…my new favorite color.
Hope you all had a great weekend. I’m taking a couple of days off so I can get caught up on some things. See you on Thursday.
{ms. pearl}
Peppers with the Orton effect
This pepper shot has been “Ortonized.” According to Wikipedia, “Orton imagery, also called an Orton slide sandwich, is a photography technique which blends two completely different photos of the same scene, resulting in a distinctive mix of high and low detail areas within the same photo. It was originated by photographer Michael Orton.”
Wiki goes on to say that the “original technique invented by Michael Orton was to overlay two or more images of an identical scene with very different exposures on slide film. One image is sharply focused and the others are very out of focus.”
You can get this effect with just a few clicks by using the free editing software, Picnik. If you’re on Flickr, it’s already there. You can choose to edit with Picnik when you upload your photos. Once you’re in Picnik, click on “Create,” “Featured” then scroll down to “Orton-ish.” Play with the three sliders until you get the look you want. “Bloom” controls the glow, “Brightness” changes saturation and “Fade” controls how strong the effect is.
Here’s a look at the original:
Great weekend, everyone!
{ms. pearl}
Posted in photography
Tagged bokeh, bright colors, orange red and yellow peppers, Orton effect, Picnik
12 Comments
Irises
We have been having the most beautiful weather lately. Sunny, warm, low humidity–kind of like Switzerland in the summer. So Mr. Prose and I have been walking in the early evening and eating dinner out on the deck before the bugs, heat and humidity descend on us.
Last night I took my camera, and these three irises in different locations were lit up like Christmas trees. How could I resist?
I’m familiar with the blue,
and the purple,
but pink? Where have I been? Oh, that’s right, ten years in California. Must have forgotten they come in this dusty rose color. I’m kind of liking it.
Hope your day is going well….
{ms. pearl}
These aren’t virtual tears….
Sorry, folks, this is a sad one.
Yesterday, I got some news that sent me reeling. A fellow blogger and photographer died suddenly of a heart attack. Molly lived in Tuscany and we’d never met, but she often commented on my photos on another site and gave me so much encouragement. Her journal was one of the most popular on the site because it was so honest, informative and funny. Molly’s photos were some of the best too.
I was shocked at how hard the news hit me. This was not a close, personal friend. But these aren’t virtual tears I’m shedding as I write this. Tears over the loss of someone special, and that daily exchange (I commented on her journal entries too.). Bit by bit, I learned that Molly was a free-lance journalist (read her New York Times op-ed piece here) and former novelist, and even had a medical degree, but she was very modest. The only person who criticized her photography was Molly. To think I’ll never see her work or read her words again is unbelievable.
It’s an interesting thing, this blogosphere. Even though you may never meet some of your fellow bloggers, you get a feeling for the kind of people they are, reading post after post. It’s not like fiction, where someone can conceal their true self. I suppose there are people who make up stuff on their blogs, but that would have to be difficult and downright stressful on a regular basis. People share their lives, hopes and dreams, and it can be a wonderful thing. Losing that is not so wonderful.
My photo today is of a bouquet I bought in honor of Molly. It’s a small thank you for how much she brightened my world. May she rest in peace.
{ms. pearl}
Posted in writing
Tagged baby's breath, blogging, boquet, cream-colored roses, death, Molly
10 Comments
“Dogwood fence”
I shot this about a month ago and to my surprise, it made Flickr’s Explore. To add interest, I boosted the brightness and added some cross processing.
Here’s the original photo:
On another note, I just found a really funny blog, The Good Greatsby. Paul Johnson makes me laugh (out loud) every single day. If you like dry, intelligent wit, you’ll love his blog.
{ms. pearl}
Morning light
There’s just something wonderful about the way morning light hits things like azaleas and camellias and everything else. It’s kind of like fairy dust, don’t you think?
{ms. pearl}
High key?
A couple days ago, I uploaded one of the photos below to two different sites and people commented on the “high key” quality. High key? What’s that? I looked it up and found the following on photo.tutsplus.com:
“High key photography uses unnaturally bright lighting to blow out most or all harsh shadows in an image. High key methods were originally developed as a solution to screens that couldn’t properly display high contrast ratios, but has developed into more of a stylistic choice.
High key images usually convey a positive or upbeat tone. This method is perfect for a subject that is funny, lighthearted or beautiful.”
The site continues with a lengthy discussion on expensive studio lighting and how to achieve the look.
I’m here to tell you that you can do it for nothing. All I use is a bright sunny window, a white tablecloth and a piece of white canvas (or paper) to light up the side that’s in shadow. You can use Lightroom or Picnik or Picasa (the latter two are free) to boost the exposure if you can’t get the light you want with a wide-open aperture and slow shutter speed. Play around with the settings until you get the look you want. Shooting on manual is a must, because the camera will say “no way” to this on automatic.
I’ve shot these teacups before, but tried a couple different combos for fun:
The pink in the background is a row of azaleas in bloom outside the dining room window.
Here’s an example in black and white. I brightened this with levels and curves in Lightroom. Just have fun with it.
OK, have a great weekend, everyone!
{ms. pearl}
Posted in photography
Tagged black & white photo, high key photography, lighting, Maltese dog, vintage teacups
16 Comments
TILT – Shades of blue-violet
I haven’t done a TILT (Things I Love Thursday) in a while, so here’s one with stunning images from very talented photogs at Flickr. Click on the links under the mosaic to visit their photostreams….
1. I so wish I could know the future!, 2. sunset en île de France, 3. Italy – Venice – Dawn at Grand Canale and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, 4. crocus..
{ms. pearl}
Warming up
It was 49F and raining this morning, so I thought I’d warm myself up with a couple of images from a nicer spring day….
Hope you’re having better weather in your part of the world.
{ms. pearl}
Posted in photography
Tagged Kwanzan cherry blossoms, orange, pink, sunlight, tulips, white
25 Comments
Another bleeding heart
Another bleeding heart for you. The first one was in a neighbor’s yard. I bought this one last week and planted it over the weekend. Straight out of the camera with a tiny crop all around.
Honestly, is there any better green than that of new growth in the springtime?
{ms. pearl}
Pearls & Prose 