{I Heart Faces} Anything But A Face

This week's photo challenge over on I Heart Faces is ironically - Anything But A FACE!!

This photo was from a recent photo shoot I did with my nephew. It was towards the end and I think he just wanted to get some cuddling time in with his mom. I'll show you the rest of the photos in a future post.

The guest judge this week is Michelle Moore. She's so cool! I just started reading her blog. I love how she really carved out a niche for herself with the seniors market. I don't think that's all too popular over here on the east coast but Senior Portraits (as in graduating high school) seems to be big in other parts of the country.

Love all these business savvy women!!

How's your week been so far?

{I Heart Faces} Fix It Friday #88

It's Friday again! This week went surprisingly fast considering my girls were off from school all week! They were definitely kept busy with sledding, playdates, seeing the Justin Bieber movie and going to The Met. On my end, I pretty much got nothing done and I'm exhausted to boot.

I did want to at least sneak in a Fix It Friday. I recently bought a Photoshop action set from Florabella so I thought I'd play around with that a bit.

Here goes...

Original shot - not mine (SOOC)

First edit - cropped, brightened the eyes, ran the Jane action and tweaked

Second edit - ran the B&W Film action on top of the Jane action and tweaked.

You can check out more edits over at the I Heart Faces site



So far the weekend is NP (no plans), but I'm sure I'll be waking up to many requests!!

Monday's almost here, right?!?

Finding Photographic Style

Last month I attended a workshop at B&H in the city called Finding Your Photographic Style. It was a great course given by David Brommer - the guy who runs the event space (yes - he's also a professional photographer!) We learned about different things to notice in your work - genre, attitude, technique to name a few.

I started analyzing my photos and definitely saw a pattern. I get most enjoyment from photographing children, I like a tight crop, lean towards black & white or muted colors, and in most of the photos, (or at least the ones I like best) the kids are NOT smiling.

During the course he mentioned your style may have evolved from your upbringing. Hmmm, no smiles. What did that mean? I didn't have a bad childhood and I don't hate my own kids, so why do I like moody photos? I'm definitely going to have to put more thought into this one!

As part of the workshop, we were invited back this month for a photo critique. I was so excited and so nervous at the same time! We were asked to e-mail 5 photos that we thought fit our style. I waited until the last day to e-mail them. Not because I'm such a last minute person (at least not in this case) but because that meant I was going to be judged. This was my first photo critique from someone I wasn't friends with or related to. A REAL photographer!!! I knew I had to do it though. It's part of the whole "putting myself out there" this year.

So, I dug through my photos, chose 5, wrote an e-mail and attached the pics and clicked SEND. There! It was done!! I survived - the first part at least.

These are the photos I submitted..

Yesterday was the actual live critique. 17 brave souls showed up to have our work analyzed. David went through each of our photos - had them up on a projector for the whole room to see and voice their opinions on. Since I submitted mine so late, I think I was number 15 or so.

As he went through everyone's photos, it just gave me more time to be nervous.! I was actually sweating, and that room is FRRREEZING!!!

How are my photos going to look so large?

Did I choose the right ones?

Will they secretly think I had a messed up childhood?

Am I just a mom with a camera?

At least I was focussed and not thinking about what I was going to cook for dinner!

It was my turn and I'm happy to say it was great! I got some really good feedback and even if I didn't, I was making it so much worse than it could have ever been. I even got an e-mail today from David with links of photographers he thought I should look at for inspiration. Talk about going the extra mile!!

I feel so fortunate that I discovered the amazing events at B&H. I really feel in the past 2 years since Ive been going to the workshops, I've learned so much and have grown as a photographer. And my wallet didn't even have to suffer in the process. They're all FREE workshops!!

I'm already signed up for a few events for March. Can't wait!

If you live in NY, have you been to any of the B&H events? Which ones are your favorites?

{I Heart Faces} Fix It Friday #87

How has your week been? Sorry I didn't have much time to blog this week. This was a bit of a crazy week - will fill you in on it next week. Next week my girls are off from school so I've got to start coming up with some fun activities for them. Eeeeek!!

In the meantime, here is this week's version of Fix It Friday.

The original shot - not mine:

My first edit I cropped and adjusted levels and sharpness

For the second edit which I like better, I did the same as the first edit and ran a Florabella action called B&W Blush. I then tweaked it by adjusting levels, color balance and sharpness.

Check out some others on IHeartFaces.com.




Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend?

{I Heart Faces} Fix It Friday #86

How has your week been? Mine was spent mostly in front of the computer. I am in the process of redesigning my blog as well as switching over to WordPress. I feel like my progress is so slow but I know I'll get there eventually!

I just took a break from my computer and watched an episode of Glee that was saved on my DVR from last Sunday. That show puts me in such a good mood! The songs are always great and the dance routines are amazing! They always look like they're having so much fun. Just what I needed to get me ready to tackle my blog again. I'm ready though!!

Before I get to my blog, I thought I would do this week's Fix It Friday edit from IHeartFaces.com.

Here's the original shot (not mine - SOOC)

This little one is so cute!! Definitely made it fun to do some editing.

My first edit is pretty straightforward - cropping and tackling the darkness by adjusting levels, and sharpness.

For my second edit, I ran the B&W Film action from Florabella and tweaked it with some color balance and also brightened up the eyes a bit. I really like how it almost has a denim feel to it.

Check out the other submissions at I Heart Faces.




We have some kid related activities this weekend and may do some baking for Valentine's Day.

What about you - anything fun planned?

{I Heart Faces} Hearts

IHeartFaces.com does a weekly photo challenge at the beginning of every week. Because of scheduling or the particular theme, I'm not always able to participate but this week I just decided to make the time.

The theme for this week is "Hearts". Seems pretty logical since Valentine's Day is just one week away. Which reminds me - Valentine's Day is only one week away!!

So, I had an idea in mind for a photo with a Heart theme but had to get my girls involved. This isn't as easy as it sounds. I just want them to do what I ask. Why is that so difficult?

Them: "Mama, I think we should pose like this"

Me: "No, I want you to pose like that!"

Them: "I don't want to wear my hair tied back"

Me: "It will only be for a minute."

Them: "Is dinner ready? I'm staaaarving!!"

Me: "Just let me take the picture!!!"

After all of that, this is what I ended up with. Not exactly what I planned but it is what it is.

Do you have anything special planned for Valentine's Day?

{I Heart Faces} Fix It Friday #85

Do you have anything fun planned for this weekend? Here in NYC it's supposed to snow again tomorrow. The snow hasn't bothered me so far. Not even this morning when I was trying to park my car and got stuck and had to ask my super to give me a push. I'd much rather have cold and snow than heat and humidity!!

This weekend my daughter has 2 more performances of Honk - one of them is even during the Super Bowl. No biggie for us since we're not a big sports family. If I was invited to a Super Bowl party, I would maybe go but just for the food and company - NOT to actually watch the game! Are you into the Super Bowl? What's your favorite game time snack?

My apartment is quiet now - the girls are in school and the hubbs is out and about in the city, so I have some time for a Fix It Friday. It's actually kind of relaxing when you're editing just for fun!

Here's this week's shot SOOC - and as usual NOT mine. I'm only here to edit!

My first edit - crop, adjust color balance, levels and sharpening.

Second edit I used B&W Beauty action from PW with some adjustments.

Check out some others on the I Heart Faces site.


Have a fun weekend!

{I Heart Faces} Fix It Friday #84

Wow! What a crazy week this has been. Much different than I thought it would be at the beginning of the week. I had hopes of a fun yet productive week ending in my daughter's show this weekend. Instead, since Monday night I've been in bed with the flu overdosing on Food Network shows. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE The Food Network, but I think I reached my limit.

Not to mention the blizzard we had - bad enough that they even closed the schools yesterday. My girls were thrilled to be home but that only meant a noisy apt for me. Not the best when you're trying to sleep all day.

I'm starting to feel a bit better - good enough to write this post!!

Here's my edit for this week's Fix It Friday from IHeartFaces.com

The original shot straight out of the camera (not mine)

My edited version:

Crop, B&W Beauty Action from PW Actions, level & sharpness adjustments.

Check out the others on I Heart Faces.




Have a great weekend!

{I Heart Faces} Fix It Friday #83

It's hard to believe we're already at the end of the week. Seems like each week goes faster and faster.

Today we woke up to a snowy morning here in NYC and of course the girls were hoping for school to be closed, but fortunately for me, 3 to 4 inches of snow doesn't call for school closings!!

I had a pocket of quiet time this morning so I thought I would get a jump start on this week's Fix It Friday.

Here is the original photo taken straight out of the camera (SOOC) As a reminder, this is not my photo, it's from a contributor over at the I Heart Faces site.

Here are my 2 edits - I cropped them both and lightened the background. I really wanted the focus to be on the boy and the rock I made a color version as well as black & white. I think I like the black & white one better. I usually do :)

To see more of the edits, check out the site by clicking on the link below.




Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?

FOCUS

I can't believe it's already 6 days into the new year. I hope your year is starting out well.

I know at this time of year it's always popular to make resolutions, but for me, I'm just not going to do it. I mean, how many times can I say "this year I want to be more organized, and I want to exercise at least 3 times a week". Every year I say it and every year it doesn't happen. Why should I set myself up for failure like that??

The truth is, I HATE to exercise! At least the formal type like going to a gym. I've tried classes, machines, nothing gets me going. I've even made it easy on myself because there's a gym where my little one goes to preschool. I'm there twice a day - once for dropoff and once for pickup. How easy would it be for me to just stay after I drop her off? Couldn't be any easier and I STILL don't do it! Now walking around the city for hours, that's another story. I can do that in a heartbeat!

As far as organizing goes, this is something I would still love to do but let's be real, my desk will ALWAYS have piles of paper on it. It's just the way it is.

Now as I've been reading through my favorite blogs these days, one thing I have noticed now is people are picking a word for the year. A word they want to try to live by. I thought about it and I think that's something I can do.

So, my word this year is FOCUS!!

I found myself a little (more like a lot) all over the place this year - my mind going in a million different directions and getting nowhere fast. Does that happen to you?

I have so many things that I'm interested in - photography, cake decorating, party planning, bookmaking, the list could go on and on. So, I decided I need to narrow my focus and see how that goes. I might as well try it out, right? So, this year I decided to focus on photography and blogging. Sure, I'll still dabble in those other things - I can't quite go cold turkey but the other 2 will be on my brain front and center.

It's a funny thing, this focus. As soon as I made that decision, different opportunities started opening up for me. Were they always there and I just hadn't noticed?? I will definitely fill you in as they develop.

What about you? Do you have a "word" this year or any special resolutions? Would love to hear them!

{I Heart Faces} Best Face Photo of 2010

Happy New Year! I wasn't intending on this to be my first post of the new year but there is a photo challenge going on at IHeartFaces.com and I need to get the entry in by Tuesday.

As you can see from the title, they are looking for your best face photo of the year. I really like this one that I took of my daughter. I especially like it in black and white.

This time the challenge is running a bit differently. They are opening up the voting to the public. So, if you want to vote for me, that would be great!! I will let you know when voting begins.

What are you doing to start your new year?

{I Heart Faces} Fix It Friday #81

Wow! I'm actually posting my Fix It Fridays edits on Friday! Must be a miracle!!

Here is the shot SOOC (not mine)

Here are my edits using CS4. I did two this time.

The first one I cropped slightly and adjusted the levels and vibrance but did it separately from the girl's jacket.

The second one I cropped more and ran the B&W Beauty action from The Pioneer Woman. I then selected the woman's jacket and adjusted the levels to get more detail.

Check out everyone else's edits by clicking on the I Heart Faces logo.

{I Heart Faces} Fix It Friday #80

Once again, my edits are coming on Saturday. I was at a really special event yesterday in the city and didn't get to it until now. I'll tell you all about the event this week as I go through my photos. I'm also going to have a little giveaway this week so definitely stay tuned!!

So, here's the shot from the Iheartfaces.com site straight out of the camera (not mine)

Here's my final edit:

To check out others, click on the Iheartfaces logo.




Have a great weekend!

{I Heart Faces} Fix It Friday #79

Just practicing some photo edits for Fix It Friday. Yes, I know it's Saturday! I was preparing for a holiday gift show I did today so I didn't get to it yesterday.

Here's the original photo SOOC (not mine)

Here's my edited version:

I cropped to a square, ran the Soft & Faded PW Action, sharpened a bit and added the border.

{I Heart Faces} Scenic Black & White

Check out the others at

{I Heart Faces} Fix It Friday #78

Here's my edit for this week's Fix It Friday over on I Heart Faces.

Original Photo: (not mine)

My edited version:

I adjusted the levels to lighten it up, changed the color of the background, adjusted the levels again on just the head area, ran the Boost action from PW Actions and then slightly sharpened.