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lazy sunday + vsco

I recently purchased VSCO Film 01 for Adobe Camera RAW and Photoshop. It’s not cheap, but I’ve been dying to try it. I like experimenting with different aesthetic presentations for my photos, and I’m not married to any particular “look.” Plus, I like to learn new things! There are some free actions out there that mimic VSCO, and I have used some of them, but they’re just not the real thing and the finished product is evidence of that. Because they are actions, rather than presets, they are run directly in Photoshop on an already compressed image, which gives one less control over the final outcome. Shooting in RAW (vs JPEG) is required to use VSCO with Photoshop and, much to my delight, it has vastly improved the quality of my photos with or without presets. It’s so great to be able to tweak things like exposure, highlights, and especially white balance, without permanently changing the file.

RAW // VSCO Film 01 // C-Kodak Portra 160++

lazy sunday + vsco

lazy sunday + vsco

lazy sunday + vsco

lazy sunday + vsco

lazy sunday + vsco

lazy sunday + vsco

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playing with photoshop

I’ve been messing around with Photoshop in my free time (free time!!!). Today I stumbled upon this tutorial from artist and blogger Katie Stratton and thought I’d try her advice on some of my own photos. Changing the curves definitely creates a different aesthetic. I guess it’s really about what appeals to you, artistically.

For the first one, I just plugged in her exact specifications. It looks a little washed out, but I do love how the light brings out the sparkle in his eyes.

Before

DSC_0380

After

zane redo

For this one, I used her specifications as a guideline, but tweaked to my own taste. I love how much brighter the photo turned out (this is mostly due to the curve adjustments) because it really puts the focus on the children. I’m excited to try these techniques on other photos!

Before

DSC_0293

After

zane and lillia redo

For this shot I adjusted the curves and the “vibrance” to give it a nice pop. It’s interesting to note how the picture suddenly gained movement when it was brightened. Even her hair looks like it’s in motion.

Before

2012 579

After

lillia redo

Here I used curves to lighten the photo. I can’t believe how much it changes the mood of the photo. Suddenly, he’s ethereal.

Before

2012 660

After

zane shower redo

And, sometimes the best thing to do is take a photo with terrible lighting and colors…and make it black & white!

Before

DSC_0112

After

zane b&w
What do you think? Do you prefer to tweak your photos, or use them straight out of the camera?

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random squirrel

My daughter forced me to join a virtual pet adoption web site, and I needed an avatar, so I drew this “lurking squirrel” and colored it in Photoshop. Just for fun. To get to the pet site, search “Chicken Smoothie” or type ”chickensmoothie.com”.

squirrel copy

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I Heart Photoshop (and CoffeeShop)

One of the reasons I wanted to start a blog is because I derive so much pleasure from looking at the gorgeous photos that other mamas take of their kids and the events in their lives. I wanted to share my own life in that way. We have an okay camera, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS. It’s not a total piece of junk, but it’s not a DSLR. I used to find it endlessly frustrating that I could get great shots lined up, but the color always looked washed out or the photos came out grainy. Some of this is user error (okay, most of it), but some is just the equipment and that can’t be remedied by adjusting settings.

However, one day, while I was mindlessly cruising around Pinterest, I came across The CoffeeShop Blog, a site created by a stay-at-home mama named Rita. Oh my goodness. I am in love. (With the site not with Rita, though she seems nice enough!) This amazing woman has created Photoshop action sequences that can be downloaded *for free* and applied to your photos in a matter of seconds. No more trying to learn the 85 steps necessary to make your photos look like they were taken by a professional. Now, you just click a button or two.

Usually, I don’t like cheating. But, in this situation, I am all for it. Just check out how awesome some of my pictures have turned out using her actions!


My daughter Lillia at her Waldorf school’s May Day celebration, 2010.

For some of her actions, Rita includes multiple choices for different effects, which is really helpful.


Lillia at home on May Day this year, 2011.

Both sets were enhanced using Rita’s CoffeeShop Color Pop 2 Action. I highly, highly, highly recommend you visit her site, if you have Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. You will be amazed at what your photos can turn into with just a few clicks!

Thank you, Rita, for your talent, your creativity, and your generosity!

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