So, I’ve been tinkering around, trying to become proficient using the program responsible for the flawless images that grace every magazine cover, and I’ve discovered a few things.
1. photoshop can fix most figure flaws, but not everything is capable of saving.
2. A good guassian (spelling?) blur can camo the dreaded “big pores” on most portraits.
3. This program works the best on images that are inherently good to begin with.
That last one is something to think about….because it means that just owning the program does not a photographer make.
Anyway, I wanted to tinker with some pics that had real potential, so I hit the studio and fired off some shots. Here are a few:
One thing that I learned is that good makeup for portraiture is of the utmost importance. I recently ordered some of the best makeup available for digital photography (Makeup Forever’s HD Foundation) from Sephora, and I am in LOVE with it. My skin come out great in these shots, and since I also used Smashbox’s foundation primer, everything looked like it did when I put it on– a mere seven hours earlier. (Can you believe that? No caking, no flaking, no oily skin!)
I have never had makeup perform that well, and paying the price for better quality makeup is very worth it to me. Not only did my makeup look great, but I DID NOT have to do any digital touch-ups on my skin, including the blur trick I mentioned earlier!
You can see these photo’s and more, at Karen Fowler Photography.
Products I used for my makeup include :
| MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation - 115 Ivory
MAKE UP FOR EVER Microfinish Powder
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Too Faced Shadow Insurance (Eye shadow primer) |
| MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation - 115 Ivory |
Categories: beauty
Tagged: makeup, photography, portraits
I am trying to do this,I swear. It’s a struggle, but one that pays out in dividends if you can manage to pull it off.
So what am I talking about? Go back to the title, re-read it if you have to. Ahh! There.
Now, allow me to explain. I’ve discovered, through months, if not years, of cycling through “dry” non-creative periods and “overflowing” creative times, that life is so much more worth living when one can look at it through the eye of an artist. Instead of the depressing winter landscape, one sees a time of dramatic beauty, hard lines and complex moods. Instead of feeling the oppressive heat of summer, ones takes a moment to sit against the bark of a tree, feeling the kiss of filtered sunlight while birds and squirrels chase each other around the branches above you.
Am I making any sense? If not, I mean to say that by becoming more creative, you can alter your entire life. I know this is true, but still, keeping my artistic vision isn’t easy. Life, as it often does, will get in the way. Kids will get sick, and of course, then I get sick.
Knowing how my creative juices permeate the rest of my life, I must make an effort to keep stirring the pot. And I will, now that I know what I know. Forget Prozac,just give me some oils and a canvas, or even a camera.
I’ll leave you with a few parting shots, of some of my favorite shots:
All of these, and more, can be seen at my Fine Art America Page… you can find the link up on the right hand side.
Categories: art · living
Tagged: art, creativity, life, purpose
Okay, so I had to share with you the results of my backyard, raised bed, organic vegetable experiment. Of course, we’ve eaten most of the squash, and I’ve frozen beans and squash, and then there is the great tomato fiasco– the store I bought my Roma tomato plants from mislabled them, so instead of getting plenty of luscious roma tomatoes to turn into sauce, we got gobs of tiny perfect cherry tomatoes. Too bad no one in my house likes raw tomatoes. Here is a lovely old basket full of Okra (yuk! my husband insisted we grow these, if only for him), cherry tomatoes, and green beans.
And here is an artistic arrangement of a fat yellow squash and a neat little row of Okra.
Of course, we didn’t actually grow these blueberries that my angelic daughter is holding. We pick these at a local U-pick farm, and today we came away with over 7 lbs! I’m going to be freezing some for mid-winter blueberry pancakes, and I’m also going to try my hand at blueberry jam tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Categories: Make A Difference · green
Tagged: beans, blueberry, fruits, okra, organic, squash, tomato, vegetables
Just popping in for a quick bit, and i had to share my latest find… I got this great organic cotton tank/shell and I absolutely adore it. It has a stylish neck line, with rounded straps that cover my bra straps (let’s face it, bra-less is not an option for some people) and the colors are scrumptious. I think I’ll start collecting them in different colors. And the best part, I got to choose which charity a part of my money went towards (this time, I chose the Jane Goodall Institute.)
Categories: Find of the Day · Make A Difference · Organizations · clothes · green
Tagged: charity, clothing, organic
So, by day I work for a great marble mosaic company, New Ravenna Mosaics, and recently they launched a new line of mosaic tiles. Now they are on the hunt for the perfect name to encompass the collection. I put in my two cents, and one of my ideas made it into the final two choices… so go vote for me and my name “Samsara
(cycle of reincarnation)” over at Sara Baldwin’s Design blog!!! Go. Now. Vote.
Categories: Home & Garden · for the home
Tagged: mosaics
I seem to be back in the house remodel mode, so I’ve spent the last few days drooling over every magazine I could find any tidbits of inspiration, mulling over ways to make my home more Green while repurposing vintage supplies, using modern technology to supplement my power and heat, and just decorate with flair and whimsy. Anywho…I’ve posted Dreamin Green over on my sister site. Check it out!
Categories: Home & Garden · Make A Difference · for the home · green
Tagged: decorating, green, home
I admit, I’m a budding gardener. And it is so exciting that the time to order seeds and plan this years garden is upon me! Last year I ran upon a great book, Animal, Vegatable, Miracle a little too late to start a full-fledged garden, but that didn’t stop me from getting a few seeds to germinate in my less-than-desirable soil. The tiny eggplants we grew were scrumptious– so much better than those store bought monsters. And that has incitd me to do better this year.
I’m going to do more eggplant, but I only need a plant or two for what we will consume. I want to try to grow some baby greens for a salad mixture, mainly because those bag mixes are so expensive and I never seem to finish them before they get all slimy. Carrots are definatley on the agenda and I want to try to grow them into next winter using cold frames. Supposedly carrots get so much sweeter when it gets cold because they start converting their starch into sugars. I’m not a raw tomato fan, but I do love pasta, so I’m going to try my hand and some Roma and other sauce tomatoes. And some beans, lima, pea or green beans.
I still remember helping my mom shell limas and snap green beans when I was a child. Those kinds of earthy memories stick with a child, so I want to give my kids a head start at growing their own food later too!
This is bound to be a learning experience at any rate. I know almost nothing about plant pests and problems, soil requriement, pruning and harvesting. What I do know is that growing some of my own food will save my family a little money, help cut down on the amount of fossil fuels burnt by trucking in my food, and help the environment a little at the same time. I’m thinking of it as my own little victory garden– only the cause is for my life to be a better one in general.
Categories: Home & Garden · Make A Difference
