Gull

Gull, originally uploaded by gary8345.

This picture was taken on the Long Water in Kensington Gardens. There were a number of posts submerged into the water, and each had a bird sat on top of it. However, this one, looked the proudest of them all.

Cross Processed Lamp

Cross Processed Lamp, originally uploaded by gary8345.

Cross Processing is a process that was once completed in the traditional dark room. Basically the effect was achieved by using the wrong chemicals. I have always liked this look, and seem to see it quite often used in advertising.

I had seen tutorials for this using PhotoShop CS however, I can't afford it. So for ages and ages I was looking for a way to create the same effects using PhotoShop Elements, and at long last I found this:

This is how to do it using PhotoShop Elements:

1. Create new adjustment layer. - using levels, choose red from the channel drop down box, and select the following values:

from left to right: 22 0.32 213 into the input level boxes

Then choose green from the channel drop down box, and select the following values:

from left to right: 36 1.45 231

Finally select blue and enter:

from left to right: 0 0.62 234

2. OK this, then right click on the background layer and chose duplicate layer. Move this layer to the top of the stack and then adjust hue/saturation. Select Saturation and move to +60. OK this.

3. Set the blending mode for this layer to hard light.

4. Select New Adjustment Layer> Photo Filter. From the filter list choose Cyan and drag the intensity slider to 89% and uncheck preserve luminosity. Click OK.

5. Set the blending mode for this layer to colour.

That is the basic technique, but you can use the burn and sponge tools to create more intensity of the colours.

Commuter #187

Commuter #187, originally uploaded by gary8345.

Luca Wabbit

Luca Wabbit, originally uploaded by gary8345.

Me at work

Me at work, originally uploaded by gary8345.

Hello, its me!!!!

I should really try to get back into blogging. I did well for a few months back in 2007/8, but time seemed to elude me a little after a while.

I did enjoying blogging, and it encouraged me to go out and about with my camera. I still go out and take pictures, but writing about them makes you think more about the images you have taken.

Glass Disk

This glass structure is sited outside a mundane office block in London. The architecture around the disk is not that inspiring at all. However, this sculpture, got my imagination going. There were so many different pictures to take. Because of the material its made of, the light played so many tricks.

From one angle I got green:


....and from head on, a kind of mirror effect:


All these pictures were shot with a Canon 50mm f1.8 lens. I really like the depth of field it produces, and I played with this aspect with the middle picture above.

The Flower Shop

I pass this shop everyday on my journey to and from work. I love the show they put on in the front, and if I lived nearby, I am sure I would be encouraged to spend some money there!!!

I was using my new Canon 50mm lens, on a very bright and sunny spring day. It was the first time I had used the lens, and the first time I had ever used a prime lens. It was strange not being able to zoom in and out, and I don't think I stopped trying to do so. However, I really like this lens, and I am sure I will use it quite often.