Tonight I purchased the Kaleidoscope Gallery Collection from Patti Brown. It’s a set of textures and overlays and they are truly beautiful! I can’t wait to try them out on my photos! I would really have loved the Light Set, but that was $20 more so I’ll need to save up for that. If we can budget for it, I want to be able to spend $40-$50 a monthly on photography. That might translate into buying a few prints and frames, actions, textures, overlays or saving up money to buy a new lens. (Lensbaby, I am staring at you.)
I’m itching to get a new lens and if we could ever file for our taxes (we are waiting on Boa’s birth certificate from the state of Georgia before we can get a social security card and actually file our taxes. That’s a story for another day, though) I might be able to buy a new lens with our refund. I love love love my 50mm, but I love macro photography too and the 50mm won’t cut it. I also like to be able to take a picture of an entire room if I want and usually I can’t remove myself enough from the scene with the 50mm while inside. I only have the 50mm right now because my kit lens (18-55mm) broke and at the time we were too poor to get a new one. My father-in-law so graciously offered to buy me a replacement, so after diligent research I decided I’d rather have the 50mm f/1.8 than another kit lens. I think it was a great decision, but I am ready to move on.
![06-02-10 - Elias is a Nut [152/365]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4665598924_17d7337ca5_m.jpg)
Right: Applied from Kaleidoscope Gallery Collection “Dirty Watercolor 2″, overlay 100% opacity and “Watercolor Vignette 2″, soft light 100% opacity. For both layers, I used a layer mask to erase the effect from Mr. Serious. (Best viewed larger.)
I didn’t get many photos today. I just snapped a few in the morning. None of them turned out to be much to write home about, so it was like picking the best of the worst to choose my 365 photo. Luckily when my kids are the subject, I’m pretty happy with the results no matter how much the photo sucks technically. This photo isn’t really the best for overlaying the textures I purchased, so I was only able to play around somewhat. I can’t wait to shoot tomorrow and see what I can do with these, though!
I love the overlay and the photo of him!
I want a Lensbaby too, but I can’t justify spending anymore money on lenses right now. I hope you get the birth certificate straightened out soon!
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks Angel. I love this woman’s work! It’s all so beautiful and it’s such a powerful, simple tool!
Man, I used to make textures and actions, but still never really got all that into photoshop. I used it more for graphic design crud than photography. A part of me wishes I used it more, but I guess it’s just not my bag. You ever consider making your own actions and stuff?
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
I’ve thought about it, but right now there are too many great, free actions out there and I don’t know enough about photo editing to make something truly unique. Now that I’ve seen the power of textures in photography, I might look more into that though!
I think you mentioned something before about some people not liking the “editing” aspects of photography, but why would anyone want to “limit” their results? This is especially true with digital photography. When you’ve got an amazing shot that need a bit of tweaking, or a lame shot that needs a LOT of tweaking… I’m all about the end results, I guess. Kind of makes me want to start using PS again, but that junk is expensive and all I have currently is a trial version of CS5 [I had CS2 but lost it somewhere when my computer fried].
Usually, I just stick to Paint Shop Pro and edit the basics. Maybe I’m lazy!
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Yes. More and more I think the people who vow off post-editing have a stick up their bums.
I do not like tweaking a lame photo to try to make it look good. I think you should start with a photo that already looks good. I have definitely tried to save photos though when something was technically wrong (out of focus, stupid composition that cropping can’t help, way over or under exposed, etc) when I’ve captured something adorable of my kids. I’m getting better about throwing those shots out though and trying to snap it better the next time.
Photoshop Elements is more affordable and still very powerful.
I totally get what you’re saying. A lame photo is lame, and sometimes there’s not a whole lot you can do about it. Those photos, when I take them, are usually taken ASAP with no chance to prep for the shot, but for one reason or another I wanted to “capture the moment”. I’ll try my best to salvage what I can. I just write those off as “snapshots” rather than “photography”.
I got a lot of those kinds of shots when I met Sarah Palin. I got some KILLER shots of her on the stage, but the position, lighting, and all of that was pretty much constant when she was up there. No changing anything on the camera to get a good shot. When she made her rounds through the crowd, though, I got some lame shots. One lame shot was still very important to me, so I did try and try to make it better (even with the B&W fallback – lol) but it was still a cruddy photo. It was when she LOLd at my “Punk Rockers for the GOP” sign as she autographed it. I got a good shot of her, placement wise… the contrast and lighting was alright. There was a little too much “chaos” in the shot, and I just know I could have done it better than I did.
Same thing happened when I saw John McCain. My camera was wonking out, and I have no idea why. 50 shots and one came out ALMOST decent. Like, not even decent, but almost.
BUT, if it wasn’t for those “oops” photos, I wouldn’t know where to focus my attention in the future. Helps me realize where my weaknesses and strengths are.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Elements.
.-= hahayouredead´s last blog .. =-.
@lynda I am finding the ultra wide angle I have is perfect for interior shots if you want a whole room, hasnt been off the cam in a while
@wibblefish I would LOVE a wide angle.
Twitter: @amh615
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I commented here because I love overlays (tend to go crazy with them… and not make them subtle) and appreciated the link. Also, I just ordered a Canon XSi yesterday! My first DSLR… I’m so excited! I’m looking at the 50mm lens too! I’ll be getting the kit one, and also the 55-250 IS. But I’ve read the 50mm is the one to get for portraits. Now, I have something to save up for! Love your blog, I’ll be back!
.-= Angie´s last blog ..PHOTO ENHANCEMENT – Abby =-.
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks Angie! Congratulations on the DSLR purchase! I’m just getting started with textures and overlays, but I’m eager to learn.
I really like the second one up there. It really highlights Mr. Serious.
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks!