SPS Saturday--In monochrome!

Just playing around with my nifty fifty (I have serious love for that lens) and my girls. I had opened up the aperture and was practicing my close portraits when Princess popped up over Sweetpea's shoulder. I love the result.

Today's challenge is for a monochrome portrait, so I used the high contrast B&W preset in Lightroom and then adjusted the curves until it was just the way I liked it. In fact, I like it so much I think I'm going to have to order some prints...

SPS

It's Saturday, and that means it's Portrait time!

I love how portraits can take on so many different tones and moods. I think the part of the fun as a photographer is getting the mood of the portrait to match the essence of the person--at least in that moment.

It's also fun to just play for artistic reasons.

This week has been full of playing as I edit the photobooth photos I mentioned in my last post. So many different personalities make up a congregation, so many different poses and moods to capture. It's hard today to choose a favourite, but I finally settled on this one. This brother and sister are so sweet, and I just love the way she's looking at her big brother. You can see the love! I also like the results of using Pioneer Woman's "Heartland" action on this photo for a timeless feel.

Owen

Got to play with this cutie patootie on Monday. I've barely touched the tip of the iceberg with his photos, but I love almost every one I open. He's just so adorable. This one has a little colour adjustment in Picasa but is almost SOOC. Such a cute little guy. I can't wait to dive into those photos--but I have waited, because I've downloaded the trial version of Photoshop and will be staring a course at JessicaSprague.com on Monday (that link will take you to the actual course I'm signing up for). Then I'll see how well it translates to working with the GIMP and decide what direction to take. I will not be defeated by software!

(No HSMSHS post on Thursday because I could not think of a THING for crush. I was away on Friday and most of today, and it's too late now to try to photograph wicker in the dark. Plus some yucky stomach virus is working its way through the kids. Keeping us on our toes!)

They're here!

Just in case you don't routinely read Pioneer Woman, she's just released a new set of free Photoshop actions. Just head on over here to pick them up!

I'm excited for you all!