Julie Mead and Friends

My "Go To" First, Photo Editing Tool in Photoshop

There are lots of favorite Photoshop editing tools I like but this one is my all time "go to" tool especially when I am not quite sure what the photo needs.

Here's a great example.

This photo just isn't quite right.  I thought about adjusting the color  but decided to try the Levels tool first.  You can do this 2 ways.  You can adjust directly on the photo by choosing Control L or Command L (Mac) or a much safer way to adjust is by adding an adjustment layer.  (To be honest - I do not know if you have the ability to add adjustment layers in Photoshop Elements.)

Make sure your window is showing adjustment layers.  It needs a check mark in front of it like mine.

The Levels Adjustment is the icon to the right of the black/white sun.  Click on it to add a new layer just for adjusting the levels of the photo.

This is a safer choice because if you dont' like it you can delete that layer from your layers palette without ever touching the original photo.  I always start with the middle slider.  Be gentle with these sliders.  Usually a little is all you need.  Once you adjust the middle one the way you like I always like to bring in some of the darker colors by moving the slider on the far left.  Don't move it too much though!

What to remember about this post:

Try using Level Adjustments first when fixing a photo that is not quite right.  It may be all you need.

Grunge Backgrounds Make Great Overlays

I saw these Grunge Backgrounds by Lavender Designs in the Nifty Boutique the other day and fell in love with them!  I really think they were calling me by name to come and play.  I can't resist a great set of grunge papers and after downloading these papers I was not disappointed.

 

It didn't take me long to crank out 3 samples of how to use them.

Not only will I show you my final result but tell you what I did.  Yes, it was really easy!

 

First I chose my photo and overlay from the Grunge Background set above.

 

 

 

 

Now you can compare all 3 photos side by side.

 

Here's 2 more examples of how I used the grunge papers.

 

Grunge it up, erase, blend, mask..... see where your photo creativity takes you!  But the most important part is to have fun.  Thanks for stopping by.

Make your Photos Stand Out in just a Few Easy Steps

I have totally ignored this BLOG for too long.  It's time to focus my attention on a hobby I love and that's photography. 

So let's start this happy reunion with a wonderfully easy tuturial along with a coupon for some fantastic overlays.

I recently visited Arizona and found myself immersed in photo opps everywhere.  It is truly a beautiful state.

Sometimes when you get home and take a look at your photos up close and on the big screen of your computer you can get a little bit annoyed that they didn't capture the true beauty of what your eyes were seeing.  Here's an example of a photo that I took.  I was so excited when I took the photo but was a bit disappointed when I got home.  The color seemed a little flat and didn't spark any excitement and awe. 

Now I want you to know this tutorial is made up of 2 parts and I cannot take credit for the first part.  I wanted to do a quick and easy, fake, Photoshop HDR tutorial.  I knew there had to be some out there so I didn't have to spend a lot of time figuring it out by myself.   So I tip my hat to KolNeda who is the creato of this HDR fake tutorial found on Flickr.  Here is his "How to Easily Fake an HDR photo in Photoshop."  You can follow his instructions exactly or tweek them to suit your taste and photo.  Remember, all photos have their own unique characteristics so plan on adjusting it a bit.

Once I got the photo changed to a fake HDR look I added one of my overlays for a unique finishing touch.

 

      

Just for visiting my BLOG today use this coupon code to get the Artistic Photo Overlays at 50% off!

The coupon will work for either version: 

Personal Use Version

or 

Photographer's Licensed Version

Coupon Code:  e0eaca16e5     IMPORTANT!  This coupon code will ony be valid until March 1, 2013.

NEW: Artististic Photo Overlays #5

Just arrived this week!  Artistic Photo Overlays #5

This set of 14 watercolor overlays adds the most exciting looks to your photos.  In Photoshop, you simply add the overlay on top of your photo, resize it to fit, then experiment with the blending modes and opacities to get a never ending variety of looks to your photos.  They are sure to spark creativity for you.

The set includes 14 overlays sized at 11 x 14 inches, resolution at 300 ppi.  These overlays are original watercolor paintings by Julie.

It comes in a professional use and personal use versions.

Samples of overlays with photos.

Spring Photos

May I suggest a white Inner Glow on those beautiful spring photos?  It's simple and adds such a soft look.  Choose Layer Styles.  Here are my suggested settings.  You can adjust those to suit your photos best.

 

All of my beautiful spring flowers are just popping out.  The grape hyacinths are blooming along with apple blossoms and tulips.  Before adding the Inner Glow press Control L (mac: Command L) to open up the Levels.  I like to lighten it up quite a bit by moving the right slider and the middle slider to the left.  Not too much, you don't want to lose the color, just enough to lighten it up.  Then move the left slider in to the right to bring in the dark colors.  After you get the Levels just right add the Inner Glow.  NOTE:  I changed my inner glow color to white.

Apple Blossoms with a macro lens

Grape hyacinth with macro lens

Pink tulip with macro lens

Apple blossoms buds with macro lens

Before and After Photo: Silver Liquid Drops

A few weeks ago it was rather rainy here.  On the way home from work I stopped to take a photo of a rainy road.  I don't know what kind of person gets excited about puddles and reflections but I definitely fall into that category.  This post isn't even about the muddy road photo I stopped for but the last one I took before heading on home.  Just as I started to roll up the window the side mirror on my car caught my attention.  Al the drops on it were pretty cool, they reminded me of a song we sing at school about Silver Liquid Drops.

Here's the original photo.  It's a close up of the mirror and the reflection is looking back to the rear of the car and the road behind me.  Rainy days are dark and dreary so I sent the photo into Photoshop.

 

Here's the After photo.  I like the contrasts, it's not so dreary any more.  Use Levels to achieve that.  Play around with the slider but be careful not to overdo it.  I added one of my overlays to this.  That's where the frayed paper edge came from. 

It's Looking More Like a Room!

This week the studio is coming along quite nicely!  It's actually looking like a room now.  They are now in the process of mudding the walls. 

 

This photo is looking towards the front entrance. 

 

Here's the lunchroom for the crew!  They even have a microwave oven.  

 

This will eventually be MY storage room.

Tilt the Camera Reminder

Don't forget to turn your camera when taking photos.  You might be really good at remembering to change from vertical to horizontal photos with your camera but also add a slight tilt to it too, especially if you are capturing fun moments like coloring Easter eggs.  A small angle added to the camera can add a bit of pizazz  and make your photos really stand out! 

On these photo I did the following:

-Added a dark edge.

-Created a small amount of blur to the outside of the photo.

-Increased the Saturation just a bit to make those colors pop!

 

 
For this photo I set the camera to Aperture Priority Mode.  The depth of field is shallow and the focus is on the hands.  For a photo like this I would select a large aperture like f/1.4.  Once I set the aperture the camera selects the correct shutter speed.  If the part you are trying to focus on is blurry your camera is choosing a shutter speed that is too long.  You may need to use a tripod or change the aperture setting.

The Studio Roof

I let one week go by and now I have major changes to share.  The studio changes every day.  

This photo is going to be the entrance.  Hopefully we will have much more than a plank for everyone to walk up.

 

This photo shows my prop closet and where most of photography stuff will be located.

 

I think I am really going to love this wall.  A large desk will be built under these windows.  My computer will be here and I'll have a beautiful view!

 

This photo is looking towards the front entryway.  A large work island will be located in this area.

Life's Unexpected Surprises.... Even at Wal-Mart!

With the holiday weekend being here my family and I headed to a movie Friday evening.  After the movie we needed to run by Wal-Mart to pick up a couple of items before heading home.  The plan was to drop off my daughter and I so we could run in and run out.  I got my 3 items and hurried up to the check-out.  As I approached I noticed carts had been left everywhere!  Full carts were left in line at the register, there was no one there to check me out either.  I was quickly approached by an employee who told me to go outside immediately that there was a fire!  Being the loving mom that I am I wasn't about to leave the store without my daughter so I left the cart and started walking through the crowd trying to find her.  I caught a glimpse of her coming to the front with her cart but wait..... she turned!  She was still shopping oblivious to the people evacuating the store.  I hurried and chase her down.  I had to actually convince her that we needed to evacuate the store.  ( I realized that the intercom plea for customers to evacuate was barely audible)  She left her cart and we hurried to the front.  We noticed other customers were shopping too, oblivious to the fire!  Fortunately as we got to the front an employee met us and said they had things under control.  The fire department had arrived and the fire was electrical. The store was beginning to reek of rubber burning.  I located my cart and tried to find a check out.  Just getting checked out was a story in itself!  The throngs of people were heading back inside, some needed to finish checking out which was a big headache trying to get all of the registers going again and check all of these people out.  The people around me were all very kind to each other amid this chaos.  Everyone was trying to take their turns at the check out, making sure no one was cutting in line.  It's always nice to see the best in us come out.  As my daughter and I headed to the car the guys had missed all the excitement!  They had left Wal-Mart and when they returned to pick us up firetrucks were everywhere!  What a story we had to tell!