New Old.

Here are a few pics that I took last summer of my cousin Danielle. They were taken with my old Point and Shoot, so obviously the clairity isn't spectacular, but I did do some much needed editing that seemed to help.







Newborn photo shoot is Friday...SO EXCITED! :)

It came, it came!!!

It's official. My Canon Rebel T2i is here! It arrived yesterday and I couldn't be more happier. After getting over my initial giddy and amazement at the actual camera, I had to charge the battery before I could "play" with it. What a long 2 hours! After it was done charging, I took some random pictures around my house, of my roomies, and of my shoes. Nothing spectacular by any means, but I was able to really work with getting comfortable with changing up the shutter speed and aperture (f stop). Then we went on a little drive to Oceano and Shell Beach to take more pictures. I took some of a warehouse in Oceano, and of course the beach. Below are some of those pics...

And these are pictures I took today at work. Just practicing some more with my settings and different lighting...again, nothing spectacular.















Well, that's about it. Baby Mady was born Sunday morning, so next week will be my first official shoot with my new camera...I can't wait!

My little man.

This past weekend, I got to spend a couple hours with my pal Jack. He's so smart and so fun, I knew it would be a good picture day! These were taken on my Point and Shoot since my new camera isn't here yet (2 weeks tomorrow!!!)

Over the weekend, I also did a little upgrading in the editing department. I bought Photoshop Elements 8, and it's amazing. It's way more advanced and upgraded appearence wise from Photoshop 5 (obviously), but also doesn't have a few things I know and like to use, like my font. But I'm ok with that considering I'm still learning everyday and will upgrade from this one too, eventually.

Seriously, I'm having so much fun taking pictures and editing, it's all I think about. I CANNOT wait for my camera to arrive!!!

Enjoy these ones!
















**NOTE** You may notice, a few picture don't have my stamp, and a few are unedited. I forgot to save a few of them jpeg, so I have to switch em'.

Editing

I've been doing some editing lately, trying to "fix" the pictures I want in my portfolio. I'm still just getting used to the basics of Photoshop, but it seems easier when I'm trying to find the right tool. I just had no idea how complicated and complex the program was! Good thing I like a challenge! Below are a few pics that I like more than before, but will still work on. Most definately, a work in progress.



So apparently there are only two pictures I like enough to post...oh well, there's always tomorrow!


***UPDATE*** I HAD 2 pictures up, but really hated how had edited one, so it's gone now. LOL. It's for the best, really.

Ordered!

I did it! I pre-ordered my camera! My amazing, beautiful, PROFESSIONAL camera should be here in a few weeks! I am so excited to get it, and to see the difference between my old camera and the new one. 18 astonishing megapixels. That's a HUGE step up from my very minor 8 megapixels.

I also have a few gigs "shoots" set up! I will be shooting a newborn in the next few weeks...she just needs to be born, and I need my camera! :) I already have so many ideas for positioning and proping her! I've also been asked to do a family shoot, but now I'm pushing that back a few weeks until my camera arrives. I will also be making a reversable back board, having white fabric on one side, and black on the other for the baby pictures, and for others, I'm sure.

I may also get to shoot another event, but I don't want to get into details because I don't want to jinx myself!

So because of the coming up events and my drive to go pro, I've made AND ordered business cards! They are adorable (in my opinion), and very very cheap!
Here it is! :



I also have a new "photography email"...it is: nataliestricklinphotography@yahoo.com



So these next few weeks are going to be extremely busy for me! Between back round construction, my real job, learning techniques, settings, AND learning Photoshop, I have my plate full. And I LOVE it!

I'm so blessed.

So now I can't stop...here are a few more before and afters...enjoy!



Before:

After:

And one more set...

Before:




And after:

Photoshop.

I started the evening not liking Photoshop. I know it means well, and goes hand in hand with great pictures, but for now, Photoshop has become my arch nemisis. I spent the evening trying to alter pictures and it just wasn't happening. I decided to wait until tomorrow to try again, but something told me to try once more before going to bed. So I did, and I actually edited a picture and LIKED the end result! I wouldn't call it good by any means, but I was able to do what I wanted to it, so my goal for today has been accomplished. Yay for me! :) Below are the pictures...nothing fantastic, but still something


The original, taken in Texas:

And the "touch up":

Also, it should be known. I LOVE naked trees! :) Goodnight!

New things!

I'm back! I've been on vacation for the last 12 days and learned SO much! I spent 10 days with my aunt, "the photographer" and the best photographer mentor ever! :) While there, she taught AND gave me Photoshop! I'm so blessed to have her as my AUNT! She taught me so much so quick, I just can't wait to get on Photoshop tonight! So the picures I posted previously, will have a new and "fresh" look to them! I can't wait to expand my horizons!

The best part of all...I'm getting my new camera this weekend! I hope. Lol. It will be a very busy weekend for me, learning, learning, learning! Check back often, new pics are coming soon!