MCP Actions Blueprint - Murphy

I'm sharing another blueprint of a photo edited using the MCP Mini Fusion action from MCP Actions as an entry to win the new set of MCP Lightroom presets!

The top photo is the before, the bottom photo is the after.

Here are the steps I took to edit the photo:
1) Used Spot Healing Brush tool to get rid of white spec under left eye
2) Ran MCP Mini Fusion
3) Increased Clarify layer to 60% and masked off background
4) Increased Warm Tint layer to 65%
5) Turned on Pink Cadillac layer at default opacity
6) Used Darken layer to darken edges of photo
7) Added Hue/Saturation layer (with no adjustments) set to Overlay blend mode at 44% opacity

MCP Actions Blueprint - Dillon

I'm sharing a blueprint of a photo edited using the MCP Mini Fusion action from MCP Actions as an entry to win the new set of MCP Lightroom presets!

The top photo is the before, the bottom photo is the after.

Here are the steps I took to edit the photo:
1) Ran MCP Mini Fusion
2) Increased Clarify layer to 90% and masked off skin and background
3) Increased Hazy layer to 40%
4) Increased Warm Tint layer to 50%
5) Turned on On Cloud Nine layer at 40% opacity
6) Turned on Cool Blue Sea layer at 15% opacity
7) Turned on Pink Cadillac layer at default opacity
8) Used Darken layer to darken background
9) Added levels layer and masked to only brighten eyes
10) Added general levels layer
9) Added Hue/Saturation layer (with no adjustments) set to Soft Light blend mode at 55% opacity and masked off shirt

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 36

"Bookworm"
Week 36 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Thirst for Knowledge

I have a thirst for knowledge when it comes to photography! Most of my research is done online, but I've broken down and purchased a few books, as well.

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 35

"Laid Back"
Week 35 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Lazy

I love lazy weekend mornings, and obviously so does my son. There's something so relaxing about putting your feet up and hanging out in your pj's for as long as you want.

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 34

"Storytime"
Week 34 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Connections

So many connections here... Father and son enjoying a few minutes of storytime together and my connections to each of them. To me, there is no stronger connection than family.

Pet Week at I Heart Faces!

I've always had "mutts" for pets and our dog Murphy is no exception. He's a mix of Australian Cattle Dog and something else, we're not sure what, but the combination made for a beautiful dog who is a perfect addition to our family.

If you are considering adding a pet to your family, please don't forget to consider adopting from a local shelter or pet rescue organization. We adopted Murphy in 2005 and he has been a joyful part of our family ever since!

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 33

"Time Flies"
Week 33 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Slow Down & Look Back

"Watch this, Mommy! Watch this!" my son yells to me as he zooms past on his little bike. It seems like such a short time ago we were just bringing him home from the hospital after he was born a month early. He just turned 3 and the time has gone by so quickly. I wish I could make it slow down. He looks back at me, "Watch me, Mommy!" and time stops for just a second as he smiles, but then he takes off again, ready for the next adventure...



Also, my photo for this week was picked as a top 10 featured photo on another photographer's blog. Check it out here!

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 32

"Watching"
Week 32 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Favorite Time of Day
My favorite time of day is whatever time I get home from work, and Murphy watches at the door each day for my arrival...

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 31 - Halfway Point!

"Storm Rolls In"
Week 31 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Sky


So this is the halfway point! It's hard to believe that I've made it so far. Honestly, I'm a little bit of a committment-phobe, so I'm sort of impressed with myself that I've stuck it out this long. I have so enjoyed this "photographic journey" and I can really see how this has improved my photography. So, if that's something you're trying to improve, I highly recommend starting a 52 week project.


We went to Virginia this weekend, and I got some great photos of my family that I am very pleased with. I also took a ton of photos of an old barn with a soaring blue sky and puffy clouds with the intention of doing something HDR-ish with them. But as I was going through my photos, this one really spoke to me - so I used it instead. I just love how peaceful this scene looks...and I can always use a little more peace!


Just before the storm rolls in...

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 30

"To a T"
Week 30 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Letters of the Alphabet
T is for Thomas...

Ok, I have to admit to being just a little uninspired this week, so this is what you get. The light was gorgeous and I got some pictures that I love of Ron and Dillon highlighted by the settings sun, but those didn't work for the theme and I've made it this far staying on theme, so I wanted to try and keep it up. So, anyway....I'll try to do better next week... :-D

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 29

"Web Weaver"
Week 29 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Get In Close
Found this black and yellow garden spider outside of my bedroom door. I'm not a fan of creepy-crawlies and viewing this one up close didn't change that. It's outside, so I'll leave it alone...but spiders inside are a whole different story!

We used to have at least one of these "writing" spiders each summer at my parents house when I was growing up. Honestly, I think the ones in Virginia were quite a bit bigger, but maybe I was just smaller, so they seemed that way. We would call each spider "Sparky" as if it was the same one each year.

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 28

"Pamletto Sunset"
Week 28 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Sweet Relief
A week of vacation at the beach is definitely a sweet relief from our normal day to day routine. It was so nice to spend a week at Myrtle Beach with my family. We all had a fantastic time, especially Dillon. It wasn't his first trip to the beach, but I think it was the first time that he was actually old enough to really enjoy it. I'm ready to go back already, and we just got home...

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 27

"Lace"
Week 27 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Nature's Finest
I love the lacy look of hydrangeas as they first start to bloom. Our hydrangea bloomed and then died down. I finally cut off the old blooms and just recently noticed that a new one was popping out. It was a nice surprise considering that I thought it was pretty much done for the season. I like that kind of surprise... :-)

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 26 and an LTS link-up!

"Cinnamon"
Week 26 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Hidden Object

I fell in love with the Cinnamon Crepe Myrtle trees when my husband and I honeymooned in Charleston, SC. Recently we planted a few of our own. I love how the drab gray outer bark hides the warm, cinnamon colored trunk underneath.



I'm also using this for the "Beautiful Bokeh" link-up at Love that Shot!

Love that Shot Link-up! "Reflections"

I'm submitting my reflected self-portrait for the Love that Shot link-up this week! The theme is "reflection" so I thought this one would be perfect!

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Weeks 23, 24 & 25

3 for 1 this week! Enjoy!

For some reason, all 3 of these photos seem to have a food theme, not sure what's up with that...

"On the Vine"
Week 23 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Enchantment
There is something very enchanting to me about the first tomatoes of summer...
Processed using Classy from Pretty Presets.





"Shortcake"
Week 24 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Make It Tasty




"Something Sweet"
Week 25 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Craving
This is the look of a satisfied craving!
Taken with my Canon SD890 Point & Shoot! I love this photo for so many reasons! Mainly because it's a cute picture of my little boy, but also because I took it with my little point & shoot camera, not my DSLR. I really feel like this photo is a good example of how much I've learned and that it's not all about the camera!

Roundouts are way cool!

Moms with Cameras is giving away four of the new Roundouts from Simply Color Lab! Click here to enter for yourself!

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Weeks 21 and 22

Here I am, running behind again... So, I'm going to use this post to catch up and post the last two weeks of my weekly photos.

I recently started using Adobe Lightroom 3 and I love it! I'm using Pretty Presets and they are amazing, also! Both of the photos below were processed only in Lightroom and using Pretty Presets with some tweaks.

"MPH"
Week 21 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Need for Speed
Processed using Baby Blues and Crystal Clear from Pretty Presets.





"Mosaic"
Week 22 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Reflection
Processed with Pretty Girl from Pretty Presets.



It was a hard decision this week! Luckily, my facebook friends were able to help me make a decision and they all liked the self-portrait. 

If you'd like to see some of the other photos that I almost used, check them out below.

                
Be sure to click the pictures if you'd like to see a larger version.

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 20

So this week's theme was "Spring Fever" which is somewhat funny to me since I feel like our Spring ended about a month ago, although we did return to March-like temperatures this past week. I took a few photos Sunday morning of my blue hydrangea, Dillon and Murphy and then took my camera inside. We spent the day washing the camper and working outside. As I was heading in for the evening, I happened to look over and notice a ladybug on my hydrangea. It was amazing how that little pop of color changed the whole scene. I ran in and grabbed my camera, afraid the ladybug would fly off before I could get the picture. Fortunately, it was content to hang out and I got the shot!

"Ladybug"
Week 20 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Spring Fever

Processed using various actions from the Florabella Luxe II set.

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 19

For Mother's Day, we visited a local "paint your own pottery" place so that Dillon could make me a plate. We all had fun and the plate turned out really nice! The store had great windows along the front, so it was a perfect location for this week's photo!

"In the Paint"
Week 19 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Window Light

{Big Vision} Giveaway!

Finished Vision Photography is doing a HUGE giveaway! Check it out!

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 18

For my week 18 photo I used one of the pictures that I took during my workshop with Amanda from Everyday Elements. Although this week's theme was "first thing in the morning" and I didn't technically take it in the morning, the workshop started in the morning - so I'm going to say that it works! ;-)
"Sunlight"
Week 18 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: First Thing in the Morning

First thing on Saturday morning, I got to attend a workshop with Amanda from Everyday Elements and had the privilege of photographing a beautiful family.

Processed using Florida action from Everyday Elements.

Mother of All Giveaways!

Moms with Cameras is hosting the Mother of All Giveaways on their site! Check it out here! Get your entries in before 11:59 tonight as the winner will be announced in the morning!

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 17 [FEATURED]

Guess what? My weekly photo was featured featured on the MCP blog! That's the 3rd time so far and it makes me feel so good!

Normally, I get up and check the blog first thing on Saturday morning, but this week, I forgot all about it until Sunday night. Why did I forget? Because I was at a totally awesome, in-person photography and editing workshop with Amanda from Everyday Elements and some other wonderful, photographically-minded women from VA, NC, and SC. Amanda has a great personality and is unbelievably filled with knowledge that she is willing to share. I can't say enough good things about the workshop or Amanda or the delicious camera-shaped cookies that were in our goodie bags! If you need photography or editing help (particularly if you're a Photoshop Elements user), check out her site!

Now, onto the photo...

"Happily Ever After"
Week 17 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Princess for a Day

Featured in the 10 picks from week 17 on the MCP Actions Blog!

If there was ever a day where I felt like a princess, it was on my wedding day.

Pet Week at I Heart Faces

It's pet week at I Heart Faces, so I just had to enter a picture of Murphy!



For anyone new to my blog, Murphy is our 6 year old Australian Cattle Dog mix. He and 2 of his siblings were found as puppies alongside a road in our county after they had apparently been thrown out of a car. We adopted him from a local pet rescue organization in January 2005. He is such a huge part of our life and family. He watches TV with us on the couch and sleeps in our bed. He's a big mooch and NEVER misses a mealtime. He has brought us so much joy! If you're looking for a pet, be sure to check out your local shelter or rescue organization. There are so many wonderful animals out there that need homes!

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 16

Wow, is it week 16 already? It's flying by! I just used a photo of Murphy a few weeks ago and got lots of positive comments on it. It was also picked as one of the 10 featured photos for that week, which was super exciting! I don't think I can top that one, but since this week's theme is "Furry Friends," I had to use a picture of "Mershey" (as Dillon calls him) again. Hope you're not tired of seeing my furry, first "child" because here he is again!


"Furriest of Them All"
Week 16 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Furry Friends


Processed using MCP Mini Fusion

CRAVE Photography Giveaway

Ok, so I love love LOVE Andee Tate of Crave Photography! Her pictures just take my breath away! I just found out that she is doing a giveaway for an all-expenses paid 2 day in-person mentoring session. OH. MY. GOSH! Sharing about the giveaway on my blog gets me an extra entry and figured that anyone following along at home would also be interested in getting their name in the hat.

Want to enter? Check out the details here!

Not interested in entering yourself? Then please keep your fingers crossed for me! :-)

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 15

The theme for week 15 for the MCP Project 52 was one that required a little more creativity. I decided to capture "how others see me" with coffee mugs!

"Coffee Break"
Week 15 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: How Others See You

I am a wife, mother to a fantastic little boy, dog lover, race fan, RU grad, computer programmer, coffee drinker, and a Canon-shooting "wanna-be" photographer!

Processed using Florabella Vanity action and the following textures:
CreamyScratches by Pixel Lounge
Daguerreotype-11 by Shadowhouse Creations
DecemberPack1_3 by Isabelle LaFrance

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 13 [FEATURED]

So, for week 13 of the MCP Project 52, I was featured again! I'm not sure if it means anything, but my photo was the very first one in the blog post displaying the 10 featured photos. It just made my day!

"Canine Fusion"
Week 14 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Fusion

Featured in the 10 picks from week 14 on the MCP Actions Blog! Yay!

I've always had "mutts" for pets and our dog Murphy is no exception. He's a fusion of Australian Cattle Dog and something else, we're not sure what, but the combination made for a beautiful dog who is a perfect addition to our family.

Processed using MCP Mini Fusion and Florabella B&W Blush

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Weeks 12 and 13

Running behind again (are you starting to see a theme here?)...

Here are my pictures for the MCP Project 52 for weeks 12 and 13.

"Sparkle"
Week 12 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: From the Jewelry Box


"Cupcakes"
Week 13 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Just for Fun (What's more fun than cupcakes?)

Processed using Chasing Dreams textures Autumn B&W, Blue Velvet Overlay, and Worn Linen B&W.

Sharing Links from the MCP Actions blog on night photography

Hello, my name is Andrea and I struggle with night photography. There, I said it! It's out in the open. I'm just never really sure what settings to use and how to focus. So I was really happy to see these 2 posts on the MCP Actions blog on how to take great photos at night and I wanted to share them with you!

You can find the first article here and the second here. Enjoy!

Florabella actions and camera bag giveaway!

Want to win either a super cool camera bag or $200 towards something from the Florabella Collection? I know I do! Enter here!

Beautiful new textures from Jessica Drossin!

Looking for some beautiful new textures? Check out Jessica Drossin's blog!

Want a free one and a chance to win a whole set from Jessica Drossin? Click the link!

Want to see a video that Jessica created to help you figure out how to use textures on your photos? Watch it here!

Woohoo! I was featured on the MCP Blog!

So, every Saturday I look forward to seeing the 10 featured photos from the past weeks submission in the MCP "picture a week" project and getting the theme for the next week. And each week that I think my photo was really good, I sort of hold my breath, just hoping that maybe this week is the week that I might be one of the 10. I hope, but I never really think I might be one, because there are so many professional photographers participating and so many of the photos are just phenomenal. Not to mention that there are now 3,100 people participating in the project.

So, imagine my surprise and delight as I scrolled down the blog post to see my photo of my Pampered Chef Salt & Pepper grinders as one of the featured photos for this week's theme of "Darks and Lights." It was a little like Christmas....only in March! :-D

If you'd like to check out my photo on the MCP blog and see the other 9 featured photos, you can do that here.

Love that Shot Link-up! "All in the Details"

So I LOVE MCP actions! I have all their freebies and am saving my pennies to buy the new fusion set (or really any set, there is nothing on that site that I wouldn't like to have!). Love that Shot is doing a link-up with the theme of "All in the Details" and the prize is a gift certificate to MCP or the new Fusion set, so I definitely wanted to enter!

This is a necklace that my mom bought for me on her last cruise. It made from pearls and some sort of black coral (I think?) and it is so pretty. I processed it using the Vanity action from Florabella's Luxe II set. I thought the details of the necklace were really cool and I love the contrast of the colors and the background.

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 11

Wow, week 11. This year is already flying by! The theme for this week was "Darks and Lights." I came "this close" to shooting my laundry sorter! The I saw my Pampered Chef Salt and Pepper grinder set with bamboo stand and had an aha moment. So this weeks photo was born...

"Spice"
Week 11 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Darks and Lights
Processed using MCP Mini Fusion action

MCP Actions Blog - Project 52, Week 8, 9, & 10

Yep, I'm running behind again. I managed to get my weekly photos published to Flickr on time to qualify each week, but I didn't make it over to the blog. So, let's look at it as a 3 for 1 deal... :-D

"Through a Child's Eyes"
Week 8 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: View from Here
Processed using B&W Blush action from Florabella Luxe II. I thought these photos turned out ok. I struggled with finding time during that week to take my photos, so these ended up being taken Friday night with artificial light.

"Joyous"
Week 9 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Express Yourself
Processed using B&W Blush action from Florabella Luxe II. Dillon's Pawpaw (Ron's dad) repainted some of Ron's Tonka toys and Dillon had a great time playing with them in the dirt.

"Vintage View"
Week 10 - MCP 52 Week Project Theme: Childhood Toys
Processed using Smitten action from Florabella Luxe II. We visited our family in Virginia over the weekend for my grandfather's 85th birthday. It was so nice to see everyone and my mom has kept a lot of mine and my sister's toys from when we were little. Dillon loves to play with them and we all get a kick from the memories. This trip, mom brought out my old Viewmaster and reels.

Love that Shot Link-up!

I wanted to post my photo of Murphy again for my entry for the Love That Shot link-up (hope you're not tired of the photo yet, I know I'm not!) This photo collage is my interpretation of the theme of "Love" because Murphy gives us such unbelievable, unconditional love. No matter what, he always greats us at the door when we get home with a wagging tail and a doggy grin. Seeing his furry face always warms my heart and brightens my day!