“If your photos aren’t good enough, then you’re not close enough”

Robert Cappa once said "If your photos aren't good enough, then you're not close enough".  As a macro photography enthusiast this saying and "fill the frame" were the two things that always came to mind when I had my camera in hand.  I always did know the "rule" about negative space and room to breathe, but it was something I didn't think about often.  A few years ago when I had a photo chosen for a magazine cover, it was then I realized how important negative space was.  No negative space leaves no room for words to be printed.  I've also come to realize that if your photos aren't good enough then they're probably just not good enough.

This weeks lesson on leaving room to breathe was one I struggled with, always wanting to get a little closer and closer.  All photos have a layer of kk_felicity and were taken back into Lightroom and the preset kk_darklight was applied.

Thanks for visiting.  Sharing with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.

Merryy Christmas

May this Christmas season sparkle and shine. May all your wishes and dreams come true and may you feel this happiness all year round.

Merry Christmas everyone

Textured with a layer of kk_letgo and sharing with

My back yard.

A little something different for today.  This is a view of my back yard during a sunset.  A layer of Kim's kk_cherish was used with the blend mode of difference and an oilpaint filter.

Sharing with Texture Tuesday

The Perfect Christmas Gift

My daughter has told me that a child only needs three Christmas gifts, something they want, something they need and something to read.  I rolled them all into one and went Christmas shopping for a present for me.

Textured with Kim Klassen's kk_minus43 and sharing with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.

I don't really know where to begin this post.  I took a look back and I made four posts this year, not very consistant.  I must admit, I have had a couple of rough years with the appearance of Alzheimer's in both of my parents, their move to a nursing home and ultimately both of their deaths in the past year.

This year I also lost my job, a job I thought I would be at until retirement, but that's another story for another time.  So many changes in two years, sometimes it's been a little hard to wrap my head around it all.

Good things have also come out of the past two years.  I now have three little grandson's, one four year old and two one year old's.  I am also employed part time, so I'm not sure if I'm semi-retired or semi-employed.

Time has started to heal and it's time to move forward.  I couldn't think of a better place to come back to, but with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.  She has been such an inspiration in my photography life.

Here's what I came up with for this week's Texture Tuesday.

I have a vase with bamboo sitting on the table and the sun was streaming through.  The first thing I thought of was using the lens baby with a star filter.  Not being close enough, I added a 4x macro filter.  The photo came out as I wanted with the unfocused light appearing as stars, but the backgound was a little boring, so I added a layer of Kim's autumnburst.  All was going well, but a little blank spot was calling out for an aligator from our trip to Louisanna.

If you've made it this far in the post, thank you for visiting me today.

Texture Tuesday

It's been such a long time since I've used my camera and posted to this blog.  Hopefully, it will start to be a regular occurrence.  Here's my photo for Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.  Peonies are now in full bloom in the yard.  I simply added a layer of Kim's texture letgo.

Goodbye 2013

Goodbye 2013.  I did not enjoy you at all so I am burying you in this lovely tomb deep in the bayou where you may rest in peace. Before you are gone forever I want to thank you for all you have taught me, the good and the bad.

The first thing you taught me about is about mental illness.  Mental illness comes in many forms.  Sometimes we cannot see it, as it does not bleed, nor does it does not swell up and turn purple.  Some forms of mental illness can be diagnosed and treated.  Some are simply diagnosed.  Some are never diagnosed and live on, affecting all.

Next you taught me compassion.  You taught me it is good to care for those who are suffering and incapable of helping themselves even though they may never appreciate or have the capacity to appreciate what we’re doing. You taught me to do what you can and then when you think you have nothing left in you, do some more.

Which brings me to the next lesson you taught me.  While taking care of others, make sure you take care of yourself, mentally and physically.  Also careful of what you say when you haven’t taken care of yourself, how you say it and be especially careful of what you say on Facebook.  Those who are not close to you may not understand what or why you’re saying something and unfriend you.  Wait a minute, if they unfriend you that quickly, are they really your friend?

The greatest lesson you taught me is about family.  Family is not always the ones you sat around the dinner table with as a kid.  I think Sarah Dessen says it perfectly.

"What is family? They were the people who claimed you. In good, in bad, in parts or in whole, they were the ones who showed up, who stayed in there, regardless. It wasn't just about blood relations or shared chromosomes, but something wider, bigger."

Family is your spouse standing beside you. Family is your grown children and their spouses who are there for you without question. Family is the little grandchildren with their hugs and smiles.  Family is your boss at work, his wife and your photo buddy.  Family doesn't give up on you. Family are the people who are always there for you, no matter what.  And 2013, for teaching me about family, I thank you the most.

Sometimes grunge just feels right.  Textures used from Photoshop Artistry and Kim Klassen's Inked.  Mouse over for the before.

Linking up with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

I can see clearly now

I'm following my own advice from yesterday and the world looks a little brighter.

A frame placed in the Christmas tree provided the basic photo but it was a little busy with all the branches and lights, so a "little" processing was needed to remove the distractions.  Filters and textures used are from Photoshop CS6, Photoshop Artistry and Kim Klassen's Dreamit.

Sharing with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

A new today

A new way of looking at each day

For Kim

I’m not sure how I found Kim Klassen’s blog and TextureTuesday but I was amazed by her style of photography and the idea of adding textures to a photo.  Then I found that little link to subscribe to her free textures.  Something free, who could resist. It was on January 15, 2011 that I downloaded my first free textures.  While following along with her and visiting all the blogs linked to Texture Tuesday I was introduced to the use of textures and a new style of photography and art.  I never would have guessed at that time, Kim would have had such an influence over my photography and blogging.  

A few months ago, Kim’s husband was diagnosed with cancer.  Being a Canadian, I know her husband is being very well taken care of in the hospital.  The best of medical care is available to him.  The one thing that is not offered is help and support to the caregiver, Kim.  Being put into the position of the caregiver, the strong one, can stress out the strongest of people.  I’m sure this time has been filled with ups, downs and feelings of being alone.  But she has not been alone.  Many of us think of her daily and pray for her husband’s recovery.

During a course offered by Kim I met an amazing group of ladies “The Groupies” who share and support each other.  When one discovers a new website or course, it’s posted in the Facebook group. Photoshopgrunge.com was one of the interesting links posted recently. The course which many of us Groupies are doing right now, Photoshop Artistry is taking us through a different thought process of using textures. Many artists have contributed to this course with “freebies” and of course Kim was one of the generous artists. Our challenge this week,  was to simply, send some love to Kim.

So Kim, just to let you know many of us are grateful to you for the so many things you have done for so many.  You are always in our thoughts and prayers.  Stay strong, have faith and know that you are not alone.

Textures used Kim Klassen's Cherish and Letgo.  Sharing with Texture Tuesday.

Standing on the outside

Sometines I feel like this red poppy, standing on the outside, perhaps dancing to a different beat but I think I have finally realized that it can be a very good place to be.

Texture used was Kim Klassen's Annabelle.  Sharing with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

Creating with Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate

The day started in my pyjamas thinking about the one word that would describe my year. "Create" seems to be the word, creating images with my camera, trying my hand at creating art, creating a healthy home and meals, creating family memories and the list could go on and on.

First on the list for today was creating art with a Gelli Arts, gel printing plate given to me for my birthday along with the new paints.

Today's theme would be round and here's a few round object found around the house to create textures.

After much playing, this is the print I became quite fond of.

My old scanner would not work with Windows 7, so I did a photo of it.  While in photoshop doing a little adjustments, I wondered how it would work as a texture. Opened up a couple of photos taken last week to give it a try.

I'm kind of liking the way my first creative art project turned out.  If anyone would like a copy of this texture, just let me know and I'll send you a link.

On a side note, the day has ended with me in my pyjamas.  What a great way to spend the day.

Linking with

Garden Flowers

Texture Tuesday on a Wednesday.  This week's theme is the color orange.  Right right I have an abundance of these little orange flowers in the garden and thought they would make a good subject for the color orange.  The texture used is Kim Klassen's Paperlove.  If you hover over the photo with the mouse, you can see the before and after.

Sharing with

Looking down at a frog in a glass

It’s not often that I get a chance to photograph a group of children.  Last weekend we had a bridal shower for my daughter and we were lucky enough to have three little ones attending.  A popular activity for them was frog hunting with uncle.  A frog in a glass was treated like a precious little wonder.  Kim Klassen's texture Crackerjack was used on this first photo.  If you hover over the photo with your mouse, you can see the before and after.

Even the littlest one treated the cup of frogs with respect.

My grandson, just under 2 learnt to associate the word frog with the little guy in the glass.

I didn’t realize until editing the photos, that the two little boys are showing a great interest in something, but the frog glass is empty.  Hmmm,

All frogs were returned to the lawn and no frog were hurt during the making of these photos.

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The Long Weekend in August

The long weekend in August is Saskatoon Berry picking time. If the spring is warm and bright with lots of bees to pollinate the trees, the berries are plentiful. But the best years are years with good summer rains for big, plump berries. The Saskatoon berries hang like grapes from the trees and when fully ripe a little massage from the fingers will release the berries and they’ll roll right into your hand.

Years ago, we’d pack the kids and buckets into the car and head to our favorite berry patch across the highway. During a good year we could do quite a bit of picking up and down the roads close to the house. The day would end with purple mouths, purple fingers and a buckets of Saskatoons. We’d bring them home, clean them up and make a wonderful Saskatoon pie for supper as well as put a few bags in the freezer for pies during the winter.

It’s been a few years since we’ve gone berry picking. Yesterday while weed-wacking around the edge of the yard, something touched my head. I’m usually very leery about trees touching me (spiders and such) and I tend to back away and remind myself that that branch will have to come out later. (The penalty for touching me) This time I looked up, and there were the plumpest, ripest, purplest Saskatoons I’ve seen in years. Not quite enough for a pie from one tree, but more than enough for a handful for a sweet treat with plenty left over to mix in the morning’s yogurt.

All photos have a layer of Kim Klassen’s Aurora. Sharing with Texture Tuesday.

Texture Tuesday Lilacs

"As one gets older one sees many more paths that could be taken. Artists sense within their own work that kind of swelling of possibilities, which may seem a freedom or a confusion." Jasper Johns

 Kim Klassen's latest texture "Confusion" seems to fit my state of mind lately. I was thinking I was getting old, but now I see it as to too many paths to take.


 Hover over with your mouse and you'll see the before and after.

 

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i heart macro

 

 Texture Tuesday

 

Grandma's Phlox

A sure sign of summer in the garden is the pink phlox blooming in my wildflower garden.

At the same time, the lilacs bloom, the Swallowtail Butterflies return and summer gardening begins.  The phlox has always been one of my favorites for the macro lens. The tiny delicate pink flowers contrasting with the green stems make them perfect for a shallow depth of field and they appear to float above the greenery. 

The little pink phlox reminds me of my Grandma and makes me smile.  The gardens in her neighborhood always contained these beautiful mounds of pink flowers.  She was an avid gardener, first on the farm out of necessity and later in the city because of her love of gardening. When we moved to the acerage I had asked her for a little piece of this flower to plant in my first flower bed.  I didn’t realize it at the time because she had so many flowers, but she didn’t have any phlox in her yard but the library down the street and the neighbors did have mounds of it. 

I never did find out where mine came from. Grandma’s been gone for many years now, but I’m always reminded of her when the phlox booms.

And speaking of wildflowers, I found this little guy sitting on one of the wild violets.

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