Retouch

For any of you who haven't seen it yet, I put together a photoblog for my photography business www.xiphiasphotography.com.

One of the features of the photo sessions I do (I think) is the retouching. I've found that while a lot of photographers out there will edit for color balance, effects, etc...many leave blemishes, extra chins, and other unflattering things in the photo. Or they charge extra to take them out.

For me, being horrible in front of the camera, it just seems like the thing to do, erasing the unwanted features from an otherwise great photo. I can't tell you how many times I wished that someone had told me before taking a photo that the way I was standing gave me an extra roll of side fat, or the way I tilted my head multiplied the number of chins I had. I wished even more than once the photo was taken, those items could be removed.

So, a before and after:

Gorgeous subjects, but she didn't like the "rolls" that her shirt created when she was hoisted onto her man's shoulders...the photo otherwise is too cute to discard, so...

...rolls be gone!

Already, very cute girl, but the skin isn't pristine (I mean, who's is a that age)...

..and, voila!

Even I have been subject to my own editing...

...do you really think I was going to post a before of me? :)

What's New

I hate posting just to "update". It doesn't feel very blog-like.

But that is what I am doing.

First up, the Jonas update. He is ten months old now and walking all over the place. It started last month sometime and now he is a little expert. He is freakishly strong for someone so small. (As I type this, he is yelling at me and making my office chair, with me it, swing back and forth.) I don't recall ever seeing a baby with calves like his.

And I guess, walking and being ten months old means he's not so much a baby anymore. More like a toddler.

Wow.

Non-Jonas update - I've put together some of my photo sessions at XiphiasPhotography.com. Yes, I am finally making a go of turning my hobby into income. With J and I still out of work, it seems to make sense to give it a try. And so far the response has been good! So, positive thoughts for me, ya'll.

Your Dose of Jonas

Too busy today for blogging. So you get this...

Maternity Shoot

So I completed my first maternity shoot Monday. (and there was much rejoicing)

The good: I learned a lot. And my subject, despite being due two days after the shoot (today!) was a pleasure.

The bad: The spot I had planned on taking a LOT of the photos was closed off for renovations, so I had to improvise.

The ugly: I don't think there was an ugly, which is good, considering we are talking photos here.

A few highlights...

Yannin plays piano. Beautifully. We took some shots at her mother's house, where her piano is, so I wanted to be sure to feature it.

In the backyard. An orange tree seemed appropriate for a Florida born baby.

Still at mom's house, the "I'm pregnant so I am going to stare wistfully out the window" shot.

I love taking belly pictures. It's the one time in a woman's life that you can be proud to show off the roundness. :)

It was a bajillion degrees out, so ice cream seemed like a good idea.

The light right at that moment was perfect.

Don't know why, but I love train tracks.

This was our air conditioning break in the Pottery Barn. She was still so relaxed after wandering around Park Ave, I just love this picture for what it is.

Another Before and After

I took wedding photos for a friend a while back and really liked one of the photos - unfortunately, there was a sunburst right over the bride and groom's faces. Since I have been playing with da' PShop, I thought now was as good a time as any to see if I could salvage that photo.

Not perfect, but not bad, eh?

Before and After

I downloaded a trial version of Photoshop the other day, just to get a feel for how it works. So, if I am missing from the blog for the next 20-some-odd days, it is probably because I am spending my spare moments teaching myself how to edit photos while I have the free trial.

One of my first experiments - brightening up (with a few extra retouches) this adorable photo of one of my best girls and her man at their wedding.

Here is the before...

...and the after...

Also one of my first attempts at working with layers is a picture of, you guessed it, the little man.

'

I promise, something that resembles writing will be here again soon.

Listening to: Silence (Jonas is hangin' with his grandparents)

Current mood: Satisfied

I've been spending the eve researching photo editing, software, etc... as I consider putting more time, effort, and one day when I have it, money, into photography. Next week I should be doing a maternity shoot for a friend, so I'll have more to put into a portfolio.

The idea of doing something I enjoy for pay is appealing, albeit a little frightening.

Having someone pay for your work is giving them the right to criticize it. Sometimes its nice to live in a world where people compliment what you do on the side because it's good...for being "on the side".

So we shall see.

I would have more to say, but I'm exhausted. Will post more soon...