to each his own

I want to start today by stating that I am the worlds biggest winter weather whiner. This morning, it was five below zero. When you walk outside, all the moisture in your nose freezes, a feeling that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. I know there are many other locales in this great nation of ours that will make my winter look like a sissy little girl. Places with wild wind, places with many feet of snow accumulation (I actually love snow, btw), places that stay gray and cloudy all day. I know things could be much worse. That knowledge will not, however, keep me from my winter whine fest.

My youngest has been driving for less than two weeks, and this morning awoke to the northern winter rite of passage known as "exploded frozen soda can all over your dash board, on your stereo and in every nook and cranny." It happens to the best of us, but was a major bummer none the less. Poor guy. He had just spent a bunch of time spiffing up his new ride. Live and learn. *He found out at school that he was not the only one with this sorry story today.

Now, on to what I was up to for the vast majority of the weekend, while in my pajamas for two days straight.

Late last summer, my hubby bought me the full version of Photoshop, CS4. While Photoshop Elements is a really great program, CS4 opened up a whole new world of processing options for me. These options also open up a can of worms in the photography world. Many people feel that enhancements beyond a little sharpening and contrast are not really in keeping with the true art of photography. While I understand that position and why they feel that way, I am not one of them. I love all kinds of different effects in the art of photography. I spent the weekend playing with some of my favorite photo's and trying to decide what look I like best. If I had to pick one style, which would it be? I cannot decide. I like too many things.

Most of the photo's shown here are processed with The Pioneer Woman's actions. They are awesome and they are free, but they only work with the full version of Photoshop.

Here we have my sweet little niece in the daisy patch. I just have to mention that at 18 months old she is almost completely potty trained. She's a genius.

This first series is just basic processing, a little contrast and sharpening.


And here, a vintage effect.


This is my other adorable great niece, and if squeezing baby puddin' legs was a crime, I'd be serving life. She is a doll, and said both "hi" and "bye-bye" to me on the phone this weekend. She's brilliant. She lives way too far away, and I can't wait to see her when she visits next month.

A basic version....


Deeper color in the background....


And, a hazy version....


You met this young lady in my last post. After realizing last summer that my youngest wasn't going to be at all excited about daily photo sessions, I called her up to see if she was game for some pics, and we had a ball. She's a natural.


This is Pioneer Woman's seventies action, one of my very favorites...


Here, I used a dreamy effect pretty heavily, everywhere but on her eye, and I love how it turned out.


Here, a little bit of an industrial feel...


Do you like edge burn? I do. Normally, I wouldn't use it this heavy, but for these photo's I like the drama of it.


A couple weeks after we took these photo's, I took a few shots of her little sister.


Black and white....


and half and half....


And finally, my current favorite process, as it goes really well with fall colors.


So, tell me. What do you like better?

Are you a straight out of the camera purist?

Do you like a little extra something with your photo's?

Did I just win the prize for longest post ever?

Is anyone still there?

And as for the first part of this novel, I would really love to hear everyone's winter war stories. What's it like where you live? Misery loves company.

Sincerely yours,
Cold and Photographically Confused in Montana