Week 8 - Ain't that Great! My 365 days of Photos.

I'm terrible at titles and rhyming. But that is okay, because I'm good at other things, including Photography. 

This week was very Black and White.

Downtown by the Art Museum 51/365

I just love Black and white photography.  Street or Urban scenes look especially good in Black and White. Don't you agree?

Blues Guitars B&W 52/365

I had an assignment this week that was all about the blues and guitars, and because of that, I ended up posting a lot of guitar photos.  Keep wondering if I should put them in my Etsy shop to sell, as I think they came out great.  What do you think?

DMNS outside 53/365

Before we get to the rest of the guitars, I have one more shot from Denver.  We were up there for just a few days on a family trip, so I didn't get a whole lot of photos, but really loving these two.

Dark Blue 54/365

And now we are back to those guitars.  These were take at the Candyman, and Santa Fe music institution.

Fender in Blue 55/365

Blue Resonator 56/365

I use a blue tone on the Black and White, just to remind us of the Blues.

I haven't posted today's photo yet, so it looks like there may just be 6 photos this week. 

Next week who knows, there may be a lot of photos of Girl Scout Cookies, as I have volunteered with my daughters troop to run booth sales.  Cases and cases of cookies are going to be filling up my car.

Have a wonderful week.
Lorissa

Photo a Day. Week 7 of 365 days.

This past week flew by.  What a busy weekend with St. Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day.  A few of this week's images are taken on my cell phone because of a quick trip to Denver over out 4 day break from school.  I hope you enjoy them.

Winter Finch 44/365

Okay, I do have one image, taken on Valentine's Day, that is themed.  This is just one of my little flying hearts from Mexico.  Love these Milagros.

Heart 45/365

And the next few are follow our trip over the weekend.  A hotel room, museum shots, and dinner on the way back home.  And a final image of the week is a photo of the mountain above Santa Fe in the Fall.  Sometimes we get an early snow and it is so beautiful with the fall aspen tree yellow.

Traveling 46/365

Prehistoric 47/365

Art Museum Fun 48/365

Waiting for Dinner 49/365

Aspen and Fir Landscape 50/365

Thanks for stopping by.
Lorissa

Simple School Valentine Gifts

Happy Valentine's Day.  I had planned on putting up this post weeks ago, but better late then never.

My daughter loves to give gifts and she always crafting something.  A few years ago, thanks to a gift from her aunt, she learned to make bottle cap magnets.  She makes them throughout the year when she is in the mood.   While looking though them we realize we had just enough heart and sweet themed ones to give as a valentine this year. In addition to the magnets, I had already purchased bags, pencils and candy for her to give.  The last piece of this years gift was the free stickers that Shutterfly.com, which I created a valentine theme on  with the colors and message.

In the end it became a simple project of just assembling a fun bag to give out to her classmates. We put the photo sticker on the outside of each bag, then stuff the bags with goodies. In each bag there are two chocolate hearts, one handmade magnet and a valentine pencil.

Just a little tie of bakers twine and we were done.  Cute and easy.

Another idea for simple and unique valentine is a red burlap sewn heart.  

This is a craft that I used in my toddler storytime.  Younger then 5 this craft does take a little help from a parent, but most school aged children can master this craft with just a little insturction.  With a simple square of burlap, some yarn and a plastic yarn needle a child can easily make a sweet valentine. Start by drawing a light outline of a heart.  Next, start a running stitch, by going down first a the top center of the heart.  Leave the tail of the yarn sticking out and untied.  A running stitch is simple for children and they just need to follow the line the you or they have already made. Lastly, when you get back to where you started, just tie the two ends together in a simple knot or bow.

Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and Kisses.

Lorissa

Is it Week 6 Already? 365 Photo a Day

Another week has flown by so quickly.  Such a busy month as a mother with long President's Day weekends, science fairs, and Valentine's Day parties. I still manage do post a photo for each day of this week, unfortunately not each day. But no one is perfect.

So this last week was a view back over the last few years.  This photo of a tree trying to survive at White Sands was taken in spring of 2012. I've always loved it, but thought it might not appeal to everyone so I just left it untouched until now.

White Sands Evening 37/365

These beautiful boats can be found in Tarpon Springs, FL.  Oh how I miss the warm weather and the water. I wish I could be a snowbird.

Sponge Dock Evening 38/365

This billboard was along the road in New Mexico at the edge of a Ghost Town.  It doesn't say much but I love the clouds and the light.

Ghost Town Billboard 39/365

This is from a photo shoot a few years ago.  Pressed for time and in an unfamiliar location requested by the client I always wondered if it could have been better.  The clients loved the photos, so it was me not them.  I do think that I have defiantly improved my editing skills since then and like this image much better now.

S with her dog 40/365

I wish I could find the time to travel Route 66 again.  This photo if nearly 5 years old and taken with an older digital camera so enlarging beyond 11x14 might show some digital grain. Oh well, still a great photo.

Soulsby's Shell Station IL 41/365

I love the Folk Art of the Southwest.  These bunnies are so fun.  I have a flying pig in a similar style, and if my cats wouldn't chew on everything I would have more.

Bright Bunnies 42/365

In early summer these trees bloom in my yard.  The provide berries for the birds in fall, but this past spring we had an abundance of moths and they seemed to love these blossoms. 

Summer Moth 43/365

I hope you like them.  Not sure what next week has in store.  If the weather ever warms I have a few things my daughter and I would like to try. One of these days.


Have a wonderful week. And thanks for visiting!
Lorissa

Exciting Week 5! 365 - Photo a Day

Hello Again.
Wow! This week has flown by.  I was hoping to get a post up about the valentine's my daughter and I made for her class, but not this past week.  Maybe this weekend?
This week I had some fun and many of the photos are floral.  Last spring I took a bunch of photos of our blooming cherry tree, but just stored them away on my computer.  Finally I got to work on them. I also have a joyful portrait and some landscapes of White Sand National Monument in the mix.

This makes me smile every-time I see it!

Joy in January 30/365

I just can't help it, that happiness is infectious.

The spring theme may have be subconsciously because of the warmer weather.  I could actually go outside without a coat yesterday. These beauties are white plum blossoms.  So sweet.

Plum Blossom Pastel 31/365

Now for the Cherry Blossoms:

Pink Bee 32/365

Pink Bee Flying 33/365

Pink Spring 34/365

Spring Bee 35/365

Did I mention that there is also a bee in the photos?  They just love the cherry tree in spring.

And now for White Sands:

Evening Sand Pinks 36/365

It is the image of the perfect end to a wonderful day, and it was.

I hope you have enjoyed them all.  Come back next week for more.  Also, don't forget to check out my LJ Longfellow Fine Art Photography Etsy Shop.  I might not have them all listed, but you can always use the "You Choose" listing to get exactly the image you want for your home.

Thanks,
Lorissa

Week 4 Already? check out my 365

First, I want to say, "Thank you!" to those who have been following my progress.
I have to admit that this week I did not feel inspired.  Many days were busy with catching up on things that didn't get done while my daughter was home sick from school last week. I did try to work more with layers and textures and think I need to start working with actions again, it has been a long time since I made my own.

Much of what I worked on this week is photos of New Mexico.  I guess that is no surprise as I live here. 

New Mexico Rural Road 2  23/365

In "New Mexico Rural Road" I love the perspective of the road and fence. The small hill in the background makes you wonder what might the viewer be missing.  I also love how the tree branches arch over and block the view.

Claunch, NM Ghost Town 24/365

This building in Claunch, NM caught my eye because of the green used to seal up the windows.   The color really stood out and it looks great hear against the off-white building and deep blue sky. I used a texture in the sky that mimics the feel of the building.

Lamp 25/365

Okay, this may have been a bit of a cheat.  This is the lamp next to where I often sit at night.  The lamp shade is metal so the light is directed mostly down and though the cut outs.  I used my new Flickr app and one of its preset actions.

Hedgehog Dream 26/365

The hedgehog was taken during a photo shoot for a small magazine I do work for.  He was just so cute sitting there in the florist shop.  My 7 year old daughter loves this and wants a copy in her room.

Forest Dream 3 27/365

I saved three different versions of this image.  The first with no textures, just basic Photoshop adjustments, the second with some texture that lightened it and this.  This is my favorite.  I reminds me of dreams I've had. It was taken on a hike at Datil Well Campground.  We stayed there when we went to visit the Very Large Array.

Anyone Listening? 28/365

This is a very small part of the Very Large Array.  This radio observatory is amazing.  We went on a day they were giving tours and learn a lot.   I tried to texture this as if it was an old postcard.  I love the feel, but I'm not sure if it is for everyone.

self  29/365

I end with a self portrait.  I'm not really a fan of photographing myself and I'm much more comfortable behind the camera.

Have a great week!
Lorissa

Week Three of 365!

Hello Everyone,

I've been trying to post on Tuesday each week, but with my daughter off school and up the mountain for a ski lesson all day, I just never got to it.  Growing up in FL, I have never snow skied, but it is nice to give my daughter the opportunity.  I told her I would take lessons if she like it and it would be something we could do together.

This past week I was distracted from working because my daughter came down with a mild case of the flu.  Her temperature of 101 to 102.5 keep her out of school for 4 days.  Thankfully she only had what appeared to be a bad cold with it and not all those other terrible symptoms the flu can produce.

Okay, so what images did I work on this week?

First is a photo of el Santuario de Chimayó.

Chimayó Spring - New Mexico 16/365

Then I found some photos I had wanted to work on a while ago.  While on vacation in Estes Park, CO we stayed at the Stanley Hotel.  This hotel is considered to be haunted and the inspiration for Steven King's "The Shining"  In the book and movie there were ghost twins, so just for fun we made my daughter twins in the photo.  I did two images, one outside and one in.  The inside one was taken in the children's wing on the top floor.  People have reported to have heard children laughing a playing even when there are none staying on that floor. 

Ghost Girls 17/365

Ghost Girls 2 18/365

This beautiful bird is a Blue-crowned Motmot and I only know that because of a kind person on flickr who pointed me in the right direction.  I love the look he is giving me here.

untitled - 19/365

I'm not a good at self portraits, but I though this was fitting.

Self Portrait Jan. 20, 2013 - 20/365

I love Photography and this camera allowed the common man to try photography for the first time.  How can you not feel the love?

What do you Love? 21/365

This was taken with my iPhone while up the mountain yesterday.  She loved her lesson, but didn't finish due to exhaustion.  The thin air really got to her.

Ski School 22/365

Thanks for stopping by.
Lorissa

Week 2 of 365

I have to admit that this project is keeping me quite busy.  I am trying to organize as I go back and look at images that I took, downloaded and never went back to until now.  So sad that I did that and there are some wonderful images just sitting.  I'm also trying to experiment more with my images and creating a new image has taken me hours to get it just right.   I do generally like to take right from the camera photos and not do too much with them, but with digital there is so much more I can do with my art and if I don't start and try I will never improve, and I believe that there is always ways to improve.

Okay, that is enough rambling.  Here is what I created this week!  Hope you love them:

Carrizozo Blue - New Mexico 11/365

Clauch School - New Mexico Ghost Town 10/365

Summer Jellyfish 13/365

New Red Shoes 12/365

Cupid 14/365

The Pantheon - exterior 15/365

As you can see I've got Valentine's Day on my mind.  My daughter keeps talking about the little class party and how she needs to make something special this year.  Every year she hand makes something for her classmates and last year it was friendship bracelets.  This year it may be bottle cap magnets. She really like to make them and often makes them from images of her own art.

The first two images are from different New Mexico Ghost towns and have been taken as we travel around the state.   Carrizozo is a nice little town to stop in and get a soda from the small shop and soda fountain.  There is also a street of small galleries and gift shops.  The hours are short, but if they are open is a nice stop.

The jelly fish were taken this summer and I have a few more shot of different jellies I have yet to process.  I love to just stand there and watch the jelly fish when I visit an aquarium, they are very calming.  Much better then running into them in the ocean surf.

That brings us to the New Red Shoes. This came about from a shopping trip with my daughter.  She actually wanted to look at clothes for herself for the first time. Definitely a milestone, but to me one that make it seem she is growing up too fast.  I know, picking out a shirt, sweater, jeans and shoes is really not a big deal. But it was her reaction and the look on her face that made me wonder where my baby went. We did have a lot of fun with this shoot and she really loves the shoes.  It is nice to have the memories tied together, because I know this is only the beginning of her growing up.

The cupid was all about textures and using them to add to an image.  The hearts go so well with this cute sculpture, don't you think?

My final photo is of the Pantheon.  This was taken in 2004 with film.  I scanned in the negative and worked with it digitally. I added so scratch texture and a little paper to give it finished feeling that matched the image and worked well with the film's grain.  The Pantheon is one of my favorite buildings ever and the inside is even more amazing then the exterior. I had to do more from that same strip, so here is the interior:

Pantheon Grand

Thanks for Visiting!

Lorissa