Monday, November 28, 2011

Week 47 good to WOW SOOC Thanksgiving and Monday Rewind

The long weekend was so wonderful, it is hard to get back into the swing of things, but Monday eventually comes and with it Shoot and Edit.  I never did post my edit for last weeks photo on gratefulness (and it only had 3 views on flickr, so I'm sure no one minds), but I thought I would start with it today.

For those that didn't have a chance to see it:
SOOC   ISO 100  f/1.8   1/200 sec   50mm 
Ultimately it came down to me being grateful for many, many things...but that my thankfulness goes to God, the provider of all good and perfect gifts in my life.

First I did my usual edits...fix exposure, take down saturation for this photo, noise reduction, sharpening, and a creamy white vignette.  My theory was it would create something soft in keeping with the sweetness of my little boy praying (even if this shot is actually posed.)
But I felt like it just wasn't quite right and that it had actually lost the mood created by using one lamp (and external flash) to light the scene, so I tried again.

This time I brought up the exposure with an adjustment brush in Lightroom only on his face and the wall leading towards him and noise reduction.  Then I took it to Elements, ran a soft layer--masked off of his face and hands, used Pioneer Women's Black Beauty to convert to black and white, and saved.  Back in Lightroom I added the dark vignette and cropped a tiny bit.  The seat of the rocking chair was kind of glowing through the vignette so I used an adjustment brush to lower its exposure and brightness.

So now that I am caught up for last week...though no one is keeping score...here is my photo for today.

Thanksgiving (SOOC):
I wanted to take more pictures of this scene, but my aunt wanted me to take the plates back to the buffet table and get out of the way for dinner. 









And just to make this post really, really long because that is my favorite thing to do, here are a few more snapshots of our thanksgiving...the ones without brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins...it is a blessing to have family.
Wednesday extended family dinner at a local Chinese restaurant -- Thanks Uncle B and Aunt H!

Thanksgiving breakfast with Oak's extended family here at our house...No one will play w/ me!

My Dad's Sister sets a beautiful Thanksgiving table

Lots of tasty food--okay, I'm not big on the traditional turkey meal, but the appetizers were superb and my cousin did do an excellent job smoking the turkey.  We brought the green bean casserole.  Almost too easy to count as contributing, especially since Oak made it.

Let's Eat!  Huckleberry said he was thankful that the aliens had not attacked and taken over the planet...then he said, I'm just kidding...okay, I am thankful that hasn't happened, but I'm really thankful for my family.  Most everyone said a variation of family...I said photography.

Pie and whipped cream...the left overs made a perfect breakfast for me Friday.

Time to go home...jammies for Sunflower and a coke for Oak to prepare for the hour long drive.
The next three days were spent with a trip to the zoo, working on pictures, taking apart electronics, playing games (mostly Wii and DS) and basically relaxing as a family...oh, and an experiment in Christmas pictures which should show up next week :)  I love my family.

Photobucket

12 comments:

4 Lettre Words said...

Beautiful photos, as usual, and I love seeing that Coke! :)

Anonymous said...

great set :) felt the warmth of the family reunion, and had to laugh when I saw your 6th photo. just perfect! :) have a great week sweetie. xxo

Ashley Sisk said...

Love the prayer edit...beautiful. And Sunflower's faces are the best!

No Greater Love said...

OH...I love seeing your Thanksgiving pictures. They are awesome. I on the other hand didn't even take ONE Thanksgiving picture. :)

Gina Kleinworth said...

Those came out great. I really like all 3 of that first set. Looks like it was a very enjoyable holiday!

Serendipity is Sweet said...

Beautiful edit!! And what cute kiddos! :)

Nancy said...

Love you sharing your Thanksgiving photos -- they are so personal and touched me. Thank you! xoxo

Leovi said...

Beautiful photo, in color and B & W with exceptional quality of light and shades, I love them.

Patrice said...

Love all the candid portraits!

Anonymous said...

First - I LOVE the B&W shot. The tones are just perfect for it! Second - the expressions you captured are awesome!

Unknown said...

Love the softness of the black and white edit. Great photos of what looks like a great day! Thank you for sharing! I also wanted to let you know that you were showcased this week for Tones on Tuesday!

Unknown said...

I love pie and whipped creme for breakfast. Nice photos of family!