Tuesday Dragonfly

I am very pleased to be participating in 5 different blog hops this Tuesday. I figured it was a great way to meet new bloggers and show off my picture.

Join the rest of us at 

Show Off Your Shot

Tones on Tuesday

Tuesday Tips & Pics

Touch Up Tuesday

Texture Tuesday

Okay here is my before picture of a dragonfly that I snapped over the weekend

Here I used PhotoShops Lightroom 4 and added the  Medium Contrast Curve to the picture

Then I proceeded to enhance the picture to the Aged Photo setting in Lightroom 4

Now here I save the photo and switch over to my Photo Elements 10. I decided to add a texture to this photo. I have never done this before so I thought it might be fun.

I went to the texturizer and chose burlap with 109% scaling with the relief being set at 4 and this is my result.

I was happy with the result. I thought about adding a frame but decided it would be just to much. 

I think I actually like this texturized :-) Do not be afraid to tell me what you think. 

Working On My Skills!

First I would like to say kudos to those working bloggers! How in the world do you find time to blog and work, I will never know. I guess you can prioritize your time correctly. Something I have discovered that I can not do. 

I have had a few more photo shoots and it seems I have been spending most of my time editing those photos. I am self teaching myself photoshop so yeah this takes a lot of time. I'm cheating a little and using photoshop elements 10. It's easier than the photoshop cs3 I also have that confuses the crap out of me. 

But I am managing and I am happy with some of my work that I have done. I have really come to love an effect called depth field. Love love this. 

Here is an example of it. 

This is an effect where you focus on your subject and blur out the background. Not to shabby if I say so myself. 

My last two shoots that I have booked were couples sessions, but of course I sneak in some individuals as well. Hence the two at top. But I love couples shoots. They are fun. Capturing the love in the couples eyes is worth it. 

I am still learning and by no means claim to be a professional. I mainly do this as a hobby and if I make some money off of it, then fantastic! So far I am having a blast and it feels great getting out of the house and doing something that I enjoy. I still have lots of practice but so far I think I am doing well.