“I Get By”

“I Get By” is the title to a blog created and written by Joe Giordano.  Joe is an amazing photographer who not only has several blogs that he maintains and contributes to, but also several Facebook pages.  All of Joe’s blogs and pages relate to photography. I find Joe inspiring and insightful and so when Joe asked to interview me for his blog “I Get By” I was honored and of course, said yes.   You can view the interview HERE.

The title of the image I posted today is Persevere.  I chose this image because one of the meanings of the Magnolia is perseverance.  There are times when all of us need perseverance and “a little help from our friends” to “get by”.  I thought it was a nice combination – the image and the sharing of Joe’s most recent blog venture.

Anybody else humming the Beatles’ Tune?  I am.

I hope you enjoy the interview!

Dazzled by Your Charms – how to layer two images

Dazzled by Your Charms

The Ranunculus flower means “Dazzled by Your Charms” in the Victorian Language of flowers. When shooting a bouquet of Ranunculus one day, I was playing around with different compositions and angles – keeping it simple and minimal as the flower speaks for herself.   In post processing, however, I decided to have a little fun with the images.  The image above is a combination of two images.  The first, was the Ranunculus on the left side of the frame, which I converted to black and white using Topaz Suites.  For the second image, the Ranunculus was on the right side of the frame and I left it in color.  When thinking about the meaning of the flower, I decided to merge the two images so that the flowers look as though they are truly dazzled by the charm of the other.

Creating a Layered Image in Photoshop CC

To create an image with multiple layers or multiple images, you simply open both images in Photoshop.  Decide which image you want to use as the top layer.  Open that image file and go to the menu bar and choose “Select All”.

Once the image has been selected, go to “Edit” and select “Copy”.

Then open the image file that you are going to use for your base layer.

Go to “Edit” and select “Paste”.

The top layer may not be seen in its entirety – you will have to fit it to the image below.  To do so, got to “Edit” once more and select “Free Transform”.   This will enable you to drag the image into place.

Once you have the top layer situated over the base layer, change the opacity by using the opacity slider in the “Essentials”menu bar.

Once your opacity is where you can see both layers to your liking, hit the check mark at the top of the menu bar.  Add your watermark and save your image.

Have fun creating new layered images…if you post any, please be sure to tag Robyn Graham Photography so that I can enjoy your work.

Red Tulips

Believe in Love Declared

“I love you, I’ve loved you for years and I’ll love you for years more. It’s not something I can fight, it’s not something I want to fight.” ― Somi Ekhasomhi, Always Yours

The red tulip means “Believe Me” and “Love Declared” in the Victorian Language of Flowers, thus the title of this image and the reason I selected it for Valentine’s Day.  I wish you all a day filled with love and joy.

Elegance

Elegance

To create this photograph I placed a white tray on a white paper backdrop and used natural light from the side and front of the subject.  I used all white to create negative space and to highlight the overripe pomegranate.  In post processing I enhanced the color slightly using a curves layer in Photoshop CC.  I then added a touch of vintage haze using a levels layer in Photoshop CC.

The title of the photograph is based on the meaning of the flower of the pomegranate plant in the Victorian Language of Flowers – elegance.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Mystery of Love

mystery of love

mystery of love in black and white

“Love leads us into mystery where no one can say what comes next, or how, or why.”

– Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg

The pink rose, depending on the color being dark or light, represents thankfulness, grace and joy in the Victorian Language of Flowers.  In words, the quote above does not correlate directly to the meaning of the pink rose, however, in my heart, I am thankful for the love I’ve experienced and the mystery of what it will bring in the future.

How about you?  Are you thankful for the love you’ve experienced? Do you find yourself wondering about the how and why and what might happen next?

With love, and all emotions, we as humans tend to rush into the future wondering and hoping for the next phase or the next event.  Instead of being mindful of the present moment and savoring the joy of it, we overwhelm ourselves with anticipation and perhaps fear.  This fact can often lead to shortcomings in relationships, a loss of joy, much anxiety, and overall hopelessness instead of the peace of love and an abundance of smiles.

It’s imperative to stop, cherish the moment, be mindful of the love in our lives, and just let life be.  This is not a simple task, but with patience and perseverance, we can all accomplish mindfulness and experience the joy of true love.

 Details for the image above: SS 1/60 f3.5  ISO 2000

Which do you prefer – color, or black and white?

Unfading Love

Unfading Love

The Coxcomb, in the Victorian Language of Flowers, represents unfading love.  I am wishing you all hearts full of peace and unfading love.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends and followers in the U.S.!  I for one have much to be thankful for!

 

Innocence of Admiration

“There is an innocence in admiration; it is found in those to whom it has never yet occurred that they, too, might be admired some day.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Innocence of Admiration

ss 1/640 f 5.6 ISO 400  60mm macro

white backdrop, natural light, direct light, – full sun, manual settings, manual focus

You guessed it! The Gerber Daisy represents innocence in the Victorian language of flowers. To see the monochromatic edition of this flower, visit my Thursday post on Monochromia.  I would love to hear which you prefer – color or black and white. I look forward to your thoughts!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Sincere Generosity

Sincere Generosity

ss 1/320  f18  ISO 400  60mm macro

“To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.” Confucius

Galioli in the Victorian language of flowers means generosity and  I am sincere , thus the title of this image.

To capture this image, I used natural sunlight.  I put a black backdrop down on the grass and placed the flower upon it.  I used only the sun, no fill, and used manual exposure.  It was somewhat challenging because of the shadows and the significant contrast in light and shadow.  I did minimal post processing, just increased the blacks to darken the backdrop.  Light is such a magical thing.  When used correctly under the proper exposure we can create so much!

In addition, if you have a minute and are interested in black and white photography, stop by Monochromia to see my post for this week.  I posted two images of the same subject but using light in different perspectives.  More about light!

Have a great weekend!

The Past Forgotten

 

 

The Past Forgotten

 

As those of you who have been following for some time know, flowers are one of my favorite subjects and I love to work with the “Victorian Language of Flowers”.  In the “Victorian Language of Flowers”, the Lotus means: Estranged Love and Forgetful of the Past.

Silence of Old

Silence of Old

 

The image was titled referencing the meaning of the rose by color in the Victorian Language of Flowers.