Photo First Aid - Week 1 - Spot Light Level Changes - Photoshop Elements 8.0

This is for those students taking my class right now that are using Photoshop Elements 8.0  If  you are not yet taking this class and like what you are learning in this video, please go here to register. You have a few days left to get signed up for Photo First Aid.

Photo First Aid Video- Week 1 -Tint, Tone, Vignette- Photoshop Elements 8.0 Version

This is for those students taking my class right now that are using Photoshop Elements 8.0  

If  you are not yet taking this class and like what you are learning in this video, please go here to register. You have a few days left to get signed up for Photo First Aid.

Photographing your Spring Flower Garden

Can you see the slight vignette I added to this photo?  No? Take a look at the photo below - it's the 'before' photo.  Increasing the highlight, vibrance, and adding a vignette was all that this photo needed to truly reflect the light and color I saw with my own eyes just before dusk Saturday night.  The gorgeous flowers really stand out against the rocks.  I like to call this practical application. It's not always about creating a work of art.  The flowers already are the work of art. This is the first year that they have bloomed like this and they've been here 4 years. I had to record it for my scrapbook. Learn how to enhance your photos in my Photo First Aid class.  

It's the middle of May and my tulips are just starting to bloom on the warmer side of the house.  Craziness. And this little plant that I've seen at the greenhouse but it's a start that my mother in law pulled out and gave me shall go unnamed because I didn't pay attention.  I have learned more plant names since graduating from college than I did in two plant ID classes that I took while in college.  It's different when you want to know what you are planting so that you can get more or make suggestions. So I better get to the greenhouse and figure out the name this year because I'd actually like to know.

Spring and getting outside

Can you see the difference in these two photos? I added more punch to the color and increased the contrast. That's something you'll learn in week 1 of my Photo First Aid class. Then I added a photo of clouds to the top so you could actually see them. Yep, that's something you'll learn in my Photo First Aid class in week 4.  

It was a gorgeous Saturday morning and my children were excited to get outside and enjoy the sunshine while Daddy mowed the lawn. The flox is just starting to bloom and I love the colors.  The medium pink starts first.  Then the purple goes next.  After that the brightest pink shows its colors. I've been transplanting some of the sedum around, especially the one with pink blooms.  It's great between the rocks and grows like crazy this time of the year.  Can you see the bottom step? That means that the grass has finally grown to its mature height. It's as tall as the step.  Of course, ignore the big patches the voles took out this year.  I think when it gets hot that they should fill right in again.

Transplanting Tomatoes and those blue green garden ghosts

I hate filling Walls of Water.  I do.  They work so well that I have to.  This year has been so wet and cold that I was nervous about trying to get my tomato plants used to the outside weather.  The nice thing about these is that they prevent sunburn, they warm the plants and the ground around them, prevent hail damage, and they let you plant your tomatoes earlier than normal giving their roots a chance to really grow.  I plant them sideways in a trench filled with a hand full of egg shells.  I had an entire gallon bag saved and it was nearly gone in two days. The egg shells prevent blossom end rot (the black rotten bottom on the bottom of the tomato that forms when there is a lack of calcium).  I planted 12 early girl tomatoes - great for canning.  And then 7 roma tomatoes.  And lastly 1 dill.  Romas don't need cages but the early girl tomatoes do. I started them inside.  My supplies cost me about $7 to grow 30 tomato plants from seed.  You can buy 1 tomato plant from the green house for a minimum of $2 on a good sale. That's $60 for 30 tomatoes.  That means I save $53 starting them on  my own. 

The trellis on the end is for peas.  They are just starting to sprout. 

You can see the pipe for the drip line I made here.  I plugged two spots this year to make a wider row for my tomatoes.

And the thing about digital is you can take more photos.  So walk around your garden/plants/etc and take photos from many angles.  You'll be surprised what you thought you'd like and what you actually see.

And here is a great view of the rows.  I can't wait to plant my green beans and lemon cucumbers.

I love this view of the mountains behind the garden.

And my pea trellis is just a cattle panel that I cut the bottom horizontal row off of and stuck it in the ground.

For more photography tips and also great ideas on enhancing your digital or scanned photos check out my Photo First Aid class at ReneePearson.com

Correction - 5x7 Brag Books for Everyone!

Jeanine DeOre is super sweet and let me know that she is giving away one 5x7 brag book to each person attending tonight's LIVE CHAT for my Photo First Aid class! Everyone a winner - I like the sound of that. Check out the prize list on the ReneeTV page. If you want to know how to  join us for the chat make sure you watch this quick video HERE. And add me as a friend on Facebook to get the latest details!

How to visit my live chat May 11th at 10pm Eastern

If you're like me and you get confused when you get to try something new, then this video is for you.  Step by step simple instructions on how to enter my upcoming LIVE CHATS where I'll preview my upcoming class Photo First Aid and answer your specific questions LIVE!

Join me on ReneeTV May 11th at 10pm Eastern time. We will be giving away several fun prizes during that LIVE CHAT.  Want to qualify?  Just sign in and watch the chat - you'll automatically be entered. 

 If you win a prize, I'll ask you for your email address which you can share with me privately so others viewing the chat will not see it. Make sure you are paying attention or I'll have to give your prize to someone else.

What am I giving away? I'll post photos and links to each vendor later tonight so that you can get familiar with everything before the live chat.

See you May 11th at 10pm eastern on ReneeTV

What does this class cover?  It's a 4 week class and I'll be sharing step by step video and written guides: 

In the first week you will learn how to manipulate the light and color of your images. In week two you will learn professional techniques for retouching faces. In Week Three you will learn how to retouch backgrounds, clothing, and group photographs. And during Week Four you will learn current and classic trends in creating works of art with your photographic images, including sports collages.

Photo First Aid 2011

Never miss out on another class, event or discount again.

Sign up for email notices HERE.

Registration for my Photo First Aid class begins Monday - hurry because the early registration discount ends May 15th.

Oh and I'll be showing you a preview of the class LIVE online May 11th and May 30th at 10pm Eastern on ReneeTV! Show up 3 to 5 minutes early to sign in.  

Along with the help of a few local peeps and some far away, we will be having a fabulous Give Away! I will preview that on my blog on May 9th and May 28th.

County Fair 2010 - Big Winners!

I was really nervous about this apron, but I figured because she was in the youth category that they'd be nice.  As we were walking out with it on Monday one of the judges said that many parents bring their kids things in and they are not very well done BUT your daughter's apron was VERY WELL DONE. My daughter just beamed.  I was very grateful for this experience - mostly the mommy daughter time and for the fun matching aprons we now have to enjoy at home.

She won BEST OF SHOW for the youth category this year - again! Two years in a row.  We are hoping that she can enter it in the PTA reflections contest this year too (save on printing costs) - anyone know the theme yet?

And she also received first place for her color photo even though it was an 8x8 and not an 8x10.

And my cross stitch received 1st place in the Linen cross stitch Category. 

On the judges notes it said, "Beautiful!"

And all three of my photos received 2nd place in the Professional Photography category.

I entered them mainly so I could advertise my TWO upcoming classes at ReneePearson.com

#1 - Photo Preserves - old photo restoration - a two week class in October

#2 - Photo First Aid - retouching and enhancing digital photos - Oct 27th to Nov 23

All of my little papers were gone by the time the fair ended - hopefully not in the trash.

I printed this as a 16x20 for my wall.  I LOVE how it turned out.

I took some fun detail photos of the fair for our scrapbook but I'll share those when I get a minute. Right now I am working on written guides for my Photo Preserves class, PTA stuff, Primary secretary stuff, canning, gardening, etc.