Photo Play...

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!

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I love playing with photo editing software! I must admit...I am just an amateur! There is sooo much "out there" in the way of photo editing software and different techniques that the entire process can be a little daunting, but I usually just jump in with both feet and play...experiment...etc.! Really...there is nothing lost if you make a mistake!

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Today I thought I would join Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for the Monday Metamorphosis party. I know that I am probaby taking a few liberties sharing photo editing for this Met Monday party...but...this is still a process that involves a metamorphosis of sort! Hopefully Susan won't mind too much that I am participating.
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Photo Play...

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The photos that you are about to see were all photographed and edited by little ol' me. On each photo, I will leave a brief description about which photo editing technique that I used, however I'm not going to get into all the "nitty-gritty" or the "how to's" in this post. I'm still just learning and primarily wish to share a few of my "edited" photos. Bottom line...I really don't know what I'm doing! Hehe! I hope that you enjoy! Maybe an interest in "Photo Play" will be sparked in you! If not...at least I hope that you'll enjoy the photos!
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Original photo.

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This sweet little cherub holding the leaf is part of a vignette that is in my living room.
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By the way, last October I purchased a new camera. I am using a Pentax K-5. I love, love, LOVE this camera. Ohhh boy...there is sooo much to learn about it though!

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Photo #1...with an added texture.

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With the Picassa photo editing software, I added a "texture" to this photo. As implied, a texture is basically a photo that adds texture. This process required a "marrying" or meshing of the two photos. The texture photo is laid on top of the original photo...producing an interesting effect.

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I used a "texture" photo of french graphics and wording to lay over the original photo. Texture credits...Sophie G textures.
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Photo #2...same photo...same texture...just different coloring. (photo #1 has more natural color...I added blue coloring to Photo #2)

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Original photo...a close-up of the cherub's leaf.

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I love how the vintage brooch and strands of pearls look in this photo! Ohhh...and just look at that sweet little bird resting upon the cherub's leaf...one of my favorite statues!
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Photo #1...using a french postcard texture over the original photo.
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Photo #2...a different texture used for this effect. No wording or graphics...just texture.
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Photo #3...Photobucket's "Heart" photo effect.

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This is a new photo effect that Photobucket is offering...called "heart". I didn't do anything special to the original photo...no textures...just used the "heart" effect and added the text "heart treasures".
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I really do like this photo effect and will be using it again!
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Original photo.

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This vignette can be found on top of a cabinet in my master bedroom.
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Photo #1...added a texture.

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Adding textures to photos have become quite popular. In fact, it has become quite an "art form" in and of itself! Honestly, I do not know much about this process...I have just begun to play around with it. The texture effect that I added to this photo gives it and aged...antique appearance! It would make a beautiful print to frame, etc.
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Original photo.

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Another vignette from my master bedroom.
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Photo #1...another texture was added.

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I would like to give credit to Kat from Low Tide High Style blog for the beautiful texture called "Nature's Beauty" that I used on this last photo. Kat is an extremely talented photographer and artist. If you would like to learn more about how to use this photo effect...adding textures to photos...please pay her lovely blog a visit!
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Well my friends...I am interested to hear what you think! Do you like the different photo effects? Do you have a favorite? I would love to hear your ideas! Do you enjoy playing with photo effects?

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I'm so glad that you stopped by for a visit today! I really do hope that you enjoyed seeing the different types of photos. I certainly can see how this process could be considered an "art form". The edited photos could be made into prints...cards, etc...and bottom line...it really does provide me many hours of enjoyment!
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I am joining Metamorphosis Monday...
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hosted by Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.

Thank you, Susan...for hosting this fun filled Monday Metamorphosis party for us!
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Thank you so much, my friends...for coming by today! Please leave me a note and let me know that you were here...I would love to visit with you!
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Warmest Wishes!

It's Just About Here...Autumn!

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!

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Ohhh my...can you believe that we are already in the month of September? Where did the summer go? It's been terribly hot here the past few weeks and I have been longing for cooler temperatures. Well...last week we had our first cool front of the season! It actually got down into the low 40's a couple of nights! Brrrr!!!
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The cooler temps are definitely a wake-up call that autumn is just around the corner! I love the cooler, brisker weather and that I can throw open the doors and windows and let the fresh air flow through my house...and I love the leaves changing color!!! Autumn, for me, is a signal that everything is slowing down and that it's time to "hunker down" and prepare for cooler weather.
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After the first cool front blows through, it's time to put away the summer. I put away all the brighter, lighter colors that I used in my spring/summer decor...exchanging them for the warm, rich colors of autumn and winter. I always look forward to the changing of the seasons and changing my home's decor. It's just the way I roll! Hehe! Yesterday I started bringing down all the boxes that store my autumn pretties. I am already "giddy" with the prospect of change! It's like putting on a new dress and finding the perfect matching accessories!
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A Little Blogging Break

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So this week I am rolling up my sleeves and getting to work! I will be taking a bit of a blogging break. I can't seem to manage blogging/posting and get much done around the house at the same time. While I am busy with my autumn 2010 decor, I decided to share with you a few of my autumn posts from last year. So check back by each day...there will be a different post each day...all about autumn!!! I hope that you enjoy!!!
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Seasonal Snippets
Posted: September 18, 2009
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Welcome Autumn!!!

Hello my friends...I hope that you've had a wonderful week!

I've spent the entire week getting ready for Autumn. Since Autumn is my favorite season...I really enjoy autumn decorating! For me...it's like an annual "rite of passage" or my way of ushering in the season!

"Seasonal Snippets"

My autumn decorating is finished...well at least for the most part! I'm still doing a bit of "tweaking" here and there! Hehe!!! My days have been consumed with deep cleaning...decorating...crafting...and more cleaning! I just haven't had the time to take photos and post...but I'm getting to it! In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to share some "Seasonal Snippets"!

Yes...SEASONAL SNIPPETS!!!

Snippets (definition) - a small piece snipped off; a small bit, scrap, or fragment.

I'm thinking that "Seasonal Snippets" would make a great autumn blog party...a precursor or prelude of what is to come! Just a glimpse to whet the appetite!!! Hehe! So without further ado...

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Seasonal Snippets...The Fruits of Fall!!!

All of the photos you will see are "snippets" of a few of the autumn vignettes that I have done at my place! This idea came to me when I took a close-up photo of an earlier vignette. A bird's eye view...with all the beautiful details!!!

It really is...all in the details"!!!

Ahhh...the beautiful deep, rich colors of autumn...the golden yellows...the vibrant oranges...the rusts...the scarlet reds...olive greens...and browns! These are all my favorite colors!!! Ohhh...and it's not just the colors but it's also the titillating textures!!! I can't go by an autumn leaf without touching it! Ohhh...and what about a fuzzy cattail or the beautiful texture of a pinecone? I love Autumn!!!

I have also been having some fun with photo effects...hope you enjoy!!!
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Well my friends...there you have it...a few seasonal snippets of "The Fruits of Fall"!!! I hope that you enjoyed them! Have I whetted your appetite for more? Hehe! I do hope to get some photos and a few posts out for next week...in the meantime, Happy Fall Ya'll!!!

Playing with Photo Effects...Sooo Fun!

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!

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Today I am joining in "A Few of my Favorite Things Saturday" party.
 You will find the credits for this fun filled party at the end of the post.
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Playing with Photo Effects...Sooo Fun!

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One of my favorite things to do...is to play with photo effects! So I thought I might share with you a few of the photos from a recent post that I did called "A Summer's Tea on the Veranda". I will show the "real" photo first and then I will show you a couple different photo effects of the real photo.
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These photo effects are one of the fun features that Photobucket offers.

If you would like to go over to Photobucket to check it out...you can click HERE.
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A Summer's Day Tea on the Veranda

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I often use a photo effect from one of my "real" photos to make an "introduction photo" to announce my post subject. I always have so much fun playing with Photobucket's photo effects. The photo above was achieved using the "color sketch" effect option. Then I added a border/frame and text to the photo...and Voila!!!

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Real photo...

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"Color Sketch" effect.
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"Fresco" effect.

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Real photo...

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"Color Sketch" effect.

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"Fresco" effect.

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Real photo...

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"Color Sketch" effect.

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"Fresco" effect.

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Real photo...

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"Color Sketch" effect.

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"Fresco" effect.

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Real photo...

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"Color Sketch" effect.

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"Fresco" effect.
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*My Favorite Photo...

 

Real photo...

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This photo may look like I used a photo effect...however, I didn't! The lighting was just right on my veranda at the time I took this photo. The back side of the veranda was in the shade...thus making for a very dark, almost black...background behind the teapot and teacup. I just thought it turned out so pretty! It's one of my favorite photos!!!
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"Color Sketch" effect.

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"Fresco" effect.
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Well my friends, thank you for indulging one of my favorite things to do...playing with photo effects!
Do you have a favorite?

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Photography...and a New Camera

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I have also really enjoyed the photography part of blogging! I admit that I'm a mere amateur but I am desiring to learn more. I am thinking about getting a new camera. The camera that I use now is just a regular "point and shoot"...Sony Cybershot. Do you have any suggestions for a good DSL camera...I sure would appreciate your input, my friends!
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*A Few of my Favorite Things Saturday

"A Few of my Favorite Things Saturday"...is hosted by Laurie over at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie.

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Thank you so much Laurie for giving us an opportunity to share a few of our favorite things today!!! Please go by and see what Laurie has prepared for us today...and while you're there, you can check out all of the other party participants!
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Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend, sweet friends!