~Saturday Photo Fun II~

Straight from Camera 

I wanted an ethereal look when I shot the pot of mums, sitting on the hearth in our hearth room. 

It was late afternoon.  I used the Canon Rebel T2i and the 50mm lens.  The ISO was set on 200.  I focused on the bud, in the center of the photo.

Brightened with Middle Grey Tone

Reduced size to 853x1280, clicked Filter then Water Painting.  I used the 9 brush stroke, on the slide.

Saturate, (+)125 Backlight, Darken Middle

Straight From Camera (no editing)

Canon Rebel T2i, 50mm Lens, 200 ISO. 

The camera was set on AV mode.  The focus was on auto.

Canon Powershot G11

The above photo was taken in early morning light, using the G11.  This is a point and shoot camera.  The camera was set on Auto.  The image is straight from camera.

In this segment of the series, I am using photos from both cameras; showing the possibilities when using a “point and shoot”, as well as the Rebel T2i.

I changed the size from 640x480 to 800x600 and clicked Decolor 4, in the Bright/Color option of Photoscape.

I left the size at 480x640, for this example.  Notice in the background, of this shot, the fireplace is at an angle. Below, shows the same shot after straightening in Picasa.  I haven’t found a way to straighten shots, in Photoscape. 

Photoscape was used for all editing, in this post, except straightening.

Straight from G11 Camera 480x640

Bloom-1 Click, Remove Color Cast-0, Level 100%

Straight from G11 Camera

Sharpen-2, Bloom-Middle (default), in Filter option, Region Out of Focus-Level 5.0, Size 75%, Feather 100%

Straight from G11 Camera

Backlight (+)200%, Water Painting Brush Size 6, Watercolor Pencil 75, Darken=Middle

Mosaics

This bit of whimsy sits on our deck, at Lake of the Ozarks.  As you can see from the water droplets, we were having precipitation, Wednesday morning, the first day of September 2010.

The Rebel T2i was set on P (Program).  The ISO was 200. Focus was set on auto.  I took a few quick shots.  The photos are straight out of camera, using the 50mm Lens.

Photos in this mosaic, were taken by our daughter while on a helicopter tour of Lake of the Ozarks, August 2010.  The camera is a Canon Powershot A470.

Next week I’ll talk about making mosaics and frames with Photoscape.

Meanwhile…

I spotted these salt and peppers at Target.

They’ve found a place to roost in the barn board cabinet.

Happy Labor Day!

~Saturday Morning Photo Fun~

Straight From Canon Rebel T2i

Contrast Enhancement (high)

White Balance Clicked Once

 

Grayscale-Sharpen-Darken

Sepia

Reverse Black and White (color)

Reverse Black and White (b&w)

Edge (level 10)-Saturation-Darken

Reflection

Pictorialization (color engraving)

Photoscape is a free editing program with lots of options. 

I am not confident enough, in my skills, to pay for an editing program, at this time; perhaps later. 

For now, I will use the free downloads.

Click Photoscape, in the first sentence (highlighted in green), for a view of the program download.

Saturday morning I shot several photos, from the back porch, just before the sun rose above the trees that line the creek, behind our home.

The top image is a photo, straight out of the camera, of the evergreen that grows beside the back porch steps. 

I edited the photo, using various options in Photoscape, for 10 different looks with the same photo.

I am not compensated for mentioning Photoscape. 

My aim, with this post, is to show different editing options with the program.  There are many more. 

I find the program very easy to use.

I am thinking about doing a small series of posts, on photo editing, for hobby/blog photographers, like me.  I hope this isn’t too presumptuous, being the amateur hobby/blog photographer, I am. 

We’ll see what happens.  And we’ll see if I can do more than one post, on the subject.

Happy 4th of July

Greetings from the Ozarks… 

Before leaving for the lake, Wednesday, I shopped for a new camera. 

A little over three years ago I upgraded from a Kodak Easyshare point and shoot camera to a Canon Rebel Xti.  For the past several months, I’ve thought about moving to the next evolution of the Rebel.  I did some research and decided I might buy the Rebel T1i. Then the T2i arrived on the scene. 

I thought about it some more; then Jeanne of Backyard Neighbor left a comment on this post.  J and I met Jeanne and her husband, last year.  Jeanne’s husband’s camera was one of the first generation digital Canon Rebel’s. He gave me some very helpful hints, giving me the incentive to take the dial off auto and move to AV and manual focus.  When Jeanne mentioned, in her comment, her husband had just purchased the Canon Rebel T2i and they both loved it, that’s all I needed to know.

My plan was to buy the camera body only, since I have several lenses. However, I found a pretty good package deal.  The package had the 18-55 kit lens and a 75-300 lens.  I had the 18-55 lens, but did not have the 75-300. 

As luck would have it, granddaughter Xanti broke her 18-55 lens, recently and needs to borrow one until she can find another. I rarely use the 18-55, but she likes that lens and uses it quite a bit.  I gave the Rebel Xti to our oldest daughter. She and Xanti can negotiate the exchange of the 18-55 lens.

We picked up the new camera on the way to the lake, Wednesday afternoon. I’ve been practicing.

This photo was taken early Friday morning, between 5 and 5:30AM.  I used the Canon 70-200 L series lens.  I don’t have the tripod, this trip, so I stacked books, on a deck table, to the height I needed and set the timer. The setting was on AV and manual focus.

Mornings, at the lake, are gorgeous, this week.  The daytime temperatures have been in the upper 70’s to low 80’s.  Perfect weather for having our morning coffee on the deck.  J heard Reveille playing across the water, Thursday morning.  There is a group camp in that direction.  This morning, when I went out to lower the sunshade at about 6:30, I heard the theme from Ghostbusters.  Morning wake up calls come in all forms.

This is sunset, Thursday evening, at a boat launch, in Lake of the Ozarks State Park.  I used the 18-55, with image stabilizer.  I wish now I had used the 75-300, because we saw lots of deer.  Perhaps we will return for more photos this evening.  If we do, I’ll have that lens.

The split rail fences and log structures, in the park, make wonderful subjects for black and white photography.  The black and white photos were done, Thursday evening, using the 18-55 lens, with the photo style set at monochrome.

 

 

Mimosa in the Ozarks…

I continue to practice, while I’m on a little computer break.

I’ll return soon.

Wishing you a safe and Happy 4th of July!

~Bokeh Bouquets & Other Favorites~

raindrops on roses…

A few storms rolled through, this week.  Wednesday morning, the sun peeked through the clouds; perfect for camera practice. 

While J and Gabi (visiting a few days) were occupied with bike riding and other pursuits, I shot a few photos around our patio. 

Lots of practice, definitely needed.  I learn something new from each of these practice sessions.

Points of light, in the background, are known as Bokeh.

Hosta…

 

 

Rainy day view, from the master bedroom bay window, Thursday May 13.

Culinary Delight 

Remember these berries from Sunday’s post?

warm cobbler with ice cream…

Celebrations

 Pre-Kindergarten Graduation 

Most of the family was there to celebrate, when Gabi graduated, Tuesday May 11th. Her cap, tassel, diploma, and a rose from one of her bouquets are seen in the photo, above. 

The KC kids were unable to attend, due to time and distance. Even though Xanti’s parents and brother, Noah, weren’t there, she was.  What a joy, she is.

Family celebrations are shared with my daughters’ dad and step-mom.  They were there, Tuesday evening.  We always sit together, at functions, as a family.  We know this isn’t always the way it is when parents divorce.  We are all very grateful parents, to share in celebrations, together.

As with everyone, life hasn’t always been easy, for J and Pat.  We’ve paid a few dues and we are, appreciatively, reaping the benefits, in our golden years.  One of those benefits is being a part of special celebrations.

A Rainy Day Dining Room View

Small changes are taking place in the dining room.  More about that, soon.

This post is added to Laurie’s Saturday Favorites.

Hope your weekend is beautiful.

***I used my Canon Rebel Xti Camera and Tameron 18-200 Lens, for the rose and hosta photographs, in this post.  The setting was AV, ISO 400.  Most of the other photos were done with the Canon G11 Powershot.