Something Dreamy

I've always loved Kim Klassen's style.  I've taken many of her classes, and I'm grateful to her for all that I've learned….photography, Photoshop, Lightroom, still life and the list goes on.  I did this shoot and culled these out of 85 images.

They are as close as I can come to her "dreamy" style.  This one is pretty much straight out of the camera except for minor adjustments.  I shoot in raw, so there has to be some post processing.  I did not use a preset or texture though.

This was fairly blown out but I adjusted exposure,  clarity, vibrance and highlights.  I also cropped it.  Today was a really gloomy day, so I used exposure compensation and upped my ISO to 400.  I love the beautiful light that I managed to capture. 

I used Kim's "Dreamlike" below.

The first of the peonies arrived in my Trader Joe's last Friday.  I had every intention of doing a shoot on Saturday, but life kept getting in the way.  So now it's Tuesday and they're fairly bloomed out.  One more day and they would have been shattered.

I'm a little late but think I'll link to Texture Tuesday, Be Still and The Studio Online.

~ Calm ~

Remembrance

I posted these images a couple years ago, but they bear repeating.  Regardless of how we feel about the war(s), our soldiers only follow orders. 

So many have died in service to our country.  The real shame is in the lack of support for those who are able to return home.  I'm taking a moment here to remember them with honor.  The flag walk at Castaways Park, Newport Beach….. every year volunteers put out 2001 flags in this park overlooking the back bay and blue Pacific.  It is breathtaking and seems to go on forever.  

My tribute in collage form…

~ Calm ~

Artist Tools of the Trade

I love paint brushes in all sizes, shapes, materials, long handles, short handles, covered with paint or clean.

These are a few (the clean ones) of my collection.  

I cut this picture up and made a layout with the various crops on which I had added different presets.

Can't decide which preset I like best…….but either Old English or Eve.  Presets offer so much - they can give an image mystery, depth, contrast  and generally give the same image many different looks.    I just really like working with them because they are such a quick fix.  It's like being a decorator with your images.  Pop a few colorful pillows here and there, and voila…you have a new look.

Linking up with Texture Tuesday

Until next week…..

~ Calm ~

When Did This Happen?

I'm referring to my donut addiction.  In a little strip center on what is affectionately referred to as the 17th St. Promenade in Costa Mesa, CA.  I had been watching as a new eating/gathering spot was about to open.  It's called "Sidecar".  It was all about really fresh donuts in some really wild flavors.  I recently tried their Strawberry/Elderflower flavor.   A customer next to me said I have to try the Butter and Salt, so that's my next visit purchase.

Now I have not had a donut since Krispy Kreme opened its first location in Orange County some 20 or so years ago.  I have tried to eat a more healthy diet, but I must confess I do have a sweet tooth.  I was looking for something to replace the morning buns Starbucks used to have before they purchased their own bakery company.  Since then I think their pastries have gone way downhill.  I would give anything to find that morning bun somewhere.  What in the world would I have with my morning Starbucks?

My husband kept making remarks like "I'm not paying $5 for a donut.  They won't last."  Not only have they lasted (and most of their donuts are $3 to $4 - not $5), they have gotten busier and busier.  Impossible to get a sidewalk table in front of their store.  

My favorite is the simple Vanilla Twist for $2.25.  It was my first taste, and I was hooked after that.  I didn't get a picture of it on this day as I was waiting for them to bring out a fresh batch. But this will give you a sampling of their offerings.

I used Trey Ratcliff's preset "On Recreational Drugs" from his 2014 collection on the photo above.  I used Kim's "SummerLight" preset from her new Studio Collection below.

Those donuts in the lower right corner are maple bacon.  Yes, it's real bacon!  And…Kim's "SummerLight" graces the image below too.

There are people who leave with a mixed box that cost $40 or $50.  I certainly hope these are for their office and that this person is not intending to eat them all.  

On this particular day they were playing Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors" album on a vintage turntable.  Wow, how cool is that?

  I purchased a Breville espresso machine, and I make my own espresso macchiato every day.

But you can purchase Sidecar's coffee.  I just happen to be stuck on Starbucks coffee.

Here's a sampling of the drinks you can get at Sidecar.  I used Kim's "Moody-ish" on this image.  I'm in love with her Studio Collection presets!!

If you're ever in my neighborhood, you definitely want to give this place a try.  You won't be sorry.  You may gain a few pounds though……    

~ Calm ~

    

Layout Playout

Hope you all had a very special Mothers Day.  I spent the day with Mike,  and my DIL and Grand #1 visited.  So nice to see them.  The grands are growing so fast.  

I've been revisiting Kim's tutorials on LR and working on layouts.  

I did apply a layer of Kim's "Coffee Tea or Me" texture though I would have been just as delighted with the SOOC images.  I added a circle and some text within.  I learned that when I took Kim and Xanthe's Behind the Scenes class.  I get so excited when I learn even the most elementary techniques.  Yay!!!

Using the same template I inserted some photos from my garden for this layout.  Just so easy in LR but then I got stuck because I couldn't remember how to save the layout to my desktop.  Finally figured that out.  I mean I just did it last week with my Be Still layout.  Hello???

I'm linking to Texture Tuesday.  See you all next week or maybe before if I get some wonderful inspiration.

~ Give ~

Breathing in Stillness

In our "Be Still" class we are practicing stillness as in

Be Still - breathe just prior to taking a photo. Our photos should be better if we take the time to be still first.

Take a breath when we feel overloaded or stressed.  It interrupts that pattern of crazy thinking/feeling.

Gentle preset

As an introvert, I relish my time alone.  Don't get me wrong….I love getting together with friends.  I like to laugh and talk as much as the most social people.  

I just can't do it as long. 

For a long time I was concerned that I might be bored or lonely after I retired.  I had a crazy, stressful job in sales for 30+ years.  You see, for many years I did not realize I was an introvert.  Go figure….why would an introvert be in sales?  Who knows.  I guess I did not think of it as sales.  I loved what I did - interviewing companies and potential candidates for their jobs…..matchmaking!  It was a great career but I was ready to have some quality alone time for me!!

Dark Light preset

I collect Buddhas,  and I believe it's because they give me such a feeling of serenity.  I learned to meditate years ago.  I still don't always find the time nor am I disciplined enough to sit quietly for a length of time every day, but I find that art and photography/image editing are meditative for me. I get cranky when I don't have the quiet time to do these things.  I think I shot these images knowing they would give me that feeling of quiet stillness just as the Buddhas do.

Chocolate preset

When I do find that time, I feel just like I've had a day at the spa.  These activities refresh me.  

What refreshes you?  What do you do that gives you a blissful feeling?  Maybe it is going to the spa, or maybe it's music, or maybe prayer?   

Moodswing preset

I'll be linking up to Texture Tuesday on Tuesday as well as The Studio and Be Still. 

May you have a blissful week!  

~ Give ~