This is what my azalea looks like on its best day. This best day just happened to be last year. I would've loved to use it for my header, but then people think that my neighbor's house is mine. That's cheating.
This is what the photo looked like before some judicious cropping.
I highly recommend judicious cropping.
Now this is a photo of my behind-the-garage forsythias. (John and I spent some time Sunday afternoon planting a whole lot of forsythia sprigs along his property line at the Ponderosa.) Anyway, this is the first shot. Note that ugly tree trunk protruding above the ugly fence to the left of the flag. Oh this fence is not my ugly fence. I've got enough ugly without claiming that thing.
Now let's lose the tree trunk and gain some green grass, too.
Looks like a hair transplant gone horribly wrong, but if I had time...
Have a fun Tuesday, Dear Ones!
P.S. This is a message for my dear friend Linda at Blue Gate Blog. I'm having such troubles getting to visit you. I keep getting this message. Just so you know that I do keep trying...
Wow! First one here, today! Better post this comment fast, or I won't be first. :-)
ReplyDeleteAunt Amelia
I should spend more time on my photos. It is fun and the results can be great if I don't go too crop happy....
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
Now for a relaxed comment... :-)
ReplyDelete-drum roll, please- For once, I agree with you, over John. ,-) I simply *hate* photoshopping photos. I do. I do. I do. I don't call it cheating like you do. I just so dislike the idea of photography _not_ showing what's really there, so to speak. Yes, _crop_ away! That's fine and honest and cool and wise.
But adding extra stuff, that's not really there... Grrrr. And adding/subtracting shadows... Grrrr. And changing colors or color intensity... Grrr. Hey, most anyone can _*tell*_ that colors have been messed with! What is anyone gaining, by doing that?
Yeah, some say they are making fav colors, more dominant. OK. OK for them. I just don't have to like it. :-)
Thank you for not doing it!
Aunt Amelia
P.S. As to your comment, concerning my "rocking the boat," wow what a topic for a real letter! I may just write so much, that I'll need extra postage. -grin-
I'm back again! What was the old saying? 'Back like a bad penny?' -grin- Whatever...
ReplyDeleteYou commented: "Well don't you find the most interesting, slightly disturbing things!"
Please tell me what slightly disturbing thing did I link to, on that post? I know I do, sometimes. But I actually thought I linked to mild stuff, in that post.
Or maybe you meant, my question about... "Do you ever want to shake things up, around your blog?"
And since I'm asking a question in comments, I'd better remember to answer a question of yours. That of, how do _I_ feel about Comments?
I both liked No Comments, and having Comments Turned back On. They each had their neatness, for me. And with Comments back On, I'm enjoying this part, now.
'Aunt Amelia'
I love photoshop too!
ReplyDeleteLast night:
It was 11:30 here when I posted last night...I saw your post and *had* to look up those marks...I have lots of great books, one in particular. It SAVES so much time looking online....it's something I enjoy and got into quite a few years ago when I started antiquing/thrifting.... as a reseller I can only consider it responsible to educate myself and know what I am buying/selling.
Photoshop is my friend...my infrequent friend. There are some pictures that would be of no value if one couldn't doctor them just a little. (Not things like adding blooms...but things like subtracting a body that wasn't meant to be on the scene!) For the most part...I just crop.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your blooms...they are lovely.
My kids are both going through the huge manuals and teaching themselves Photoshop Elements. I'm hoping they'll give their mother the Reader's Digest condensed version of the course someday!
ReplyDeleteOur philosophy is that the most important thing is learning to use the camera well and to get the best shot possible that way, rather than relying on software to fix everything. Too much doctoring of the photo is more like creating art, instead of photography - yeah, it's cheating if you don't disclose it.
You can do some wonderful restoration of old damaged pictures with Photoshop. Many aspects of the software just make it easier to do what many photogrphers used to do in the darkroom, anyway. My daughter also had fun removing unsightly powerlines from a beautiful scenic shot of hers, and removing a vehicle from in front of a historic building she photographed. I don't think those kind of uses really alter the integrity of the photograph, too much. And besides - it's fun!
Good for you, Vee! You have quite the talent in that little finger of yours. =) I loved the tutorial you gave awhile back on adding text. I say you should do more of that, for the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteYou commented in my blog...:
ReplyDelete"First link...must've been the severed green nose that I found unsettling. Gheesh. You mean I can't just make comments here without defending them, too? =D"
-grin- Yeppers! Gotta' defend too!!!
Ohhhh yeah, the severed green nose. That was a bit much. I stand amended. Bleahhhhhhhh...
But thank you muchly!!! For answering my question, in my blog comments. You are sweet to notice that that's the way I answer questions... In the 'asker's' blog. Because I find it too time consuming, to go back to re-read all the comments, in a blog entry, which I've already read.
Mmmmmmmm, does this sound like another post possibility? It does! :-)
'Aunt Amelia'
Oh my, I don't know much about photoshopping or cropping. But what I do know is that I got a good laugh out of your remark about the hair transplant gone bad :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your new head...... the first one is just lovely..... your home is so lovely it looks so fresh do you paint every year?
ReplyDeleteTry clicking on this
http://web.me.com/lindasbluegate/web.me.com_lindasbluegate/Bluegate_Blog/Bluegate_Blog.html
You are so sweet to try.....
I KNOW how determined you can be... lol
HUgs
Linda
I like your new header just the way it is!!!!...Have a fun day. We are having at least a few hours of sunshine. They say more rain tonight ugh!!.m.
ReplyDeleteI've tried to add and remove things, but I'm just not that good at it! I do play around with cropping and lighting!
ReplyDeleteYou are so fabulous with the photos!!Sometimes those pics just have to be cropped!! And your azaleas are amazing!!!
ReplyDeletesmiles,
kari & kijsa
Your azaleas are gorgeous, Vee! Yes, photoshop definitely has its advantages! ;) Great finds in your previous post!
ReplyDeletexo,
Lynda
Oh Vee!this is just beautiful!Hope you are having a good day!Please keep me in your prayers.I am having some could be serious health problems.Blessings, Faye
ReplyDeleteHi Vee
ReplyDeleteIt's been a few days, so I thought I would stop by for a quick visit.
First and foremost, I want to let you know that I will keep your Mum, you, John and your entire family in my prayers.
I love how you are so honest, about your photos. A bad implant - too funny. I like to see the real thing - it keeps everything in perspective!
God Bless
Leann
I love the judicious cropping! I can rid my kitchen of the mess, loose hte ugly trash cans and highlight just the pretty, I love the look of you home, stumps and sad grass and all - it will look like the "fixed" photo in no time. Loved this post.
ReplyDeleteVee, thank you so much for the tip about Abe books. This was a great site. I had never heard of them. I promptly paid them a visit and found 3 more Susan Branch books I wanted.
ReplyDeleteI found out they even buy back used books and text books, that may prove to be handy in the future. I love trusted advice and recommendations from friends.
I am a big reviews person.
We always read reviews and recommendations before traveling or purchasing.
oh the photos are lovely! I've been told I need to play with photoshop for years and I just don't take the time to figure it out - no doubt once I do I'll be completely addicted!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I want to learn photoshop, my son gave me the program but I have not had time to explore it. I hope he will be able to give me some lessons. He used it in art school.
ReplyDeleteYep, you got to LOVE photoshop! I took out some cars and a guy's head out of one of my pics the other day! Begone! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWow! I didn't know you could do that with photo shop. I have it, but I have not taken time to learn how to use it. It looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Penny
p.s.lol - you do know me...when I take my "breaks" I am usually going away. Just don't like announcing it to the world...Wish I could have gone to Paris!
cheat on . .I love picassa tricks too ..but I never have filled in a flowering bush before. . how clever.
ReplyDeleteLove your new header...your home looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteStay Cozy, Carrie
I haven't spent any time with my photoshop. You've done a beautiful job Mizz Vee! I don't mind if you edit, it's still your work after all :)
ReplyDeleteHave a fantastic day!
Kathi :)
I am thinking of playing about too. Photoshop - it is a friend! But I particularly like seeing the stages too!
ReplyDeleteHi Vee!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the welcome back! I had so much fun spending time with Leo that it was hard to come back to NY and "real life" and not Nonna life.
Both cat and husband were thrilled to have me back...not sure as yet which one missed me more, as they both won't leave my side..lol.
Photoshop certainly does magic! It makes me wonder if much of what we see on the Internet hasn't been altered in some way...a little disconcerting isn't it? I love all your blooms...we've been getting endless rain in NY so everyhting became very green when I was away.
I'm going to read all I missed on your blog now ...can't wait to catch up!
Hugs, Pat
You are so funny!! I laughed with the hair transplant grass comment! Photo shop is a wonderful thing, though I don't have that exact version, I love my photosmart and use the crop action all of the time!!!
ReplyDeletehappy day,
Becky
Hi Vee,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I have been cropping my pictures too, some times they really need it. I have not tried photo shop yet. Maybe this weekend I will try it out.
Enjoy your day,
Elizabeth
The results of your photos are amazing. I need to get better at taking pictures and cropping. Your bushes are just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYour Forsythia will soon be covering tht fence. Love yur beautiful new header Vee.
ReplyDelete