I ♥ Faces - reflection part 2

I wasn't sure if I had an image for the adult category, but as I was going through some of the images I still need to process, I came across this one which fit this weeks category - reflection.
So here is my adult entry...

I ♥ Faces - Reflection

The theme at I ♥ Faces this week is reflection.
Here is my entry for the kids category.

Baseball

I finally took the camera to the ball field.
My favorite pictures though are not the ones of them actually playing ball.
They are the the ones that tell me a story.
The ones that evoke emotion in me.

I ♥ Faces Fix It Friday

I just got this book, which I am really excited about.
I decided to join in on the Fix-It Friday fun, to try out some of the new things I've learned.
I made all adjustments using Photoshop CS4.

Here is the original image...

Here are a few fixes that I did...

For the above image, I started by running a couple of actions: TRA Boutwell's Magic Glasses (free), and then TRA select-o-sharp on just the boy.

Next I cropped in closer.

Then I adjusted the red using the TAT (Targeted Adjustment Tool) in the Hue/Saturation panel. (This is my favorite new tool that I've learned about from my new book.) The boys face seemed to be glowing red before making this step.

Flatten layers.

Blur background a little more using a layer mask with lens blur.

Run free MCP action touch of light/touch of dark and darken the background with my brush at 30%.

Use TAT again in the Hue/Saturation panel to make the pants a true red and take away the fuzziness.

Add a border.

Flatten and save.

I made 2 different black & white versions, starting from my fixed version of the image.

If you have Photoshop and feel limited in your knowledge and ability to use the program, I HIGHLY recommend getting Scott Kelby's book for the version of Photoshop (or Lightroom) that you have.

Happy Easter

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT

Aaarrrgghhh!!!

Molly, what does a pirate say?

Photoblog

Many of you have asked when Bruce and I would start a photo blog. Well I'm finally doing it. I'm not sure how often I will have something to post here, but this is the start.
And I can't start a photoblog without a picture. So here it is...