Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Black and White Wednesday - with not a smidgeon of color.

PhoSh Bonnie Sandler 002-2 blog




I just love white tulips (I planted hundreds the fall before we 'thought' we were going to China for Milana. I pictured coming home to a garden full of tulip blooms.








A few years later we arrived home in August (it's still a bit of a blur) but I have enjoyed my tulips each spring - they remind me of the gift of patience.








And how much we're rewarded for that patience.





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However......white tulips do not convert well to black and white. They often become white blobs on a dark background. Not so interesting.








So, in Lightroom, where I do basic editing, color correction and tweeking, where I normall push the contrast lever right to the end - I did the opposite. So what happens is everything becomes muted BUT the shading comes out on the white tulip. But now it all looks dull with no contrast in the back. So I boost up the black and shading and some highlights all the way.








Then I took them into Photoshop, sharpened and then added a level layer. Very dark. Took a soft brush and painting on the shading so we can see the petals and details.








Voila.

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I added some lighter levels to the leaves to make them pop a bit too.






Now the following is not a tulip....or even a flower....but, oh baby....was he cute!







PhoSh Baby Jonathan 366-2 8x10 blog
This is Baby J who I had the pleasure of shooting a few weeks ago. What a cutie-bum.
PhoSh Baby Jonathan 342-2 8x10 blog
Took some doing to get him to sleep, but so worth it.







PhoSh Baby Jonathan 267-3 8x10 blog






I'll posting more of this cutie when I finally get my photography site up. I'm rounding the corner now. Should be in a few days.






PhoSh Baby Jonathan 335-2 8x10 blog
And wait till you see those eyes in color. You could fall into those baby blues - they are so gorgeous.






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PhoSh Bonnie Sandler 002-2 blog lens flare
(ok....so I cheated....the lens flare is colored.)

Make sure you visit Lisa's blog for some beautiful photography.






the long road





And Happy Wednesday!



11 comments:

Unknown said...

You are so smart with photoshop : )
A photoshopping genius!

Wanda said...

Thanks Becky.....It's Lisa - she inspired me!

Charmaine Poulin said...

Oh gosh......they're all so beautiful!!!! And I agree...editing genius.....NOT me (yet?).

We Four Explorers said...

Wow! I LOVE tulips.
And as for that sweet baby, those eyes are incredible.
Have a great week,
Janet

Anonymous said...

I agree with Becky!
All of these are just beautiful! You. Are. Good!

MarieElizabeth said...

Just beautiful! Thanks for explaining what you did, I love learning from such talented folks.

Linda said...

Beautiful photo work here!! :) love the black and white....

Love Letters To China said...

Gorgeous Wanda! Love those baby pics too. Such a cutie pie. Hope to talk next week for sure. Just got back from the grocery store with all the essentials to make a sick little girl happy...Cheetos, sugar cookies, cherry cough drops & blue Gatorade. :-)

xoxo

Gail said...

Amazing, Wanda!!!! Love the flowers.
But that baby boy is just precious. What a sweet little mouth. I'm sure his mamma was delighted with these!!!

hugs...

redmaryjanes said...

Beautiful Wanda!

Our family said...

You have such an incredible eye! Stunning Wanda!

Xo

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Hi, I'm Wanda. I am a happy woman, wife to Danny for...oh....lots a years and finally Mom to THE most adorable little girl from Hunan, China - Dahlia. And now we have been blessed again with another daughter, Milana, from Zhejiang, China. (The 2 best things I've ever done!) We live in the Montreal area. After a loooonnngg wait for Dahlia's little sister Milana (pronounced - Mee-lana, like banana), we finally brought her home in August 2009. Dahlia came to us in Nov 2004 (at 20 months of age)and a year later we began the application for another baby - at the time the waiting period was around 8 months. Almost 4 years later (say what!?!)we, at last, brought Milana home. This began as the story of our journey to bring Milana home and life with her big sister, Dahlia. It now continues as we live as a family of four!
God. My (growing) family. Hangin' out with my girlies. My wonderful friends (you know who you are!). To laugh (out loud and a lot!). Music. Painting. Hugs. Long chats with my buds. My garden. To read (ha...when I can!). Sunshine. Spring, Spring and more Spring. Building things. Cooking. Decorating. Parties (ahem). The internet. Life. Movies. A.I. Dancing with the stars. So you think you can dance. Travel. Umm..did I say laughing my head off. Oh Gee...everything actually!!
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