Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Watercolor day

It’s nice to be quiet sometimes, and today I was actually feeling a little blue. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that every now and then.

But only every now and then.

Yesterday, I noticed that Pioneer Woman is hosting another photography assignment. This time, the subject is Flowers. I saw that two groups are already up and they are flat out fantastic. In fact, after looking at them, I wondered why I was even bothering to enter. And then I told myself to stop it.

You can only enter one photo each day. And I have hundreds upon hundreds of flower photos . . . no, wait . . . thousands upon thousands of flower photos in my files. Honestly, the thought of going through all of them and finding what I thought was my best work was rather daunting.  After I’d spent what I thought was enough time searching, I chose this one because I’ve always liked it.

And frankly, I was getting tired of looking.

FLOWERS DSC_0129 copy 2

I took this a couple of years ago in the early spring. It’s a tiny little blue vase full of grape hyacinths. The vase itself is only about 4-inches high and I like that the texture I added made the vase almost look like a watercolor.

I wish I could remember what I used.

DSC_0129 copy 0

Here’s the original, in case you’re interested.

: : :

And speaking of textures ~

For those of you who have been thinking about getting into the world of textures, Kim Klassen has a new e-course out and and it’s a FREE one. All you need to start is Photoshop CS or Photoshop Elements, a high speed internet connection, and the ability to unzip files. Visit the link below for more info.

Kim Klassen’s Learn Textures in Ten – A FREE e-course

I wish I had this when I was starting out. Check out her regular blog at the Café, where you can join up for her weekly e-mail newsletter and her freebies and special deals. I’ve acquired so many beautiful textures from her. And the ones she has for sale are reasonably priced.

Kim Klassen Café

Have a beautiful day, all.

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32 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

Both of those photos are lovely! Gorgeous blues. Grape hyacinths are always one of our first Texas spring wildflowers. Can't wait!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

I had no idea these were called grape hyacinths, I love them. Also enjoy looking at the before/after texture. One of these days I will dabble in it, and it's good to know there are tutorials out there. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, how small this world of the wide web is. Go look at the 'favorite' subject on Pioneer Woman's Flickr site. I had no idea it was yours and now that I do I am grinning, because out of the ones I peeked at this one really grabbed me. And I know how you feel about having thousands upon thousands of flower photos and why bother because PW gets about a million entries, well close at around 35 to 40 thousand comments everytime she does these contest. But you are right, You can't win or even get noticed if you don't enter and your photography is amazing and your writing style ain't too shabby neither.
peace n abundance,
CheyAnne
and good luck

Cloudia said...

Wise opening today :)





Thank you for your dear friendship here in the blog-world.


Please stop by today to share a special moment with me if you have the time. Warmly, c-
Comfort Spiral

><}}(°>

Char said...

:) you never know - i think you get noticed there a good bit and often are in the running. :)

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I just love the grape hyacinth with texture - gorgeous... good choice...and NOTE CARD worthy!

And you've reminded me to put these on the list for Spring... this old house has NO bulbed beauties yet -

Andi said...

That is an awesome picture! But from you I expect no less! I seriously need a macro lens!

Tammy said...

A beautiful picture to be sure - I love all your pics!!
Thank you for sharing about the free e-course, I'm gonna check it out. I just got a nikon dslr and am so excited, but there is a lot to learn and I've never had such a fancy camera. I love taking pictures, so it should be fun.

Lili said...

That, my dear is stunning! I immediately thought of your morning glories though before you shared this one with us. xo ~Lili

Deb said...

beautiful...

Dawning Inspiration said...

Thanks for sharing this Kate... need help with those textures! Love the watercolor...

Kim Klassen said...

hi Kate
oh my word! what a beautiful image....
and thank you for sharing my texture class with your readers... truly so kind...and appreciated...

your work is aMazing...

xxo, Kim

deborah said...

beautiful images! I'm especially fond of your morning glory photos, too

GailO said...

Love your hyacinth photo...the texture is perfect. And just the thought of spring makes me smile:)

I also love Kim Klassen's e-classes...she makes photoshop easier to understand in a non-stressful manner. I feel like I have learned a lot already...

Michelle said...

Thanks for the link to the free course; maybe I'll find the time to take and learn to use textures yet!

Skogkjerring said...

Unzip files?? What does that mean? Total novice here Kate!! The programs I could probably find with the help of the kiddos, maybe they can help me with the unzipping, or the Captain can do that...oooo lalala...hehehehe ;-)))

Gorgeous flower photo- good luck with the contest my friend!!
Hugs from Norway :-)

Country Girl said...

Amy, unzipping files is super simple and just involves clicking a button. At least, with Windows 7 which is what I'm using.

Thanks, all. We're having a snow day today and it's really coming down!

~ C.G.

Sarah said...

Beautiful photo. Love what you've done with it. I've been looking for your entry over at PW's site!

Ditto about Kim Klassen. I've joined her Photoshop Test Kitchen and am always learning something new and exciting. I looked at the Texture in 10 too - and wish I'd had it at the beginning too. Better late than never!

Good luck

Country Gal said...

Nice photos ! I myself dont use photoshop, hubby sometimes does he has all of it and then some tutorials and what not and is good at it, but for me I like my photos as they are your eye doesnt touch up the natural sight of the subject so I dont touch up my photos, but I can appreciate the hard work people put in their photos with photoshop ! I myself have thousands of flower shots, I made a portfolio of all my best photos it was fun to do !Have a wonderful day

tj said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
tj said...

...I can't get over how you can take an already awesome photo and turn it into something even more awesomer! The revised photo is just, well, AWESOME! :o)

...I can't wait until I can get a new camera and photoshop. I love this texture thing and can't wait to learn it and use it someday.

...Btw Kate, have you heard of this website where they take your blog and turn it into book form? I thought of your lovely blog and all its beautiful photos in a book and well, that would be, here we go again - awesome!
Here's the linky: http://blog2print.sharedbook.com/blogworld/printmyblog/index.html

...Blessings girl... :o)

tj said...

...Yeah, that was me up there deleting my first comment, I wasn't sure the link I put there was correct. But it is. :o)

...Here's hoping the blues are gone and that today is a bright, sunshiney day for you! (((hug)))

thotlady said...

Nice texture. I too like the way the vase appears with the texture added.

Som mine dager er said...

Oh oh ... I need to check out Kim Klassen e-course. I've always wanted to learn more about textures, but not been able to figure it out myself. Thanks for sharing, Kate.

And you really should enter PW's photo assignment, cause your pics are truly truly gorgeous. I like the grape hyacinth photo, so good luck to you.

Blue days come and go. We just have to live with that.

Love Marit

Talia said...

The color is stunning. Truly, you are so gifted. NEVER doubt your talent.

Hugs!

Kerri Farley said...

A Beautiful image ... the texture you used was perfect for it! Hope your "blues" win!

Mental P Mama said...

My favorite colored flower.....get in the car and come on up!

The JR said...

You are talented enough to win any contest.

Great pic.

Unknown said...

I posted some tropical flowers from our trip to Cuba last year. Needed some bloom distraction.
I would be afraid just to look at the entries at PW site.
I actually love the original of your photo.

I don't have photoshop or anything . yet. :)

suppose to be working on the writer thing and all that.

Carolynn Anctil said...

I like it. It's a winner in my books. Pioneer Woman may be the one judging her own contest, but she is not the only with good taste, honey.

Mary said...

Geez,
I
Always miss those contests! I think your entry is beautiful!

Off to go enter now... :)

Lisa said...

How stunning.