Passion for Personal Projects ~ Telephoto Tuesday

"And When I Say I Love You..."

I have some time between gigs, so I've given myself a couple personal projects to challenge myself and have fun at the same time. One was to learn how to use my flash better... and that will be a life long project for certain. But my less demanding project is inspired by my collection of ancient postcards and memories of vintage images my grandmother used to cut out of old magazines and keep about her house. She was essentially scrap booking before the name was invented... and all the cut-outs decorated her home simply because they brought her joy.

So, I've been out photographing roses (roses and vintage go hand and hand) and then adding some vintage flair in processing. I posted an example last week, and received an overwhelming response asking if I'm going to do a series or collection on canvas or cards. My intent all along, but had no idea it'd take hold so quickly.

So here's peak at yet another vintage photo, initially taken with my 55-200mm telephoto. I will be revealing them all on my website soon, and the option to buy a set of twelve cards as well, very practical, and very gift worthy.

I'm so enjoying the process of deciding which roses lend themselves to this aging effect, and carefully process each one without an action or preset, but hand tailored to suit each exposure.

Projects that bring you enjoyment are really a gift to yourself... have you given yourself a personal project, something that has sentimental attachments? It does the heart and soul good.

Thanks for the ramble ladies and gents! Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday!

Vintage With Meaning ~ Telephoto Tuesday!

"Memories of Papa's Garden"

Today for Telephoto Tuesday, I felt like going back in time. I have always had a very strong connection to gardens and flowers, and it's in part because I'll never fathom how the Creator began to design such varied beauty down to the tiniest detail for us to enjoy, and also because I've been told I spent my earliest years out in my Papa's garden watching him coddle and prompt various wonderful plants into bloom long before I could even pronounce their names. Indeed, there are quite a few pics of me as a toddler sitting amongst the garden ornaments of little ducks or with the cat, Papa's flowers in profusion behind.

So the other day, when out photographing my garden, the light seemed flat no matter what I did in camera. A very flat grey sky was all I had to work with. But after some thought on what I'd want to accomplish in editing, I decided one approach would be to do a little digital darkroom playing and try to add some age or retro effects to give it some life. So I photographed with that goal in mind, using the telephoto lens to get shallow DOF, selective focus, and solid groupings of flowers that would lend themselves to a 70's treatment.

I've been especially wanting to find the right use for the Monday Morning Violet filter from Nik Color Effx. Whenever I see the results it takes me back to those old photos of me in my sunbonnet with my grandparents in the garden... so in Corel I brightened the original shot for today's post in an adjustment layer before putting it into the Nik filter, adjusted to retain highlights and shadow, then used the clarify option to add some definition. I also duplicated the layer, and subtly added an old paper texture, using the eraser tool to erase the texture from the flowers so they aren't overwhelmed and stand out.

The framing is a Corel picture frame filter added last. It makes it feel like a photo you can pick up and hold... unlike today where it seems no one actually prints their photos anymore.

I look at this and automatically am transported back to having "real" tea parties that always ended in a game of hide and seek with Papa, or a game of chase - Papa chasing the cat out of his flowers for the fourth time in an afternoon. He passed away while I was still very little, but if I think hard enough I can see his large hands and his huge work boots... and every garden somehow makes me think of him.

Thanks for the ramble back in time folks, and have a good one! Find a memory you have always loved, and then find a way to honor it in a photo by you!