Illusion of Beauty

As a photographer I was in my twenties I started out in black and white film with a gentle used Pentax 'K' that my husband's boss had sold me.  I took classes amassing huge amount of college credits in photography.  Over the years I had different cameras.  Going from film to digital.

I now have a Sony A7 which I dearly love, a Samsung 8+ phone that takes super pics, and a Apple X phone which I am slowly learning to like after years of being a NON APPLE person.  In fact I had switch from PC to IMac so my learning curve is in full swing at moment.  But that's another story for another day; today we talking about programs I use to assist me as a photographer.

I call my process "Illusion of Beauty with Photoshop and Filter Forge."

Photoshop Elements 2018 is the tiny version of Adobe's Creative Cloud for working on photos or develop ones own artistic creation.  It allows the artist using the program to expand their creations; this statement is a simplified explanation believe me.

Filter Forge 7.5 is program to work with or stand alone with Photoshop any of the versions.  Filters are what create different effects or layers upon a photo.  I use both Potoshop Elements and Filter Forge.

I don't know many photographers who do not use some form of assistance to enhance their photographs.  Even when I use to develop from film my own photos in a darkroom that there tricks of the trade to enhance a photo.

I like a certain style to my photos.  It is one reason I use the programs I use. My personal taste for a photo is:

 A soften look, more of a painters style using a watercolor effect, 

 a singular item as the focus of interest. 

It's amazing what one can do to a photograph!  When I look at magazines or art book I look to see the "Illusion" as I call it.  Many times it very obvious, other times its so subtle that it's often not found.  Unless a person is told you may miss the "Illusion".

These are my Illusions:  Hope You enjoy!

Lost In Her Own World - Final Edited Photo

Lost in Her Own World - Original Photo I took

Rainy Day in France - Final Edited Photo

Rainy Day in France - Original Photo I took

Travel Muses

In the last couple of years traveling has become a form of self-entertainment

2012 Visited Ireland with my mother.

2013 San Francisco.

2014 San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angles - Disney World and Universal Studios - fun with my sister and her grandkids.

2015 I by  self drove Hwy 1 on the Coast of California in January which I managed to break my foot but didn't stop me from dancing in San Diego.  Flew to St. Louis to see family, and then in August went I took Mom to Las Vegas.

2016 I went to Europe for 3 glorious weeks.  England, France, Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Greece, Israel, and Finland. 

Most the trips were alone which is awesome because I can do whatever I want, when I want, and how I want LOL.  I am rather selfish I have discovered on places I am willing to visit with others.

As an older single woman I'm always ask Do you feel Safe?  Don't you miss having company?

I always feel safe no matter where I am at.  I do research prior to leaving and always am aware of my surroundings. And I don't take items along on trips to call attention to self.  I am usually carrying my backpack, don't carry lots of cash, don't wear name brands, and jewelry is left at safe deposit box in Anchorage. I stay at Hotels after I have read reviews to see if any issues or problems and also use AirBnB. Research is being open to trusting your gut.  Ask othes if they have been there, when and what they did. 

As to having companions - family trips fill those needs right now.  Perhaps in the future I 'll meet a man who have the same passions I do for travel and we can see the world together.  But I love traveling alone.  Honestly.  I love to wake early, dress and walk all day exploring wherever I am visiting. Eat when I am hungry and the best I don't need to ask another if they are ready to do another day of what I do.

Europe was awesome for this.  Walking gives you a whole another outlook on life from a different view.  Its up close and personal.  Plus it makes me talk to others, learn about the area first hand.  And time stands still as I photograph a doorway leading to unknown territories:  letting my imagination run wild.

I learned to enjoy being alone one must be brave enough to talk to others and even if we don't speak the same language.  One of my fondest memories of Europe is when I flew to Greece with a woman from the Netherlands who spoke very little English sitting next to me but we talk for an hour about grandchildren.  She was going to see her daughter who was expecting her second child any day.  We both laughed, talked and had a great exchange of women bonding over the love of babies.

In Paris a waiter was upset I sat in the smoking / drink area only and I only wanted lunch... I love eating out & I am not shy about eating alone LOL... he tried to ignore me but the couple sitting at another table told him in French that I wanted to order a meal not just a drink.  I laughed along with this couple at the waiters error it made my lunch so much more enjoyable. I did learn food and drink is common bonding no matter where one is - a common theme throughout all my travels. 

No matter when I have gone people have been so kind, plus helpful when I would ask for assistance.

A smile goes a mile when traveling alone!

Fall in Anchorage, Alaska

September 5th  for Alaskan's means putting up the summer toys and bring out the long winter gear.  Usually for Anchorage by mid-September there is frost on our windows in the mornings and snow on the mountains.  None of this has happen until a few days ago! 

This year I proudly say it has been the most beautiful month for Fall I've ever seen while living 21 years here in Anchorage.

Flowers are still blooming, the leaves of the Birch are golden yellow even though now laying upon the sidewalks and yards in my neighborhood;  many of those golden leaves have just fallen off the limbs within the last couple of days.

Balancing Acts

Since  ole Missy Fishlips has returned to work – I've been in training all week and will be again in training next week. Then I've be doing what is called 'Shadowing'.  Sounds a bit scary doesn't it.  I do believe I will just keep you all in suspense to what it is also. 

I let my 3 times weekly posts on my blog just slip away which makes me sad.  I'm sure you all have opions on it.

  

Maybe you all are happy to have the relief or maybe you miss my rambles.  Either way:

I am trying to figure out a system so that I don’t stop my ramblings just because I’m not home during the day to madly type away. 

 

You all know how much I love my writing it’s not something I can just casually cast away – 

I will work it out and once I’m settled in my job my blog postings will return to a set schedule so you don’t Miss Me!

Here are two kaleidoscope of the same original photo showing their different results.

Creative Types

Are you a gambler trying new and wild things?  Do you jabber away while creating that next Mona Lisa?  Or are you a silent type whose yearnings can only be read in your eyes? 

I have to admit there are various days that I could be one of the three. 

                  

I’m sure you can add more to the list of ‘creative types’.  I’m just hitting the top of the iceberg for those whose passion is some form of art or crafts!

Many of my friends on Facebook and Twitter are the creative type.  It is so enjoyable to see pictures of their latest creations and even pics of their old stuff.  

Artists across the world seem to encourage each other, tease and taunt each other, plus sometimes even become sponsors for another.  That makes me so glad… in this day and age of so much pain and grief that one sector of life remains constant – art and those who encourage folks to be creative.  

Art is a passion.  You either love it or you don’t.  Once it has its hands around your throat there is no surrendering.

Freedom in Art

I've been exploring new filters on my Adobe Photoshop Elements. 

Its a blast being creative - 

a wild abandonment of being safe 
&
uninhibited has flooded my photo folders.

Various filters and layers have been applied...

Frozen in Time

Cycle of Life

Happy Feet

All I can say is this is keeping me happy until summer arrives when flowers are blooming!

Valentine's Day

February 14th is considered the day for love.  Cards, candy, flowers and many a fine gift are given to one who is treasured beyond all other things.

As a child I grew up in the age of any holiday had a special party for the classroom.  The parties where hosted by mothers who would not rest until each child had a ton of fun and took home oodles of cards from fellow classmates; a shopping bag full of candy and other wonderful treats.   

All food items had been provided prepared and brought by these loving mothers.  

Throughout grade school these ‘Room Mothers’ where volunteer PTA members whose child were in these classrooms.  As we grew and moved on to the next grade they most often followed.  Outdoing the previous year’s parties became the standard.

I do believe it was the best of times. The mid 1950’s and 1960’s where a magical time for growing up for a child. It was a time of innocence, a simpler less complex time and a time to cast away fears. 

My own mother was a Room Mother to each of my siblings as we entered school, until she returned to work when I was in the 6^th grade.  Thank you Mom for fond memories of grade school for making classroom parties a wonderful event; and the very best yearly school carnival’s truly a time one will not ever forget!  

                                  my Mom still making magic for

                              her great grandchildren at Christmas!

P.S. that's one of my award winning quilts in the background <G>  got a 3rd place ribbon at Alaska State Fair it's titled 'The world according to Carp'

Nothing is Just Black and White

Nothing is just black and white as the saying goes.

Except in the world of black and white.

A zebra is black and white.

A blank canvas is white.

A night without light is black.

The pupils of our eyes are black.

Photography without color is black and white.

 Welcome to my day without night:

Strawman in the Wizard of Oz

Anchorage at times is the center of wind storms.  We can be buffered from the North, the West and the South winds.  

Anchorage is in a bowl along the Chugach Mountain Range.  Many folks have built homes going up the mountain which we call the "hillside"  Winds gushing there can be 70 to 100mph.  With the speeds a bit less here in town.

The last two days has been major wind storms throughout the Anchorage Bowl.  This extends 40 miles South of Anchorage reaching Girdwood and 60 miles North to the outskirts of Wasilla.

Our little house is anchored in a bit of a valley here in town; one of the few actually... most of Anchorage is pretty flat.  The winds reached a good tree slapping 55-65mph last night.  It was a bumpy night with many strange bangs and clangs against the outside walls.  There were a few blasts that I thought this tiny house might go sailing through the air just like Dorothy's house in the Wizard of Oz.

With my fingers crossed all night for no power outage (which the temperature with wind chill -20) that would not be making for a toasty sleepy night.  We do own a generator although in the 4 years of owning it - it has never been powered up.  

I do believe a test and practice run of using the generator is in order...due to the severe wind storms this winter making my little old heart a tad nervous if I had to sleep again with such vivid dreams of a movie from decades ago.

All night my dreams seem to follow the characters in the Wizard of Oz.  The Tinman slamming into the side of our house, the Strawman tumbling over and over in the snow.  My fearless Patches the Cowardly Lion.  I the wicked witch of the East riding out the storm on my trusty broom.  And my guy the Wizard...telling all "Follow the yellow brick road!"

After this mornings quick check to see if any damage to our house and those on either side of me; I was happy to see just branches tossed throughout the yard and Mountain Ashe Berries littering the side yard.  My trees withstood the storm. Seems most of the litter that blew around; has been blown far south. I may find my trash can lids a few miles down the road tomorrow.

I wanted to tap my heels three times and say "There's no place like home".  There is no place like Home!

The snow did drift about one foot south over our sidewalk.  And added a layering effect on the other side.