Week No. 17 - Saturday, 30th April 2011

'Princess for a Day!'

So sorry this post is over a week late - eek! Deadlines and Decorating should be the title of this picture instead of Princess for a Day. Obviously, for the Royal Wedding, which I watched over at my Sister and Brother in law's, I did take photos on the day but wasn't happy enough with them to put them on my blog. The rest of the week has been a blur and time has just run away with me.

Right enough excuses, here is my effort - the title took me down memory lane of my own wedding where I did really feel like a princess for the day. I did think about taking an arty shot of a photo of the day but then decided that might be cheating. I've raided the loft and found my bouquet, head dress and actual dress (got to go back up later as the wedding album is hiding up there somewhere). It was nearly 16 years ago that we got married (come on, no 'out with good behaviour' jokes please!). It was funny that my wedding trousseau (too much Royal Wedding build up, me thinks) was buried underneath the box for Band Hero, Barbie Dolls and Zac's bed that he attacks whenever he see's it! How life has changed over those 16 years!!

Week No. 16 - Saturday, 23rd April 2011

Zac - My 'Furry Friend'

Furry Friend was an easy title for me this week, although as usual time has been against me to get a really good portrait of him. He just won't sit still for long enough, every time I have 5 mins to get the camera out he scoots off! Managed to catch him under the trampoline this afternoon and have de-saturated slightly which I think sets off his colouring.

Just about to start decorating - hope next week's theme is something to do with paint or curtains!!

Week No. 15 - Saturday, 16th April 2011

"What People Think of Me"

I've really struggled with this one, do I really want to know what people think of me??? I decided in the end to use my charm bracelet as it has some of my favourite things on it, camera, angel/demon funny face and flowers but it also has 'best friend' and hearts. Hopefully, this means people think I'm not too bad! The trainer is from my running partner, Alison, she'll shout at me when she sees this as it has been ages since we ran but the head is willing maybe not the body - every time I look at the trainer I think, it's on my 'to do' list!!

I've used my close up filter, that Macro lens is still calling my name, oh well. I put the bracelet on the garden wall to give the picture some colour.

Week No. 14 - Saturday, 8th April 2011

"Fusion"

I needed to test my lights after having one repaired and returned and thought this week's theme would be an ideal opportunity. I have seen some 'fused' pictures Barry has done of friends and their children, to show how much they look like each other, so decided to try my hand at it. Phew, it's not easy, firstly trying to get the girls to pose in the same t-shirt was an issue (although, in the end you can't even see it!). Then they needed to be in exactly the same spot and I didn't even think about the problem of smiles. It just shows how different people's faces are even if we think they are very similar. Ended up using the faces function in elements which did a pretty decent job of lining up the two pictures, although I admit to cheating with the mouth as it just looked too weird and Kirsten has a cold sore bless her, so it is all Hope's mouth. Keep trying is the name of the game I think.

Week No. 13 - Saturday, 2nd April 2011

"Just for Fun"

Saw this effect done recently in a magazine and thought I would give it a go! Used two bananas, an apple and this pineapple before I got a picture I was happy with! I'm not sure about the busy background, whether it helped or hindered. Auto focus was a problem too but got there in the end and as always I'm learning. Right I've got to go and clean the kitchen now!

Week No. 12 - Saturday, 26th March 2011

This week's theme is 'From the Jewellery Box'. Both girls (and myself) are massive Twilight Saga fans and here is Hope's Eclipse Jewellery Box with her favourite Hope necklace. It was tricky to use natural light and position the box just so that the reflection from the window didn't show in the mirror and the necklace. I've darkened the picture quite a lot because the velvet in the box looked grey rather than black, I toyed with turning it black and white but I like the browns around Bella too much.

Week No. 11 - Saturday, 19th March 2011

"Lights and Darks"

This one is a real blast from the past! Last Thursday Carl and I went, with some friends, to see The Levellers (remember them?) who were supported by the Wonderstuff. If you followed my 365 blog last year you will remember that we saw the Wonderstuff at the Bearded Theory festival in Derbyshire. They are definitely one of my favourite bands and Thursday's performance was the best I have ever seen them. It did make me feel abit old though as the band got together 25 years ago!! After the Wonderstuff I thought the Levellers would have an hard act to follow but they were just as great. Thoroughly enjoyed it and thought this picture of Jeremy Cunningham on bass, with the longest dreadlocks I have ever seen,of the Levellers was a good Lights and Darks picture. I had to take it on Carl's phone as I didn't take my camera. All together now "THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY OF LIFE....................."