Category Archives: creativity

Let the sunshine in…

In the midst of short days and long nights during this Minnesota winter, I deemed it necessary to escape to a land filled with warmth and sunshine. Photoshop CC 2015 is the closest I will get to the tropics  today, so here we go:

Wanted to add a dreamy, soft and warm look to this image…

JK_3yr-5664webImage straight out of camera
My attempt at reproducing the effects of adding soft light as demonstrated in this Youtube tutorial:

JK_3yr-5664sunshine4lfwebAfter starting, stopping, starting, stopping, going back, replay, repeat, etc. I finally came to the end of the tutorial. My final result is not perfect, but I did learn some coloring effects that may come in handy in the future. You’re never too old to learn new things!

Abstract exploration…

ab·stract art:  Art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures.

Result from Photoshop manipulation using the liquify tool. As I played with the strokes, the image seemed to take on a form in tune with the Christmas season.

winter2015-9742rliquify_4bcrlfweb
Image of winter sun through icy branches. Manipulated with liquify tool in Photoshop and seemed to take on the form of a mother and child with a cross.

 

Angel over Gary, South Dakota

winter2015-9747r2web
Image by Joyce Meyer

I see and feel the protection of angels.  Yes, I believe…

View of Gary, South Dakota from  Minnesota in Lac qui Parle County, Manfred Township, on a cold, blustery day ~December 16, 2015.  Touched up a few dust on the sensor spots and tweaked saturation, just a little. White specks are from the blowing snow. Working on a series called “Into the Light” and this was the result on this day due to lens flare.  (Click on the image for a larger viewing window.) ISO 100 / 1/500 / F 16

Maybe I’m just feeling the Christmas spirit, but I see an angel.

Do you see the angel?

Prairie Sun

“We who live in quiet places have the opportunity to become acquainted with ourselves, to think our own thoughts and live our own lives in a way that is not possible for those keeping up with the crowd.”
― Laura Ingalls WilderYogaSun2kpweb

Blended image by Joyce Meyer ~ Manfred Township, Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota

Simplify… less is the new more.

Yoga-5586rdmvcbcrweb
Image by Joyce Meyer

 

Truly a blessing…

https://animoto.com/play/o8mNlWEmFXkt500WJjKPpw

The majority of these images were obtained using available window light in the home. It just seems easier to not take the baby out. If flash was used, it was bounced for fill only and not direct.

I was the father’s kindergarten teacher and photographed the couple’s wedding, so I feel truly blessed to capture this miracle of life.

Nudging Mother Nature…

“I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful — an endless prospect of magic and wonder.”
— Ansel Adams

Give an autumn image a little nudge using Photoshop.

gieseweb_bef_aftA few adjustments in channel mixer, blending, selective colors and filter photoshop effect.

Image by Joyce Meyer
Image by Joyce Meyer

Another option is using Photoshop to add lens flare for an extra kick.

Enjoy these last days of autumn…Giese-7896fall12x12r2snow2web…until that magical first snowfall!

Above is a Photoshop tutorial on creating an autumn effect:

Yoga on the Prairie


Yoga-5649rdmvblendweb2bwImage blend of prairie image captured in Manfred Township located in Lac Qui Parle County, southwestern Minnesota. Images and editing by Joyce Meyer.Yoga-5649rdmvblendweb2Background in color with B & W subject blend.
Yoga-5649rdmvwebframeOriginal background.Yoga-5674rwebB & W subject with bronze toning.

Yoga-5649rdmvblendHDRwebMonochromatic HDR.

…and you thought YOUR weekend was rough!

Hunt-5239rpsplcrstarscrweb

Friday Night Lights…

Kraus-3645blendfirewebPlaying around with a blend… a little HDR, a little fire and a little fun to get the day going.  GO LANCERS!!