Color Splash Sunday - Halloween

Happy Halloween!

<center><a href="http://purple-hippie.blogspot.com/p/color-splash-sunday.html"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y293/prin367cess/colorsplashsunday.jpg"></a></center>
Color splash photos are those that have been converted to black and white, but one object has been left colored. Sometimes, it's easy to just isolate your colored object and you're done. Other times, more editing is required, such as adjusting color levels/light/shadow/etc.

Before I get on to my photo for this week, I had to post a photo of myself as a kid on Halloween. I'm thinking I was about 4 years old here. I love my little pouty face!


Okay, now for some selective color! This week's theme is Halloween (or autumn for anyone who doesn't celebrate). I chose an older photo from 2 years ago. This is Jon, but it doesn't like like him! I did some creative editing to make him look kinda like a vampire.



I also wanted to post a photo of myself, wearing one of my favorite costumes, but I didn't have time to any more editing. I'll have to post it next year!

YOUR CHOICE

Before you link up, please read this page very carefully, and look at my examples of color splash photos to see if your photo uses selective coloring.

**ANNOUNCEMENT**

Starting the week of November 28, I will not be posting specific themes. This means that the theme is now permanently going to be YOUR CHOICE. I chose to switch to open themes because the weeks that were YOUR CHOICE were always the weeks with the most entries. This gives you free rein over photos and creativity. If you have any questions or concerns with this switch, please ask them in a comment.

Macro Friday #23

I forgot to edit a macro photo for last week,
so I made sure to do it last night.
I like this overlay from Coffeeshop A LOT!!



I am just 5 weeks away from going back into the office full-time. Only 5 more weeks of hotels and driving around New England and searching for bookstores to get free internet. As much fun as I am having meeting new people, visiting state parks, and photographing fall, I am more and more anxious to get home to my fiance. It's hard being away from him so often. Thus, I am so incredibly grateful that I do get to go home to him every weekend; we are never apart for more than a few days.

Wow, that paragraph was supposed to be about blogging, not about Jon. My original train of thought was along the lines of getting back into a routine with blogging and reading and commenting, but apparently I have other things on my mind. ;)

Spider bow giveaway winner!

I've decided to end the spider bow giveaway a little early. I was a little disappointed by the lack of entries, not to mention that Halloween is this weekend. (I totally spaced and thought it was next week.) Thanks to the 3 people who entered.

I used random.org to pick a winner.



Congrats to Grace Greene on winning the spider bow handmade by Brandi! Grace, I've emailed you and forwarded your email address to Brandi, who will be sending you the bow.
_________________________________________
So, are my readers not really feeling the whole giveaway thing? I'm not going to waste my time arranging for any more, if no one wants them. I don't mind at all, so please be honest. I can easily cancel the ones I had planned, or switch them to my book blog.

While we are sort of on the topic of what YOU want, I want to know what you all want to read here. I have a big focus on photography, of course, because it's easy to post photos. What else? Do you want more wedding planning details? Updates on my personal life? The reason why I photographed some keys a few weeks ago? How about my other creative hobbies? There's plenty of those, for sure. I also want to post some of my teaching tidbits that would be helpful for all you mommas with toddlers and elementary-age kids. Would anyone read those posts? Feedback, please!

Thank you!

Black and White Wednesday - Civil War Spot

Black and White Wednesday is run by Lisa over at
The Long Road to China.



This little path to a lake can be found at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, CT. It was incredibly windy and cold on the day that I visited, but it's easy to tell that, on a warmer day, this park is full of swimmers and picnic-ers. Apparently, there is a well-known bronze tablet that was placed to acknowledge and celebrate the Constitution State's participation in the Civil War. It seems like that would be a great spot to bring home-schooled kids for a fun history lesson (and to let them go swimming afterward!).


*The giveaway for a spider bow courtesy of Brandi doesn't end until Friday at 9 pm EST. CLICK HERE to enter before it ends! Don't miss this chance to get an adorable bow for the little girl in your life who loves Halloween!

Color Splash Sunday - My Left Eye

<center><a href="http://purple-hippie.blogspot.com/p/color-splash-sunday.html"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y293/prin367cess/colorsplashsunday.jpg"></a></center>
Color splash photos are those that have been converted to black and white, but one object has been left colored. Sometimes, it's easy to just isolate your colored object and you're done. Other times, more editing is required, such as adjusting color levels/light/shadow/etc.

Before I get to this week's theme, I am so happy to say that I picked a winner last week! We had 6 entries for the Animal theme, which is my minimum for picking a winner. I have to admit, it was tough. In the end, I chose Lisa from White Cotton Tee because I just loved her selective color photos of the calf and his papa!

Congrats, Lisa!
Feel free to snag this button
and display it on your blog!


On to this week! The theme was eyes, courtesy of Marlis, who faithfully enters a photo every Sunday. I actually took this photo yesterday in the car and rushed to process it so I could post it today. It's not a great photo, that's certain, but my eyes were especially green, due to the green shirt I was wearing.



HALLOWEEN!
(If you don't celebrate the holiday, use something autumn-y instead.)

Before you link up, please read this page very carefully, and look at my examples of color splash photos to see if your photo uses selective coloring.

GIVEAWAY from the Avery Bowtique

Remember last week when I said that Brandi is going to give one of her adorable bows to one of you?! Well, now it's time! Since Halloween is just around the corner, she is going to give you this cute little spider bow:


Mandatory entry:

Go visit Brandi's etsy shop. Come back here and tell me which bow you like best.


Additional entries: (not required)
Leave an extra comment for each entry.
if it says +2, leave 2 more comments.
5 entries in one comment will not be counted.
Include your email address with each comment.

+1 Follow me through blogger or GFC or another reader.

+1 Follow Brandi's blog through blogger or GFC or another reader.

+2 Post about this giveaway on your blog and link back (MUST leave link to blog post).

+2 Add my button to your blog (MUST leave link so I can see it).

Black and White Wednesday - Covered Bridge

Black and White Wednesday is run by Lisa over at
The Long Road to China.

I am continuing my series on CT state parks.


This covered bridge can be found at Devil's Hopyard State Park in East Haddam, CT. Apparently, birding is a big thing here, along with hiking and fishing. The CT.gov website has some interesting folklore regarding this park. I was hiking the trail along the stream, but didn't have enough time to get to the hopyard with the mysterious holes.

The Window to the Soul Photography Contest

The theme is EYES.



This is my best friend, C. We went to high school together, and cheered together for several years. We've also worked together and taken classes together. She'll be one of my bridesmaids when I get married next year. I love her more than life, and I don't know what I do without her!

i heart faces Challenge - In the Orchard

The theme this week for i♥faces is In the Orchard. I go apple picking with my family every October, and I always take lots of pictures. Here's a selfie of me climbing a tree standing firmly on the ground to pick apples.

Color Splash Sunday - A Peacock

<center><a href="http://purple-hippie.blogspot.com/p/color-splash-sunday.html"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y293/prin367cess/colorsplashsunday.jpg"></a></center>
Color splash photos are those that have been converted to black and white, but one object has been left colored. Sometimes, it's easy to just isolate your colored object and you're done. Other times, more editing is required, such as adjusting color levels/light/shadow/etc.

This week's theme is Animals, so I took an archived photo from a family trip to the zoo a few months ago. This beautiful peacock was sauntering through the picnic area, looking for dropped food.



EYE(s)

Before you link up, please read this page very carefully, and look at my examples of color splash photos to see if your photo uses selective coloring.

Macro Friday #21

I had edited this photo in Lightroom 3, back when I had the trial. I added a watermark in photoscape because I have become extremely nervous about my photos getting stolen. So that's why the little cloud is in the middle. Anyone who steals that photo will have a hell of a time cloning out the cloud. But photoscape has restrictions on the opacity of watermarks.

Luckily, I got photoshop elements back because my brother has a license for it. I have been happily editing photos for a couple weeks now. Some of my photos still have that cloud, but pse has much better tools for adding watermarks. I have also started saving my photos twice - an unmarked, hi-res copy for myself, and a watermarked, low-res copy that I resized for web.

Things I Love on Thursday - 10.13.10

I always want to share things with my fellow bloggers, so I try to mix them in with my regular posts. But I get so disorganized, and I can never remember what I have (or haven't) posted. So I am going to do what some other bloggers do and post it once a week. It'll be Things I Love on Thursday.



First up is music. The song that I am loving on A LOT this week is Rhythm of Love by Plain White T's. So adorable!



While you listen, you should check out Brandi's blog. Her daughter, Avery, is such a little cheese! I love reading her stories about Avery's adventures. Brandi also has an Etsy shop for the CUUUTE bows she makes. I've already picked out a few that I will be buying for my (soon to be) nieces, as soon as their hair grows out a bit.

You know what I love about Brandi? She's incredibly generous. She's so generous that she wants to give YOU a bow she made! You should check my blog again next week for more details about that.

I really love that I'm almost halfway through travel season for my job. My last week is actually the week of Thanksgiving, so next week is the true midway point. That means I'm halfway done with driving all over New England, halfway done with college fairs, and halfway done with spending my nights in hotels, watching Law & Order: SVU marathons.

I love Detective Olivia Benson. And Mariska Hargitay. I love her a lot.



That's all for today. More things I love next Thursday!

Black and White Wednesday - Experimenting with B&W

Black and White Wednesday is run by Lisa over at
The Long Road to China.


I did a black and white experiment while I was at Mount Tom State Park in Litchfield, CT. I've been struggling to take photos that look just as good black and white as they do in color. So I played with the manual settings on my point and shoot in order to shoot in "classic color," aka black and white. The photo above is, as it says, straight out of the camera. (All I did was resize for web and put the text on.) The photo below was in color, and I converted it, as well as adjusting the levels and contrast as I usually do.



I'm on the fence about the results. The contrast of the SOOC shot is so low, but there are more details and textures that seemed to fade in the black and white conversion. On the other hand, my experiment is flawed because I did do levels adjustment. I should be comparing the SOOC shot to a converted photo WITHOUT any other processing.



Which one do you like better?
What are your thoughts on my failed experiment?

Color Splash Sunday - Ribbons

<center><a href="http://purple-hippie.blogspot.com/p/color-splash-sunday.html"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y293/prin367cess/colorsplashsunday.jpg"></a></center>
Color splash photos are those that have been converted to black and white, but one object (or several small objects) has (have) been left colored. Sometimes, it's easy to just isolate your colored object and you're done. Other times, more editing is required, such as adjusting color levels/light/shadow/etc.

This week's theme is Rainbow. I didn't necessarily mean a REAL rainbow, more like stripes or polka dots with at least 3 colors. I got the inspiration for this theme from a photo that my fiance's SIL had taken. It was her twin girls wearing some rainbow baby leggs, and I had used selective coloring to emphasize the stripes and polka dots.

I wanted to use a different photo for this theme, so I have been searching for the perfect object to photograph. Let me tell you, it is HARD to find rainbow stripes or polka dots in my life. I don't have access to any babies or kids to model for me, and none of my clothing has rainbows.

Then, late last night, as I was on my way out the door, I walked past these ribbons on the bookshelf in my parents' house.



ANIMALS

Macro Friday #20

My perfume bottle.

One of many, actually.

I usually get bored with a scent after
a few weeks and I switch to something different.

Things I Love on Thursday - 10.7.10

I always want to share things with my fellow bloggers, so I try to mix them in with my regular posts. But I get so disorganized, and I can never remember what I have (or haven't) posted. So I am going to do what some other bloggers do and post it once a week. It'll be Things I Love on Thursday.



First up, we have some music. I am seriously loving the song Give A Little by Hanson. Really, I love all the tracks on their newest album, Shout It Out. I listen to it on repeat while driving for work. But this song, more than the others, has had me shimmying my hips and waving my arms as much as one can while trapped behind a seatbelt.

This video is just a photo slideshow, so you don't have to watch it. Just press play, keep reading the rest of the post, and try not to dance too wildly, especially if you're in a public place (like me, as I'm in B&N typing this up).



While you enjoy the music, you should go check out Mila's Daydreams, a blog in which a creative SAHM tries to imagine her daughter's dreams.

(Credit to Adele Enerson)

Now, I know that I gripe and complain often about New England weather. It's just too cold for me when it's not summer. And fall is my least favorite season. But sometimes, it's totally worth it. I mean, look at the colors in the photo below. I do so love New England autumns.



One good thing about fall is hot apple cider. I mean, apples in general are pretty tasty, and I love picking them. But the new hot cider from DD is just divine.

Cold weather is coming quickly, so I have been getting out my sweaters and winter clothing. I have to dress in business clothing for work, and my wardrobe has been a bit lacking in that area lately, especially because most of my winter clothes are from college. But who has enough money to buy a new wardrobe these days?? Certainly not me. Luckily, Old Navy has these wonderful sales going on. I got 2 skirts, 2 sweaters, and some socks, all for just under $100. I love saving money!

I'm hoping to splurge a bit soon and get these adorable sweater boots.



That's all I have for today. Let me know if you love the same things as I do!

Black and White Wednesday - Sky

Black and White Wednesday is run by Lisa over at
The Long Road to China.



I captured this gorgeous sky at Hopeville State Park in Griswold, CT. This park is all about the camping and swimming. I even spent some time photographing some boys that had biked and canoed over, and were swimming in the river. Now that fall has hit New England hardcore, most of my photos are of the changing leaves, which doesn't look as exciting after black & white conversion. So I have been forcing myself to think of my photos in black and white, so I can be sure to have one from each park to post here.

Speaking of New England, you really should be sure to check back tomorrow, Thursday, for something new!

Color Splash Sunday - Football on the Beach

<center><a href="http://purple-hippie.blogspot.com/p/color-splash-sunday.html"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y293/prin367cess/colorsplashsunday.jpg"></a></center>
Color splash photos are those that have been converted to black and white, but one object (or several small objects) has (have) been left colored. Sometimes, it's easy to just isolate your colored object and you're done. Other times, more editing is required, such as adjusting color levels/light/shadow/etc.

This week's theme is YOUR CHOICE. I'll be perfectly honest, I didn't any time to do photo editing this week. I am using photoscape as my main editor right now, so I need to borrow my dad's laptop in order to do selective color editing. Since I am traveling for work Monday through Friday, that doesn't leave much time to use his computer.

I'm using an archived photo of my cousin that I had edited ages and ages ago. I edited this photo so long ago, before I knew anything, that I saved the photo in gif format, not jpg. Not smart. But I have received lots of compliments on this photo, so I like it, despite the graininess.



RAINBOW!
Ideally, I'd like to see at least 3 colors, and they shouldn't be spread out. Stripes or polka dots work best.

Macro Friday #19

It feels so good to enter this challenge again. It's one of my favorites, and I have so many macro photos that I want to show off.

I'm entering this one today, a macro photo of a glass ball that hangs from a wind chime on the deck at my parents' house.