Monday, April 14, 2008

Puttin' it to the test...

Lunch blogging today! It's my BIRTHDAY today - whooHOO! It's possible that I have been goofing off a *little*... heh heh...

Did you visit the Pioneer Woman's Blog this past weekend? Are you still over there, reading about Ree, her four "punks", and life on the ranch? Did you try the Marlboro Man Sandwich???

I had a busy weekend - we had Mad's swim party Saturday night, so there was LOTS of GIGGLY GIRLS at the pool! I didn't want to bring my big "fancy" camera, so I made do with my Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 point and shoot. It gets the job done, baby! And I love the 12x zoom! Off topic a bit, but since I bought my Canon 30D, I have really come to appreciate all the "bells and whistles" that are on this Sony point and shoot. I wasn't really using this little camera up to it's full potential! Now that I know a little bit about photography (lots to learn still, lol) I am glad that my P&S camera has some creative modes and settings to work with...

ANYHOW... I wanted to mess around with the Pioneer Woman Action Set, so here are some more "real life" examples of how these can help you out in photoshop.

Here is my SOOC shot of the girls at the pool - yeppers, that is the unflattering, dull indoor swimming pool lighting. Nice, huh? Notsomuch. It probably wouldn't have been so bad, but it was a cloudy and gloomy and snowy stretch of weather we have been in.

Here is my edited version, cropped just a smidge, and applied the Pioneer Woman Fresh and Colorful action. Very subtle, but very nice color improvement. Not too much...JUST RIGHT.



And for another play - here is the same photo, with the same Fresh and Colorful action, PLUS the Pioneer Woman Boost action applied over top of that, and then finally the Quick Edge Burn action. See how the Boost action gives it even more vivid color saturation? I like it. A LOT! And the Quick Edge Burn makes the "busy" background seem to disappear, and the focus is on the subjects.



What do you think? I think I will have a *LOT* of fun playing with these actions, in lots of different combinations! Thanks Pioneer Woman, for this great set!

Hope you all are having a FABULOUS DAY!

8 comments:

DawnMarch said...

The photos look great! Aren't actions fun?! I tend to edit everything these days in camera raw, so I don't play with them much anymore, but it's always fun to see how they can transform a photo! Cute shot, but the way and great when punched up a bit.

movefearlessly said...

that's amazing - thanks for the tips. i'm heading over to grab some actions now. HAPPY BIRTHDAY - and your blog IS fabulous! :)

Kathy said...

First off, Happy, happy birthday to you.
second, your comment on my blog , Blossoms with the teens, cracked me up.
Third, I love Pioneer Woman's blog but haven't been there lately so I think I will head over there. Thanks for the heads up.
Fourthly, cute, cute photo.

Anonymous said...

First, Happy Birthday!!

And wow, those photos are fantastic - I love Pioneer Woman's tips and helps.

Stefanie Staniak said...

Okay, your job at retreat is to be the professional photographer !! :) Maybe we should invite the Pioneer woman with us - she could probably use a break too !
Happy, Happy Birthday Sweetie! I hope your enjoying yourself.

Bevie Pearl said...

OMG are you one amazing camera girl.
Happy Birthday Fab!!
((((((((HUGS))))))

Heather McNally and Melissa MacDonald said...

Hi Fabbie!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Happy Birthday MONTH!!!!! Your pics - FANTASTIC WORK!!!!!!!!

Pam said...

Love what you're doing with your pic's Fabby, they are amazing!!