Cinnamon Pink

Hydrangea & Photo Experiments

Our Endless Summer Hydrangea are nearly in full bloom. Every year I am amazed at the beauty of the flowers. 

Inspired by the book, The Creative Photographer, authored by Catherine Anderson. I decided to take some photos of the fresh blooms. I heard about this book from my TAG Art Group. Many of the members raved about the book. And I concur. It is an inspiring read with both instruction and hands-on exercises. Above all, Anderson encourages readers to experiment and play with their cameras.

One of her exercises tells readers to choose one thing, e.g., a flower, a bowl of eggs - and to take at least one hundred photographs of this one thing. She says to take the photographs at different times of day, in different lights, in different places and at different angles.

As you can see, I took a few photos of my hydrangea. The sun was quite bright and it was rather windy. So I think I'll take some more photos later in the day. I don't know if I'll make it to 100 photographs but I believe it's going to be a fun experiment.

Experimenting with Sepia Tone Photographs

Earlier today, I experimented with sepia-tone photographs. I used a photograph of my brother Roddy's vintage car. The top image is the original photo.

I created the second photo in Photoshop Elements (PSE) by playing around with the brightness/contrast function and color curves.

For the third photo, I did an automatic sepia tone in Picasa. I wasn't satisfied with either of the two sepia tone photographs. I think I may do some more fine tuning in PSE, using the original photo.

Cousin Tia and Cousin Koda

When my brother (Roddy) and sister-in-law (Colleen) were here visiting, we attempted to get a photo of the two cousins. But as you can see, neither Tia (my Shih Tzu) or Koda (their Beagle) were cooperating.

My brother tried to get them to face the camera. After many takes and retakes, this was the best shot we could manage. Ben Franklin seems to be taking it all in stride while Tia is having a bad hair day.This photo was taken in Smithfield, VA.

  

 

 

More Vintage Plates

Here are three more vintage plates which I purchased from the (now defunct) Victorian Tea Room in Pennsylvania. I had talked about the Tea Room in my 7.22.08 post.

I use these plates as a soap holder in my guest bathroom. I also use vintage tea cups as water glasses in the bathroom. By displaying the china in my bathroom, I get to enjoy them on a daily basis.

Have a Creative Day, Darlene

 

Vintage Vignettes

I like to create Vintage Vignettes in my home with items that have personal meaning.

The basket, and porcelain roses, in this photo once belonged to my grandmother.

I purchased the plates from a Victorian Tea Room in Pennsylvania. I used to love taking Afternoon Tea at this place. Sadly, the owners closed their business a few years later. After they closed, they held a special sale of their china, silverware and inventory. And I was lucky enough to purchase these plates.

The framed image of an Angel is actually the admission ticket from the day that we visited the Vatican.

I received the Victorian table from my friend's father a long time ago. And I picked up the doily at an Antique Shop.

Have a Creative Day, Darlene