dreaming of the future

friends forever by she dreams of {open windows}

I've been thinking about change for quite some time...specifically, November 25, 2011 when I found out I was expecting my first child. My husband and I have talked about having children for almost as long as we've been together, but until you actually see a positive pregnancy test result...those discussions are merely more than dreams. And yet, from that very moment, I started dreaming.

in good hands by photoangie

Dreaming of what my daughter will look like...imagining her personality...wondering if she will share my passion for the arts...or what type of person she'll be when she grows up. I don't suppose I have much say in many of those details, but I find myself impatiently waiting for her arrival rather than calming preparing myself for all the changes that are about to unfold.

Wardrobe Change by jessicavescera

Oh what an exciting time this is! But with approximately nine weeks left of my pregnancy, I only know a small piece of the whole story. Perhaps by the next time I see you, I'll have a more complete picture.

Until then,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

the next theme is...CHANGE

"Changing Horizon..." by Sunflare Orange

“The joy of life comes from our own encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different."
~ Jon Krakauer, Into The Wild

Xanthe: rolleigram by kirstinmckee

Sam Cooke once sang, "It's been a long, long time coming but I know change gonna come, oh yes it will." Yes Sam Cooke, change is coming...new seasons, new life, new ideas.

With this Ring by soupatraveler

If you're like me though, the prospect of change is a bit scary. We often get set in our ways and struggle to step outside the invisible but defining lines that prevent us from greatness.

"My philosophy..." by farmgirl in flipflops

"My philosophy is that life is all about learning and growing, and that life can be a real adventure of learning, growing, compassion, and joyfulness." ~ John Mackey

"mama, come quick, I've found a little patch of heaven." by journeywithasimplegirl

However, I think we're finally ready to step out of the shadows, into a real adventure and find our own little patch of heaven. We're not exactly sure where it'll take us, but I hope you'll join us for the ride.

We look forward to seeing your "change" photos!


Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

abandoned

I know that the beginnings of Spring should offer signs of hope and promise. I imagine kids swinging on playgrounds...playing hide and seek...anticipating all that summer has waiting for them. When I walk outside for even ten minutes, I can smell hints of optimism in the air as winter sheds its cold embrace. The sound of birds chirping keep reminding me to abandon my old and tired ways...they keep reminding me to be inspired...they keep reminding me to let go of the past and seize the future. I can feel that new life is on the horizon...and yet, when I intentionally search for new life, I am confronted with emptiness.

Old, rusty, desolate playgrounds such as the one in mthoodmama's photo...where are the children? Where are the flowers? Where is the laughter and the joy and the spirit that I thought I'd find here? Children have a way of bringing color into our lives. They see the world in a much better light than I think we do as adults. So where are they? It's possible that my eyes have deceived me, but it all seems black and white to me. 

Perhaps if I simply close my eyes for a moment...then reopen, the skies would lift their clouds. The rain would disappear and life would re-emerge as though I was seeing it through a child's eyes. That's the Spring I have been waiting for these past few months and that's the Spring I shall imagine. For "Spring in Black and White" is less about what our eyes see and more about whether or not our hearts are open to the possibilities of a life in vibrant color. Are you open?

Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

abandoned by mthoodmama

play like a child

A couple of weeks ago, I was photographing a two year old's birthday party. I got to the party a few minutes early so I could capture some of the event details before the guests arrived. I immediately noticed a gold mining station in the backyard - oh yeah, this is was where the action would take place. Sure enough, as the little ones arrived, they quickly made their way over to the kiddie pool in the backyard to see what was happening. I couldn't help but watch one little boy as he threw his hands into the pool to touch the gold nuggets. He would glance back every so often to make sure he wasn't doing anything wrong - had I not been the "photographer" that day, I'm sure I would have jumped in with him.

The thing I love about watching children at play is that they have no pretense about what "play" should look or be like. Their questions so innocent...their eyes lit up in wonder...their hands curious to touch so they can fully experience all before them. If we could all just play like a child, we too could experience life using all five senses. I think this concept of experiencing life using all five senses is exemplified in this photo by ihlove3. As adults, we might be tempted to blow a bubble and enjoy the beautiful colors that emerge...almost in the same way we enjoy a rainbow. But as children, we also smell the bubble mix, we listen to the sound of the bubbles popping and we pop the bubbles with our hands so we can feel the stickiness. Heck, most times, we even taste the bubbles.

With all that in mind, I encourage each of us to play like a child...engage our senses and have some fun!

Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

Help! She's Going to Pop Me! by ihlove3

muse university: vintage processing

Earlier this year, I started a new tutorial piece on my blog called Tutorial Tuesday. The intent is to stretch our shooting and editing skills...and since I am constantly trying to learn something new with regard to my own processing, I've had a blast picking up new tools for my bag of tricks. A few weeks ago, I shared a tutorial on vintage processing. I thought it might be interesting to revisit that tutorial using a different image for muse university.

In order to fully utilize this tutorial, you'll need some version of Photoshop. Although most of the steps can be performed in Photoshop Elements, there will be a couple of steps in this tutorial that will not work for PSE users (still try it - I'll offer some alternative approaches). If you're more of a video tutorial kinda person, click HERE.

Here's my original shot (taken at Duke Chapel in Durham, NC earlier this year):

For many of you, the original image looks great and you would upload to Flickr and be done. I completely appreciate those who prefer a clean and natural approach (it's much quicker and easier). But for those of us that like to do a little more, creative processing has a lot to do with individual preferences. In particular, I think with vintage processing, it all depends on your mood. And it's funny, because so many times, the images that inspire us to go "vintage," weathered naturally over time. Nonetheless, let's learn a new effect.

Step 1: Create a duplicate of your background layer. You won't use this one right now, but this creating a duplicate layer is just good practice when editing.

Step 2: Create a Color Balance adjustment layer. (This is the one adjustment layer that will not work for Photoshop Elements' users - you can tinker around with a saturation adjustment instead.) 

• Shadows = -45, 25, -5
• Midtones = 0, 20, -5
• Highlights = -25, -15, -20

Your image will look similar to what you see below:
Step 3: Create a Curves Adjustment layer. (If memory serves me correctly, PSE9 does have a levels adjustment...previous versions can download an action to simulate the layers adjustment. Click HERE.) Create three points on your curve. The mid and upper points should be pulled up just a hair, while the lower point should be pulled down just a little bit. When you're done, your image will look similar to mine below.

Step 4: Create a Gradient Map layer. Be sure that reverse is unchecked (although I seem to recall that the video said to check it...didn't look right to me). You'll want to change the color of your gradient to something within the orange/brown range. Click okay and then lower your opacity. The video suggests an opacity of 80%...I lowered mine to 74%. I'm not sure there is a perfect formula for this step - just experiment with it until you see something like my image below.

Step 5: Create a Levels adjustment. Here, you'll want to drag your shadows and midtones to the right just a bit. The video pulled them to 17 and 0.73.

Step 6: Go back to the duplicate of your background layer (just above your background layer). Go to Filter > Enable Smart Filters. 

Step 7: (same layer) Go to Filter > Select Lens Correction. On the right hand side, scroll down to vignette. Pull the vignette slider to -52 and the midpoint slider to +34. (obviously this image was taken while processing a different photo)

Step 8: Add noise by going to Filter > Noise > Add Noise. This step is optional, but for a vintage photo, you'd typically see a little bit of noise. Add 5 and see what you think. This is the final step of the video tutorial and your image will look similar to mine below.

Step 9: If you'd like, add texture. I decided to give my image a little more of a vintage look by adding Kim Klassen's "Paper Love" texture (click HERE). I believe I added one layer on a multiply blending mode at 50% opacity and then tinkered with my layers again. Here's where I ended:

With that said, that's the vintage effect. What do you think? Would you rather just download an action? Here's a link: click HERE. Just in case you forgot, here's my original image on the left and the final vintage edit on the right. Feel free to give this tutorial a try and share your image with us in the comment section.

Until next time, 

Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

thinking...dreaming...creating

Photography is an art...and maybe you're one of those artists that can create a work of art on demand, but chances are (at least if you're like me) that those moments of creation occur when inspiration strikes. In my case, inspiration is as random as my personality.

For months, I've been in a creative rut. I've tried to blame it on the winter blues and being pregnant, but the truth is...I'm lazy. I've been really good at being lazy. Sometimes, it's just easier to sit back and wait for the next big thing. Then, out of nowhere...you see a photograph, a person, a place, a thing, a anything...and BAM, creativity comes pouring in.

Such a thing happened to me earlier this week when I dropped into the Mortal Muse Flickr pool looking to be inspired for our current prompt: "I am." It was then that I ran across Daniela Klara R.'s photo - genius. Her photograph completely nailed the emotions I was feeling...that fine balance between good and mischievous.

I immediately ran upstairs to put on "my thinking crown" so I could do what any artist would do... sit in front of the camera for a little self-portrait fun. I guess that's just how I roll...and to do any proper creative thinking, you must have a thinking crown.

So, I am a thinker. I am a dreamer. I am a creator. What are you?

Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

between toothbrushes and time by Daniela Klara R.

fingertips

I wish someone told me, when I was younger, how cool it was to play an instrument. Growing up, I took piano lessons from a retired woman in my neighborhood. I was convinced that people only played the piano in churches...it was not cool. Interestingly enough, I didn't consider the cool factor when I entered middle school and decided to play the flute...in our school band (no, not marching band, but still). Had I only known then what I know now, I would have practiced more...appreciated more...listened more.

Years later and I haven't touched my flute or the piano (other than to take a photograph). However, I'm always mesmerized when I watch a musician put their fingertips to work. There's something about their energy that inspires me. For example, when I look at Leanne@123's photo below, I imagine what this musician must have been playing at the time she took the photo. Whether they were playing rock, country or soul, my hips start moving. In fact...now that I think about it, I kind of want to dance.

Will you join me?
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

B&W Guitar by Leanne@123

all in a memory

When I first thought about the word "charm," I immediately thought about the years of collecting charms for my first charm bracelet. In particular, when I was 15 years old, I had the privilege of  traveling the western part of the United States with 70+ other youth. Many of the other kids would buy t-shirts, but I chose to collect one charm from each stop to represent my stay.

Unfortunately, I have no idea where that charm bracelet is now (although I'm sure it's somewhere at my parents' home). However, the idea of collecting charms as a way of capturing memories, whether they be on a charm bracelet or earring or just a trinket hasn't faded. For example, I look at Cardboard Sea's image below and see the hint of a beautiful little girl wearing a sweet earring. I can't help but notice the earring, but more importantly, I see the soft reflection of a child. Years later, her mother will look back at this photo and remember a time of grace and charm...not of the earring, but of her daughter.

I think that's what charms do for us - they make our memories more tangible...even long after we lose the physical "charm."

Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

Untitled by Cardboard Sea

magic

 "If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water." ~Loran Eisely
Long before I ever picked up a camera, water has been a huge source of inspiration. I remember as a young child, I loved playing in the sprinkler on a hot summer day. If I was lucky, the water would catch the sun's reflection and create a beautiful rainbow.

As a teenager, my parents sent me to camp during the summer. The camp I attended was located on a river, so we spent most of our days sailing. I remember waking up each day, running outside and feeling the breeze hit my face. We lived for those windy days...and the chance go to go on an adventure. But even on those calm days, there was nothing better than laying on the edge of our boats and watching the reflection change in the water. Those were the days.

I don't get to spend nearly as much time in/on the water as I did when I was young. The beach is a short two hour drive away and we are surrounded by lakes, but we just don't seem to go like we once did. So, I create the magic I once experienced as a child in my home. I turn on the faucet and let my camera become a portal into another world (okay, so that's a bit of a stretch, but you get the point). In so many cases, I find myself sitting there for what seems like hours soaking up every moment. And much like Kyla-UK's shot below, if I'm patient enough, I not only capture beautiful water droplets...I capture art.

Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

Macro droplets by Kyla-UK

mirror mirror

 

Words have a funny way of making you think. For example, I have a small mirror in my office that was once meant to attach to a computer monitor. I found it one day as I was de-cluttering my desk. I remember thinking, "oh cool...I could use a small mirror," even though I already have a much larger mirror in my office. Then I looked closer...there in fine print, it read "It is not about..." Ouch. Something tells me that I found this message on purpose - I mean...isn't that the way life works?

Much like a Chinese fortune cookie (if you buy into that sorta thing), we're often faced with words that cause us to think about what we're doing or what we will be doing in a more intentional way. Most recently, I was having dinner with my husband just before going into my 12 week ultrasound appointment (oh yeah...for those of you that don't know already...I'm expecting) when we opened two fortune cookies. We often giggle at the fortune messages, but have recently found ourselves flipping the message over to "learn Chinese." On this particular evening, the words left us speechless...one said "summer" (I'm due in August) and the other said "girl." Granted, at this point we don't know the gender, but we definitely saved these words as they might have significance later on.

I also like how Mom Photographer's photo causes me to stop and think. There's certainly some thinking involved in just reading what it says. More importantly, it requires us to look in the mirror. Not in a Snow White, "Mirror Mirror on the wall...who's the fairest of them all," kind of way...but in a way that we can see ourselves as the beautiful, intelligent, artists that we know we are.

So maybe it's not all about "me." However, let us not forget to look at ourselves in the mirror...to speak encouraging words to one another...and to live a life that reflects who we are from the inside out.

Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

...and what do you see? by Mom Photographer

looking beyond the window panes

The past week's weather, in my part of the world, has been a bit all over the place...warm one day and cold the next. If only I didn't have to work on those beautiful days. However, on even the gloomiest days, I can't help but to allow my imagination to take over. To pretend for even a tiny moment that Spring has arrived. To imagine children playing on grassy knolls. To people watch as the locals go about their daily routines.

But alas, it is not spring and the streets are bare...as portrayed in ~ania♥'s photo below. People watching must be done in the memories of another time. Yet, these windows allow our hearts and minds to look beyond these window panes...at least until our feet are willing to walk outside. 

Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

Monday Blues by ~ania♥

nature speaks

 

These winter months leave me feeling a bit uninspired. It's cold, rainy and gray...the type of days, I wish I could just sleep away. Sure I carry my camera around just as I did during those beautiful spring, summer and autumn days, but the motivation isn't the same. I dream of those snowy picturesque moments that I find in our Flickr pool, but my reality is simply gray.

I then come across a simple, yet elegant moment such as msjunior's photograph below, and I'm reminded of winter's unspoken beauty. I love the quote she included with her photo (author unknown): "There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough to pay attention to the story." 

Nature speaks to us in a variety of ways. I suppose I'm most willing to listen to beautiful rays of sunshine, the colors of spring flowers or the change of autumn leaves. But, if I'm willing to listen to the quiet of winter...I may be pleasantly surprised by the story that's told.

Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

Nature Speaks by msjunior

fresh fruit

 

Sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas, my in-laws decided that they wanted some fresh Florida oranges. I remember thinking "can't they just get some at the grocery store?," but they insisted on driving the eight hours down to Florida to get the real deal. A few weeks later, we visited them for Christmas and found box loads of these fresh Florida oranges around the house.  Apparently, they came back with an entire truckload. I had to chuckle...but, after seeing photos such as Purple Deebee's below, I've learned that fresh fruit makes quite the holiday treat.

It then occurred to me that the idea of driving eight hours for something...whether it be fresh Florida oranges, visiting friends or family, seeing your favorite band, or photographing something you've always dreamed of isn't really that crazy (I've certainly done much crazier). As I start to think about the new year, I'd like to take this notion of "driving eight hours for fresh fruit" and apply it every chance I get...from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Let us not be restricted by time or place or lenses...let's go the distance!

Happy New Year!

Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

from me to you... by Purple DeeBee

many muses musing - BELIEVE

believe by jan@twoscoopz

I Believe In Christmas
by Janeen DeGolier Noetling

I believe in magic,
turning people's hearts.
I believe in Christmas joy,
that does not have to part.
I believe somehow, sometime,
we have to make a start.

I believe in Christmas,
why does it need to end,
why does it go away,
just to begin, again.

But I believe in Christmas,
cause just for one glad day,
we get to see the possibility,
if Christmas came to stay.

I can only imagine,
the cheer and good will,
dripping from hearts,
that use to be still.

I can only imagine,
from people who hate,
people who grumble
and cry at their fate,
magically filled straight
up to the brim,
emotions and feelings
they never felt in.

I believe in magic.
I believe in Christmas too.
I believe because not to,
would hurt
the whole year through.

My giveaway today will definitely make believe in the magic of Christmas!

A stylish and comfortable CAMERA STRAP courtesy of Stylish Beach Bum.

Winner can choose from the following styles: Manhattan, Tide, Bodega or Long Beach (or any of the discontinued styles).

All camera straps are sturdy and fully padded. The inner side is a plush minky chenille that not only is comfortable, but adds a bit of luxury. All straps are wide enough to accommodate the lens cap pocket and long enough to wear cross body when you need it out of your way.  Stylish Beach Bum is working on an additional accessory (available in the coming months) that will turn this conventional style strap into a sling style for those with that preference.

If you're interested in winning, please link your blog or flickr url in the link provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway. (max 2 entries per person). In the meantime, Stylish Beach Bum is offering a 15% off coupon for all Mortal Muses' readers for any camera strap or accessory purchases. Simply enter the code mortalmuse at check out.

I look forward to seeing your submissions for the prompt: BELIEVE.

Your creative holiday prompt for tomorrow is: SURPRISE.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

♥ Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

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life refocused

 

I'd like to believe that I have a lot to be thankful for. Unfortunately, there are too many days that go by in which I forget how blessed I really am. It's days like these that I tend to focus too heavily on myself...the things I wish I had...and worry about things that are completely insignificant.

Truth be told, I do have a lot to be thankful for. Each morning, I am able to get out of bed. I can hear the sound of my alarm. I can see the sun rising out the window. I'm able to wash my face with clean running water. I have clean clothes to wear to work. I have food to eat. I have a roof over my head. I have a car. I can easily walk up the stairs without pain. When I want a cup of coffee to get my day started, I can have one. I have a job. I can read. I can write. I can laugh. I have friends. I have family that loves me. I am healthy. I am blessed.

Much like Pereira's photo below, I find that if we stop focusing on what we don't have, we'll better see all that we do have. Isn't that what gratitude is all about?

Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

"When I find myself fading, I close my eyes and realize my friends are my energy" by Pereira

comfortable

I live for cooler temperatures. Of course I love the changing of the leaves and the return of my favorite pumpkin spice latte, but I also love fall fashion. There's something about long sleeves that brightens my outlook on life. It only seems appropriate that the holidays occur during cooler months (at least in the United States). It certainly doesn't seem right to eat Thanksgiving dinner in short sleeves; but, throw on a scarf such as tmosnaps' shot below or some fingerless gloves...ah yes, much better. Those simple accessories make everything feel so festive.

Beyond that, warmth is much more than being comfortable. Cooler weather is just a good excuse to snuggle up to the ones we love...hold hands...sit by a blazing fire. Our photographs should reflect that - that warm feeling that so many of us get this time of year.

With that said, I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Until next time,
Ashley of  Ramblings and Photos

first day of wearing my scarf by tmosnaps

night light

As photographers, we are light chasers. In many cases, we wait all day for that golden hour to arrive so we can race outside to capture everything in sight. In darkness, we rest...to recharge for the next beautifully lit moment. But I remember a time, before I identified myself as a photographer, in which I was scared of the dark. It was not a source of rest, but the boogie man. The light was my protector from the unknown.

Needless to say, I'm no longer scared of the dark...and those traces of light are much more than my protector from the unknown. The light has become a source of inspiration, spirit, creativity and much more. Much like the colors reflected amongst the light of the carnival rides, I am mesmerized by the disco colors reflected in Stormchild's pint glass. Who says we have to wait for daylight for that next inspired moment - I prefer the night light.

Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

Disco Pint by Stormchild

mosaic muse {home}

When the Muses decided to pursue a "home" theme, I was interested to see if there were any significant differences in our view of home around the world. As it turns out, we're more similar than I thought. The flickr pool was full of homey images. We saw everything from cooking, to cuddling, to coloring, to playtime. Your images have inspired me to slow down and enjoy those simple moments at home. Whether it be a smell, a sound or just those moments that make is forget the rest of the world exists, home is where there heart is.

 

1. 36:365 Learning, 2. Smug with the knowledge they are making cookies from scratchish, 3. Self Portrait(s), 4. What's Going On Out There, 5. ~277/365~ Bedtime, 6. Home, 7. stackable2, 8. Kitty Paws, 9. The Classic, 10. It's mE agaiN MonDaY, 11. Farm fresh., 12. 25.52, 13. something impossible up your sleeve: 90 of 365, 14. [233|2011-08-21] Chill, 15. on the way home, 16. life with Finn

Please share your favorite "home" shots with us by using the linky tool below. The tool will be open until Sunday evening. And please feel free to use the mosaic muse button on your blogs as you link up.


<center><a href="http://mortalmuses.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/6036986994_81c277cf91_o.jpg"/></a></center>

Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

mosaic muse {blurred}

There was a time in my photography journey in which I wanted nothing more than a perfectly focused shot. Oh how things have changed. After looking through our flickr pool, I am completely inspired to capture life in action; whether it be dancing in the bedroom, swinging to the sky, running through a breeze or just adjusting my focus ring. Your images have proven that a blurred shot is full of artistic potential - they let us remember those everyday moments just as they happened.

1. Last night, 2. body in motion, 3. Beautiful Blur, 4. Chinatown, 5. Dissolving~Revealing~Expanding, 6. wash day!, 7. write it on your soul, that today is the best day of your life...., 8. day 193/7.12.10, 9. “Strangers are exciting, their mystery never ends. ~ Ani Difranco, 10. Wheeeee, 11. dance the night away, 12. The Climb, 13. the blues, 14. Twirl, 15. three, 16. Ring-a-Ring-a-Rosey

Please share your favorite blurred shots with us by using the linky tool below. The tool will be open until Sunday evening. And please feel free to use the mosaic muse button on your blogs as you link up.


<center><a href="http://mortalmuses.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/6036986994_81c277cf91_o.jpg"/></a></center>

Ashley of Ramblings and Photos