The weekend was calm, but busy as usual. My son had an academic competition of which he was an alternate (still had to show up), but sadly did not get to compete (I think I was more disappointed than he was). As a treat I let my daughter spend time at her favorite place - the barn - while I was with my son. Our family dove into some of our decluttering efforts by going through all the DVDs in the house (no small task), and deciding which could go and which could be passed on to someone else. I think we did a decent job without causing too much pain. The remaining DVDs (still many many of them) were grouped into categories (drama, action, etc) and put into binders with sleeved pages to hold DVDs (tossed the cases). I know some people who disagree with this process, but for us it freed up a ton of space in a cabinet - enough to put all the gaming CDs, controllers, etc., in the cabinet as well. Besides, I'm hoping not to no longer find empty DVD cases laying around. Sunday we split up, boys stayed around the house & played with neighbors, and girls spent the afternoon at the barn. I got a chance to practice a little photography, and now I have new pictures to practice post-processing. The pictures were taken with the purpose of fusing them in mind (we had some nice clouds and sunset colors).
The above picture was taken Sunday. Trying out new ways of actually taking/capturing the picture is always risky, but I do like how this one came out - not tack sharp in focus, but a dreamy feel. The dust from the arena is nicely highlighted, and the sun's rays are barely visible (with some flare).
Hope everyone has a great week - I'm starting mine with a sore throat (from all the dust we stirred up in the far reaches of that DVD cabinet I'm sure).
UPDATE: I've added this to Kat Eye Studios Photo-Heart Connection for January - because of the dreamy qualities (not to mention it is of my daughter & I am a very proud mother).
Love the dramatic, yet dreamy feel to this image.
ReplyDeleteThank you - I was surprised at the end result - but a happy surprise. Even better - my daughter (pre-teen) loves it too.
DeleteBeautiful image! You can never go wrong with learning through experimentation. Welcome to the Photo-Heart connection!
ReplyDeleteLately, for myself, I think I need to determine when to stop playing around & just enjoy the picture.
Deletesuch a beautiful image. Love the light and the shadows. B&w gives it such a timeless feel.
ReplyDeleteThank you - I've been having a great time with black & white & have moved into adding a tiny bit of tint - thinking of those old B&W where watercolor was applied. But it definitely is an opinion thing - someone thought I just messed up in post processing, and another loved it.
DeleteGreat image, love the dreamy quality and the light capturing the dust.
ReplyDeleteThanks - love the feeling with you do a little tweaking & it turns out like this - I was surprised.
DeleteThis is a beautiful image indeed, and very dreamy! Love the scattered sunlight and the shadows!
ReplyDeleteThank you - capturing the scattered sunlight was a bonus for me - I like it too.
DeleteBeautiful image!! I love the way the dust is caught in the light and pretty sunflare!
ReplyDeleteThank you - some of my sunflares can add to a photograph, but some I've taken - those things take become the entire focus of the photo - they take over.. I like them, but not always.
Deletebeautiful photo. i just love how the light shines down on your daughter.
ReplyDeleteThank you for checking out my photo - although I was purposely taking the photo with getting the shadows, sunlight, etc., looking just so... I wasn't expecting it to all come together like this.
DeleteThe sun almost looks like the shape of a heart on your daughters head, and it looks like the light is coming right out of heaven and surrounding your daughter and the horse.
ReplyDeleteA great photo-heart connection!
Thanks for checking out my photo - I almost went into photoshop to add her helmet outline back into the sun - wasn't sure if the sun was covering her helmet was too much. Obviously I didn't - sometimes I wonder how much post processing is too much.
DeleteThe dust, the sun strobes, the body posture of the horse, all create a lovely mix in this photo.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter & this horse are very relaxed together & it shows (not to mention keeps my heart in my chest - he's 16.3 hh & she's 5'2")
DeleteAn arresting shot, beautifully lit! This is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the nice comments & for taking a minute to visit my blog.
DeleteI love black & white photography. The lighting is wonderful! I, too, like the sun flare and highlight around the dust. I hope you make a print of this and frame it...lovely memory for your family.
ReplyDeleteI have really been enjoying B&W lately - some photos just stand out so much more. I have printed some other B&W prints and this one will probably be joining them hanging in the hall.
DeleteThank you for the nice comments & visiting my blog.
It's stunning...you've captured such peace in that photo. Incredibly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for wonderful compliment - It truly was my photo-heart connection. Thank you for visiting my blog.
DeleteWow! Beautiful silhouettes...lovely feel to this.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for visiting my blog & for the nice comments. Wish I could say I planned it all out - but I was just taking a few pictures of my daughter warming up the horse one late afternoon. Sometimes things just come together.
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