste, that's the beauty of actions!!!). With actions you can adjust the opacity of each layer, you can turn off certain layers the action has run, everything is customizable to the look you are going for in that photo! I hope you enjoy my very first attempt at using actions.

Next Set:

Next Set:

Last one: so lovely.....

Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my experiments :)

Remember if you want to give these a try yourself there are 2 sets she is offering on her website - and there are actions for Photoshop Elements users as well! There are also several other actions she has available to use, just scroll through and enjoy :)

p.s. don't say I didn't warn ya that you'll end up spending all day there reading her witty posts and helpful hints!

The Pioneer Woman

Have a great day!

Magoo

Feeling a little like Alice In Wonderland???

That's what I thought of when I snapped these pics today! :) :)

~MAGOO~

WOOOO HOOOO!

The mail lady caught me today in my driveway.......guess what she had??


MY NEW LENS!!!!! :) :) :) :)


I am in LOVE!!!  One of the first things I noticed about it was just how much heavier it is than my kit lens.  I wasted no time ripping open the box in my driveway and getting my camera out of my car.  I put the lens on and started snapping right away.  I am so happy I bought this lens!  I have a bunch of pictures to share...and yes these are of dogs again...the next post of pics will be much more interesting :)

MAX and HARMONY meet :)

What' chu lookin' at???

YES!  I finally got him!!  (I totally snuck up on him lol!)

Little Miss Attitude :)

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!

~MAGOO~

At the Cottage yesterday.....

And here are some of the random pics I snapped!! I thought I would try to find things that would have lots of texture or something perspective-ly interesting....HOPE YOU LIKE :)

Max....doesn't wander to far from dd. Flopping down on freshly built sand castles is not a welcome behavior....but she loves the company :)

I came out to the cottage today to be pleasantly surprised by 3 sunflower plants growing in a recently cleared area. Look~I even caught the little busy worker bee on his travels...

Tools of the trade...love the rustic look of this...that splitter gets used a lot out here :)

Moss grows in the most curious of places don't you think?

I loved the perspective on this....and how well worn the handle on this shovel is too :) another tool of the trade lol!

I just loved the texture on this log, so cool how anything near the water gets all this growth all over it....neat!

A favourite passtime at the cottage - MAKING STEW!!! and no, I'm not hungry :0

My Max....oh boy does he HATE my camera....that was the 'look' of enough already lady!

Ever watchful.

At this point in the day all I could get was the back of his head....he refused to look when I called his name...he's too smart for his own good lol!

hmmmmmm, more stew....anyone hungry? We'll share!

Weathered wood. Grabbed this pic in a huge pile we need to have cleared off the property.

just a cool looking stump.

I loved the perspective of this. It really does jut out above your head...again this is in the pile that need to be cleared out.

gettin down and dirty :)

Loved how the bright blue just popped against the rust in the chain and the texture of the rock...I think this is my favourite pic. I might turn it black and white and do a selective colour on the blue hook...how neat would that look?

Some rope...neat texture again :)

Very old Muskoka chair...sits right near the lake and it shows :)

Just a shot of bright red in a sea of green and tree bark...thought it was cute :)

Hope you all enjoyed some pics from our cottage yesterday.....it's amazing how different things look when you see them through a lens. Getting down on your knees or belly really changes the angle and perspective...try it - it's fun!

~Magoo

Pink Rubber Boots....

Just a little bit of digital goodness.....I LOVE MUD!!!  and I have a little helper who does too! :}

Where would we be in this world without a little imagination?  :)

Ahhhhhhhh.....Sunday

Such a nice sunny day today....got my laundry on the line....my hands in the dirt (yeah I'm a wannabe gardener on most days), played frisbee and blew bubbles....

WHAT DID YOU DO TODAY?    :)

Out hiking - found a cute little place.....

And this little pretty right here is my FIRST SHOT IN MANUAL MODE!!!

Yep, I chose the aperture, the shutter speed and ISO to give me the correct exposure.  I haven't done ANY editing to this pic....so NO colour punch up in Photoshop...you wouldn't believe the rusty colour on this when I printed it out....for some reason it's a little washed out on the computer monitor....oh well!!  It's totally gorgeous in real life....I know....what's so gorgeous about a metal water pipe?

I'm outta control!!

Lean on Me.....

The creative assignment for this week??

"Find a beautiful lyric you relate to, that makes you smile, or that you listen to when you are sad; something you love and that creates a connection with you. Then, photograph that lyric."

I drove all around town today looking for that right 'something' to photograph. I found it. This sad lonely building just peeking out behind a hill in the countryside...perfect.
The original picture was colour - but I thought the black and white was more moody. Did a few other Photoshop 'tweaks' and voila!


Click on Image for a much clearer view! :)

Image is copyrighted-Magoo 2010

Lean on Me - Bill Withers
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain

We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you don't let show

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me

So just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Lean on me...

APERTURES....what an interesting concept :)

Learned a lot about apertures today.....finally understand what the numbers mean and depth of field.  Now I know how to get a background blur! YAY!!

Feel free to click on the image for a much better view :)