FRIENDS, PHOTOGRAPHS, and Birthday FUN! 3/3 30 Day Photo Challenge Day 21

[-Hope-]

I use Corel Paint Shop Pro X3 for post-processing. However, when I edited my Disney pics I was using freeware called Photoscape. I had to switch for professional use but the freeware is pretty good for everyday pictures.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Erin, the dreamy look is something done in post processing, with a program that I have to edit all my shots with. I shoot in RAW format, so all my pictures have to be edited and put in JPEG, sharpened, color corrected if needed, etc. Most photographers use some form of editing like Photoshop, I use Nikon's Capture NX2, which is similar.

I use Corel Paint Shop Pro X3 for post-processing. However, when I edited my Disney pics I was using freeware called Photoscape. I had to switch for professional use but the freeware is pretty good for everyday pictures.

OK, thanks! So you're both using editing software to do this. My son probably knows the answer to this question LOL but I'll ask you guys first. Is there a name for that effect? I'd like to try it out - you know, after my son explains to me how to do it!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Different programs have different names for them, but I'm not sure any of the free editing software offers such a thing. Mind is called glamour glow. There are adjustments you kind of have to make, it's not like you just click a button and it's done...if you are interested in editing, I would look around and figure out what software you want and then get some books on it! Also, you really need a good camera, the editing won't have the same effect on a lower quality pic from a point and shoot. Have you decided on what kind of camera you are interested in?? Did you ever figure out what kind you were borrowing from your friend?? (it's probably written on it somewhere right there!)

 

[-Hope-]

Photoscape was free and it had something, I think it was called glow or bloom or something. I haven't used it in so long I can't remember! The main thing photoscape didn't have that I really needed was a way to remove blemishes. There are other things I can do with my software that I paid for but that was really the reason I initially switched from the freeware.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea to research and look for a book. Coy keeps encouraging me to just jump into different software and play around in it, because that is his learning process, but graphic programs are so foreign to me that I have a hard time doing that LOL I need that foundation before I start experimenting! We have the freeware paint.net and GIMP, so I'm going to see it has anything that sounds like "glow" or "bloom" or something like that Thanks, guys!

As far as the camera I was borrowing, it was a Fuji something or other. I gave it back yesterday after using it for about a month and I enjoyed playing with it, but I didn't think it was very user friendly. That could just be my inexperience talking, though The cameras I've been researching led me to the Canon EOS Rebel T1i EF-S IS SLR Camera Kit with 18-55 Lens. I am still researching though, because these cameras aren't exactly cheap! I still have some time to research because I have a few major expenses I have to pay on the Disney trip first. What do you all think? Is there any particular brand or model you would recommend for a beginner who is going to turn this into a serious hobby?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Erin, you really can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon. They are known for being the best dslr's. Hope uses a Canon (don't know which model, she'll tell you) and I use a Nikon D40. It's entry level, and they are pretty cheap to find now (relatively to dslr's) b/c they have newer entry level cameras now.

You might even look into a used camera. Hope got her camera used and I think it's a great choice to save money, most people that own them take very good care of them and until you use one for a while, you don't really know what you want in a camera, so it's best to start with a more entry level, cheaper or used model so that you can see what it is that you like/dislike and in the future upgrade if needed. The lenses are interchangeable, but ONLY within the brand. If I get a new camera, it will be a Nikon b/c all my lenses will still work with it.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

That is a great idea, Karen! I'm going to see if I can find a good used one because I'd like to get a camera sooner than later. I want a few months to get the hang of it before the trip. Thank you both for all of this info! I think I've hijacked your PTR for long enough though

 

[Parla]

I thought I'd share a pic from WS...

I didn't get to take many pics in WS on our previous trip. We spent a lot of our time at Epcot in FW and our time in WS was often rushed and stressful (I was driven to tears on one occasion but that's another story). You can see from this pic that the few pictures I did get were rushed and not the best quality. This one is too dark, another that I didn't share is too bright and some just aren't as sharp as I'd like. There is so much great stuff in WS that kids (and my husband) don't appreciate so it will be great to be able to take my time with the pics.

And to be honest there might be a few other reasons I'm looking forward to WS without kids...

Any excuse to use that drunken pic of Karen.

Forget looking forward to it without kids. I've decided that DH can take the kids on several Kim Possible missions while I slowly make my way around the WS and have complete and total strangers take pictures of me. I'll pretend like I'm posing in front of the different landmarks so they won't think I'm just a drunk who wants pictures with my boyfriends err drinks.

 

[-Hope-]

Forget looking forward to it without kids. I've decided that DH can take the kids on several Kim Possible missions while I slowly make my way around the WS and have complete and total strangers take pictures of me. I'll pretend like I'm posing in front of the different landmarks so they won't think I'm just a drunk who wants pictures with my boyfriends err drinks.

LOVE IT!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Parla, you are my hero. Rock on!

Ok, and I admit that it will be nice to have a partner in crime with the drunken pictures!

 

[-Hope-]

So, there usually isn't much to update (could be because our trip is nearly two years away). I realized though that while Karen and I had many emails and conversations deciding what TS meals we would want we hadn't actually shared and posted it here.

We are planning a 4 night (Karen may do 5 if she runs the Princess 1/2) split stay between POFQ and the Poly. Not sure if we shared that we were doing a night at POFQ here either. (I'm such a slacker!) It was just really difficult to fit everything we wanted to do into 3 nights but a 4th night at the Poly was a budget buster. However a 4th night at a mod seemed doable and since we both love POFQ and the idea of taking the water taxi to DTD this was a super easy decision.

So, after deciding on a 4th night that left us with 4 TS meals to figure out. After lots of discussion we decided:
-Wolfgang Puck Cafe'
-Restaurant Marrakesh
-Kona
-Garden Grill

Karen and I both have dietary restrictions that are completely opposite so I thought choosing restaurants might be difficult. However it actually made it very simple because some restaurants just couldn't accommodate one or both of us so it was off the list. This left us with choices but not as many so therefore easier to decide. We also knew we wanted to try new places that neither of us had been to which narrowed the list even more. I'm extremely happy with these choices- even if it might be a little nuts to be thinking about where I'll have dinner in nearly two years.

In non-Disney but DIS related updates, I posted a request on the DISign boards for some shirts for the kids for our Chicago trip and got no response. Lots of DISigners do non-Disney shirts but maybe it was a mistake to list them all in one thread. Maybe people thought if they couldn't do them all I didn't want them? Oh well, I guess we don't HAVE to have themed shirts for every vacation.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Mmmmm, I love to plan meals years in advance! I'm really excited about all our picks, especially Kona!

Go to Amymickey's thread and directly ask her. She can't do disney designs, so she's happy to do other designs and is pretty fast about it too!

 

[-Hope-]

Great idea! I might casually mention that I'll need to buy transfer paper to do these designs as an extra incentive...

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Wow, there may be a few more room choices by our 2013 trip!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/04/specialty-rooms-will-give-guests-the-royal-treatment/

 

[-Hope-]

Wow, there may be a few more room choices by our 2013 trip!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/04/specialty-rooms-will-give-guests-the-royal-treatment/

Cardio equipment in the room? Who the heck needs MORE exercise at WDW? Someone who's doing it wrong, that's who.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Cardio equipment in the room? Who the heck needs MORE exercise at WDW? Someone who's doing it wrong, that's who.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Yeah, I definitely agree with Hope.....more exercise while you're in Disney??? Please! Ugh!@!!

Totally off subject here, but with all the storms in your area of the country, I just want to make sure the two of you are safe & sound.....How close have the tornadoes been to where you are???

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Yeah, I definitely agree with Hope.....more exercise while you're in Disney??? Please! Ugh!@!!

Totally off subject here, but with all the storms in your area of the country, I just want to make sure the two of you are safe & sound.....How close have the tornadoes been to where you are???

We're good, but VERY wet! Lots of flooding, but this area didn't get hit as hard as St. Louis (100 miles from here) where my mom and sister live. The airport had some major tornado damage, luckily no one was hurt...and my mom and sister live clear on the other side of the city, so that was good!

We have a break in the rain today before it starts back up, I just wish it would stop now! It's insane how much we've gotten, I'm afriad we're all going to just wash away!

 

[-Hope-]

The rain is putting a serious cramp in my photography style. I'm supposed to do some baby pics tomorrow and his momma wanted some shots outside in the grass- don't think that's going to happen. And then I have a maternity shoot this weekend that's supposed to be mostly outdoors. Again, the forecast is not looking good.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

I'm glad to hear that everyone's ok. I'll take the snow anyday compared to your severe weather!!!!