Creating Albums

This week I’ve been working at creating a couple of wedding albums – after the digital files are processed I drop them into a fabulous album making software – Page Gallery – built by Yervant who is one of the classiest wedding photographers around (Australia has a few of them).

This wedding was at the Waterfront Reception Centre in Mindarie (northern Suburbs of Perth). As you can see beautiful location. Really hot Day. Fabulous Bride and Groom. Family came across from overseas and country West Australia. I must confess … creating albums is fun – almost as good as taking the photos themselves.

Borders – dressing up pictures?

Friend asked me about edges or borders around photos.  So I dropped some around couple of  pics and added them to the blog.  Generally we think a bit before we frame photos for the walls.  One area we decide on is how the pic will be enhanced by the frame and mat.  Same with photos in albums or on the net.  I dropped a different border around one of my last posts so you can see how the border really does affect how we view the photo.

Jess

Had a urgent call from Jess’s mum yesterday – “Need some photos asap”. Jess is an active teenage girl who likes to compete & have a go at things out of left field. So today she brought around her guitar that she is learning and the basketball that she does some great tricks with and we took a few shots. She’s terrific – great to shoot. We all liked the results. I love the edges I use from Photo Graphic Edges6 on these pics.

Heather

Took this image a year or so ago. My post production has had an incredible revolution since then. So tonight I took to the raw files again and the result – I like these better than the orginals. Used an action called The Hodgysoft - you can get that from the NoBs website – worth checking out if you use Photoshop.

Heather and I have known each other for close on 30 years now. If she has one fault it’s that she does too much for people!!! She has a fabulous desire/ability/gift of blessing people. You know I have seen her be a blessing to people who have been a downright pain in the b…. (neck). And they have changed for the better. We need more people like Heather in this world. But then I’m somewhat biased – I’m married to her.

BIG is not always better

Suddenly realised on Friday that not everyone has there monitor set to 1280×1024.  Was helping a friend pull up my blog on his screen and there it was – HUGE pictures swamping everything and not even fitting onto the available screen.  OOOPS!

So I decided then and there that I would put slightly smaller pics up that are easily viewed on screens set like mine as well as those who are still in the “dark ages” and haven’t got a bigger screen.  Hmmm. Sorry about that.  We live and learn.

Photoshop and Photographs

Lots of debate goes around all the time about use of photoshop on digital photo – whether such post production work diminishes the essential characteristics of a “real” photograph or does it in fact enhances the creativity of the image portrayal. The argument is not much different from those that raged across the centuries when radically different styles appeared and gained acceptance.  Here are two that I unashamedly pushed beyond the basics in Photoshop.  I like them.

Creating Memories

I love weddings. So much happens and so few see it all. Everywhere memories for a lifetime are created. A bride needs her sisters and girlfriends to celebrate with her on the day,… and to remember the joy and emotion for years. Two photos that will continually remind these ladies of the fun and frivolities that took place one day recently.

What a difference 10 years makes

Despite most of my photos of the past couple of weeks being “event” type photos, opportunities always arise to create something different. Below reflect responses of mid-teen and a mid-twenty people. One is full of constant energy and go go go action; the other is learning the value of chilling out.

Isn’t it so true that we need a bit of both every day.

Festivale Conference

The CCC One Festivale conference was an absolute blast. Fabulous. Hundreds of teenagers and young adults cramming into sessions of fun, worship, lifestyle teaching, food, more fun, and just plain ole connecting with one another. An then there was the pancake sizzles. Great. Seth Brooks did an incredible job mobilising hundreds of young volunteers. I took a pile of shots throughout the process. Here’s some of them.

Seth is an incredible communicator. He also had a pile of other Youth Leaders from around the WA C3i group, including:

Ryan Waters

and from CCC Fremantle there was Luke Finkelde . This guy is so laid back – his humour is something else.

And finally some pics from the conference itself:

Some more later in the week.  By the way, the conference mascot was “Percy the Pig (let)” – Percy was quite young and led around on a leash.  He escaped and was found trying to cross the Mitchell Freeway – almost ended up as bacon!!!

CCC One – Festivale Conference

We have the most incredible Youth Pastor any organisation can have.  Seth Brooks generates enthusiasm, passion and connection with massive numbers of young people.  Because of his vision for building life into young people he’s the driving force behind West Australian CCC One Festivale conference.  Hundreds of teens and young adults come.  And he’s such a great guy to be around.  Just exudes positivity.  Will post some photos of the conference later.