Fun with Photos - Learning How to Get Creative!

As I continue my quest to learn the world of digital photography, I took a baby step this weekend.  There's a program called "Photo Shop Elements 8" on our old downstairs computer.  It barely chugs along on this old computer... probably very memory intensive, but at least it works.   I've been playing around with it off and on for a couple weeks and finally figured out how to get creative this weekend.  It was like a light bulb going off!  There are all kinds of filters and special effects you can apply, so wanted to share a couple on my blog.  Enjoy!


 

My sister and cousin-in-law out in Wonder Valley - this effect is called "Cut Out"



This effect is called "Smudge Stick" - subtle but interesting.

Pretty sunrise looking out our backyard in 29 Palms...



Same picture as above with "Colored Pencil" effect added!



Looking down our driveway to the NW

 

Same photo as above with "Glowing Edges" applied.  Yikes!









Kitchen windowbox with wife's collection of African Violets

"Colored Pencil" effect... very cool!!

Too Many Guitars??!

I was talking with my cousin over at http://mysterlingshot.blogspot.com/ about guitars.  We both like to play, and I was telling him you really need multiple guitars... they all have their own personalities, and excel in certain situations.  He said he has the same problem with cameras (he's a semi-professional, and has a hard time not accumulating them).  I guess it's a similar dilemma... can you ever really have too many guitars? (or camers??).


The Electric Set

From L to R:  Hamer Newport, Fender Strat, Fender '51, Fender Tele, and Tele "parts" guitar

 The Acoustic Set

From L to R:  Ovation Legend 1995, Gibson B-25, Guild F-50 Jumbo, and Epiphone beater

Heavenly Combination

I don't think you can beat the combination of a Fender Telecaster + Fender Princeton Reverb amp... here's my personal favorite combination:  My '76 Princeton with my "parts" tele... pure and simple, it sounds great!  If I had to get by with only one amp and one guitar, this would be it!

Have a great week!

Lizard in the Sink!

While out exploring in Wonder Valley last Saturday, we came across an old homestead cabin (long since abandoned).  The roof was caved in, and a strong wind could have brought the whole place down! Here's the view from outside the kitchen window looking in:

From inside the cabin, looking out (actually, not too smart of me to go in this place!).  Note the lizard in the sink!

 This was the only other intact window in the cabin.  I switched my camera setting to monochrome to add to the antiquated feeling.

 

Old single bed springs outside the cabin.

 

I rescued this guy out of the sink.  He was very sluggish, and I'm guessing, nearly starved.  Based on a quick Google search, I'm guessing he is a Common Side Blotched lizard, which is probably the most commonly seen lizard in the CA deserts.  Hope he was able to survive!!

 

 

Family Reunion in the Desert!

Wow, what a day! Exhausted (in a good way) as I type this.  My cousin and his wife from Pennsylvania, my other cousin and wife from Wisconsin, my aunt from Chicago, my mom, wife and I are all out at our place in 29 Palms having a blast!  Really great to see everyone, and just wish we could do it more often. I'm officially proposing we make this an annual event!  My sister and brother-in-law will be joining us tomorrow... can't wait for them to arrive.

Started the day hiking the Hidden Valley nature trail in Joshua Tree.  Really nice, easy hike (1 mile loop) and very scenic! I give it two enthusiatic thumbs up if you are looking for a short hike. Great rock formations all along the hike.



Signage at start of the hike.




The Gang!




Lots of great rock formations.




Quality time!





My cousin doing a little rock climbing!

 


My cousins wife, Beth, high up on a rocky ledge!




A professional climber seen along the hike today.





Kind of reminds me of a Hershey's Kiss!

  Afternoon activity:  49 Palms Oasis

After heading home from the Hidden Valley hike for lunch, four of us headed out to tackle the 49 Palms Oasis hike.  This is a 3 mile out and back hike with an elevation gain of 360 feet (felt like more to me!).  Basically, the first half of the hike is up, the second half (to the oasis) is down.  Not a lot of flat terrain!  However, I really enjoyed this hike.  Try it towards the end of the day so you can complete it by sunset for very pretty views to the north.

A big storm was moving in, so lucked out with some very pretty cloud formations! Hoping for another post tomorrow, weather permitting.  Not sure what to expect... rain?  Possibly even snow???




Signage at start of hike



The intrepid hiking team - AKA the Motly Crew!

Second half of hike - going down to the oasis.

Lots of beautiful red barrel cactus along the way!

The oasis - sureal in the desert!

A birds nest near the oasis.

The views toward 29 Palms are stunning!

Sunset - making it back just in time.