Double Creativity

too long...

2011-03-07T03:27:00.000-08:00

This site have been dead for too long! I'm going to revive it soon! I have been cooking up new actions (in my head) and new stuff! A new look will be coming too! Check back soon!

I do realize that all the links for my actions aren't working. I hope to get them all up soon!

dis·sat·is·fied

2010-06-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

DISSATISFIED

dis·sat·is·fied (ds-sts-fd) adj.

Feeling or exhibiting a lack of contentment or satisfaction.

That pretty much sums up how I feel now. To me, being discontent was akin to ingratitude. If you were grateful for what you had you would be satisfied.

But my discontentment stems from something else. I am not happy with where I am in photography. There are always new things to learn. And not enough time. Or maybe I just do not make the time for it. Work has a large role in my life. So does church, family and friends (not in that order). Music also take a (small) role. So where does that leave photography?

Recently, while I was on a holiday with my family, I was all fired up with the gorgeously rustic, old houses I saw! I saw lots of inspiration...until I looked at my models (family, duh) and the clothes they wore. I killed my inspiration. They were dressed in the most grubby clothes they could bring along.

I then concentrated on flowers. Hence the picture on top.

One thing I learned? Never be content where you are in photography. Discontent will make you create better pictures.

Playing with textures....

2010-05-23T22:06:00.000-07:00

Too much textures can be a nice touch. Play around. Here are some links for FREE textures that you will love.

Lost and Taken
Alin B. Textures
ShadowHouse Creations

But go and search up more, there are tons of free textures out there. Just follow their regulations.

Trying out something new...

2010-05-23T21:01:00.000-07:00

Roll your mouse over the picture to see the before and after!

Life has been crazy around. My picture folder for May 2010 has been curiously empty. I need to do something about it. :D

Well, since life busy, I need to sign off here...

"I Am Your Creation

2010-02-23T07:35:00.000-08:00

"I am Your Creation"

{Ron Hamilton}

"The heavens show the genius of
Your master skill;
The earth displays the beauty of
Your perfect will.
What precision is displayed,
In this vast world You have made.
How can I, a child of dust,
Deserve the love of Your touch?

Chorus:
You formed me in my mother's womb,
According to Your plan;
You made each tiny finger,
And You made each little hand.
I am Your Creation;
You shaped each hidden part.
And this shall be my greatest joy-
To praise You.....
From my heart.

Some things about my life
I cannot understand,
But still I trust the wisdom
Of Your master plan.
Though the way I cannot see,
Though my path confuses me,
I will trust what You've begun;
Your work of love is not done."

.an old picture.

2010-02-10T23:33:00.000-08:00

Texture Fun

2010-02-08T08:00:00.001-08:00

It is amazing what a texture like this can do to a plain picture. I just pulled it over and changed the blending mode to Overlay 100%.

A new action!!!

2010-02-07T06:19:00.000-08:00

Well people, I have created a new action! It is actually VERY simple. I have named it Misty Pink. It works best with flower pictures. Download it here. Tell me if you like it!

Get out of that rut!!!

2010-02-03T17:35:00.002-08:00

I have (so sadly) fallen into a rut. A boring rut, that is. I have been so set on capturing 'proper' pictures that I have forgotten that how to capture spontaneous moments.

I'm stuck.

I need to get out of it. Please tell me how.

I am not the 'get that picture technically correct' sort of person. According to to my personality results, I don't pay attention to details. And its true. I don't. That's what pulls me down.

I can remember all about the sun...and to avoid the harsh rays. But when I get caught up with shooting pictures, I only realize it later. But at least its not uncorrectable.

Before I go, I leave you with a tip: when you go on photoshoots, wear good shoes. It protects. Your feet. And your feet will thank you. Trust me, I learned that the hard way.

A good post to read...

2010-01-20T18:16:00.000-08:00

Alyssa Welch is a wonderful photographer. Read an article by her here...

Photos from your head? Or heart?

2010-01-04T22:47:00.000-08:00

Coming up next (when I have time)...an article.

Before and After

2009-12-02T22:04:00.000-08:00

I wanted to edit pictures last night so I made time to come home early to do just that. After looking at tons of pictures, I decided to concentrate on one folder.

And to make it 'better' I only used textures. Here's my favorite:
This was just a normal snapshot. It was taken with a P & S. The car was moving as I took this picture. And honestly, I would have deleted this picture from the folder if it was not for this and this. It saved this picture. GO AND DOWNLOAD THESE FREE TEXTURE PACKS!!! See what textures can do to your pictures?

Now, before I leave, don't forget this!

Feeling stagnant...

2009-12-01T04:23:00.000-08:00

I feel stagnant now. Sort of like having my creativity stuck and not moving an inch. The problem is, I have no time to pick up the camera and take 'nice' pictures. But I will...someday.

****don't bother about the random picture above....I thought it was interesting****

Camera bodies.

2009-10-26T06:59:00.000-07:00

How many camera bodies have you gone through? I have gone through the route most first-time Rebel users go though. I started with a Canon Rebel. Sweet. Easy. But it was silver in color.

I had someone telling me to get a camera that was black. More 'professional'. Ha.

Then I sold it a year later. Bought a second-hand 30D from fredmiranda.com. Used it for less than a year.

Sold it. Bought a 40D.

No, I'm not fickle. I just wanted to sell my camera bodies before the value dropped too low. It worked. A little.

BTW, I like periods. You know, the little dot. Dot. Dot

Back to the subject.

I went through a few lens as well. Cheapo lens. The first was the normal 18-55mm. I actually took some nice pictures with it. Can you believe it?

Then whilst walking along a row of camera shops, I bought a 75-300mm. I liked the bokeh that came from is. BUT, it was a terror in low light.

I sold it later. Then I got a 50mm. Loved it. Still love it. At certain times. Now a have a 'cheap' 2.8. Still concluding.

But I have to say, with each body and lens, I took some pretty nice pictures with it.

So, like what they always say, "It's not the camera (or lens) but the person behind it."

Little brothers and Photoshop

2009-10-08T02:55:00.000-07:00

What happens when you send your little (or not so little) brother a picture you took and said, "Go edit this."? He replies with the brightest answer,"How?"

He comes up with this:

SOOC:

Edited:

Bam, right?

Playing with textures

2009-10-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

Go ahead and play around with textures...its fun! And oh, if any body wants to get me this texture pack, I'll be eternally grateful (just kidding ;))

Update

2009-09-12T02:06:00.000-07:00

It has been some time since my last post and it was left hanging. Well, my excuse is that I've been very busy with work.

For the news, to make it simple, I'm now going to post on other stuff as well photography. After a while it gets rather dull for some.

I would post pictures....when I have the inspiration... :)

Changes...

2009-07-30T05:45:00.000-07:00

There will be some changes to this blog soon. Stay tuned to see what happens.

*Just for fun, check out http://www.shabbyblogs.com and see what they have to offer- FREE!*

People visit and no comments?

2009-06-30T04:51:00.000-07:00

I have 105 visitors and no comments. Not a single one. That makes me sad. Please comment if you have visit a few times. It will bring a BIG smile to my face. Thanks! :D

A letter

2009-06-30T04:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Camera,

I don’t know how long a time I will spend with you. To me every camera after my first DSLR doesn’t match up to her. She was a wonder. To my untrained eyes then. It made me unsatisfied with each new camera I got. I had to take pictures that were better than the first but it seemed like I couldn’t get it ‘just right’.

I have learned that there is no such thing as ‘just right. Even a ‘spoiled’ can turn out to look like a masterpiece. You have yet to come a long way to match up to my first camera whom I shall now dub as ‘Precious’. I hope she is happy with her new owner. Her owner of more than a year already BUT I’ll never know if he sold her.

But I’m happy with you now…you seem rather sturdy-not exactly pretty but just plain sturdy. That’s good. Plain and simple. But please, tell your boss, Canon to make you a little lighter. Obese babies aren’t in the running.

For now, I’m happy with you. But I think we are both still on probation.

Love,

Your owner.

Just one picture...

2009-06-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

Picking apart my picture

2009-06-01T04:51:00.000-07:00

I don't know if I mentally take apart my pictures at times. Honestly, I don't think I'm the sort. If I took a picture which I didn't like, I would just delete it off the hard drive. I am not the sort that would try to figure why I didn't like it.

But for a change, I'll take apart a picture which I took and edited.

But here are some facts which you should know about the pic:

*The timing of the pic was in the late afternoon (after 6pm).
*I'm using a 50mm
*I rested my camera on a rock to take the pic because my hands aren't too steady.

Okie, now to it:

*The picture is too messy.
*The wrong subject is focused.
*Overall, its too messy.

Okay, that's what I think. See, I told you I don't know how to take apart my pictures!

And by the way, does anyone even read my blog??? Just thought to ask. :)

Are you taking pictures worth seeing?

2009-04-07T23:03:00.001-07:00

Now, tell the truth, do you look at some people's pictures and silently grimace? I know I do that sometimes. It's sorta like a pet peeve to see blur and under/over exposed pictures on blogs or websites. I know a lot matters on the camera, BUT it is also the photographer. It is sometimes an eyesore to look at blur pictures.

I do not believe what people say about 'there are no bad pictures' quite untrue, actually. I personally skip most blogs which pictures strain my eyes.

So, the root of the matter to take pictures worth seeing- it plays a big part.

Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Photographer

2009-04-01T23:34:00.000-07:00

PHOTOGRAPHER. Everyone can claim to be a photographer nowadays (professional or not). With a point-and-shoot (P&S) in their hands, they call themselves a photographer or a 'photographer-wannabe'. I myself shy away from calling myself a photographer/semipro-photographer. Having a SLR in my hands and a small portfolio in my HD doesn't make me a photographer. No matter how 'good' I am, there are always people TONS better than I.

After pondering about attitudes that photographers should have, I have come up with point(ers).

1. Be humble. (You will learn NOTHING by being proud. In fact, you won't learn anything in life by being proud. Accept tips from friends, family and even total strangers, you can learn plenty from them. Don't be offended by criticism- learn from it!)

2. Never stop learning. (The key is never. If you get to the point where you think you are satisfied with you head knowledge, you have read a dead end. Watch it, you photos in time will grow stale. Ignore the tiny voice which whispers, "You know enough...leave it.")

3. Look. (Notice I didn't say "read"? That's because I don't believe you have to read up photography books to become a better photographer. For me, I don't really read photography books. I LOOK at the pictures inside the book. Seriously, I learn more from studying the way the photo is taken than reading big words and numbers. To be honest, I don't know a quarter of the gooblygook of photography language. I use my eye and sense...of course, simple stuff like aperture, shutter speed...etc is known to me. Book knowledge doesn't give you a creative edge or an x-factor.

4. Be patient. (Ohhh...that is something you HAVE to be. Being uptight equals stiff pictures. Be patient and you produce wonderful photos. Be relaxed. Enjoy your time.

Having covered just some thoughts, I'll step into the unknown path and write in simple point form how I learned how to take better portrait photos.

1. Be a people person. Are you someone comfortable to be with? Some people are shy in front of the camera...you job is to 'un-shy' (I know, there's no such word) them. Also, if you take photos of kids, you have to get down to their level. Kids can sense if you are afraid of them...must be sixth sense or something. Don't treat them like glass. They're not.

2. Listen to what suggestions your clients and/or friends might have. (As for family, even you don't want to listen, you have to :)). Don't be the ultimate 'god' and 'I know best' about photography. It turns people off.

3. Composition. Rule of thirds, remember? But sometimes rules are meant to be broken. Try it. Break out of your mould.

4. Take 5 or more. Ever heard the saying- "Safety in numbers"? That doesn't only apply to people in groups or such. Take five or more shots of the same pose. There's always a chance of an out-of-focus photo or an overexposed photo. Don't give why to chance. The only thing you have to lose is HD space.

5. Take minor details. Take 'artistic' shots of their hands...or maybe just their eyes. Do they play a 'portable' instrument (violin, cello, trumpet, flute etc…), of so, as them to bring it along. I'm sure they won't mind playing while you take photos of them. Just remember to bring ear plugs.

6. It doesn't really matter what camera you use. It's the person behind the camera, not the camera that 'makes' the photo. True, but please don't expect you $300 P&S camera to take $1200 pictures. It just doesn't work that way. If you are really serious about photography, save up, buy an entry level or used SLR and be amazed at the difference, trust me. Why buy a $900 SLR-like P&S when for just two hundred or more you can buy a new SLR. Or better still, start off on a used (older model) SLR which you can buy for just $250 (body only) there are tons of people out there wanting to sell their old SLR's.

7.Edit. I once believed that editing photos was really cheating. That was before I found the beauty of Photoshop. No, Photoshop is not 'fake' or 'lying' its enhancing. :) A non-edited photo is nice...until you edit it; it becomes "wow". I don't encourage just 'snapping' a shot because- "I can always edit it later"; get it right on the camera first and make it look eye popping later. One rule: DO NOT OVERDO IT. Do not make your photo look like a painting unless that was your final goal.
"Less is always more"

And one more last thing: experiment. Try new thing, check out the different functions in your camera. Try new angles. Try different modes. PRACTICE AND EXPERIMENT.

That's the end of my article. Now, go out and take better photos. Capture tomorrow’s memories.

Set 2 Out!

2009-03-25T22:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, after working hard yesterday night, I present to you Tori's Actions Set 2. REMEMBER, these actions will require you to adjust the opacity of the layers. It's simple really. Now, on to the actions.

SOOC

Lights On

Bright Nature
(it might not seem that there is much difference between Lights On and Bright Nature, but there is...some.)

Positive Slides

Ocean Blue (I just love this, it's so...blue!)

Faded

Sea Water

And more inside Set 2. Download it and try out!

Back...with more actions...

2009-03-24T20:25:00.000-07:00

After taking a break, I am back with more actions! But before the link is given for the actions, let me tell you something about them. After using actions for sometime, I have learned that any actions doesn't work with any picture. Got that?

A wonderful action that works with a pretty nature photo doesn't always go with a portrait picture. BUT, one action that almost always works is a 'boost' action. Like this...Uppity is a 'tinny' boost action. You can hardly see a BIG difference but it is there. Try it! It gives your picture a little life!

Purple's Pink is one of my favorite! It gives it a nice pinkish look. See!

Scratch that out. I think Chinese New Year is my favorite!

90's Vintage Winter Dreams

And the last: Blueberry Cheesecake!

Oh, the most important thing- the download link!

Click HERE!

Try it all out and experiment! Tell me what you think.

Free Backgrounds!

2009-02-08T05:58:00.000-08:00

The difference

2008-12-05T07:23:00.000-08:00

I edited this picture using my action (Colop POP) and an action which I totally like! Memory Lane by Aly's Vintage. It is a free download from atncentral.com.

The direct link to download is HERE.

This action turns you very ordinary picture into something...WOW!

Go enjoy!

Signing off,

Black and White

2008-12-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

Here's another action! I think converting your picture to black and white is the most common editing around. Also, there are tons of different ways to convert your picture into B&W. This is one of my ways to convert. I use Gradient Map to convert. So, enjoy my action!

Download Here!

Signing off,

To kick of...

2008-12-04T09:04:00.001-08:00

Here's an action...a totally normal name for a colorful action.

I present:

Color POP!
(Below are samples of what this action does)

And the most important part, the link!

Download HERE!

Signing off,

Actions for Photoshop....free...

2008-12-04T08:49:00.000-08:00

Here, I create actions using Photoshop CS3 and you can download for free!

Why free? Well, because I like finding free stuff to use and I am sure there are hundreds (if not thousands) of people who like free stuff as well, right?

So, check back here often and see what's new!

Signing off,