Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Seeing Red!!

It’s Rednesday over at It’s a Very Cherry World, and I’m participating for the very first time.  It’s really kind of hard to believe, since red (particularly cardinal red) is my most favorite color.

Lately I’ve been playing around with PhotoShop Elements, trying to teach myself some of the different photo editing tricks.  I’ll have to say that it’s been hit or miss, and I am not finding the help menu very “helpful.”  The instructions are defnintely not written for dummies.  But I have taught myself a few things.

One technique that I’ve always thought was cool was to turn all of a photo to black and white except for one element.  Here are a few I’ve been working on, along with the originals.

This first one is from our trip to London last fall.  Those of you who’ve been there will remember that these telephone booths are all over the place.  Here’s the original.

London 004

And the edited version.

London 1004

This next photo is one of the cable cars to Mt. Pilatus near Lucerne, Switzerland.  It was a foggy day and kind of eerie watching the cars emerge from the mist.  First the original.

991 Mt Pilatus 046

Then the edited version.

991 Mt Pilatus 046

Finally, my friend Glenda recently asked me to do a little editing on some of her daughter Anna’s wedding portraits.  This is the original, photographed on the bridge at the Japanese garden section of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

bridal0531

Here’s the edited version.

bridal053

For more of my favorite color, please visit It’s a Very Cherry World.  And if anyone knows where to find good tips on using PhotoShop or PhotoShop Elements, please let me know.

24 comments:

Joyce said...

Wow-these are great! You don't look like an amateur to me.

Guess which one is my favorite? : )

Beth said...

You did a great job! I love these images!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Well I know for a fact -- you're no dummy! These pictures look amazing!

Unknown said...

You're ahead of me on Photoshop; I can't find any good instructions either. I've considered taking a course in it (HCC has one), but life is so busy right now I wouldn't have time to concentrate.

nanny said...

Oh I love these pictures....I want to know how to do that....I have photoshop cs4....

I bought Photoshop for dummies....it is 765 pages/ugh. I do refer to it...but not as often as I should.

I am going to research what you have done, it is great!!!

I had the feeling when I first started reading your post that you would have a big HOG picture/ha

mimi said...

Hi Kathy,
This is my first time participating in Rednesday as well. I love to view new blogs so I am really enjoying it. Your pictures are amazing. Working with Photoshop is something I have always wanted to learn. You have done a wonderful job. I enjoyed my visit to your blog :)
Fondly,
Mimi~

Carey said...

Love the photos. Great idea with the black and white. I have been trying to learn about photo editing also. Doesn't it seem that the directions are in a foreign language. You did a great job, I have to say. Come on over and visit Chicory Nits.
Carey

Floortje said...

I'm a first timer at rednesday as well! Love your pictures and what you have done with them, isn't red the most amazing colour...
Red greetings, Floortje

Sherrie said...

I am very impressed. I am still trying to teach myself how to do this. Your photos whether color or black and white are beautiful.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Wow! great job! I love how the red really stood out!
Debbie

Keetha Broyles said...

Really cool red photos! Those red London call boxes make me think of Dr. Who, which we USED to watch years ago, but no longer do.

★Carol★ said...

I love that technique too, and I really wish I had PhotoShop! Your pictures turned out fantastic! I had heard that they might be doing away with those booths, because so many people have cell phones now. I hope not, because they are just so iconic of England. And like Keetha said, they make everyone think of Dr. Who!
Happy REDnesday!
Carol

Unknown said...

WOW! These photos are so cool! You are very good at this! I have PSE 6, but I am totally intimidated by it! I am taking baby steps!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

That is so awesome. They are beautiful. I need to learn how to do that.

Susan Freeman said...

Your photos are just great! It's great to meet a fellow lover of red. I like it so much I think I will always call Wednesday, "Rednesday" now!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Bearly Sane said...

Cool ... the photos are great mate! Especially the last one.
Happy REDnesday Kathy,
Sandi @ Bearly Sane

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

I love your photos !Your editing is fantastic !
Blessings,
~Myrna

xinex said...

Pretty cool, Kathy! How is the little one doing? Mine's 3 weeks old already. They grow up fast.....Christine

SueLovesCherries said...

Cool photos! I want that bridge in my yard! The bride is gorgeous, too - she seems to have a natural beauty, too!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Kathy, these photos are great! It looks to me like you've got it all figured out. I just read where you won the give-away at Gloria's. Congratulations! laurie

Joy Tilton said...

I must learn how to do this, the finished products are just so unique!

Unknown said...

Those look terrific. I've played around with this as well but not as successfully. Love the Mr. Pilatus shots...I remember it well. Lucy Claire is beautiful:)

Sue said...

I LOVE THESE PHOTO'S AND OFCOURSE I WOULD WITH RED BEING MY SIGNATURE COLOR...BEFORE DIGITAL CAMERA ME AND DAUGHTER USED TO TAKE B&W PICTURES ENLARGE THEM AND THEN TAKE ONE ITEM AS YOU DID AND COLOR IT IN USING COLORED PENCILS....DIGITAL SURE MAKES THAT ALOT EASIER....

Anonymous said...

KBeau, I am taking a digital photography course at Birmingham School of Photography. It is very good, they offer a course or two on Photoshop Elements.
Larry Anderson