Meditations of My Heart: Our World Tuesday

Credit Where It Is Due

Credit Where It is Due

I like to make photographs, and I enjoy being praised for what I have done. But God teaches a different attitude, one of thankfulness and humility. He pointed that out to me recently. I DO NOT MAKE THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ALONE. I didn't create the light, or the technology which makes photography possible. I didn't buy my camera, it was a gift from my husband. I didn't give myself the ability to see through the camera in order to make an image which others find pleasing. It is right to use what I have been given to the best of my ability, but it is wrong to take credit for what I have not done. God made the light, the elements which are used to manufacture the camera, and the world from which these images come. He has given me gifts: people to teach me, eyes to see with, and a brain to process information. I am thankful for these gifts. He deserves all the praise, not I.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Picasa Meets a Waterfall

This is a small seasonal creek on our property.

I thought the subject and composition of the original image were beautiful.

BUT

Nothing was really clear, and the colors lacked pizzazz.

Well, I have been playing around with Picasa's editing tools, so I played with this.

I decided not to crop it. But I did do these things:

First, I used the saturation tool, which brought up the color some.

Then, I posterized it, adjusting for maximum colors and detail, which made it look more like a painting.

Focus issue solved.

Next, I applied what is called "Orton-ish." This tool increases contrast, "bloom," and "brightness." I had to tone it down with the sliders to get an effect I liked.

Finally, I added the border.