Black and White Wednesdays @ The Long Road to China

Well, I hope you're finally enjoying some warmer spring days where you are.  It was beautiful here today, although I really couldn't get out and enjoy it.  I've had bronchitis, and it has kept me down for sometime now ... actually, this is my second go around with it, and I'm not the only one around here who's had it, either!  I'm hoping I'm nearing the end of it ... I'm so ready to get out and enjoy some of that sunshine and warmth that visited our hometown, today!  As I've been inside, resting, reading, and eating more chicken soup then I care to admit, I discovered a new photo challenge over at Lisa's blog, The Long Road to China.  I adore black and white images so this challenge caught my eye.  Not only is Lisa a fantastic photographer, she shares an amazing story, and I really enjoy reading her blog!  There are no 'rules' here, other than your image has to be in black and white ... most are sharing the same image in color, too, before the conversion to b/w.  That's easy enough ... the hard part is choosing an image to convert, unless you've already shot it in black and white.  I've noticed that some do more than one image, as well.  It's an open theme, so that makes it even more fun ... whatever your 'flavor' is for the week, go for it!

As for my first entry on Black and White Wednesday ... this is a favorite image of mine.  While walking along at the fair this past fall, I 'happily' happened upon these two ... an adorable little boy and his beloved grandpa ... each face so full of character, young and old!  When I first saw them they were just sitting among the crowds of people, patiently waiting and watching.  We talked awhile ... Grandpa was a farmer with years of hard work and sun scorched days visibly etched deep into his face ... and his little grandson, snuggled there on his lap, who completely adored that hard working farmer!  They had apparently gotten lost from the rest of their family.  I asked if I could take a few photos of them ... not a problem.  After a few minutes, when this little boy finally saw his mother coming, he began by pointing at her, telling her in the sternest little voice that he could muster, that she was "never, ever to leave them like that again!"  Grandpa looked a bit frustrated with his daughter as well, but eventually he relaxed, and just smiled at that little boy that he so visibly adored!  This, I must say, was one moment I was so thankful to have visibly captured!  If you'd like to see more black and white images, or to join in on the fun each Wednesday, you can click on the link above, or their 'button' below!  Thank you, so much, for stopping by, and have a blessed weekend!


- Deborah

Before and After | Purple Pearls and Sunshine

I love photo challenges!! It helps me to improve on my photography, and editing skills.  I recently came across a new one called, Before and After ... a weekly challenge hosted by Monica over on her blog ... Pixel Perfect!  Each Thursday you would enter an SOOC, {aka: 'straight-out-of-the-camera' image}, any theme, along with an edited version of the same photo.  You then share the 'recipe' ... your equipment used and editing program, and if possible, your step-by-step process on the edited version.  Once you've entered and linked up to her site, you can have fun checking out the other entries on the list!

This, being my first entry, and since I haven't been out and about with my camera too much lately ... {one reason being the weather, and more importantly, my son recently got married, :) and our life has been quite full in the past couple of months} ... so, I've chosen to enter one I took on a very sunny, warm day this past fall, just before the 'winter to remember' began!  This photo reminds me of the warmer days to come ... are you as ready as I am?!  This is my great niece, Little Miss Rylie.  She loves her purple 'pearls', and the sunshine.  I really love to capture the innocence of childhood, and you'll probably be seeing a lot of this little girl! 

As you can see the original 'sooc' image was a bit dark, and 'splotchy' ... it wasn't as sharp as I'd like it, either.  I had just gotten a new lens ... 50mm f/1.8, which I was testing out on a Canon 30D, my current camera.  It's been a little while since I edited this, but if my memory serves me correctly, using PSE7, I simply brightened up the image, adjusted the colors and contrast, got rid of the noise {something I still seem to have trouble with, but I'm working on it!}  Once I saw this, I couldn't stop there, and went one step further ... I hope it's okay for this challenge, but, I really liked this image in b/w, so just today, I converted the first edit and added a 'mocha' layer to it, warming it up just a bit, and finally adjusting the contrast. 

So, there you have it ... my first Before and After entry on Pixel Perfect.  I'd so appreciate your thoughts on these.  After a few years of 'practice', I am now working on getting my business off the ground this year.  I'm open to any encouragement along with some kind, constructive criticism! :)  I'm looking forward to meeting some new friends over at Pixel Perfect, and learning lots more about this passion of mine!  

To join in, or to see more Before and After images, just click on the logo below the edits! 
You all have a happy and blessed day!  ~ Deborah

I Heart Faces | Fix-it-Friday #85

You have got to admit ... this little girl is an absolute doll!  I couldn't resist working on this image, taken by Julie Rivera, of her own daughter, even tho it's a bit past Friday.  Most images will probably be sharpened up more than the original, but I felt the edits of this one should stay in a softer focus.  The first one is the original image by Julie.  I played around a lot with these last night, and my recipes below are as close as I could get to what I did.  Would love your thoughts on these!

*To see more edits of this sweet little face, or to join in on Friday's fun, just click the button below! 
Have a warm and wonderful weekend!  We're expecting more snow here ... how's your weather? :)

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My first edit: (Using PSE7)

cropped . reduced noise . brightened her eyes . levels adjustment . duplicated layer .
screen blending change . sharpened a bit and flattened.

Second edit: (using the first edit)
sharpened a bit more . b/w conversion . color fill layer .
adjusted contrast/brightness . flattened . added a light vignette.

Third edit: (using the first edit)
added a 'pretty in pink' texture layer . soft light blending change . flattened

Fourth edit: (using the first edit)
added a yellow photo filter . adjusted levels .
added melon colored gradient layer at bottom of image for softening effect . added a light vignette.

First image is SOOC ... By Julie Rivera