This week for my column Telling Your Story in the Evansville Courier and Press I wrote about Shirley Tarter who took a four-week class on Photoshop Elements and discovered her artistic style. See the article about Shirley here.
Shirley Tarter and her beautiful art
Years ago when I owned my own writing and design company, Custom PageWorks, I dabbled some in Photoshop. I hadn’t used the software since closing my business in the 90s, but it was still on one of my Macs. When I finally let loose of the old Mac, I decided it was much cheaper to buy PSE, than to upgrade my Photoshop. Since I was into scrapbooking, it was natural fit to go with this program.
One of my first scrapbook page made in PSE was about home.
Home Scrapbook Page
It was fun finding out that I could make pages on the computer and then just print them out.
Then last October my friend Amy (my boss several lifetimes ago) and I went on a photographic play date to French Lick. I love this picture of her.
Amy in the trees
Then I thought I’d have a little fun and give her wings and fairy dust using PSE.
PSE is so powerful. Playing with the filters are fun. For example, take this picture -
Unedited slope garden picture
Now with watercolor filter -
Now instead of the filter, let’s add a bit of texture.
Picture with texture
So much fun! And so much to learn. Let’s try the texture again.
Original unedited photo slope garden
Now let’s add some crinkle paper and rust.
Altered Photo
If you are into scrapbooking and would like to learn PSE, check out Scrappersguide. You can learn so many neat tricks with this program. If you are not into scrapbooking, check out lynda.com which provides training on this and other software.
Well, gotta quit playing. Gardening chores are calling!
Photography has been a part of my life since I was about six years of age. Over my sixty-plus years I have captured thousands of images. Two comments by Ansel Adams have always helped me: “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” and “A good photograph is knowing where to stand.” Photoshop and/or Photoshop Elements are necessary tools for his first statement and mindfulness (being in the now) is necessary for his second statement. Both elements were covered very nicely in your article.
Tim, Coming from you, this is a real compliment. You are such a wonderful photographer. Love those quotes. Thanks for reading my column and for stopping by here.
Amazing! I love the different looks, especially the textures. I have been kicking about the idea of taking a photography class, and this just makes me want to do it even more. To be able to take a photo and turn it into something different would be a very satisfying creative outlet.
Cindy Sue, It is so much fun and I’ve not really spent enough time in PSE. So much to do! Too many interests!
Wow, I love your work. It’s fabulous! I really like the one that you recreated with your friend in the trees. That’s so neat how you made her a butterfly. The textured flowers are also fantastic. How fun.
Gigi, Thank you! Amy liked that she was given wings! Thanks for dropping by.
Oh, Photoshop is such fun! I love using textures, it’s amazing what difference it can make. Though I think the flower photos are beautiful as they are already! Love the scrapbook page as well!