This and That

We had a birthday in our house last week.  This is my favorite photo of the bunch.

Two teenagers, one tween, two cats, one dog, a husband, and a photography business.  Life is full.  And yes, I still homeschool.  And I might be a little crazy.

Project 52 begins

Week one is up on my photography blog.  Here is the link.
Lily Fields Photography

Sweet Shot-New Camera-Test Shots

How was your Christmas?  Ours was great and I was really blessed and spoiled.  I received my dream camera and I am just giddy with excitement.  (I actually paid for half of it, but hubby paid the other half for my Christmas present)  I also just bought the body, because I had lens that would fit it and I didn't want to get a redundant lens.  Here are my first practice shots with it.

Both were taken with a Canon 7D, 50mm 1.4 lens.  I'm loving that creamy bokeh!  I will be participating in a project 52 again this year.  I will be posting at my photography blog site. I may double post for a bit, or at least link to it here.  In the mean time this post is linked to Darcy's Sweet Shot Tuesday!


Have a good week and a Happy New Year!  I personally am hoping this year will bring much blessings in my friends' and family's lives and less trauma and heartache. 

Holiday Bokeh Party

Oh boy, I am barely making this party. Life has been crazy busy, and I have had lots of computer trouble.  I'll spare you all the details. I have one image for you today. My favorite ornament my girl friend gave me last year.  I just love it and how it captured my year last year.

This isn't holiday bokeh, but I thought it was neat anyhow.  I took this photo this week. It was frosty cold outside and bright and sunny!  


I'll try to post again before Christmas.
Susan

Sweet Shot Tuesday-Edit

Hey there, it's been a while since I participated in Darcy's Sweet Shot Tuesday.  I'm going to share an edit I did on a photo that looked bad. Underexposed, dark badness.  But it was worth saving.  I started the photo in Camera Raw (using a jpg) and didn't save as so I don't have the original dark photo, but one like it to show you.  So here goes. 


This shows how dark it was originally.

 This was after lightening it up and adjusting white balance in camera raw.

 

I usually always do a levels adjustment and clean up any red spots, blemishes, dark areas and such.  Then I ran a Florabella action on it (and shame on me for not remembering which one it was).  I know the white is blown out, but I didn't really care. I loved the light in her eyes and her expression.  

 

Then I converted into a black and white using the duotones presets in PS.  This is my absolute favorite way to turn into black and white. I love all the different color combinations available with just a click.  I really like the softness of this photo.  

Oh, and I am no expert in PS editing but I have come a long way!
Susan

The most dreaded holiday of the year-

Halloween - I really dislike this holiday.  In and of itself it speaks nothing to living a life full of joy and light and that bothers me.  It has bothered me for years, as a christian homeschooling mama, trying to figure out what God would have our family do in relation to this holiday.  The pendulum has swung from one end to the other.  Do we celebrate it or not. Do we trick or treat, go to harvest parties, dress up or not?  


Here is where  I am at today - "THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE! LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!"  I will not turn over any day to the evil one. 




And here is what we do in regards to this day - If you've been a reader for long you know how much my kids love to dress up.  And any kid loves candy right?

We are very blesses to go with friends who live in a small community.  This has been our yearly tradition for the last 4 years. (Because before then we didn't go trick or treating.)  And frankly, after taking the little lady bug and monkey, I wish we had.  A fun time was had by all.


Susan

Fall Traditions

The girls had been bugging me to take them to the pumpkin patch to pick out their pumpkins. My husband suggested that we just take them to the grocery store so they can pick one our of the bins!  They  would have none of that.  I knew I would not get out of taking them to pick their pumpkins. We've been doing it since they were little. And frankly, why should I get out of it. We live in an area of abundant farms and it would be a shame to miss out on visiting them.  Really though, I love going too. I didn't have that opportunity growing up, so I want to make sure my girls have that and I want them to take their kids some day too. It's tradition.  Starting with my family and passed down through the generations. At least I hope.  Here are a few pictures to share our experience.

They are getting big, but that works to their advantage as their pumpkins are getting bigger too. The rule is if you can carry it out...you can take it home.