Do you have an inner voice?

  Recent events in my life are requiring some minor adjustments - like typing with one hand and learning how to not be so difficult with others helping out. Even some of the simplest tasks now constitute the entire day's objective.   I have made an effort with this blog to not involve many personal details of my life ...so here are just the basics. Surgery Friday... left hand...  elevated...stitches out next Tues...cast on for 2 wks....then  therapy.
   At 4:00 this morning I found myself not sleeping so I ended up editing photos. (yes - one handed)  Last fall we were in Heber Valley and I got some great  early morning shots of cows in a field- with mist/fog.   Usually you would never shoot directly at the sun - but the haze was so thick I decided it would work. So while I couldn't  sleep I went back to edit "cows #3" .
   Some time ago I dreamed that I only had a short time left, and woke in a panic that I had never painted the murals I had always wanted to paint.  I think most of us have an inner voice that urges  us on to do things that then get repeatedly pushed aside because we can't seem to break out of that cycle of overloading our "to do list" .  Moral of todays' ramblings -  go ahead and give yourself permission sometime this week to listen to you inner voice and do something amazing.  ( the cow print just came back - sometimes it works to break the rules and sometimes it does not!)

Inverted Reflections

In the previous post I realized that as a precious family photo is restored - care must be taken in the process as to not lose some of  the aesthetic antique quality that most would prefer to maintain in the end product.  With photo editing software one can also "grunge" up a newer looking image.  The image in this post  was shot in B/W mode, then manipulated to achieve a more distressed infrared appearance.  Changes applied to images are virtually limitless - still further blurring the line between the true classic photographer and a media design artist.

Photo restoration projects

Before    




               &  After











I have neglected the blog postings for the last month while working on a big restoration project.  This photo illustrates what can be done with your family history photos.  There are many applications that can be edited into your old treasures.  Contrast can be amplified and glue marks taken out, missing corners, edges, and horizons that are off kilter can also be fixed. The color and tone can also be customized to your personal preference. The original size of the above image was less than a 5x7 - but with high quality scanning and editing and printing, this will make a lovely 8 X10.  

To restore your photo with similar damage the cost could vary from  $20.00 to $35.00.     Click on contact info. to email me for additional information on submitting your  photos or digital files to me. 

Spring where art thou

   Above photo is a shot of the road heading out to the east entrance of Zions....  I suppose even the beautiful red rocks of southern Utah can look good with a little dusting of snow.

Good Manners for a Wedding Shoot

Just a few important points to remember when shooting a wedding ceremony, that have nothing to do with lighting or composition or ISO setting.
WHERE IS YOUR GOOD SENSE !
1- Your are not there to be part of the event. You are supposed to be as invisible as possible.
2- Never forget the first rule if you have been requested to shoot during the ceremony.
Sometimes the Bride might need a reminder that a wedding is real, it is life, and to experience it completely, without a photographer stepping into the middle of it, shooting away, or blocking the view of others with all the light boxes and other equipment and an assistant in tow, vying  for space with the flower girls.
3- Sure you want to build your portfolio, but do it on your own time.  You have not been hired to disrupt their special day because you want 500 shots to edit - when 75 really  good ones that never need a bit of editing would be far better.  
    If you want a shot that looks like you are right up there with the pastor, minister or judge....just invest in a good zoom lens on a second camera, and help bring back some sacredness to the event.
   Wow,  I feel so much better now that I got that off my chest.
By the way....I was so happy with the photographer we hired for the last wedding I paid for... she was absolutely great!