Easter Tulips ... Software Editing

Here are the color versions of my earlier Black &White "Tulip" posts.  First is the original photo without editing.  Second is color enhanced version, with the background muted to B&W and a photo filter applied to the finished product.  Third and final is the color enhanced version, with the background muted to B&W, with an ART rendered finish applied.  Which one do you like best?

@Copyrighted Image, 2011.  All Rights Reserved.

 

@Copyrighted Image, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

@Copyrighted Image, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Have to say, I am loving the possibilities for creativity offered by the photo editing software ....

Spring Poem ...

A Joyful Poem for Spring ...

Image Source

Joyful Awakening


In hibernation
Thoughtless reclination
While nature drinks of icy libation.

Limbs ache to extend
Break forth and upend
Paid is winter's due stipend.

Vital energy flowing
New growth sowing
Lively discourse knowing.

Colorful scent of flowers crest
Trees gracefully open in quest
Awaken all that's best.

Myriads of butterflies dance
Precious newborn babies prance
Gentle raindrops chance.

Rainbows bow in rung
Joyful, joyful abundantly sung
Spring has at last sprung.



@Copyrighted & Published Poem 2011. All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

Experimenting in Black & White ... Easter Tulips

Had some beautiful purple and white Easter Tulips on hand so I'd thought that I'd experiment with taking some shots of these tulips up close, in different lighting conditions, with varying settings.  Work that patience muscle ; )  But it was a useful exercise, and I think that I learned something new in the process.  Always fun to experiment!

The purple tulips this day were standing ever so tall ... while the white ones, by contrast, were taking a graceful bow ...

@Copyrighted Image.  All Rights Reserved.

@Copyrighted Image. All Rights Reserved.

@Copyrighted Image. All Rights Reserved.

 
Hope you and yours had a Blessed and Happy Easter! : ) XO

Rebirth, Forgiveness & Happiness (Flying!) ...

I've thought about it long and hard this Easter ... What does Easter truly mean to me?  My kids are older now.  They're not into coloring Easter eggs.  They don't believe in the Easter Bunny.  Egg Hunts have begun to lose their appeal.  So I thought, what can I gift my daughters for Easter this year?  And it came to me that I could share with them what Easter truly means to me ... Beyond the story ... the symbolism ... What it means to open your heart and embrace the gift that we receive at Easter.  And this is what I came up with ...

Spring is a time of rebirth as life all around us awakens from winter's slumber with new growth, vigor and vitality.  So to me it is fitting that Easter also falls within this season of 'Spring', for each of us is reminded, merely by opening our eyes and seeing the beauty in the world around us, of the potential for rebirth in our own lives.  Maybe some of us have been in our own spiritual winter, but it's never to late:  Today is a NEW DAY!  You can make a conscious choice to put the past behind, to embrace the hope of rebirth and to begin this day to lead the life you were meant to lead.  God, our Creator, wants you to be happy and he's given you the keys ... Maybe some of us have misplaced them, but with a little effort one can find them again ... Then, it's up to you to use them.

"Rebirth" ... Photo By My Daughter Beth = : )

@Copyrighted Image.  All Rights Reserved.

Whether you believe in Jesus, or not,  God's gift of forgiveness is still yours to embrace.  You have only to ask for it in your heart and mind, with true faith, and in doing so you throw off the weights of this materialistic world, open your wings and begin to fly ... And just maybe, as you are searching your own heart and mind for forgiveness of your sins, you will find it within you to perhaps forgive someone else who has wronged you in some way.  Maybe we, all of us, hold the keys to forgiveness?



God's gift of Peace, Love & Light to all who pass this way. 
A Blessed Easter to You and Yours,

~M


.
P.S.  If you need a laugh:  While at mass yesterday, for Easter, we renewed our baptismal vows ... after which the minister sprinkles Holy Water over the congregation.  My oldest rolls her eyes at the silly symbolism in her mind.  My middle daughter is alarmed ... "I don't want to get wet!  It will leave spots on my silk dress."  But my youngest smiles broadly and exclaims, "COOL!  I won't have to take a shower tonight!"

Happy Earth Day!

Here are some amazing photos of our remarkable, rapidly spinning, BLUE planet taken from high earth orbit ... These are truly amazing: Earth Day Pictures: 20 Stunning Shots of Earth From Space (National Geographic)..  Makes you look at this planet in a whole new light.  Enjoy!!

 

Image Source

 

Image Source

Visit Website:
Earth Day Pictures: 20 Stunning Shots of Earth From Space (National Geographic).

In Search of Some "Spring"?

Ventured out for a walk today, with my camera, in search of signs of Spring.  It was a beautifully sunny day ... Though the sun was misleading, for the air still bore a taste of winter's deathly chill and a brisk wind drove the chill deep into my bones.  But perservere, I did ... well for a little while at least ( I truly hate being cold!).  I found some beautiful pink blooms blowing madly in the wind.   Not the best of Spring, but at least I found some signs.  Hopefully a warmer day, with less wind and no bite will produce better images?  One can always hope, I guess?

"Spring Folly Collage"

Feel free to use this image if you would like : )

 

Found the perfect musical accompaniment for this image: 

Bach Double Concerto in D minor Vivace ... Will try to upload and post soon.

My Latest Photography Experiment: Playing with Glass

My oldest daughter and I did some playing with glass not long ago. We used art decorated wine goblets, sprinkled with various colors of glass stones, and a large faux diamond on a metalic coated plate.  Then we took the shots outdoors on the patio with natural lighting.  I am trying to teach my daughter some of what I have learned ... though I still have so much to learn myself.  Still it is fun to experiment and play.  These are the shots that I then choose to play with in the software and here is what I came up with.  FUN experiment!

@Copyright Image, 2011.  All Rights Reserved

"Playing with Glass ... Crayons"

@Copyright Image, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

@Copyright Image, 2011. All Rights Reserved

Upbeat and Inspiring Photography ...

For all of you photography buffs out there, here is some upbeat and truly inspiring photography ... imagery ... that I happened to stumble upon the other night. These are seasonal shots of the same landscape merged into one tres cool photo via the miracle of photo editing software .  Truly something to aspire to ... or merely just to enjoy ... delight the senses and stir the imagination.  : )

Website:  4-Season Photo Merges at this site ... Be sure to check it out!  http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/31pgII/www.funcram.com/pictures/four-seasons-in-a-single-picture.html

Image Source

Image Source

Saying "Good-bye" to a Beloved Pet ...

Actually, I don't believe in "Good-bye" ... for me, it's "Until we meet again."

Sasha, our German Shepherd "puppy", passed away in her sleep last night. She suffered another stroke yesterday. We made her comfortable, and I just prayed that she would pass away peacefully in her sleep so that we would not have to bring her into the vet to have her put down. Last night at 3:49 a.m., while taking a break from my vigil, I felt the spirit of my playful puppy by my side at the computer ... wanting to be pet on the head and I knew then that she was gone.

The kids got to say goodbye last night, and I didn't tell them this morning that she was gone. I will tell them when they get back home from school.  They were teary-eyed of course, but they know that death is not the end.

Sasha was a great dog and she had a good life. She celebrated her 15th birthday this past February 23, 2011. She will be missed, but we know that death is not the end and that Sasha is in a happy place, without pain right now ... onto her next great adventure.  : )

Until we meet again, my sweet friend, Sasha ... You are loved! ♥

A Poem for my Daughters

I've been thinking a lot about what is truly important in  my life these days ... and my three daughters come unquestionably to the forefront of my thoughts.  They truly make my world go around.  So in honor of my daughters, I am posting this poem here just for them.  =)

@Copyrighted Image 2011.  All Rights Reserved.

Cloud Parade


Whimsical clouds dancing merrily by
In a newly awakened (springtime) twilight sky.
Seem to be calling out to me:
Stop for a moment and just BE!!

Pause for a moment or two, I do,
With ever the slightest hesitation.
Intrigued by Mother Nature's invitation
To enjoy this cumulo-nimbus celebration.

Lay me down in the cool, wet grass.
Deciding not to let this moment pass.
Kick off my pointy shoes.
Thinking I've got nothing to lose?
Look up into the sleepy sky.
Watch a bevy
Of whispy clouds drift by.
The sky's eyelids grow heavy,
As oranges and reds give way
To transcendent hues
Of ever-deepening shades of blues.

Playful clouds hop, jump and skip.
Pause and bite my lower lip ...
As childhood emotions stir.
Memories of simpler days.
Remember how we used to play?
Or has it now become a blur?
What do you see?
I see a sailboat, a dancing butterfly.
A bluebird, a whispering willow tree.

Azure gives way to indigo, while
Clouds drift off to peaceful sleep.
Mystery and magic arise from slumber.
Leaving me alone ...
Reclined in the cool,
Nighttime grass
Filled once again with a
Childhood sense of wonder.


@Copyrighted Poem, 2011. All Rights Reserved:  Michelle C. of whatplanetareyoulivingon.blogspot.com




P.S.   If you LOVE clouds and want to be truly inspired check out the Clouds365 Project at Clouds365 Project.