Simple is...

...as simple does.

I love simple...it has become my mantra lately. It allows you to focus on what's important....AFTER you weed out all the other stuff! Linking up with Kim over at the Cafe Kim Klassen cafe -
Using her fabulous new SIMPLICITY texture.

AND...
I had a lapse of consciousness, crazy idea & shared it with my girl Diane over at aug's blog
& she agreed to do a 12 month selfie project. Now, we've both been on a 365 self portrait journey & after shooting January's photo, I thought to myself..."how the heck did I do this everyday for a year?" Diane totally got what I was talking about. But truth be told, we both like the art of self portraiture. The theme was winter...Here's what I came up with.
Oh...and thanks D...you may decide that you don't want me calling you with anymore hair brained ideas! xo

                                                                   Happy Snapping!
                                                                             xo
                                                                           Kelly

Simple Tutorial...

Many of you commented on the cracked table on a few of my shots here:
 Hello, my name is... and here...Beyond...
So I thought I'd do a real simple tutorial on how to do this crackle top. It's SO easy.
Basically, I had an "a-ha" moment over the summer as I was passing a floor & tile store. The wood floor samples look like table tops so I asked the owner if he had any discarded samples he'd be willing to give up to an amateur photographer.
That story is here...~The Foodie~
Anyhow...

Frankie filled in the grooves with spackle. I asked him not to do it perfectly because I liked the imperfections. You can use any crafter acrylic paint from a hobby store. They are permanent, so wear old clothes.
 Paint the first layer with your darker color. I chose Arrowhead (grey). Let it completely dry. After the first coat dries, apply the crackle. I laid it on pretty thick. Let it dry at least an hour. It will feel "tacky" to the touch. It won't crackle until you add your coordinating color. I chose Snowflake. You'll need to work pretty quick. Don't pour your paint directly onto the crackle, use a plate or something you can work your paint and brush easily. After that completely dries, spray a sealer on it. I chose a matte (flat) finish. If you have any questions, you can post them in the comments section and I'll reply there to you.

Happy Snapping!

xo

Kelly

Pin It

This is what...

...Dreams are made of!

I have so many ideas dreams floating in my head I should be writing them in my journal because they are fleeting. In my head one minute...poof...gone the next. So my plan is to jot....jot down any and all my ideas for shots because I know I've let a few really good ones go.....but that's all I can remember, that I let 'em go!
So for today's Beyond Layers were talking about light & blur.
I get my blur from using my prime 50mm 1.8. I HAD to have that lens before I even knew anything about photography & I hated it...at first. There was such an margin of error. I spent a lot of time swooning & drooling over photos from that lens. I just loved the effect. So towards the end of my self portrait 365-I MADE myself use it...no matter what. And now? I CAN'T live without it!
Like Kim, I know the best time to shoot in my makeshift studio formally known as our formal dining room! We have east facing window with the most beautiful natural light.
I've included the original shot.
50mm, f/6.3, 1/50 ISO 500 manual mode
Florabella's B/W Chestnut pass thru @80%
KK's Lily (I skewed it) color burn @ 70%
Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly

My story...

...in six words

Can you believe forty-eight years could be described in six little words?  Six little words. Each one has such an impact on who I am today. Six words...what's YOUR story?
Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly

Gung Hay Fat Choy...

...May you be prosperous.

Just a quickie today. I don't know much about the Chinese calendar except I know it's the Year of the Dragon and I like to partake in fortune cookies! What's NOT to love about cracking open your fortune? I'm sharing mine with you!
Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly

Photo~Heart...

...Connection

**Big Sigh**
I couldn't believe the random post today over at the Shutter Sisters - home
I mean what are the odds of that post & what I was feeling/shooting before I even read it?
At this moment on my photography journey, I'm finding what I shoot has more personal meaning. And It gives me a good feeling when others connect to what I'm saying.
 Right now my photo-heart connection is TIME.
 I always want more. I want it more than anything...I really want to go back into time & hold my babies just a little longer. To soak in every detail that has escaped me through time.
 It hit me the other day as I was in a texting conversation with Justin when my land line rang. I didn't recognize the name on the caller ID & usually I ignore those...but you know that little voice inside you says, "You may want to take this."  It was a young A.F. wife that was part of a support group for deployed soldiers. THAT'S when it hit me...I'm the mother of a deployed soldier going to the Middle East, to serve and protect.
 Can I please hold that little boy one more time? Can I please just drink him in after his bath? Can I please read him one more bedtime story & kiss him goodnight-not kiss him goodbye?
Can I please have more time?
**Big Sigh**
Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly

Beyond...

...Excited about the first photo assignment for Beyond Layers.

It has ALL the elements I love more & more these days. Simplicity, light, negative space, subtle texture, purposeful with meaning.
I couldn't wait to get off work today. It was hard to focus on fractions and ten frames when I knew I really wanted to be home "playing".
So today's image is shot at f 8.0, 1/50 ISO 500 Canon 50mm 1.8 lens.
I used Kim's Awaken layer on Darken. I hardly use this blend mode, but it filled in a blown spot at the top right corner of the photo. I also used a bit of Florabella VINTAGE WASH. It tones down a bit of brassiness and it brought out some fiber highlights on the string.
If you've thought about joining Beyond Layers...it's not to late!
Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly