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If I could take a trip, and get lost in these eyes…

 

You have met my son, Jace, before… He’s one of my favorite people to take pictures of… His eyes are so beautiful, sometimes I feel like the camera can’t capture all that I see… I have been messing around today, in a feeble attempt to take my mind off things I would rather not think about today.  This is a new technique on the eyes that I am trying.  I like it a lot, but I do think it needs a little refining.  Basically I edited the way that I normally would, but then grabbed my rectangular marquee tool, and selected just his eyes… I applied a lot of sharpening, and a bit of an HDR feel to the eyes… dropped the opacity (maybe I could stand to drop it less?)- and there you go… beautiful eyes.  Its just something that I am trying out, and I think for sure there is a lot more playing that could be done with it, but… for now- I am satisfied with the picture.  Are you interested in a tutorial showing the steps I used? Let me know.  

 

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Its time for a giveaway, just in time for your Halloween party!

 

Don’t you just love Halloween? I do! October is usually one of my favorite months… The weather changes a bit, fall (for Southern California, anyway) is in the air… Love to light the smell good harvest candles, bake, and make Halloween costumes for my little ones. 

Every year, I dream about having a costume party for the little ones, with all the bells and whistles, but I have yet to pull it off.  This year, since I have started designing, I thought what better way to introduce my design work than a totally free FREEBIE!

I designed this sweet little Halloween banner and four cupcake toppers just for one lucky winner!! They are printables, that you assemble at home, and while I am definitely NOT the best at cutting and crafting, you can see just how easy it can be to add a little custom to your next party! Included in your set, you will win the letters to spell out HAPPY HALLOWEEN, as well as four cupcake toppers.  They will be delivered digitally, and in PDF format, so all you need to do is print, and create!  (Of course, your design will not be tagged with the ‘Ella B Photography…)

To enter to win, follow these directions:

1. FOLLOW my blog!!

2. LIKE me on Facebook!!

3. Leave a comment on this post!!

Easy, peasy, right? Winner will be chosen by random.org at 5:00ish o’clock on October 20, 2010. 

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Meet the Sedillo’s!

Funny, sometimes what a small world it is.  I have lived in Riverside about 8 years now, and before that I was in Orange County, but originally here from the IE.  A few years ago I was at the market, and saw a familiar face, although at the time I couldn’t place him…. A few months or so later, I saw him again, but this time, surrounded by a beautiful family and at the park that I coach at- and where my kids play ball…. Small world, it was Anthony (although, back then it was just Tony)… I had worked with him at a small tool distribution company wayyyy back when! Blast from the past though it was, I was happy to see him, and meet his beautiful wife, Jen.  Together they have 4 really cute and sweet kids.

This is Noah.  He’s ten, I think? What a great kid, so polite, and a really good ball player… All of the kids have amazing eyes, and when I asked him to look directly at the camera, he almost looked through me! Love this shot of this handsome young man.

 

This is Kori… I had the pleasure of coaching her first year in tee ball… WHAT A HOOT she is… not only cute, she’s got the funniest little personality.  I could literally eat her up.  She and my son Jace are in the same class together at school…. I like her soooo much that THIS cheapskate bought TWO $2.00 candy bars from her… that says a lot!

 

This is Kody… He’s about three now, and he is just a little prankster!! Always stealth in that three year old way…. sneaking up on me and trying to “steal” my keys, cell phone, etc.  He is super mischievous, but in a good little boy way.  If I am having a bad day, I know this little one would be able to make me laugh in a heartbeat. 

 

Last but definitely not least, Kaulin… the baby of the bunch.  He’s right around 8 months old, and I had the pleasure of doing a session with him when he was just a tiny little baby.  While he hasn’t had as long to identify his role as baby brother in this family, I know he will be just fine… He’s already spirited and determined… did I mention ADORABLE? Look at those lips.  Sigh, boys like this make my ovaries riot!!

Glad though, that it is a small world… being able to reconnect with blasts from your past isn’t always a bad thing, and in this  case- it’s a RAD thing! Thank you to the Sedillo family for an awesome time, and for being who you are!!

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Johnny says he looks like a boy who lives in shadows…

I say that I lovvvvve me some sun-flare.  Shooting into the sun is sometimes really cool… I love how the rays are positioned just right, so you get that little extra flarey-ness.  That is a word, flarey-ness?? I might have to petition Reader’s Digest for that one.  I love the bit of back lighting… that curves his hat and face.  Also, since you are reading this, I am about to tell you a super big, maybe never revealed photographer’s secret… shhh… you have to keep it between you, me, and the world wide web…..shooting into the sun is also a super awesome undercover way to hide the look your kids are giving you after you say, just one more- wait, just one more……We now return to our normal blog post.

 

So aside from the last few shots shooting in the sun, the primary reason for getting out my camera today was to try out a new background, er…..onclearancefromHomeDepotcurtain, that I have had for a while… While its not exactly wide enough for a boy who moves around in anticipation of being done, it does make a beautiful backdrop.  I would show you… but, Johnny wasn’t in top model form today, and… well, yea, let’s just leave it at that.

Notice anything different about the blog today? Another reason for this post…. Am I ever satisfied? Thanks to a tutorial @ I Heart Faces I found out how to change this up a bit… and while I am still not super 110% satisfied with it, I do think its getting there.  Would love some feedback? Oh, and are my comments working? 

Mmmmm simply mmmm….!! Everyday Elements equals everyday love!

 

I am always excited when I find someone out there in the world who is as awesome as Amanda from Everyday Elements.  Not only does she create and share some really awesome Photoshop actions, she just seems like an all around every day super cool chick!!

Check out her blog- where you can download some really amazing and near perfection actions... My favorite is New York City... but I love Boston and Hawaii as well!

Lately, I have been complaining about the grain that is added when Facebook compresses my images... I don't like it.... at all!!!... Looking at one of Amanda's posts, she said something about 700 pixels high, and when I asked about it... the very next morning, she whipped up a super awesome Facebook finishing action... that.I.can.not.wait to use!

Here are a few pics with her actions in action...

 

New York

Hawaii

 

New York, with a small curve bump

I just wanted Amanda to know how much I personally appreciate her contribution to my work....I cannot wait to see what's next from this talented and humble lady.

 

mmm... Everyday Elements, equals EVERY day love!!

I am always excited when I find someone out there in the world who is as awesome as Amanda from Everyday Elements.  Not only does she create and share some really awesome Photoshop actions, she just seems like an all around every day super cool chick!!

Check out her blog- where you can download some really amazing and near perfection actions... My favorite is New York City... but I love Boston and Hawaii as well!

Lately, I have been complaining about the grain that is added when Facebook compresses my images... I don't like it.... at all!!!... Looking at one of Amanda's posts, she said something about 700 pixels high, and when I asked about it... the very next morning, she whipped up a super awesome Facebook finishing action... that.I.can.not.wait to use!

Here are a few pics with her actions in action...

Hawaii in action

Small curve bump, then New York... imo almost the PERFECT black and white

I just wanted Amanda to know how much I personally appreciate her contribution to my work....I cannot wait to see what's next from this talented and humble lady.



light a candle...

Our family has been going through some troubled times... Its been hard, but we are all pulling together to do what we can.  Kira, my mother in law, has been in the hospital for almost a week now.  About 8 weeks ago she had surgery on her foot, and she needed to go to a rehab center afterwards in order to learn how to walk again... John and his sister, Jennifer went to see her a few weeks ago... and while her spirits weren't exactly high (I mean, who wants to eat hospital food for THAT long?), she was in decent spirits and decent health.  The visit was short but sweet, and before my husband came home we thought everything was going according to plan... A week ago tomorrow, Kira had a major seizure... Which left her unconcious and unable to breathe without support.... Unfortunately, since then there has been little to no improvement.  I have asked friends and relatives to think good thoughts and send any extras our way.

Last night, I got a text from my husband, saying "please light a candle for my mom"... Of course, immediately I did so.  He wanted a physical reminder for our boys here, that Grandma is still fighting, and that we are still hopeful.

When I lit the candle, I talked to the boys about what it meant to have it lit in our home.  I asked that every time they look at it to remember their Grandma, and to think good happy thoughts for her, and wish her well.  Jace, who is 99.9 times my wildIwillnotdowhatyouwantbutIamcuterthansin son sweetly looks at the candle and says, "Grandma, please get better soon, so my daddy can come home"... aww, that really melted my heart... I look at Johnny, and say, "Johnny:... he looks at me and says "what, I bowed?" He's taking Karate and explained to me how its the highest form of respect to another... and also added that he spilled some magical brain juice on her.  His imagination is wild!

Anyway, I thought what better way to show my husband that we are supporting and hoping, here 600 miles away... I took Jace outside my front door to take a couple pictures, and talk about grandma Kira.  Kira, if you are listening, we are still talking. 

Get well soon.



light a candle...