tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55725411294477543412024-03-13T07:50:43.059-04:00Evolve With MelissaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-43542131228885324982012-04-02T21:34:00.007-04:002012-04-02T21:56:41.330-04:00Melissa Berg Photography | Raleigh Newborn PhotographerHello!<br /><br /><br /><center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NI1drlTfE8/T3pYEEQEGLI/AAAAAAAAAZs/AwwluEZSXrY/s1600/Raleigh%2BNewborn%2BPhotographer-05.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NI1drlTfE8/T3pYEEQEGLI/AAAAAAAAAZs/AwwluEZSXrY/s400/Raleigh%2BNewborn%2BPhotographer-05.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726986703038847154" /></a></center><br /><center>www.melissabergphotography.com<br /><br />If you haven't been yet, go!! Check out <a href="http://www.melissabergphotography.com">Raleigh's Premier Newborn Photographer</a>.<br /><br /></center>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-61796160561584558812012-01-25T01:16:00.014-05:002012-01-31T19:50:49.408-05:00Edit Me ChallengeI know I haven't posted in a while but I decided to play and participate in this weeks Edit Me. www.ashleysisk.com<br /><br /><br /><center>Ashley's SOOC<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWk_dOHm6_4/Tx-lxafpp4I/AAAAAAAAAXw/w93LGmA_uVc/s1600/6758225545_cb7c130b1e_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWk_dOHm6_4/Tx-lxafpp4I/AAAAAAAAAXw/w93LGmA_uVc/s400/6758225545_cb7c130b1e_o.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701457921618585474" /></a><br /><br />My Edit<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bo3zsDkVlXg/Tx-lgGRXzJI/AAAAAAAAAXk/cdEVjhzObXw/s1600/em2012wk4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bo3zsDkVlXg/Tx-lgGRXzJI/AAAAAAAAAXk/cdEVjhzObXw/s400/em2012wk4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701457624132209810" /></a><br /><br />Enlarged:<br /><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6761100791_0519f85ac4_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="em2012wk4 copy"><br /></center><br /><br />I ran a few of my favorite actions including a skin softening action and vintage action at lowered opacities. I also did some burning and dodging to try and fix the lighting and the blown portions of the image. I also sharpened the image. All edits done with Photoshop CS5. What a cute little guy! Happy to play! :)<br /><br /><center>Please check out my website at <a href="http://www.melissabergphotography.com">www.melissabergphotography.com</a> or my Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/melissabergphotography">www.facebook.com/melissabergphotography</a><br /><br />Update! My edit won third place over at <a href="http://editmechallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/winners-week-4.html?showComment=1328057006733#c5687017227402742670">Edit Me</a>!!<br /><a href="http://editmechallenge.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Edit Me" src="http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae63/adams925/Our%20tiny%20BIG%20Life/editmetop3.png"/></a><br /><br />Congrats to the other winners! :)</center>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-72567395615859732392011-05-03T17:19:00.004-04:002011-05-03T17:25:15.442-04:00Together Tuesdaysat arms length...<br /><br /><br /><center><div align="center"> <a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/search/label/together tuesdays" target="_blank"><img alt="Together Tuesdays" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5589123741_0524bf839c_o.jpg"/></a> </div> <div align="center"> <form><textarea rows="6" cols="15"><center><a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/search/label/together tuesdays" target="_blank"><img alt="Together Tuesday" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5589123741_0524bf839c_o.jpg"/></a></center></textarea></form> </div><br /><br />This afternoon when I finally became inspired (ie not lazy), I couldn't find my remote. So, I decided to do this weeks Together Tuesday with my 50mm 1.8 at arms length. Talk about challenge! I did manage to get a couple of good ones and coupled along with my <a href="http://www.prettypresets.com">Hollywood Glam Pretty Presets</a>, I think they turned out fairly well for an hours worth of work (shooting, taking care of Dylan and editing).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5684600393/" title="Together Tuesday 5/3/11 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5684600393_424f46730e_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Together Tuesday 5/3/11"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5684620103/" title="Together Tuesday 5/3/11 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5684620103_39c623be12_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Together Tuesday 5/3/11"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5684599905/" title="Together Tuesday 5/3/11 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5684599905_47179c3635_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Together Tuesday 5/3/11"></a><br /><br />I always love a little blurry goodness. Sometimes I get so caught up on photos being tack sharp. That doesn't create great photos. Movement, realness, emotion...that does.</center><br /><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-50375589034463756462011-04-26T16:46:00.004-04:002011-04-26T16:56:45.221-04:00Together Tuesdaysstaring intently...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5658543971/" title="Together Tuesday-4-26-11 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5658543971_9ea0c32f1b_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Together Tuesday-4-26-11"></a><br />This week I finally got to use one of the new presets I purchased from <a href="http://www.prettypresets.com">prettypresets.com</a> from their Hollywood Glam Collection fittingly called "nostalgia". In no way is this photo "Hollywood Glam"...maybe Mommywood Glam? ;)<br /><br />I did my clean RAW edit, applied the preset and then upped the brightness a little bit in lightroom. I've been wanting to get outside to do one of these, but yet again the weather is lacking in cooperation today. I just love how Dylan looks at me and it's nice to see it from everyone else's perspective. How sweet! I mean, it's sweet from my angle too but I know I'll cherish this picture when my baby is older and no longer does this. :( Right now he likes to stare at us, touch our faces, tug on our hair, have us pretend to eat his hand (and this gets a nice belly laugh)...I am loving that I can be home with him so much. I would miss a lot of this.<br /><br /><div align="center"> <a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/search/label/together tuesdays" target="_blank"><img alt="Together Tuesdays" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5589123741_0524bf839c_o.jpg"/></a> </div> <div align="center"> <form><textarea rows="6" cols="15"><center><a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/search/label/together tuesdays" target="_blank"><img alt="Together Tuesday" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5589123741_0524bf839c_o.jpg"/></a></center></textarea></form> </div></center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-8519798019337600562011-04-22T08:35:00.007-04:002011-04-22T08:43:47.075-04:00Pretty PresetsI must say, that besides having a chance to win a bunch of cool stuff, participating in blog giveaways has introduced me to a bunch of awesome vendors! My new favorite at the moment is <a href="http://www.lightroompresets.com">Pretty Presets for Lightroom</a>.<br /><br />Last night, they just released two of their new lightroom RAW presets in the set called The Old Hollywood Glam Collection. It includes their Old Hollywood Glam Classic B&W and Old Hollywood Glam in Technicolor. If you know me, you know I LOVE Hollywood Glam. I just had to bite the bullet and purchase!! What made the deal sweeter, is that by liking their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/prettypresets">FB Page</a>, I found out about their 25% off deal that is going on through tomorrow tonight. Use the discount code "GLAM25"!!!<br /><br />You can buy the sets separately, but check out <a href="http://www.lightroompresets.com/products-page/lightroom-presets/old-hollywood-glam-classic-bw-and-technicolor/">their page</a> to view the before and afters on the Hollywood Glam collection and to see more of their Pretty Presets!! If you look hard enough, you can find a couple of freebies to try out too! ;)<br /><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-86476674747520433392011-04-19T16:53:00.006-04:002011-04-22T08:34:43.805-04:00Together Tuesdaysphoto shoot!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><div align="center"> <a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/search/label/together tuesdays" target="_blank"><img alt="Together Tuesdays" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5589123741_0524bf839c_o.jpg"/></a> </div> <div align="center"> <form><textarea rows="6" cols="15"><center><a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/search/label/together tuesdays" target="_blank"><img alt="Together Tuesday" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5589123741_0524bf839c_o.jpg"/></a></center></textarea></form> </div><br /><br />So here is my normal photo:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5635368295/" title="Together Tuesday-4-19-11 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5635368295_de7949588d_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Together Tuesday-4-19-11"></a><br /><br />And here is my crazy baby love photo:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5635380495/" title="TT Collage by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5635380495_7530bf998e_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="TT Collage"></a><br /><br />Sorry for the late post. These were taken this afternoon and then I had a bunch of errands to run. Just had lunch with a good friend who's preggo and I think she may let me do some newborn photos!! So excited! She's due in a couple of weeks!! :)<br /><br />I hope to see your photos if you are participating!!</center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-44763465301958465822011-04-15T00:40:00.000-04:002011-04-15T00:40:51.627-04:00Amazon.comI must say that now a days, I buy most of my photography equipment on <a href="http://www.amazon.com">amazon.com</a>. I most recently bought a backdrop stand and finally gave in and bought the 580EXII flash. I am SUPER excited to get more serious about OCF and different lighting. I am going to a workshop/seminar type event on Tuesday and I can't wait to practice the skills I learn there. I've decided I'm going to take our front downstairs bedroom and try and set up a mini studio (yes that's right!!). I just want practice...with anything!! I can use Dylan, the cats or a stuffed animal. I don't care!! lol.<br /><br />Anyways, the point of me telling you about amazon.com is because I know a lot of bloggers out there are mommies also. If you don't know about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/mom">amazon.com/mom</a> yet, you need to go there pronto!! I signed up, originally, just to buy discounted diapers because I had heard amazing things about it. Basically, you sign up to amazon mom, and then subscribe and save on diapers. The amazon mom part of it gives you 15% off and the subscribe and save portion gives you another 15% off!!! In addition, I have found coupons in places like Parents Magazine for an additional $10 off. Don't let the subscribe and save scare you. You can cancel or change it at any time, no fine print. Change the size, change the quantity or change the intervals at which they come (every 1 month, every 2 months, etc)....it doesn't matter...or you can completely cancel it all and there is no obligation. <br /><br />The BEST part I have found with amazon mom besides the cheap Pampers? Free Amazon Prime for up to a year. Which means FREE 2 day shipping on EVERYTHING (even camera gear and large backdrop stands!!!). Every time I buy something in the baby department, it extends my free amazon prime by a month. Right now, I'm good until November and I'm saving a TON on shipping. I'm so obsessed with it, that in my searching for camera equipment, I check the little box on the side that says Amazon Prime Only because I refuse to pay shipping for anything! If it's not free amazon prime shipping eligible, I don't buy it (but I haven't really come across that problem). ;)<br /><br />So this post is for you, momtographers!!! :)Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-20229961057181169592011-04-12T23:25:00.005-04:002011-04-12T23:39:27.337-04:00Together TuesdaysHello!! I'm still alive!!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"> <a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/search/label/together tuesdays" target="_blank"><img alt="Together Tuesdays" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5589123741_0524bf839c_o.jpg"/></a> </div> <div align="center"> <form><textarea rows="6" cols="15"><center><a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/search/label/together tuesdays" target="_blank"><img alt="Together Tuesday" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5589123741_0524bf839c_o.jpg"/></a></center></textarea></form> </div><br /><br /><center>So, this week has been a huge bust for me in the blogging/photography world. One HUGE BIG EXCITING thing that has happened is that I got Dylan's Easter/6 Month photos back from our photographer April Sirit over at <a href="http://www.evokenc.com">Evoke Photography</a>. Since I absolutely ADORE this photo, and it has all three of us in it...I wanted to use it as this weeks Together Tuesday photo.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5614800647/" title="Photo by http://www.evokenc.com"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5614800647_a8ebdb135f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="DB157"></a><br /><br />I love the innocent look on Dylan's face and both Alan and I look pretty good here...lol...especially considering this was at the end of an almost 3 hour photo shoot. I didn't really mind spending all that time getting the photos taken...but it was definitely tiring. April works really hard to make sure she gets the absolute best shots. I can't say enough positive things about her.<br /><br />And I just wanted to mention that technically, it's still Tuesday, so I'm not a total blogfail. ;) Next week I really hope to have the link up at the bottom of the TT post for anyone who wants to utilize it. Until then!<br /></center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-20173240859055220702011-04-11T23:13:00.004-04:002011-04-11T23:24:40.269-04:00What a long weekend...for real.<br /><br /><br /><center>So this weekend was my first 3 nights in a row since I was pregnant. The third night is always a killer...(12 hour night shifts do that to you!).. I usually only work Fridays and Saturdays because I don't need childcare since Alan is home and let's me sleep in the mornings...but working every weekend was starting to take it's toll on my home life (ie passing the baby back and forth). So I've worked out a schedule where I work 2 3day weekends in a row, get a weekend OFF!! and then work a Friday and Saturday weekend and then repeat. Basically I'm replacing the 3rd weekend off with the 2 Sundays in the first two weeks. I get to keep my job time status which does not effect my benefits which is a plus! So now, I only have to find a sitter those two Mondays a month for four-ish hours so I can sleep after work. Easier said than done, but I've managed this month. Next month is a different story. =/<br /><br />So the point of this post is to explain why I'm late on Scavenger Hunt Sunday AND Shoot & Edit. I am just exhausted...and Alan was sick tonight and I put the baby to bed and did all of his "chores" tonight (dishes, dinner, bottle washing)...which was fine since I didn't do squat today.<br /><br />Hopefully by tomorrow I can get my posts up and link up...or I may have to call this week a wash for those two challenges and just work on next weeks, so I'm ahead of schedule instead of scrambling next Monday half asleep...lol. I really tried to schedule posts ahead of time, but only made it until Saturday this week.<br /><br />Sorry if I haven't responded to your much appreciated comments, or visited your blogs this weekend. I will catch up with all of you though!! :)</center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-88576044432210900052011-04-09T06:05:00.001-04:002011-04-09T06:05:00.104-04:00Selfie SaturdaysMy first!<br /><br /><br /><center>So I got my RC-6 remote on Tuesday and I'm very pleased with how easy it is to use. Tuesday night I also just happened to have a highly anticipated salon appointment. I haven't had highlights in a long time and I think I scared my stylist by telling her my highlight horror stories going back to my Florida days. I wear glasses (practically blind without them) so I couldn't see how they turned out until she was completely finished. I have to say, she gave me exactly what I wanted...but I expected that from her because after 10 years of living in North Carolina, I've finally found my favorite stylist I think I've ever had. LOVE her!!<br /><br />Anyways, I went from this:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5596771416/" title="salon by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5596771416_21d7e5b1d8_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="salon"></a><br /><br />To this:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5596106305/" title="new highlights by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5596106305_424e694842_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="new highlights"></a><br /><br />I forgot how difficult it is to photograph people with glasses. Anyone have any tips or resources for that? I plan on wearing my contacts a lot more in the coming days...Dylan is constantly pulling on my hair and now he's found my glasses and I am NOT having any of that...ugh!! lol. I must say, I kind of actually like this photo of myself. I like the dramatic lighting (even if it is blown a bit on my face). You can check out my <a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/2011/04/together-tuesdays.html">"Together Tuesdays"</a> post to see what my hair looked like on Sunday. That would be no artificial coloring (well at least since my wedding in June of 2009).<br /><br />To see more selfies, visit Elena's blog by clicking the button below!<br /><a href="http://selfiemagic.com/category/selfiesaturdays/" target="_blank"><img src=" http://selfiemagic.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/gif-banner.gif" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-38514847050400805992011-04-08T04:58:00.001-04:002011-04-08T04:58:00.091-04:00Sweet Love CreatesVendor shoutout!!<br /><br /><br /><center>I was recently introduced to <a href="http://sweetlovecreates.blogspot.com/">Sweet Love Creates</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.sweetlovecreates.com/"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NKRMvHinX1g/TUdUNiBMxjI/AAAAAAAAAAo/RgI8l-bYWEs/s350/circle%2Bsmaller.png"></a><br />I love EVERY. SINGLE. THING. in her shop. In fact, I can't wait to have another baby and use these props on him/her!!! haha. Ok that's a little crazy. But I do have some friends who are about to have cuddly little newborns that would go gaga over one of these babies. I hear it's hard to purchase her stuff because they are sold out so quickly. I WILL HAVE ONE!! <3<br /><br />I think this one is my favorite:<br /><a href="http://www.sweetlovecreates.bigcartel.com/product/twist-up-sock-monkey-set"><img src="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/27311727/300.jpg"></a><br /><br />Which one is your favorite?</center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-1253611123478109932011-04-07T00:17:00.000-04:002011-04-07T00:35:46.263-04:00Shoot & Edit: Week 13-Up EditClean edit...<br /><br /><br /><center>Here is the SOOC again:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5589718602/" title="Shoot & Edit: Up-SOOC by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5589718602_c99d97174b_o.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Shoot & Edit: Up-SOOC"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5595677803/" title="Edit13 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5595677803_7ce9eabfdf_o.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Edit13"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5596567707/" title="week 13 edit by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5596567707_df4e7aef4f_m.jpg" width="240" height="149" alt="week 13 edit"></a><br />Basically using Lightroom, I adjusted my exposure and white balance...added some vibrance and clarity and voila!!<br /><br />Can't wait to see everyone else's edits today!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ashleysisk.com"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5589153725_6e88719055_o.png" width="210" height="350" alt="GoodtoWow Button"></a></center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-63077211894941359482011-04-06T15:37:00.005-04:002011-04-06T23:18:18.954-04:00Black & White/Wordless-ish Wednesdaywith attitude...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5595503609/" title="B&W by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5595503609_9a17bd56b2_o.jpg" width="567" height="850" alt="B&W"></a><br /><br />It's a good thing I got a great picture with this onesie on (onesie from Crazy8) because later that night, Alan fed Dylan carrots...and carrots stain. :( <br /><br />Not much else to say today. Went to lunch at On The Border with a friend and Dylan was such a good boy!! You know a good friend when she's willing to go to the eyebrow place, just to hold your baby for you. I get mine threaded, so there's no way I could hold him while getting it done (unless I put him in the car seat but then I have nightmares of him fussing and me not knowing what to do and having to leave with one shaped eyebrow...lol). Hope you're all having a great day!<br /><br />Click on the buttons below to see where I link up!<br /><a href="http://andthenshesnapped.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="and then, she {snapped}" src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j52/drexgal/words.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="http://thelongroadtochina.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="the long road" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4370157827_1ee82e3900_o.jpg" "width=125"/></a><a href="http://www.weloveiowa.blogspot.com" target="”_blank”"><img src="http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/iowalish/newblogbutton.jpg"/ width="125" ></a><a href="http://thepapermama.blogspot.com"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4908787362_bac78161d3_z.jpg" alt="The Paper Mama" width="125" /></a><a href="http://manyrandommusings.blogspot.com/search/label/Lovely%20Photo%20Wednesday"><img src="http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/ElvishAuthoress/LovelyPhoto.png" "width="125" /></a><a href="http://liveandloveoutloud.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/knkbonney/button1new150.jpg" "width="125" ></a></center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-41919284545404955102011-04-05T07:00:00.005-04:002011-04-08T09:51:34.278-04:00Together TuesdaysOk I just made it up...<br /><br /><br /><center>But, I went as far as making a button in case anyone was interested in following along with me. I know I don't have many followers and there is already a <a href="http://jcmfamily.blogspot.com/search/label/momma in focus friday">Mama in Focus Friday hosted by Casey</a>...but this mommy works weekends and this is more for myself anyways. I plan on participating in her challenge as well and you should too!...I figure, the more photos of my son and I (and possibly with Alan in them too...like this week)...the better! I'm not sure if I'll do themes or not...but I hope to get Alan in one at least once a month (we aren't home at the same time a lot).<br /><div align="center"> <a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/search/label/together tuesdays" target="_blank"><img alt="Together Tuesdays" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5589123741_0524bf839c_o.jpg"/></a> </div> <div align="center"> <form><textarea rows="6" cols="15"><center><a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/search/label/together tuesdays" target="_blank"><img alt="Together Tuesday" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5589123741_0524bf839c_o.jpg"/></a></center></textarea></form> </div><br /><br />Anyways, here is this weeks capture. I wanted to start off with one that had Alan in it and before bath time on Sunday night (when I was completing <a href="http://www.ashleysisk.com">Scavenger Hunt Sunday</a>) I pulled Alan in front of the mirror and got an impromptu family shot. Of course the framing is off and it may be a little blurry, but I almost love the feel of these "candid" mirror shots. They capture the moment (and frustration) of taking a photo under those conditions. It's almost funny.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5590063790/" title="Together Tuesday by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5590063790_cccaf08be6_o.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Together Tuesday"></a><br />This picture also makes me really warm and fuzzy inside because Dylan is finally coming into his own and starting to look SO much like the both of us. As a baby everyone kept changing their minds of who he looked like most (common "argument" I guess) but I always thought he looked like Alan. This photo makes me realize how much he is OURS. Amazing concept. I am just so proud to be his mommy and I can't believe I get to watch him grow up and become his own person. I wish he'd stay 7 months forever though...he is such a good baby!!<br /><br />For this week, since Alan was technically in the photo with me, I also linked up here on Thursday on Olga's blog! <br /><a title="Our Extraordinary Life" href="http://www.marquezworld.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll131/mrsmarquez32/hubbyandme3-1-1.jpg"/></a><a href="http://jcmfamily.blogspot.com/search/label/momma in focus friday" title="One Day At A Time"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5508123734_7da0f1d5a8.jpg" alt="One Day At A Time" style="border:none;" /></a></center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-1510814617839640482011-04-04T12:07:00.003-04:002011-04-04T13:30:04.884-04:00iheartfaces | Photo ChallengePeople's Choice! Best Face Photo from March 2011<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com""><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5587677837_86fc191080_o.jpg" width="160" height="160" alt="I-Heart-Faces-button"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5574656238/" title="Dylan Toothy Smile by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5574656238_0785f22c29_o.jpg" width="850" alt="Dylan Toothy Smile"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/04/peoples-choice-march/">I am photo #329!! Please click this text and vote for us!! Thanks! :)</a><br /><br />My favorite toothy smile capture!! I decided to enter this photo into this months People's Choice on <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com">iheartfaces.com</a>. It is SO hard to catch a 6 month old in a smile like this (at least mine!)...but eventually, after many goofy faces on my part and getting behind the camera super quick...it all comes together. :)</center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-74607705393845958232011-04-04T11:03:00.004-04:002011-04-04T14:26:43.681-04:00Shoot & Edit: Week 13-Up SOOC<center> <a href="http://www.jillsamterphotography.com/"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5589153725_6e88719055_o.png" width="210" height="350" alt="GoodtoWow Button"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5589718602/" title="Shoot & Edit: Up-SOOC by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5589718602_c99d97174b_o.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Shoot & Edit: Up-SOOC"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5589806954/" title="UP SOOC Histogram by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5589806954_b553e439d2_o.png" width="242" height="153" alt="UP SOOC Histogram"></a><br />This week, I chose an oldie from March 21st taken with my 50mm 1.8. It's hard sometimes to get outside with the babe, plus it's been rainy all week (I know I've been using this excuse but it really has!) and today I'm recovering from my weekend night shifts (it's hard to flip flop!!). Since <a href="http://www.ashleysisk.com">Ashley</a> mentioned doing a clean edit, I thought this photo would be a good choice. Plus, it's super sweet! :) Alan sometimes "wears" Dylan to the grocery store that is within walking distance from our house. Dylan was pretty tired in this photo and you can probably tell by the look on his face. Can't wait to see everyone's edits!! <br /><br />To see more SOOC shots from this week, please visit <a href="http://www.jillsamterphotography.com/2011/04/week-13-good-to-wow-up.html">Jill Samter Photography's blog</a></center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-76694145800386599992011-04-03T19:49:00.002-04:002011-04-03T20:14:23.621-04:00Scavenger Hunt Sunday| High Key | Bedroom | Something Tiny | Off In The Distance | Stripes |<br /><br /><br /><center>Two of these photos are from my archive. With the weather, I really didn't have time to go out and hunt for some of the prompts. <br /><br />| High Key |<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5586592645/" title="Cooper-High Key by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5586592645_dd86afbec8_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Cooper-High Key"></a><br />It's Cooper!...again. I actually took this Saturday, believe it or not, like 10 minutes before I left for work. I caught him sunbathing and just had to grab the camera. Obviously edited for high key, the SOOC on this was just as pretty. Again, thanks to my new 85mm. :)<br /><br />| Bedroom |<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5587233212/" title="Bedroom by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5587233212_647a92579a_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Bedroom"></a><br />Honestly, ever since baby, cleaning has not been the utmost priority. Our downstairs bedroom is the "everything room", the office upstairs is turning into the same and our bedroom is just full of clean laundry waiting to be put away. So the easiest thing for me to photograph tonight was Dylan's bedroom while daddy gave him a bath (which also turned into a photo shoot of course). I used my 50mm because the space is tight.<br /><br />| Something Tiny |<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5586591499/" title="Something Tiny by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5586591499_f9ce9c407e_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Something Tiny"></a><br />Who doesn't love some baby feet?? These are from a photo shoot of my friends baby a few months ago at 18 days old. I still haven't blogged about it on my <a href="http://www.melissabergphotography.com">other blog</a>. This photo was one of the ones she chose to put on her baby announcement. I thought it was perfect!! Our baby announcement also had Dylan's feet. So precious!! This was also taken with my 50mm.<br /><br />| Off In The Distance |<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5587185290/" title="Off In The Distance by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5587185290_e73eff788f.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Off In The Distance"></a><br /> I did end up getting another possibility for Off In The Distance, but it was lame and in my backyard and I just love this photo from my first family session back in 2009. I photographed this family again a few months ago when they added a 4th bundle of joy and I just loved seeing how old the older kids had gotten. Great stuff! This was actually taken with my 18-55mm kit lens. Can you believe it?? Back then it was all I had.<br /><br />| Stripes |<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5587185994/" title="Stripes by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5587185994_229a50d8f1_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Stripes"></a><br />I had a couple of different options for this one, but I wanted something different. I am a focus freak and finally hit the focus just right on the thin wood blind.<br /><br />Check out the other submissions or submit your own on Ashley's blog by clicking the button below!!<br /><a href="http://ashleysisk.com/search/label/Scavenger%20Hunt"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4795223164_aa1eb66c07_o.jpg"/></a><br /></center>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-83664198011927055462011-04-03T08:30:00.002-04:002011-04-03T08:44:16.640-04:00I'm having blog withdrawal...already.<br /><br /><br /><center>I don't think I mentioned really that I work the night shift as an RN in a cardiac ICU (I mean I get a cardiac patient if I'm lucky...we are more of a dumping ground for anyone and everyone who has hypertension in their past medical history). So weekends are shot for me as far as blogging. In fact, I just got home from a 12 hour shift...and I'm blogging. =/ I really need to go to bed!!<br /><br />I just wanted to vent in my sleep deprived state, that I should have never put it out there that I had car trouble the other day. I feel so dumb now...because yesterday morning I got a frantic phone call from my husband that I needed to get out of bed (after only 3 hours) and come outside because he hit a car. Like, right in front of our driveway. ::head desk:: Driving our brand new 2011 Pilot. So yeah, much worse than a car "almost not starting".<br /><br />Anyways, so it looks like later on today when I wake up and tomorrow I'll finish up hunting for the rest of my Scavenger Hunt Sunday photos. I also need to finish editing a photo session I did with a friend last week. annnnd...I'm super stoked to be taking photos of a coworkers little girl this Thursday!!<br /><br />and, it wouldn't be a post without a photo. So here's a random one of my hubby and Dylan at swim class.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5585123148/" title="blog-1 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5585123148_c9de38e3c3_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="blog-1"></a></center>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-87868738628717382612011-03-31T23:05:00.012-04:002011-04-01T16:07:52.915-04:00Inspiration......is everywhere to find. You just have to find it.<br /><br /><br /><center><br />My friend <a href="http://www.ashleysisk.com/">Ashley over at Photos and Ramblings</a> introduced me to <a href=http://selfiemagic.com/">Selfie Saturdays hosted by Elena</a>. At first I thought, ok cool, I'd love to have some good self portraits with my DSLR. So I mozied on over to selfiemagic.com to check it out. On her <a href="http://selfiemagic.com/2011/03/iloveme/">Week 8 of Selfie Saturdays</a>, Elena posted about another blog and I followed the link to Courtney's blog ,<a href="http://www.onemomsperfectimperfection.com/photography-2/fearfully-wonderfully-made/">Perfect Imperfections</a>. I didn't think that I would find a blog post that kind of smacked me in the face a little; in a good way. I mean, <strong>duh</strong>. I am <strong>always</strong> behind the camera. My husband (love you!) can barely use a point and shoot. The last time he tried to take pictures of Dylan and I, after he came home from work one day, with the DSLR... well, it was a total fail...even in auto mode (though the autofocus on my 50mm never works in low light). I think like the next day, I ate my spinach and put Dylan on one hip and my Canon in the other hand and stood in front of the mirror in our downstairs bathroom.<br /><br />While I think Courtney's message was more of, take photos of yourself for your children not with your children...but it made me realize how few photos I'm in...in general... but even more devastating of how few photos there are of my son and I. It brought me to tears reading her post. How awful. Here I've been given this blessing of being able to take decent photos, I should at least be able to use that to my advantage. I already regret looking back and realizing how I'm never in photos with Dylan. And those moments are gone. I can't do that over. Ever.<br /><br />Here's Dylan and I around 5 months:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5578848164/" title="Blog-17 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5578848164_991a2a1e4b_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Blog-17"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5578230097/" title="Blog-2-2 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5578230097_c4d95b5dba_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Blog-2-2"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5578815234/" title="Blog-3-2 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5293/5578815234_4d08b20ce6_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Blog-3-2"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5578815552/" title="Blog-4-2 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5578815552_b7bb223489_b.jpg" width="850" height="567" alt="Blog-4-2"></a><br /><br />I look a little scary in some of these....lots of blurriness, but I didn't care because the keepers were the ones where he was actually looking, or at least being really cute (ok so the first one, I thought I looked halfway decent-I know he's not looking!!). And my ridiculous faces were in an effort to get him to smile. It went something like this: {silly face; Dylan would smile; try to look normal; hope the framing is right and he's still smiling; and snap} It's hard to juggle a baby and a big camera while trying to look normal, but I think managed alright. I mean, I got some images. But I wasn't really happy with the quality of them. Hence, why I don't do it all the time...I pay someone else to. (<a href="http://www.evokenc.com">and she's fabulous by the way!</a>). <a href="http://www.evokenc.com">April Sirit of Evoke Photography</a> has done Dylan's newborn photos, 3 month Christmas photos and more recently his 6 month Easter photos (which I will get back in a week or two!). <a href="http://www.evokenc.com/editing/Dylan/">I mean tell me this isn't the most amazing work ever. This slideshow makes me cry every time.</a> What I love about April most, is that she makes sure that there are photos of all of us together (now that RARELY happens even more) and some with us individually with Dylan. I am so incredibly thankful that she captured those moments for us. Or else they never would have happened.<br /><br />So, being inspired by all of the people I've mentioned in this post, I think every Tuesday I'm going to devote to taking a photo of me and my son. Together. If I do this once a week, I should at least have 1 keeper in each bunch, which would total about 4 photos a month...which is a lot considering I could probably add up the total "keeper" photos of Dylan and I on two hands in his first 7 months of life. I'm not sure if another blog is doing this as well, but maybe some of you might join me in the future? I'm sure I'm not the first to come up with it. If you know of anyone else doing this, please send me the link so I can link up!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-RC-6-Wireless-Controller-Digital/dp/B0037NX6JY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1301634691&sr=1-1">My wireless remote</a> will be here Monday...so, I'm super excited to get started. (and actually have something that forces me to do my hair and makeup!!) ;)<br /><br />On an even more personal note and to reminisce; here is me last July, 8 months preggo with little D! I did "selfies" in the mirror every month with my P&S. :)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5578303111/" title="Blog-16 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5578303111_f9d358cfe2_b.jpg" width="638" height="850" alt="Blog-16"></a><br /><br />edit// Thanks to Ashley's comment, I found another "mommy and me" (or daddy or caregiver) type photo challenge. In fact, she had spoken about it at our dinner on Tuesday. Our conversation lasted TWO hours, so it was hard to remember the details of everything, but she had mentioned her friend Casey in the conversation when this came up...I knew I hadn't dreamed it up myself!! haha. Anyways, I plan on also linking up with Casey's challenge on Fridays. It's called Mama In Focus Fridays and you can enter by clicking her button below! She does weekly themes, so I hope I can keep up!<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://jcmfamily.blogspot.com/search/label/momma in focus friday" title="One Day At A Time"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5508123734_7da0f1d5a8.jpg" alt="One Day At A Time" style="border:none;" /></a></div></center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-77575092003139416262011-03-31T19:26:00.004-04:002011-03-31T20:54:26.992-04:00Mom, make the sun come out...Pweeaassssse.<br /><br /><br /><center><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5578317974/" title="Blog-13 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5578317974_c1de7e6054_b.jpg" width="880" height="587" alt="Blog-13"></a><br />It's still cold and rainy here today. Dylan and I braved the Barnes & Noble so I could use my <a href="http://www.groupon.com">Groupon</a> (and grab some Starbucks!). Daddy took the Pilot today. Which created all sorts of problems because normally that's the mom mobile, but it needed an oil change. Problems, you ask? Well for one, all my baby stuff that's vital to me leaving the house, is in the Pilot. It stays in there, or else I could end up forgetting it while trying to pack him into the car. You wouldn't think normal things, such as going to Target or B&N, required so many "things". The most important thing, is the car seat. But thank goodness it was in our living room b/c Dylan fell asleep on the way home from swim class yesterday and I stealthily tried to bring him in the house to continue his nap (total fail!). Second most important thing is a baby carrying method. Whether that be our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Graco-SnugRider-Infant-Stroller-Frame/dp/B0007KMUH4">snap n go stroller</a>, my <a href="http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/">Ergo Baby Carrier</a>, or my <a href="http://www.itzyritzy.com/shopping-cart-and-high-chair-covers/avocado-damask/">shopping cart cover</a>. (I highly recommend all three of these items and they are clicky for any inquiring minds). <br /><br />My mother in law, god bless her, gave us a stroller. It's used from one of her kids' in her class. I HATE this stroller. Like, with a passion. It's a Peg Perego, which is a pretty reputable stroller maker in Italy...but I can't fold/unfold this thing for the life of me. And guess what? It's the ONLY form of baby carrying that I have left in the house today. UGH!!!<br /><br />So I pull into the Barnes & Noble parking lot and I'm dreading having to unfold the stroller (it was already folded up when I begrudgingly shoved it in the trunk). Actually, I'm having premonitions about me not being able to fold it back up and I panic at the thought of what I would do in that case. Ask a stranger? eeeeyeahno. I'd probably just leave it...lol. Anyways, I get Dylan in the stroller, and going through a huge puddle I make it to the doors of B&N. I have to go in backwards (why can't all doors be automatic?) and struggle while someone is standing in between the set of double doors (I really frown when things like this happen-help a sister out!!). Long story short... I make it in, get my coffee, pick out books for Dylan (and some for a gift)... and then make it to the car, get D in the car seat and attempt to fold the stupid stroller. It took a lot of shaking, pulling, stepping, a few huffs and a big shove and I finally did it!! I purposefully left it in the trunk though...I don't want to see that thing again for a while.<br /><br />The BEST part of the story? I go to start the car and it chokes. ::breathe:: Try again, no dice. I start to panic. Wait a few seconds, turn off the radio (like this would matter?) and give it a longer try and finally, it unwillingly starts. I was going to go to Target (my love/hate daytime trip) but I decide to skip it and consider myself lucky if I make it home in one piece. It's not like we have a POS car. It's my 2006 Jetta 1.8T, which Alan now drives since we got the new baby-mobile (Honda Pilot). It's fun to drive, but not very baby friendly. I sometimes take it to work on the weekends while Alan has the baby and I've noticed lately that it doesn't run the same. So yeah, we'll definitely have to get it checked out.<br /><br />That was just a glimpse of my day and by the time we got home, a peek of sun came out so I sat Dylan by the door and took these photos. Here's an edit play on one of them. I used the Lightroom preset "Color Creative - Color CP 2".<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5577731749/" title="Blog-14 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5577731749_a1bc394546_b.jpg" width="880" height="587" alt="Blog-14"></a><br />I am kind of a focus freak, but I almost like that the focus isn't directly on his face. Gives it that mysterious cast.</center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-25655924696503109292011-03-31T13:40:00.004-04:002011-03-31T21:21:46.034-04:00[iheartfaces] Photo Challenge | Slice of LifeI bet this photo looks familiar?<br /><br /><br /><center><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5568367528/" title="Dylan Scream by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5568367528_f593be3f5a_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dylan Scream"></a><br /><br />In the middle of starting this blog, I entered my first photo into <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com">iheartfaces.com</a>. <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/03/lifestyle-photography-contest/">This weeks theme was based on lifestyle photography.</a> I entered through my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/">flickr site</a> because this blog wasn't really up and running yet. With over 600 entries, it's really a long shot. There are so many talented photographers out there and the entries are a tough competition. I'm hoping that amateurs have a chance, since there are a lot of pro submissions. I'm sure this won't be the last time I enter one of their challenges...and I'm sure Dylan will be the subject of most! I think it's fun to just be able to share your photo...and if I make the top ten, well, that would be icing on the cake!! Their winning photos are truly spectacular and very inspirational, so I'm glad I'm finally getting involved in their site.</center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-90835863945499374022011-03-30T23:04:00.003-04:002011-03-31T21:23:59.381-04:00Meet CooperMr. I'm nice when I wanna be...<br /><br /><br /><center><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5576046668/" title="Cooper by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5576046668_5df4b887ba_b.jpg" width="890" height="593" alt="Cooper" /></a><br />...and cute at that!<br /><br />We rescued Cooper from PetSmart--or rather one of their adopt-a-thons on Saturdays that different adoption agencies are at each week--about 4 years ago. He was born August 2006 and we adopted him in January 2007. Cooper was an orphan and bottle fed as a kitten. To this day, he still suckles or nurses on fuzzy blankets..it's weird. This isn't the cat the eats out of the man made cat food dispenser thingy. He's too refined for that kind of thing! I call him the "shark" because when we're eating dinner, you'll randomly feel him rubbing against your feet and legs. Which is weird for him, because like I said, he's only nice when he wants to be. Like certain times of day. Night time, this cat sleeps on my legs. Every. Single. Night. Daytime, he wants nothing to do with me. Where's the love Cooper?? Oh, and don't you dare touch his belly. He'll claw your arm off. (I have a scar to prove it!) But amazingly enough, this cat lets me clip his nails. Regularly.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5576149112/" title="Cooper 3 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5576149112_3cafe49bc6_b.jpg" width="890" height="593" alt="Cooper 3"></a><br />I just love his eyes. They're gorgeous!! I wish I had gotten a full head on shot, but he decided to be a brat and got up 2 frames after I got this one with his eyes open (and in focus!).<br /><br />It's a little sad. He's not a bad cat by any means. He'll run and hide before he'd scratch a stranger (unless you're messing with him). My little 3 year old nephew Cayden was visiting this year at Christmas. He lives all the way out in Oklahoma with my brother and sister in law, so he'd only seen Cooper on GChat. He wanted to pet Cooper so badly...I felt terrible!! Coops just kept running from him. And when Cayden did catch him, he'd hiss...which made Cayden cry. :( I wonder how he'll be with Dylan? Hopefully used to him by then? Right now he mostly ignores Dylan, or gives a sniff and walks away.<br /><br />I caught Cooper curled up on the our comfy chair tonight. I hope I'm not making him sound too bad. He just has his quirks.<br /><br />A little edit fun:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5575463413/" title="Cooper 2 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5575463413_0382bdbe97_b.jpg" width="890" height="593" alt="Cooper 2"></a><br /><br />Some point & shoot reminiscing from his kitten days:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5576102492/" title="cooper 074 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5576102492_110d6246e1.jpg" width="450" alt="cooper 074"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5576102994/" title="cooper 076 by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5576102994_c3af5eea61.jpg" width="450" alt="cooper 076"></a><br />He still loves that bear. His foster mom gave that to us the day we adopted him. And when I say love, I mean suckle. lol. You know how cats knead things? Well he does that and suckles...like he's nursing. I guess he has issues. Anyways, that bear has been washed a bazillion times...trust me.<br /><br />He even has his own YouTube videos (well, two of them):<br /><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2zGCsFMcLKM?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2zGCsFMcLKM?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object><br />We'd only had him a little while when I took this one. I so badly wanted him to get the lid off, but it never happened.<br /><br /><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q3s7fMV0lDc?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q3s7fMV0lDc?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object><br />This was still a couple of years ago (before we got married). This video still makes me jump!! He's still for a few seconds and then BAM, he's attacked the star chaser ball. LOVE this toy. We still have it and I've even had to buy replacement balls off of amazon (the original one finally died and then my nephew "lost" the other one).</center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-16722022980169311372011-03-30T20:29:00.011-04:002011-03-31T21:22:03.935-04:00Shoot & Edit: Week 12-Green EditWell, that didn't take me long.<br /><br /><br /><center>I mean I really didn't have much to go on this one. It's one of the best, if not THE best, SOOC image I've ever taken. My adjustments are so miniscule that the difference is very slight...and I even have to look back and forth a few times to find them. But it's getting late and my eyes are a little tired from wearing my contacts all day. What do you think? When editing I had to reset my changes a bunch of times because I was trying to do too much to it.<br />Here is the before:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5572684621/" title="SOOC Green by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5572684621_7aff6c93e1_b.jpg" width="900" height="600" alt="SOOC Green"></a><br /><br />And here is the after:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5575153107/" title="Green-Edit by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/5575153107_eb54862c7b_b.jpg" width="900" height="600" alt="Green-Edit"></a><br /><br />I did screen shots of my LR work...so here is before (both images are the SOOC image):<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5575152193/" title="SOOC-Before by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5575152193_e7e8d0e43e_z.jpg" width="640" height="296" alt="SOOC-Before"></a><br /><br />and here is the after (with actual comparison side by side):<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5575152667/" title="SOOC-After by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5575152667_3662163ff0_z.jpg" width="640" height="295" alt="SOOC-After"></a><br /><br />I also wanted to mention that apparently LR does have some sort of preset for importing RAW images. From what I can tell, it's the Blacks to "5", Brightness to "50" and lower down on the editing bar the Sharpness is set to "25". I've tried editing this import preset, but the only thing LR allows you to do is either use their default (which are the settings I've just posted) or use the setting for the current picture you are editing to create a custom preset. More specifically, if you go under "Develop" (on the top toolbar menu for LR, not in LR itself) and then click "Set Default Settings...", this will pop up:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5575756958/" title="Default by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5575756958_8eb9e57cb3.jpg" width="500" height="202" alt="Default"></a><br /></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.ashleysisk.com/search/label/Shoot%20and%20Edit"><img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-VAIZSsajds/TSoz2Zi0OzI/AAAAAAAAhCA/wEAT96PmgCc/GoodtoWow25%5B4%5D.png"/></a></center><br />xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-36607539021334952812011-03-30T18:49:00.007-04:002011-03-31T21:22:19.862-04:00Black & White Wednesdaysweet.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://thelongroadtochina.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/feathersandpearls/de454dcc.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5575548946/" title="B&W Wednesday by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5575548946_951894f1b6_b.jpg" width="900" height="600" alt="B&W Wednesday"></a><br /><br />I love black and white photography. In fact, I can't wait to scan in my contact sheets and photos from photography class that I took in high school. (Yes, I have been wanting to do this forever on my other photography blog, but it seems so much more fitting here.) I went to high school on Long Island with my friend Lauren, and she just happens to live in Wake Forest, NC. And, she also just happens to have some of the cutest kids I've ever seen. She definitely makes beautiful babies!! I was at her house in January taking photos of her newest addition, Mia, and while Mia was being tended to I tried to attack getting the other kids to let me take their picture. It turned into a chase-fest on her front lawn until Lauren saved me...lol. It was fun, and I ended up getting a few shots of Brandon and Sofia outside, but Alana wanted nothing to do with me. So while back inside, Alana all of the sudden let me take some photos and they turned out to be the best of the bunch. I had made this one black and white for Lauren's CD because I just loved the backlighting her windows in her living room gave me. In fact, in this session, I found one of my all time favorite photos. Isn't she gorgeous?!?!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5575584772/" title="B&W Wednesday add by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5575584772_8986af7a00_b.jpg" width="900" height="600" alt="B&W Wednesday add"></a><br /></center>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5572541129447754341.post-89344635494094619002011-03-30T17:11:00.020-04:002011-03-31T21:22:32.382-04:00Wordless Wednesday...but with words.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://andthenshesnapped.blogspot.com"><img alt="and then, she {snapped}" src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j52/drexgal/words.jpg"/ "height=125"></a><a href="http://www.weloveiowa.blogspot.com" target="”_blank”"><img src="http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/iowalish/newblogbutton.jpg"/ "width=125" "height=125"></a><a href="http://thepapermama.blogspot.com"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4908787362_bac78161d3_z.jpg" alt="The Paper Mama" height="125" /></a><br /><br />There are going to be a lot of firsts in the next few weeks, and todays first is my participation in Wordless Wednesday.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5575361468/" title="Yellow by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5575361468_33b9a7546d_b.jpg" width="900" height="600" alt="Yellow"></a><br />Another SOOC shot with my new 85mm lens. This was taken yesterday around the same time as my Shoot & Edit entry in the last post. It was probably around 6pm, so I had really great natural light. I would have taken a photo today, but it's cold and rainy outside (again!) so I didn't bother. I already had the joy of running in and out of Pullen Aquatic Center with Dylan in my arms in the pouring cold rain. Today was his last swim class. I feel like such a proud mommy because he went underwater THREE times!! Just had to brag a little about that one. Ok, I'm done. ;)<br /><br />Here's the LR screen shot to show settings:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5574766559/" title="LR by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5574766559_4da435a9ce.jpg" width="700" alt="LR"></a><br />annnnnd my screen shot is terrible. Here's just the histogram:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5574785453/" title="Yellow Histogram by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5574785453_2d5df6fa13.jpg" width="245" height="151" alt="Yellow Histogram"></a><br />So, slightly underexposed but I really love SOOC. I try so hard to get it right in camera as much as I can, so that editing isn't a nightmare. I mean, isn't that the goal? I also just recently took off the training wheels and only shoot in RAW (instead of RAW + JPG). Now that I have Lightroom (thanks Santa!), it's really not that big of a deal. I just found it horrid to deal with the editing software that Canon gives you when you purchase their cameras. ugh!<br /><br />edit//Just thought I'd go ahead and post my edit for this one. Love it even more.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvewithyou/5575108823/" title="Wordless Wednesdays by evolvewithyou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5575108823_d8f4cd6e73_b.jpg" width="900" height="600" alt="Wordless Wednesdays"></a><br />I basically adjusted my exposure and white balance. A little bit of sharpening and a touch of clarity (although the point of focus on this image is the inner tip of the middle flower, it still adds punch). I also added an ever so slight vignette to make the flowers pop a little more.<br /></center>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925051046595994593noreply@blogger.com4