Brenda Photo Challenge...

Self- portrait in black and white...

Almost forgot about this!  Had to do a very quick photo and an even quicker edit :O)

Portrait of the Artist...

Click here for more participants.

The Brenda Photo Challenge - Books and Reading...

A Little Light Reading...

I've written before about my love of books - I can't imagine not wanting to pick up a book and lose myself in someone else's world or imagination.  It has been rumoured that I actually become quite unpleasant to live with if I have nothing I want to read next (as if!).

Here are a few of my books which David balances whilst in deep meditation (which he obviously also learnt from a book) :O)

For more participants or to take part in the July challenge, visit: http://phototipsbyadummy.blogspot.co.uk/

Also linking to Wordless Wednesday.

The Brenda Photo Challenge

Found a new challenge (Go to The Brenda Photo Challenge for more info). This month it's before and after so here goes.  These were part of a series of photos I took at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire yesterday in thick fog - I love misty images.

Before...

and After...
I wanted to keep the ethereal feel but also
wanted to warm up the image and give it a bit more oomph!
I cloned out a blob in the foreground, used a screen blending mode,
converted to b&w, added a sepia tint to warm it up, then boosted the contrast.
I didn't mind the sky being white as that's what I was after - it's the kind
of image I think I'd use as a greetings card of some type.

Before...

After...
I cloned out the bench and some twigs in the top right corner
as I felt they were too obtrusive.  I also altered the colour balance,
and used a screen blending mode plus a soft light blending mode.

Before...

After...
I wanted to keep the feel that the fog gave,
but also make the image simpler, more minimalist.
I cropped it, cloned out branches and areas of white paint
on the wall in the foreground, converted to b&w, added a sepia
tint, and boosted the contrast.