Life...As I See It

13 Weeks of 2009 Project Gratitude 

52 Weeks...52 Photos...52 Blessings

Week 17: Alec and Alyssa's love and enthusiasm for learning

Week 18: Creative educators

Week 19: Being mom

Week 20: Running is a family thing

Week 21: Alec learning to play the sax

Week 22: Running a race with Alyssa

Week 23: A new job

Week 24: Alyssa's determination

Week 25: Having a son

Week 26: Summer break

Week 27: Good books

Week 28: Freedom

Week 30: 16 Years

To see more Thursday Thirteen participants click here > Thursday 13

After completing Jessica Sprague's Photo Editing: Fame Ups and Special Effects I decided to take Photo Editing: Good to Great Workflow.

Just like the first class Jessica didn't disappoint. I've been wanting to take a PSE class forever, but with my life lately finding the time seemed impossible. But, with a self paced format and videos that are available to me forever (love that) this class was so doable. No, this isn't an ad. I'm just a very pleased customer :) 

I'm still practicing and playing with the workflow. This is my latest from start to finish with almost all lessons included:

What did I learn? What immediately comes to mind is that I love editing with Adobe Camera Raw. Feels like I have more control. Also, sharpening and saving for printing and sharpening and saving for web. Makes a big difference.

Can you tell I loved this class? Yes, I've signed up for another one of Jessica's classes, Brush Abilities.

In honor of our 16th anniversary...

13 Photos of Chad and Jill

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. ~Mignon McLaughlin

Celebrating July 24, 1993

doing more with photoshop

A few more class projects from Photo Editing: Frame Ups and Special Effects

Day 10: Project

Day 11: Selective Coloring

Day 12: Storyboards (this was not only learning how to use storyboards but also how to create your own!)

Day 13: Final Project

Favorites of DC

13 favorites of our trip to Washington D.C.

The Supreme Court. Just thinking about what happens in this building is amazing.

So much to see and do.

Awesome routes for morning runs.

The Vietnam Memorial. The stories that are told and the history that is shared.

The Metro. The excitement of new experiences for Alec and Alyssa.

Arlington National Cemetery is breathtaking.

Love the fact that flags are flying everywhere in the city.

Being in the heart of the past, present and future of our country.

Family.

And my favorite of the whole trip. The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Hundreds of photos taken. So many more I could share as favorites.

More Thursday 13 here.

Photo Editing: Frame Ups and Special Effects

It's good to be home!

It's taken a few days but I finally feel like things have settled and we're back into our daily routine after returning from our family vacation in Washington D.C. 

I have my photos down to 250 to choose from, edit, order and use for our Washington D.C. vacation album. 

Being home has also meant catching up on Jessica Sprague's photo editing class (link in the sidebar to the right)...

Little by little in the last few days I've played with type, textures, clipping masks, blending modes and more. Some of the techniques and tools I'm familiar with but I haven't watched a tutorial yet that hasn't taught me something new. I've already decided on my next JS class. So cool!

A few examples...

Day 4: Clipping Mask and Day 8: Type

Day 5: Textures

Day 8: Type 

Day 9: Edge Burn

Today, playing with Day 10 and a little more editing photos from our trip. I think I've just decided on my Thursday 13 for tomorrow :)

Thursday Thirteen

Inspired by...

13 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was 20

1. the power of a positive attitude
2. your really are "what you eat"  
3. how much I would love running 
4. appreciate the little things 
5. wear sunscreen 
6. set goals  
7. people can be trusted (not all, but probably most)
8. how much I would enjoy being creative 
9. appreciate the little things in life 
10. not to be so hard on myself  
11. the things that seemed so important at the time probably aren't  
12. have confidence in myself  
13. I will have a passion for anything and everything photography 

More T13 can be seen here Thursday 13