Wednesday

So... How 'Ja Do That??

How are you guys doing today?
I got the sweetest emails and comments from you all. I am so humbled, and I deeply thank you! I have been praying for many months that God would give me my own voice here at The Love Shack... something that would be fun for others to read, to look at... and also be pleasing to God somehow. I'm not sure how He's going to use me or this blog, but I pray every day that I can use this creative energy that He has given me for His purpose. I want my life and this blog to be a sweet fragrance to Him.
I'm finding I've got tons of creative energy stored up inside (I get it from my mom- she's amazing, though!), and photography and photo editing are my passions. Sometimes I feel like God speaks to me through the lens of my camera and through my editing equipment. I know, sounds strange... but it's true!


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Kelly from Kelly's Korner gave me permission to post her daughter's (Harper) picture. This is the picture I edited for her, and she surprised me by posting it on her blog (HERE). Since my inbox was full of questions about how I edited Harper's picture, I thought I'd just post the answer right here. Are your ready?


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Above is the original picture that Kelly took. Oh, my gosh! Isn't Harper the cutest?! I can tell that Kelly took a solid picture with a nice camera and lens and a good amount of light. This makes post processing a lot easier. I use two editing programs: Lightroom 2.3 and Photoshop Elements 7. I'm self-taught, so I'm sure there are lots of alternative (and even better) ways to get the job done (Please let me know what they are, by the way)! I'll just give you the general run down of how I "antiqued" Harper's picture:


  1. Opened the original image in Lightroom, evened out the white balance and then auto toned
  2. There are many awesome pre-sets in Lightroom. There are also lots of free pre-sets out there on the web. I chose aged photo.
  3. This is where the fun, creative stuff happens... there are an endless amount of changes that can be made at this point, too many to list here, but color temperature and tinting are what I tweaked the most. Really, the possibilities are endless. You just have to edit to you own liking and the feeling you are going for.
  4. I imported the image into PSE7. This is the program I couldn't live without- and where most of the technical stuff happens. First, I cloned out a few boo-boos. I like to use unsharp mask on the irises only. I don't like to mess with the whites of the eyes or somehow my subjects end up looking like freaky dolls!
  5. I burned the background just a smidge to give more depth of field and put focus on beautiful Harper. Oh, can't forget to use the sharpen tool on the drool!

Does anyone have any idea what I just said? Because I don’t.

Ok, one more look at precious Harper. She's eye candy, I tell ya!

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26 comments:

Anonymous said...

you are a talent!!! She is eye candy!

Hannah said...

You DO have so much creative energy. It just amazes me how beautiful your pictures and your editing are. Truly inspiring. After knowing the heart and prayers you have put into it I love you little bloggy home even more :)

Joanna said...

You really are so talented, Stacy! You are my Photoshop inspiration!

Arena Mom said...

Oh, wow!!!! That is amazing!!

Misty Rice said...

wow that is a great job..... although all of that sounded like greek to me. Sigh. Only to learn photoshop one day. I can't wait.

Jennifergoens said...

You do some amazing editing jobs! I could really use some help! My daughter does pageants and I do photography but just can't get the editing thing down at alllll. lol I want to learn how to do the eyes to make them look "glitz" but not creepy doll look.. lol.

Diane J. said...

Hello. I am still wading through the blog hop from a week ago...yes, I am that slow. =)

What a wonderful blog and that picture is priceless, absolutely fantastic!

You are very talented.

Laurie said...

You did an awesome job again! I have a few new pics I need some tips on and I have some questions. Did you finally buy Lightroom? :)

Jaime said...

GORGEOUS! You are very talented!

Anonymous said...

WOW!!! What a change!!!! Beautiful picture of a beautiful baby girl!!!

The gFamily said...

You never cease to amaze me! You are SO talented! You could definitely have a business doing this! God has given you an amazing gift!

Proud Parents of Halainah Grace said...

I absolutely love you blog. I am glad I ran into you via the hop! Your pictures are so amazing. I try so hard to capture great shots and I think that is my problem that I try too hard. It seems like it comes so natural to you! Can't wait to see more and learn more.

Many Blessings,
Deanna

Melody said...

That is such an amazing photo! I cannot believe Harper is already that big! Seems like yesterday I was reading posts of her being born! :)

You did an awesome job on that photo!!

Cory and Rich said...

Your talent in awesome, when you want to edit pics as a buisness-let me know...I have many you could play with! name your price!

Gina said...

Great job Stacy.

Harper is a beautiful little girl and your editing skills are amazing!

Melissa said...

What a great talent you have. You have a beautiful family. "Beach Bunny" is adorable. I love taking photos. I am not as talented as you or Kelly, but I still love it. I have a set of 4 month twins (boy and girl) and I need to learn to do creative things with their photos. Stop by and check out their photos anytime on my blog! Thanks for the ideas!

Steph said...

I love lightroom. Check out my picture I posted. I took it while my daughter was playing at the park and with a little lightroom editing I created a beautiful picture.

jeck said...

Awesome!!!! I love your 'eye' for photo editing!!! Beautiful gift!!

Donna said...

Fantastic post processing! You took a sweet little photo and turned it into something spectacular! Frameworthy!

Donna
Our Blog: Double Happiness!

sherrimelyn said...

Just wanted to tell you how much I LOVE your blog. I started reading blogs after my friend started hers and stumbled across yours. I have spent the last three hours reading every last post on here! I love your story and love the happy ending! We laughed at all the adorable pictures of your little princess! Thanks for sharing this story with us. I also have to say that I have looked at a LOT of blogs and your header and theme is the CUTEST I have EVER seen! I love, love it! I look forward to more fun reading!

Heather said...

WOW!!!! You took a normal pic and made it look professional! That's what I want to do. You are very creative and talented!!! I love your blog! Yo Go Girl!

Denise K. said...

Just amazing....you are SOOOO good...like a reader said above..please name a price and start a waiting list...I want to be on it! :-)

Preppy Coastee said...

I wish I could afford photo shop therre is just no way i am paying 1,000 dollars for a CD! I can't do it! no no no! :(

Preppy Coastee said...

I would love you to edit a picture of Carter, let me know please!! XXOXOXO

Jaimee said...

Stacy, I love this photo, and you did such an amazing job making it even better! You are very talented and can you teach us how to do the eyes so they don't look freaky. I'd love that!!!

Drew said...

I could have worked on this all day and never come up with such a cute edit. This is really neat!