I Heart Faces-Photojournalism

This week on I Heart Faces the theme is Photojournalism.  Photojournalism as defined would be a picture that tells a story.  The picture that I am choosing to use is to honor a fallen Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty.  What you see in the picture is the processional as well as the Patriot Guard standing watch as the fallen officer's Brother's in Arms travel to lay their fellow officer to rest.  "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God."

Check out the other posts at: iheartfaces.com!!

Photo Radar

There are TONS of photography websites out there that offer all kinds of advice on photography-from posing to editing techniques.  When I got into taking pictures, I knew nothing of these websites or really anything to do with editing.  I am by no means a pro at anything to do with photography but I am learning more and more everyday.  One site that I have found particularly useful is PhotoRadar.  Here is what they say about themselves:
 
"One of the main aims on PhotoRadar is simple: to provide you with the best photographic techniques and tips, whether that’s a step-by-step walkthrough on using Photoshop or an in-the-field video showing you how to use kit more effectively. Although we’re all keen photographers, we will begrudgingly accept that industry experts can often offer better advice than us, so you’ll find plenty of that too."

Read more: http://www.photoradar.com/about-us#ixzz0xqPXbEuZ

Their tutorials are awesome and they even off FREE actions, templates, borders, and textures from time to time.  If you have not already checked them out, there is a definite need to!!!

Selective Color

Selective color is something that has probably lost its popularity but it is still something that I enjoy using occasionally.  I think with the right photograph, selective color can make an regular picture into a piece of art.  For those of you not sure what selective color is-well you have all seen those pictures that are black and white but some aspect of the photo is in color-that is selective color.  I am going to post some steps to creating a selective color photo in Photoshop Elements that I found on the internet and gave a try-it works good.  There are numerous ways to create photos with selective color and this is just one.

Puppies

We have had a busy weekend in our house!!  We had our 3 year old daughter's birthday party and while getting ready and cleaning for that, our Yellow Lab, Kyra, decided to have her first litter of puppies!!!!  She had 6 males and 1 female; unfortunately, the female did not make it :(  Growing up in the city, I had never seen any animals birthed so this was quite the experience for me.  On top of watching her have her puppies, I was in there with her the entire time, keeping her calm and helping her!  It was a real joy to see this!  I hope someday everyone is able to see the joy of new life in their animals!  I have two children myself but watching this was completely different than going through it yourself.  It brings a different appreciation to life!

I Heart Faces

Week 30, The Color Purple.  This is the first time I have entered a contest on I Heart Faces: iheartfaces.com
But, I am willing to give it a try.  This week's challenge is to post a picture that contains the color purple.  I chose a picture of my daughter during her one year shoot.  She has on purple fairy wings and tutu!

The Pioneer Woman

Those of you who have not heard yet of, The Pioneer Woman-Ree Drummond, need to check her site out at http://thepioneerwoman.com/ .  This is Ree's Blog on her entire life's thoughts, activities and everything in between.  The site will make you laugh and I am talking roll on the floor laughing as she explains the pranks she can play on her Pesky brother-in-law Tim and Cow nuts!  She also hosts different Photography Contests and that is what drew me in to her site and now I am addicted to the entire site.  She also posts different giveaways and all you have to do is post a comment as well as many delicious recipes that are worth trying-speaking of recipes-Ree is also the creator of The Tasty Kitchen site found here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/

Mandarin Chicken♦

Today after cleaning the house up, I thought I would try a new recipe and get something cooked and put together that my husband could take for dinner. I do not usually cook as he does the cooking for our family but I found a recipe that I wanted to try and I thought he might also enjoy it. Occasionally, I enjoy cooking or trying too. I found the recipe on the Tasty Kitchen Website. It was an easy recipe to put together and was WONDERFUL!!! We will definitely be having this again!

Tasty Kitchen can be found here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/main-courses/mandarin-chicken/

I did add some changes-a little cayenne pepper and some diced red pepper chunks to add some color. You can serve it over rice or eat it by itself.

For those of you on the Weight Watchers Diet this recipe cooks 8 equal servings for a total of 6 points per serving. If you add white rice it is an additional 4 points per 1 cup of rice.

MCP Actions

If I have learned anything over the last year, it is that other Photographer's Blogs are awesome to find on the Internet. They often share fun details of how they learned certain techniques or things to try when taking pictures but even better is when they offer you Photoshop actions or Photoshop Elements actions. These actions are editing techniques that they have discovered or created that help edit your pictures in the single click of the mouse! You just can't beat that!!!! It makes editing pictures so much easier and fun! One place that I have found for such items is MCP Actions. If you have not heard of them, you definitely need to check them out at: http://www.mcpactions.com/ MCP Actions: Photoshop Actions & Training

From MCP Actions: MCP Actions provides Photoshop actions to make photo editing and retouching photography quick and easy. MCP Actions also provides online training, workshops, and free Photoshop video tutorials. See how we can help your photography stand out and save you time.

One action that I have found to be VERY helpful from MCP Actions is their texture applicator. I have attached a before and after shot of this action. It works slick and I encourage you to check out MCP Actions!

Moo Shu Pork

Tonight for dinner, my husband and I tried a new recipe. Moo Shu Pork. I had never heard of such a thing but upon finding and reading the recipe, I thought that we could give a try. It beats the "same old" dinner time blues. Turns out- it was GREAT. I found the recipe on Recipes.com and should have taken some pictures as we were making it to share but it completely slipped my mind as it smelled so good and I could not wait to try! We will definitely be making this in our house again!

Give it a try!

Moo Shu Pork

Welcome

I have decided to start a blog! I have no idea what I am doing or even if it will work out the way I envision but I am willing to give it a try! My hopes for this blog are to share the wonderful photography tips and sites that I find in my adventures to enjoy photography as much as possible. I also hope to share some of my own photography and hope that having the opportunity to share and blog will inspire me to get out and take more pictures to share with others who enjoy photography as much as I do. I will also share my adventures of being a stay at home mom of two beautiful little girls! Thanks for stopping by!