Tuesday, February 3

the learning curve

dandy

so, i got photoshop.  a couple months ago actually and a friend hooked me up with some actions and a friend and another friend hooked me up with a little help, but i am still lost.  i have this problem and i can't seem to sit and focus and figure it out.   when i get confused i start looking at blogs, then i look at more blogs, then i come across cool photography blogs that make me want to learn it more then i try and get frustrated and it is a terrible cycle. plus, you can do so many funky things to pictures, but i usually just like them to look natural.  but then i see cool pictures on photography blogs and i want to play on photoshop- and then we are back to "the cycle". 
i like to take pictures. no, i love to take pictures. it's fun. it's freezing a moment in life that you want (or don't want) to remember.  or it's capturing something beautiful and then you can share it.  sometimes i think i would love to have a little photography business (who doesn't?).   i remember back in the day plotting with my sister that we would start a company to do weddings- she would do all the wedding planning and i would take pictures and have my own dark room to develop in.  man, i miss darkrooms- how much fun did we have in high school photo (lauren?  oh wait, you never did anything and had brad do it all ;) )?  it is way more fun to play with photopaper, lights, and chemicals in a room with a revolving door than to play on the computer, i think.  anyways, brynn and i decided we would overtake my great-grandma's house in laguna and that would be our headquarters.  it's funny to think about now and i don't think that my grandma who now lives in that house wants to be kicked out of her home.  i would still love to do it though.  
so i think i need some of your help- anyone want some pictures taken of their kids or family?  velzy and ivy are adorable and all but whenever you take a camera out around them velzy puts her head down and make a really weird face and ivy says "cheese" and has a cheesy smile.   i really just want to take some pictures to play around with, and i will give you a disk with the end results-  that way you get some pics and i get some practice.  i figure, if there is someone who is waiting for some pictures maybe i will sit down and get something done while luke is doing his homework rather then enter into the dreaded "cycle" again.  so let me know, comment if your around here (that being the inland empire and orange county) and want to play for a bit.  who knows, i might actually learn something.

22 comments:

Mrs. Case said...

Ooooooooooooooh! Sign me up! We could use some anniversary shots!

lauren said...

are you kidding? im first! um my kids are really cute, that always helps. oh and i also loved photo but it was really nice having brad there =0 ok now take our pics at the beach please.

heidi said...

someone in our ward teaches free photoshop classes--i've done them and it is a doable program with a little practice--supposedly they have online tutorials too. if only you were closer...you could take the classes and our pictures. good luck.

.Ang. said...

I always love your photos!!

And i agree, i like a more natural looking photo as well!

AND I ALSO agree that Dark rooms are WAY more fun!!!

I miss dark rooms!!

Stephanie said...

I'm proud of you for learning photoshop! I'm like to ADD or something. It's lightroom for me;) maybe someday I'll get my act together. I'm excited to see what you come up with!

Smiths said...

You kind of fooled me- I thought you were doing an excelent pro job on photoshop already. I didn't realize you were still "figuring it out". Keep up the good work, and maybe Velzy and Taj's wedding would be a good goal for your first wedding to shoot:)

liko said...

i look forward to seeing the results of your photo shoots! the pictures i have seen on your blog so far are awesome in themselves. and someday, when i get my rebel, i won't need to photo edit and my pictures will look fine without it. miss you, chica. and if you or luke ever want a balsa board, doug is your man.

Brittany said...

I have the same problem! I can't even sit and focus that long. You are welcome to play with Owen if you would like. He usually is pretty good in front of the camera.

Melissa said...

oooh that will be fun to see!

Melissa said...

p.s. love the quilt

The Trotter Family said...

Looks like you already have a ton of takers, but I'm in too! We haven't had a family picture taken since Micah was 18 months! As a bonus, Brooklyn loves the camera and gives a huge cheesy smile when she sees it.

Da Denninghoff's said...

Yah, I'm so glad that you are heading in that direction Ashley! I always thought you had an eye for photography. Have you tried passing around a sign up sheet in Relief Society? I did and I was booked for the whole summer. It's nice because you want to build a portfolio. Try it out:)

Jessica Brown said...

That picture of Velz is awesome! Do you have the full version of photoshop? We just got elements and I feel the same way. There is sooo much to learn!

Jen said...

ME please!

Although I only have the one kiddo. But it'll be fun to just get some non posed shots. Name it and we'll be there.

Plus it would be fun to hang with you silly girls.

Photo Visions Hawaii said...

this where it all begins...hope all is well with the family. Good luck on all your photo adventures, I hope my mini-lessons helped a little!

stef j. said...

YOU ROCK!

that's all.

and i don't know photoshop. sorry bud. and i'm too far away for your mad photo skills.

nicole said...

I would love it!! I need some good shots of Presley. I want to learn photoshop too - but I totally agree that I don't like them to look too filtered. Good luck with all this!

with love, r said...

Hey there- it's me again. I see you have tons of responses but if you still want to practice...I would love to have some candid pics of my boys. I'm still in your parents ward so we aren't too far from you...

Molly Malia said...

hey, next time i'm down there k???
oh and btw, make me a copy of your photoshop!

Missy said...

Let's meet at the beach. Is your email @yahoo, hotmail or gmail? I don't want to send my number to the wrong one:)

diana palmer said...

hi. i think you take excellent pictures. i like your perspective a lot. here's a little website that will strike you as dorky first, but in the end can teach you soooo much:

ilovephotography.com

its seriously like going to school. you can learn everything about photoshop there. enjoy.

Tonya said...

when you are ready for a **CHALLENGE** you are more welcome to have a go with all of these boys. i would love it. however, it might take A LOT of patience.