Taking Pictures, Enjoying Life.: July 2012

Here are the photos that I referred to in the CY365 Discussion Board.

This one has no brush adjustments.

In this one, I used the brush tool with masking to darken the background. It took just a few broad strokes with a large brush and was done.

I did the sunflower one just for a quick example.

Here is an example of when I used the brush tool "for real". In no way do I claim to be an expert, but I can see how the brush tool can be really beneficial.

Here is the original after following my usual post-processing algorythm.

I thought the lady's dress was too dark so I used the brush tool to change the exposure just on her dress and this was the result. I probably could have then played around with darkening some of the bright light above Matthew but I did not. Other than my POTD, I don't intend on doing anything with this photo so I did not invest a ton of time these alterations.

Hope this helps.

Happy July!

Enjoy the photography from members of the

Capture Your 365 Community.

Those participating in this quarter's blog hop are:

Kathleen - Taking Pictures, Enjoying Life

Kelly - but for the Grace of God
Karen - Random Reflections
Janine - The Sweetest Dreams
Katrina - Capture Your 365

__________________________________________________

I am not a planner when it comes to my photography. The hunt for the photo or the anticipation of an image appearing before me are what inspire me to take pictures every day. I enjoy looking back at photos and seeing how my pictures group together and what themes appear. The project of shooting every day typically fulfills my curiosity and I thrive on the daily spontananiety it proves.

My experience during this quarter was distinctly different. I chose a specific topic -my last days with my dad.

Dad suffered from a progressive degenerative brain disease that slowly ate away at his brain. Many aspects of his illness were incredibly sad. The saddest for me was to remember at how hard Dad worked to challenge his brain. He was a physician. My main childhood memory is of my dad reading in his den. His nose was always in a textbook or a clinical guideline or a continuing education booklet. During long car rides, Dad would listen to Audio Digest cassette tapes which described the latest technological advanced in anesthesia.

As much as I long for a family like the Waltons, mine is the exact opposite. I believe we experience life the way we do for a reason. I will never understand why my family behaves the way they do.

I am fortunate that Jim, the kids and me were afforded the opportunity to care for my dad every day for a full month. I took hundreds of photos over the course of the month. Those weeks will be cherished forever. We learned, we grieved and we loved. The last time I saw my dad was on May 17. Despite his limited capacities, Dad was able to convey forgiveness, understanding and love.

I am not sure why we were afforded the month with my dad but I am grateful for it. I will cherish my photographs of him forever.

Dad died on Friday, June 29th.