Saturday, September 25, 2010

Girlifying my camera

My machine didn’t make it for it’s servicing. I just have to make the camera strap cover for my camera after I got it through a friend of my brother’s who came up to KL from Singapore to visit friends. 

It’s a quick job. I need it for promotion factor. I have my test run for the camera today to take photos for a friend’s website. She’s opening her cafe soon and wanted some pictures of her food. She asked another friend to do the photo shoot on a more professional scale. The fun part is after the shoot where we get to enjoy the food, YEAY!

I’ve also added a slip on pocket for the lens cover. I’ve seen some covers with pockets for the lens cover but the strap cover will have to be at least 3 inches wide which is not quite suitable for my strap. So, I improvised and made slip on pocket. 

I must say I love Photoshop Elements 8. I’m so happy with the overall look of my photos. 

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Blog Makeover - New Look

Inspired by Zura’s new logo and avatar for Lovemelots, I’ve been tinkering with Photoshop Elements yet again and came out with my new logo and banner.  Can’t beat the professional appeal of the expert graphic artist but as a newbie, I’m quite happy with the outcome. What do you guys think?

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Experimenting with Photoshop Elements 8



I’ve found a new outlet for my creative itch; photo editing. This newfound craze interest is sparkled by my recent hari raya photos that my brother took. Plus, I’ve always admire the photo quality and presentation in Maya and Zura’s blog and one of my favorite reference is Made Randomness by Petchy. So after much thought and deliberation, I justified a need for a new camera. After all, my OLD Olympus point and shoot compact camera is as old as Danial.

So, I got me this new baby, Panasonic Lumix GF1 in retro white... White is the new black hehehe... My brother got it for me in Singapore and as at this entry is made, it is still in Singapore... I still do not have the courage nor the budget to get a DSLR. Plus, I don’t want to lug another bag (camera bag) along with Arwen’s diaper bag and a toddler in tow. I wanted something that I can chuck in a bag (which is again, Arwen’s diaper bag) and shoot SLR-like quality pictures. My brother recommended this camera which is a micro four thirds technology. To a layman or a total idiot in photography like me, it means this camera takes the best of both worlds; the compactness of point and shoot cameras and the quality of DSLR photos, or at least I hope so...


I have acquired the hardware, now comes the software. I asked Zura who has graciously pointed me to the right direction. She suggested Photoscape and Photoshop. Unfortunately, Photoscape is Windows OS compatible only. I was a bit skeptical about using Photoshop as a lot of people says it’s difficult to learn. With Zura’s encouragements and loads of online tutorials, I gathered enough guts to download a trial version of Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac.

It’s valid for 30 days trial so I didn’t want to waste time learning what I can. I started making collage. Simple ones like below.


Hari Raya pictures of my babies

A photo collage of a get-together with friends before Ramadhan

Earlier today, I dabbled with Photomerge. You know how hard to get the perfect picture. One of the group pictures we took, my brother barely managed to get in it when the timer went off. I’ve circled him and my cousin, Ira.


The other picture, has my aunt fixing my nenek’s tudung and Danial stealing a glance at his uncle.

So I took my brother and cousin from the second photo and merged it with the first photo and Wallah!


An almost picture perfect shot! How can you not love Photoshop? 

At this junction, I’m beginning to wonder whether this entry can be justified as a craft or craft related entry. I don’t think I want to create another blog for my newfound interest. As it is, my personal blog has been rather quiet.

My sewing room is still close for the time being until I send my machine for some TLC servicing.



Monday, September 13, 2010

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri



This raya or more this Ramadhan, I started a new phase in my sewing journey, I took orders and actually made some girl’s tops and dresses for my new little customers. It just took a natural turn and boy did I give myself plenty of lead-time to make sure I finish everything on time. I kept the last week of Ramadhan to sew something for my kids and myself.


On the morning of Eid, Danial and Arwen looks simply stunning in mama’s handmade. Lil Arwen in Amy Butler and Danial is dashing in his baju melayu.

Arwen


Danial aka Utraman


And here’s a family picture. To all family, friends, readers, followers of my blog, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Maaf Zahir Batin.

Nuffnang