All Paths Lead to the Ocean IV

All Paths Lead to the Ocean IV

Well, hello all. My apologies for not blogging in a while. My life was very busy there for a while and I will blog about that later. I just thought I'd share today's art project. I took one of my older photos and revamped it in HDR. This is a process called High Dynamic Range. I use a fantastic program called Photomatix Pro to process my photos. The idea is to take a photo with 3 different exposures and then process it with this software package and end up with a, well, dynamic, photo. It is possible to cheat though, you can use the same photo 3 times in the software and have the software change the exposure settings for you. I love HDR photos. Google the term if you want to find more samples. There is a trick to applying HDR processing. Some artists tend to overprocess their photos and the results can be disastrous. Any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.


p.s., this is Dundarave Beach in West Vancouver, B.C.

Decorating the Dr.'s Office

When Dr. David Hammond of Glover Road Chiropractic here in Langley sent me an email over a year ago, I honestly thought it was spam.  He was telling me he had found my business card in his new office and wanted to see some more of my artwork.  Sounded a little suspicious to me (only because I've been approached on numerous occasions via email by scammers about my artwork) but soon enough I figured out that Dr. Hammond was the real deal.  He really was interested in my photographic art.  I met with David at his office and we discussed art.  Much to my surprise, he wanted me to give him some decorating tips along with my art consultation.  Well, not being a designer, I was a little nervous.  My first thought was, can I pull it off?  My second thought was, surely all these years of watching HGTV is finally going to pay off.  Well, like most things I tackle in life, I jumped in with both feet and started sharing my ideas.    Turns out the decor part was far easier than I had originally anticipated.  There would be no painting, new furniture nor decor items.  Re-arranging his office was more like the game plan.  Here are some of the before and after shots.  I'm still waiting for a plant in the waiting room for some organic presence.  My suggestion for moving the diplomas out of the reception area to the blank wall in the hallway has yet to be completed but overall, I think the space looks pretty great.  Small changes DO make a difference. 

Before





After





After





Before





After

Before, that bulletin board was such an eyesore.



After, a nice black and white canvas print
and some vinyl lettering, what an improvement.



Check out the ugly Electrical panel to the far left.
My favorite project was to create a magnetic board that
served as a cover and
promotional piece.

Here it is, it turned out so great.  Had my art shop make up a frame, my sign shop a
vinyl reverse lettering cover for some galvanized steel and voila
a magnetic board covering up the ugly electrical panel.
Thanks to 3M products this cover is just velcroed to the wall
and is easily removed when necessary.

No one would ever guess there is an electrical panel behind this.











For Japan, a fundraiser

I created this piece to help send some funds to the Japanese disaster relief. I am donating profits to World Vision Canada's fund #100719 set up exclusively for Japan's earthquake relief. You may purchase this print through etsy as a photographic print on archival fine art paper or giclée on canvas .



$20 8x10 paper print
8x10 fine art photographic Paper Print


$40 8x10 stretched Canvas print
8x10 Fine Art Giclée on Canvas


There are all kinds of ways to help the Japanese relief efforts, please help where you can.

Floral Day Color Palette I created for Pantone

This photo is called Floral Day

myPANTONE

Random Photo Tip

Yes, I think its time that as a fine art photographer I start to share some simple tips for my reader base. Many people think that you have to have a high quality slr (single lens reflex) camera to get great shots. I will make several posts in this regard and share what I have accomplished with just a simple 12.1 megapixel point and shoot. The salesperson at the local camera store may have tried to convince you otherwise and that is their job. Yes, there is a huge difference in quality between a Canon Powershot 12.1 megapixel and a Canon 7d or 5d Mark II. The question is, does the difference matter in your everyday photography? Not really, in fact you can make art quality images with a point and shoot. The trick isn't the camera its how you take the picture. Next time I post on this subject, I will share my thoughts on simple techniques for successful results.  The photo below was taken with a point and shoot, processed with HDR software and that's it.  No photoshop or filtration or editing of any other kind.  Until next time...

The Lovely in Nature

Nature's Delight

Such beautiful scenery here in B.C. This was taken last spring in Chilliwack.

The Bride was beautiful!

Last week, Wednesday, was just one of those highlight days, you don't soon forget. I spent the morning at our church listening to a dynamic speaker and enjoying a lesson in drawing, fun, fun, fun. The afternoon was spent with Esther, the beautiful bride from my summer wedding shoot finalizing her wedding album, so much creativity, such a great time.

Radiant Bride

The Ceremony

Bride with her Flower Girls

Pondering

Beautiful Bouquet

The Pick up line

Stunning Dress!

And the mens' accessories

The gorgeous couple



Oh no, I have MPD

MPD stands for Multiple Passions Disorder.  It is the clinical dx for any one who can't decide what they love to do most in life.  I am over 30, okay, way over 30, and I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up.  I love to create, craft, design, build, help, showcase, produce, redesign, rebuild and reproduce, oops, did I really say that?  I always know what "my bad" is but what is "my good"?  Maybe I will enlist the help of my blogging world friends.  I can showcase a new project every time I blog and get a vote, what do you think? Google Sari McNamee, go ahead, its pretty safe.  I love being an artist, I love selling my work around the world and making friends online with fellow art admirers.  I love creating for others, things like baby blankets and bibs and of course Mocha Mitts (more on those later).  I also love helping out with fundraising, for organizations such as my kids' school, the local hospital foundation, the Canadian Br. Cancer Foundation, among many others.  I love collecting vintage goodies, repurposing items and shopping at thrift stores. 

Maybe I am analyzing this way too much.

Maybe for now, I will just spread my wings, be curious and ride the wave. 

Until next time, when we discuss MFD.

Well, today is my introduction to blogging. I would love to share some of my photography and other projects that can be found internationally online for sale.