Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Fight Class

Tonight Fight Class begins.  This is my 3rd year doing this and I’m still both nervous and excited about going. 

Check out my post from last year: 

Ready to Rumble!

 DSC_5611

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Legacy

I recently had the chance to visit my fraternal grandparents in Ohio.  They have been married an incredible 71 years!  They still live together, alone, in the house that they built 50 years ago. 

kianagoldiearchie081210DSC_2064 

I just found out that they went here on their first date.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Scary Crevice of Doom

Tonight Miss Munchkin gave thanks for our safety during our latest adventure.  “And thank you that we didn’t fall to our doom in a scary crevice.”

This area boasts a huge variety of topography and landscapes within a short distance.  If you drive less than an hour to the north, you can lounge on the beach of a Great Lake.  Another short drive brings you to these incredible natural rocky ledges tucked away in a State park.

DSC_2482 DSC_2519 DSC_2528  DSC_2408DSC_2375    DSC_2447

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Believe it or Not

Believe it or not, these were not taken at the Ocean.

DSC_1812

There’s nothing like sand on your toes and a fresh breeze in your hair.

DSC_1864

DSC_1887 

DSC_2001

Be careful Master Munchkin!  And no, you may not spit.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Where in the World is MrsMama?

 DSC_1573
I don’t think I’m in Kansas anymore!

DSC_1762
Treasures found on the shore.

DSC_1606
The Munchkins at sunset.

More adventures to come!

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Before and After

A sneak peek into my post-processing

Grace

The first photo is SOOC (straight out of camera).  I use Adobe’s Lightroom for all of my processing.

First I lightened the circles under her eyes then, for the center photo, I applied Steller's “Color Shout” preset, which I toned down and adjusted slightly.  I didn't touch her actual eyes - they were already gorgeous!  Finally I increased the Luminance Smoothing (noise reduction) 100%.

For the last photo, I used Steller's “70s Heatwave” Preset then recovered some highlights and adjusted the greens.  Lastly I adjusted the Noise (Luminance Smoothing).

As  you can see, with minimum post-processing you can get two very different feels for the same portrait.  I love editing – for me it’s a continuation of the artistic process of creating a specific  photograph.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Everyone’s Got A Water Buffalo

Yours is fast but mine is slow.

ReneWaterBuffalo
My Favorite Sister had quite an adventure over the weekend.

“Today I got to swim in the South China Sea, and on Saturday I rode a water buffalo!! They are huge and hairy kinda like hippos or elephants.

We hiked up a steep mountain to plant trees… and we got an amazing view of the countryside below. It was so beautiful. And peaceful! The whole valley is filled with rice fields, houses made out of bamboo and concrete blocks, corn fields on sides of mountains, palm trees, and dogs and cats hanging outside houses. The drive was beautiful too. It took about 6 hours to get there. The windy road took us up to the tallest peak on this island, about 8,000 ft.”

She is a few months into her 10 month visit to the Philippines.

Hey, Rene, where's my water buffalo?  Why don't I have a water buffalo? :)

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Mystery Photo

 

OK, you guys got it.

Meet Frodo, our kitty, sans tail.

frodo

A few months after his accident, Frodo’s tail started to loose circulation and it started to, well, die.  Shudder.  It didn’t hurt him since it was below the break, but it sure looked bad.  And smelled bad!  It finally got to the point where it had to come off.

The surgery went well and he got to come home the same day.  A few stitches and some time in the Cone of Shame and he was good as new.  Except with a sylin’ new bobbed bum.

Now we can no longer call him the 1K Cat, although 1.5K Cat doesn’t quite have the same ring.  My husband, who is not a cat lover to begin with, is having a conniption that we’ve spent this much on a stray cat!  But, as many of you know, pets are a loved part of family.  And there is a certain amount of guilt involved since I, ran over him.

But, we’re all glad he came though this whole ordeal (except MrMama).  Although he’d better start bringing home golden mice, especially after what I did for him! 

 pets-2 pets-3 pets-5pets-4 The end.