Playing in Lightroom and some self portraits

photogmomma · April 4, 2007

I've been trying to expand myself a lot lately. Not sure it's working, but I've had fun - and that's important, too!

As a side note, the processing for all photos was done in Lightroom - and that's what I'd love the most commenting on. Also, I'd love feedback on my two color shots. Do they look right or is there a color cast as I keep seeing?

Here are some shots I've taken lately. I know the first one isn't a "people", but I'm sneaking it in since it's my daughter's dragonfly wings.

My girls in front of the coolest door here in Crested Butte! (Okay, one of the many coolest doors.)

I've also started a self portrait a day project after seeing someone else doing it here on DGrin. (You know who you are

- feel free to share yours, too.) She has some amazing photos and it just seemed so cool.... So I've been doing it. I LOVE doing it! It's hard for so many reasons, but I've also expanded what I'll try to do and it's definitely made me grow as a photographer in the short time I've done it. You can see the rest here: http://www.tippiepics.com/selfportrait (in reverse order)

My two favorites right now:

While this certainly isn't the most flattering photo of me, I love that I took this random snapshot and got both girls looking at the camera! Shocker! I had no clue it was even remotely decent until I downloaded it. Fun.

This is one of my favorites because I came up with this idea that morning and it turned out like I had planned. That's always fun.

CC is ALWAYS welcome on any of my photos... Please let me know what you think.

Thanks for looking!

System · April 5, 2007

one thing about sp's: you can have a willing and available subject who will usually do whatever you request-

well, maybe that's three things-

really enjoyed these photos-

love yours and the girls' expressions; great!-

and the hair one's cool-

dogwood · April 5, 2007

Beautiful! I love these as portraits!

I don't quite get the last photo though

gmonkeh · April 5, 2007

I love the contrast in colors and texture in the second shot. Great job.

Lex

gus · April 5, 2007

I certainly dont wish this to sound patronising as its the last thing im trying to convey ...but... i cannot believe the improvement im seeing in your work lately.

Jeff Fillmore · April 5, 2007

The shots of the girls are nice but I really like the last one. Would make a nice B&W too.

thebigsky · April 5, 2007

I love the little girl portraits, you've caught them beautifully, well done.

Charlie

W00DY · April 5, 2007

gdad wrote:

The shots of the girls are nice but I really like the last one. Would make a nice B&W too.

Can you show us a B&W version?

photogmomma · April 5, 2007

gefillmore wrote:

one thing about sp's: you can have a willing and available subject who will usually do whatever you request-

well, maybe that's three things-

really enjoyed these photos-

love yours and the girls' expressions; great!-

and the hair one's cool-

Thanks so much! It's amazing what my subject is willing to put up with.... If only she wasn't so grumpy all the time! Prima donna....

Thanks for the comments!

Beautiful! I love these as portraits!

I don't quite get the last photo though

Thanks a lot! The last photo makes more sense if you understand two things - I was VERY tired that morning and I also had a theme going - and that day was indigo. I woke and thought, "I am so tired - maybe a shot of me looking tired? How? Not my face - that's way TOO tired! With my jeans? Indigo jeans?" Anyway, you get the idea.... I wanted all natural light with more punch in the color without overdoing it. Just a portrait that turned out like I planned, which is always fun....

I love the contrast in colors and texture in the second shot. Great job.

Lex

Thanks, Lex!!

I certainly dont wish this to sound patronising as its the last thing im trying to convey ...but... i cannot believe the improvement im seeing in your work lately.

:cry Waaah! I used to suck!

Heh, seriously, thank you. Actually, I feel like I've been in a HUGE slump until relatively recently. I look back at photos I was taking last year and am really happy with them and have been trying to get back to that point.... I think starting the self portrait project has been pretty liberating for me and forced me to try a lot of different things and has freed up my creativity a lot. Hopefully it sticks!

Thanks again! I really do appreciate it.

The shots of the girls are nice but I really like the last one. Would make a nice B&W too.

Thanks, Gdad! I actually have another version of this photo I did in B&W for my avatar for a while. I was pleased with that, too, but since color is much harder for me and I was so happy with it in this photo, I stuck with it. Thanks again!

I love the little girl portraits, you've caught them beautifully, well done.

Charlie

Charlie, thanks so much! They do make it easy since they are so darn cute, though...

Can you show us a B&W version?

Thanks! I hope you don't mind me posting two. The conversion of the above photo turned out good in B&W, but I felt the second one had more interest in it after conversion. I do like the asymmetry of the original better, but felt it didn't have enough punch to it in B&W. You?

But I think this one did capture my mood better. I look tired here and...

really depressed here. LMAO!

Thanks to all!

Elaine · April 5, 2007

I just love that self portrait with your girls!!! The expressions are all great, the colors are great...it's just a ton of fun! Well done and good for you for taking on the portrait-a-day idea. Sounds like a good challenge on so many levels. Keep it up!

Elaine

Tessa HD · April 5, 2007

andi,
i liked looking at your pics and gallery. i love to see your excitement and creativity - it's motivating. sorry, don't know lightroom, but your pics look great!

Tessa

saurora · April 5, 2007

Andi, I love your SP with the kids! Really awesome! I love your other shots as well. I have been following the 'other' Dgrinner's Sps as well. Very fun project and as photographers, "we" are rarely in the shots. I think down the road this will make an awesome gift to your children someday.

Swartzy · April 5, 2007

Cool stuff Andie
Lots of creativity here and love the processing. Way to stretch out! :ivar

wxwax · April 5, 2007

This is a wonderful image. The sheer joy in the faces, the composition, the color... it all works terrifically.

photogmomma · April 5, 2007

Thanks so much, all! Wow! I really appreciate the kind words....

I'm still shocked that the snapshot of the three of us turned out so well. and pleased, too!

Thanks again!

System · April 6, 2007

wxwax wrote:

This is a wonderful image. The sheer joy in the faces, the composition, the color... it all works terrifically.

I keep coming back to this photo-

I agree with sid, just a wonderful image-

photogmomma · April 6, 2007

gefillmore wrote:

I keep coming back to this photo-

I agree with sid, just a wonderful image-

Thank you so much!

gus · April 6, 2007

gefillmore wrote:

I keep coming back to this photo-

I agree with sid, just a wonderful image-

Yeah i keep looking at it also...its just got something, it really has. The tones boost it so well & the expressions. That is a really great photo.

DavidS · April 6, 2007

Wonderful shots. I agree with everyone else on the shot with you and the girls. I especially like the expression of your oldest daughter in that picture.

Playing in Lightroom and some self portraits

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