A little sprinkler action in the summertime!

I took this picture yesterday afternoon and was happy to get a clear one of the sprinkler with all the water cascading around. The sun was right, the grass was green, it was perfect.

Then I started in on some edits...

I love the edginess (is that a word?) of this black and white one. With the darker edges and crisp contrast, it just made me proud ;)!

This one I just kept the sprinkler and a little water clear, increased the contrast and blurred the edges, I love this one too.

Both of my edits, in my opinion, were great improvments on the original picture. Of course for both I was using the coffeeshop actions I had downloaded for use in my Photoshop Elements. They work great and I think look perfect. What great fun!!!!

...additional engagement photos!

I really loved working with the pictures I took of Andrea and Arnold. I played with them, messed with them, tweaked them...yeah, I tried every action I had downloaded from Coffee Shop Photography. It was a very fun experience. Did it help that my subjects were amazing...I am sure of it!

Here is a long line of pics I took (sadly, it is not all of them!) that I thought turned out wonderful. This one at the top is almost my favorite, there is another one further down that I will committ to that claim. Enjoy them all though!

I actually love the original one that is in full of color of this one, but somehow the softness of it with the love between the couple...it just works for me!

I was a little surprised by this one below being my favorite since I am such a color hound, but this one in black and white moves me. We had taken pictures similar to these and when we went back to the computer to check them out, they were gone...we loved the thought of them so much that we went back and took a few more. I am so glad we did, I think they turned out great!

I know you already saw this one, but I just love how it looks like vintage painting!

Coffee Shop Photography!

I just wanted to make sure that you had noticed the link on the left side of the screen to the Coffee Shop blog that offers free tutorials and actions for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. I have been really enjoying adding some extra flare to a few of my pictures and thougth you might too! The stay at home mom that authors that blog is amazing to share her actions for free!

Do you like a good deal?

If you haven't purchased Adobe Photoshop Elements...then this might just be the right time! The newest version is out 7.0 and is on sale on Adobe's website for only $59.99 this week...check it out here! Honestly, what a great program to use if you don't want to dive into the function and cost of the full blown version of Adobe Photoshop CS4. I have much to learn with my Elements, but I am glad I bought it (full price last year folks) and have since used it almost daily!

I am just learning more about actions and I also love it for designing my blog headers, working on logos, and editing my pictures of course. I know there are a TON more features that I haven't even touched yet that are amazing! Hope you like it too!

A new picture, turned old!

I ran the old honey action on the picture I had just posted of my kid's outside....now....it is just like I remember it from my days as a kid!

Actions, I am figuring this stuff out!

Ahhhh, the torment I go through not knowing software!!!!! I just don't always understand my Photoshop Elements, but I won't give up! PTL there are others that know it better than me! So, I found a person online that was giving away the actions she created for PSE for FREE! Did you hear that? FREE!!! I was so excited!

Here is her site: http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/. My excitement may sound a little unnecessary, but I have had troubles finding actions available for free online that would work for my Photoshop Elements program. There are plenty for the full version of Photoshop, but not for my version. BUT, thankfully, not only did I find this lady, but she is kind to share for free!

Here is also a lady that has taken the time to write out the instructions on how to install the said actions…which I needed. http://digitalphotographyformoms.net/photoshop-elements-help/installing-actions-in-photoshop-elements/installing-actions-in-pse-6-vista/
So, here are my samples using one of the actions I downloaded. The one I used was Perfect Portrait!

Here is the original pic from the camera as a JPG.
Here is the same pic that I used the RAW version to increase the blacks and increased the clarity and vibrance. I think the picture looked good from there too!

Now here is the picture with the action Perfect Portrait run on the RAW picture that I had edited above.
Here is the same action ran on the original JPG. It is okay, but I think I like how it looks on the RAW photo more. Gotta love how this is all a personal opinion for the artist who took the photo! Not everyone will love what is done, so don't be offended if others don't like what you have done, what do you like?
I really like what this action added to the picture. I have no clue how to use my Photoshop Elements to create the actiosn for this picture on my own, nor do I desire to spend hours trying to figure it out. I am thankful that someone else is willing to share her time with me! Yeah for Rita at Coffee Shop!