TODAY'S PHOTO -
yellow Cattleya in the American Orchid Society Greenhouse in Delray Beach, Florida.
I thought I was finished for the week with the photos from the AOS. Then, for a course I'm taking online, through Eclectic Academy, I started "playing" with some of the tools in Photoshop Elements 3.
In working with the tools in the Shadows/Highlights and Midtone Contrast option, the beautiful delicacy, luscious curves and textures and colors of the flower came out. It has such a rich feeling that I knew I had to share it with you.
In addition to the color contrasts, yellows and greens, I like the way the flowing curves are balanced by the strong vertical lines and the delicate angular lines of the fernlike plant in the upper left which brings the eye into the picture.
Bold and dramatic, is Ms. Yellow daring or inviting?
SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES -
In Issue 195 of Picture to Ponder, I wrote of how I'd consistently "fought,"in the past, to remain a "purist" with my photos, not wanting to use Photo programs for anything other than some minor cropping and occasional lightening of them. In connection with that I wrote about wanting my independence and not wanting to rely on any "assistance," I also noted how the need to be in control so often gets in our way and queried what might be possible by letting go.
In picking up from there what is happening is that in my commitment to provide you the clearest images possible within my capabilities, I am investing the time to expand my knowledge and experience. Standing in a commitment makes all the difference between getting into action and not.
So often it's the dread of the amount of time necessary to learn something new that stands in my way. Then, of course, once the new learning gets put into practice it becomes "easy" or, relatively so, and we, or at least I, wonder, "Why did I waste so much time in the worry about it, the fear of it?"
What WOULD we do with all the time that ultimately becomes available, out of simply getting into action?
PHOTO PRINTS BECOMING AVAILABLE -
Speaking of getting passed the "noise" and into action, I am now doing that also in the Gift Shop.
Many subscribers have been asking about the availability of prints of my photos as featured in Picture to Ponder. One said she wants to surround herself, in her new office, with the energy she gets from so many of the photos she's seen here. Another, who is also a neighbor, has been asking me for Swan prints almost since they first appeared in Issues 186 and 187.
I have started reorganizing the section in the Gift Shop for our photos. I am working on setting the section up by image rather than specific products. Today's Yellow Cattleya Orchid PRINTS AND GIFT ITEMS is the first example.
Please let me know if there are specific ones that you would like. Many have mentioned to Reflected Little Blue Heron. That is a challenge for prints larger than the note cards because it was a very small section of a larger photo.
CORRECTING AN ERROR -
The photo in the last issue is of a begonia not of a caladium, as I mistakenly labeled it. Thank you to all who alerted me of that. Interestingly, once it was pointed out, I immediately identified the flowers. It had been the leaves I was focussed on.
SHARING READER COMMENTS -
Thank those of you who are responding to my invitation to post your responses to the past few issues on the Picture to Ponder Blog. I am delighted.
Several of the past few issues have new comments on them. Please check them out. It's merely a quick scroll down each of the issues, a click on COMMENTS and then your browser BACK button for some very insightful comments.
Insofar as posting comments, those of you with web sites can have the added option of the exposure of your name being linked to your URLs. I chose Typepad as the location for the blog - www.sheilafinkelstein.typepad.com/picture_to_ponder - because it is so easy to post comments.
When you go to the BLOG,
you'll see the current issue and photo and a link at the end for Posting Comments. To see the photo
ENLARGED at the same size you see it here, simply click
on it.
Lastly, if posting on a blog is not your style, please continue to send your comments directly to me . Learning what you are experiencing means a lot. It is part of the reward of Picture to Ponder for me.
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Especial thanks to those of you who have been passing this on!
Inspirationally,
Sheila
sheila@eteletours.com
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© 2006 Sheila Finkelstein
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