Actions and Masks

Working in Photoshop has become my new hobby... or timewaster. If you can't find me, that's where I am. Here is one of my latest discoveries. I used an action for creating a "miniature world" to soften up the background, pop the color a bit, and set the focus on me. I'm sure if I pick apart the action a bit I can figure out what they did. I believe it has 3 layers, one of those "blur" layers to "fuzz out" the background, a "color pop" layer, and a contrast layer. Now, I need to learn how to do that on my own, or create my own Action so I'm not relying on other people's hard work.

After applying that Action I masked myself out of the "blur" so I became the only thing in the shot in focus. I believe I also smoothed out my skin a bit and turned my frown upside down (Tehehe, what can I say... It was very hot in Mexico that day). I also rotated the canvas slightly, maybe 5degrees clockwise so the pyramid wasn't about to fall off the earth (Thanks Ron for pointing that out!) Anyway, this post shows the before and after using actions and masks. Enjoy.

WHITE flowers....

Sky

On my way home today I grabbed the ol' camera and started snapping away at the sky. I got one great shot....

Hair

I've been working on my "details" shots... I love how my hair turned out. Nikon D40X with 50mm prime lens

Leaf

"Yellow Green Leaf"

Bolts

Just thought this looked good.

Self Portrait

I've been working on "popping" eyes... i may have pushed it a bit much here.... maybe?
A Portrait A Day

New Project.... "A Portrait A Day"

I know I've been lacking on my "weekly assignments" and "what's on my desk"photo projects.... Well for the last month, at least, this is due to the weather... but your right, no excuses. Soooooo after skimming around the web for more ideas and how to's.... I came up with a new project.

Following along with my tag line... "Up close and portrait" I will try to take one portrait of myself, each day for the next month. I would like to do a year, but with my track record, lets see if I can make it through one month.

This will be a collection of random images, either staged or not, up close or far away... but it will be some sort of portrait of my self or my life that day.

DAY 1


Here is my first shot... taken with my N95 Cell Phone Camera. I was not to happy with the way it came out, so I turned it B&W and played with the contrast. Funny thing about this shot is that the ear in view is in so much pain. I am in a wedding in a few weeks and I received jewelry to wear as a gift. I had not worn earrings in so long that my holes had almost closed up.... After a few painful pushes the holes opened... now I have to suffer through a few days of pain while they heal. But here it is.... Day 1 portrait.

I may not have time to add my images here every day and in my blog dedicated to "A Portrait A Day" so please go here to check it out.

Happy Shooting !

Piper Portrait

Portrait session with my dog Piper. You would never guess it from these photos but Piper hates hates hates to see my camera. Usually all I ever get is a profile, she does not like the flash. This day she was super excited... ok maybe it was over the rawhide in my hand... yeah I had to treat her to pose... but come on... doesn't she have the cutest natural smile for a dog?

4th of July 09'