Characters

 A couple different ways of looking at 2011. I like them both, and ended up sending the second one out... images by shutterstock — sentiments by me.

 My daughter and future son-in-law were cranky while I shot this photo, but liked the results for their save the date cards. The second was taken in blazing hot sun that left nothing but blown out skin and deep shadows. Photoshop picked up where natural conditions left off. Best thing about both is that they describe the relationships beautifully, and for me, that's what it's all about.

Had a great time today with the team at Sonnenberg Gardens setting up a display of my photos in their gift shop. The garden opens May 1 for the season so please stop in and look around! They feature three new artists each month and I will be there until June 1. Also featured this month are two artizans displaying ha nd blown glass and hand stitched quilts. Please note the essential Starbucks coffee in the left hand corner - an essential for any job! http://www.sonnenberg.org

Six hundred teenagers, darting really fast in different directions with total unpredictability all at the same time... in florescent lighting... and no flash allowed.  Good times.

Seems like everyone takes snapshots of precious little Bootsie, Snuggles or Muffin.  But each time I see other people's pet pics I think... WHY are mine so much cuter? And for that matter... why are my KIDS so much cuter too?  Just lucky I guess.

Here are a couple of grunge frames I was experimenting with in photoshop.  One single brush and a couple of layer masks are all I used...

One plus one sometimes equals TEN. This composite came as a result of two "ok" photos from a local landmark greenhouse. When I put the two together, the result was a pleasant surprise.  The same thing happened with these two foliage shots.  Each "fine" on its own - but much more fun together.