Scenes from a weekend getaway...

I don't usually use my camera much when I get away to rest, but I did happen to grab a few shots I am pretty pleased with. I think continuing on with my 365 Project really does help keep me taking it out, even when I feel like being lazy.

Early Edition Presets are Here!

I have made the decision to venture into selling my created presets for Lightroom 4. Here are the "First Edition" set for sale. The decision to make them was stemmed from getting tired of never being able to find just the right black and white look that I had in my mind when I was working with a photo. I would apply a handful of free or purchased bw ones and couldn't seem to find one that met the style I was looking for. I really love a timeless look, with an editorial flavor. I started seriously working with the settings and realized that I should start saving the presets I was creating. Before long I had a handful of them that worked perfectly every time I used them. If I loved them, I thought that maybe others would to. A name was decided on, logo created and here we are. Hope you like them!

I am working on my color set still, it shouldn't be long before it will be ready. The best part is that all the proceeds will go towards our adoption fund. I don't think it gets better than that!

So here are a few samples of the First Edition BW Set. I will continue to come out and post more of them so everyone knows what they are like. 

Fresh Flowers with Peach Gazette Preset

The visitors yesterday brought some fresh flowers. Oh how I love fresh flowers. So pretty and so springy during this 10 below temperature timeline. I used my newly created Peach Gazette preset. I am totally pleased with it. It didn't require any additional tweaking either when I applied it to the below pictures.

Gluten Free Lemon Bars

It continues to be no surprise that it is exciting to find a great gluten free recipe that is also really easy to make. These Gluten Free Lemon Bars are soooo good and so perfect. I am sharing the recipe below for anyone else that loves gluten free food.

Gluten Free Lemon Bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup sweet white rice flour 

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 tablespoons cold water

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (one small lemon)

powdered sugar 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 x 8 inch baking dish.

2. Beat together butter, 1/4 cup of sugar, sweet white rice flour, vanilla extract, and water. Press into the baking dish and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven.

3. Whisk the eggs, 1 cup of  sugar, baking powder and lemon juice together. Pour evenly over the crust, then put back in the oven for 20 minutes.

4. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Cool and serve.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Makes 9 large or 16 small squares.

 

Creating Personal Presets

Since using Lightroom to process to my pictures I have found while some basic editing is adequate, using a preset can sometimes be more efficient. I have also started to realize that there are some distinct styles that make me smile while editing. So I have been more persistent in creating presets that work with my processing flow and give the look I want. Without further ado, here are some samples of my favorite presets and the titles I have assigned to them. Maybe someday I can give them figure out a convenient way to share them with others. There is a lot more that goes into processing pics, but these are great starting grounds for some shots.

Salon Preset

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After:

April’s Holga Preset

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After:

 

Tish Wedding Preset

Before:

 

After:

Aqua Preset

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After:

70’s Preset

Before:

After:

Now, let me know what you think. Did you like the SOOC shots better, or do you like the enhanced look with the preset?

What I really want to master though is creating a preset that can look like this newspaper styled edit. So far I have only been able to achieve it with actions in PSE. What I wouldn’t do to have it simple here in Lightroom. Sigh.

Little Man in Costume

I only have a few shoots in the winter so my children become the target of my camera antics. Gotta admit it though, I am glad. It is fun to make sure not to miss any of the special moments that they happen to encounter.

A Pretty Christmas Dress

I was asked to take a few shots of this little one in her Christmas dress. It was fun to see her since our last shoot together. Her baby doll eyes draw me in every single time. Love this little honey!

I Heart Faces - Best Face of 2012

I have never claimed anything different. This shot of Aleythia is indeed my Best Face shot of 2012. I know I have shot lots of great faces, but somehow at the end of the year, this one has remained my "Be Still My Heart" favorite. Maybe I Heart Faces will think so too :)!

 

 

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com

Little Honey

I took some pictures of this little girl today. Wow, doesn't she have the sweetest face you have ever seen?

Coffee, Hmmm, Good!

I was excited when my husband has set down his coffee cup in this spot. The lighting was just right, the steam was amazing, it screamed...take my picture!! So I did :).