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Sorry for not being around.  It's just been one of those weeks.  (Or two...)  Everything all at once.  But life is like that sometimes, and I don't mind.  As long as I'm free here and there to sneak out and have a little personal time... 












CLICK for high res image... (Three image composite)









"...Feeling Hollow..."
(RAW image dual-processed for sky and earth, merged in PS CS3.)



I definitely am feeling lonely right now; it's week eight of Joy's ten-week study abroad program.  So I've been two months without a real embrace, let alone a kiss.  Sure, I went some ~20 years without any of that for the first part of my life, but having been with Joy now for 4+ years, it's just different.  (And yes, I'm ~24; you do the math...  Speaking of math, I proposed to Joy a year and two days ago.  May 6th.  I'll never forget.)  But anyway, I'm blue.  And the Donna Lewis probably isn't helping much.  LOL.

I've come to realize just how much my own happiness depends on her presence, and her love.  Because going so long without holding each other, I just begin to sink...

I have to laugh whenever someone hints to me that I come across as cocky, conceited, or bragging.  Because I'm actually very, very self-deprecating.  I think being highly critical of your past and current self is key to improving and getting truly good at something, so maybe this disposition has helped me improve my photography to some extent.  But a lot of the time, the darker side is still the more prevalent- there is still so much more to photograph, I could always do so much better, and there will never be a day when I can sit back and say "I have arrived, I'm as good as I can / need to be..."  At least I can identify and expose my emotions in an objective manner, objective meaning I can sort of step "outside" myself, detach, and understand everything that I'm feeling.  Normally this would be cause for alarm, but I'm in complete control, or at least I don't ever feel that my emotions control me, I never feel helpless or anything.  Just presently inferior.

But that's what tomorrow is for.  Doing better.  I always do better tomorrow.  And I'm not too bad of a person (or photographer) to begin with, anyway... 

=Matt=

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Created from THIS image, using the texture of the week plus THIS texture and my texture add-on actions...





Created from THIS image, using the texture of the week plus THIS texture and my texture add-on actions...



VIGNETTING:

I'm in favor of adding YOUR OWN vignetting to your textures and your images.  Because you simply want the most options at your disposal when it comes to photoshop.  What if you have a very flat image that you'd rather NOT add vignetting to?  Vignetting is 10x harder to remove after the fact than it is to add as needed.

I'd recommend using Bridge or Lightroom to create one or two different versions of a texture, if you want to add vignetting to the texture itself.  You don't HAVE to add vignetting to the texture of course, many times it's best to add it directly (and  selectively) to the image you're actually working on.  But nevertheless here are some examples of an original texture and a couple different variations with vignetting...  Keep in mind that although it may not look like it, the CENTER of the texture is the same brightness in all three textures...  (This texture is destined to be one of my all-time favorites, I can already tell!)

There are two main types of vignetting.  The subtle, gentle transition vignetting that subliminally draws your attention towards the central area of the photograph, and the not-so-subtle, "ugly" vignetting...  Each has it's uses, and when used properly (subtle & subliminal when appropriate, in-your-face when necessary) ...and each can of course be used improperly, so be careful.  And of course, the best way to learn what works and what doesn't is to EXPERIMENT!

There is one OTHER kind of vignetting, which you can see in the very first image in this blog entry-  the paint-in, erratic, "singed edges" look.  I have an action that helps me create this look pretty quickly, but this one is possibly the easiest to OVERDO, so be careful.  I know from  first hand, on-going experience, heheh, that's why I'm warning you...

Texture of the week!

This one works good as both a positive AND a negative; depending on which blending mode you use...
I created it for when I need to add texture to black areas that usually blend poorly with other textures.



If you want to download the texture of the week, CLICK HERE.  It's free!
Then, CLICK HERE to view my complete fine art texture portfolio, or click HERE for details + FAQ.


Take care all,
=Matt=

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You know what I mean.  The difference between feeling tired and being weary.

I actually love to feel tired after a good, hard day of shooting photos, riding mountain bikes, hiking, or just work in general.  To lay in bed and feel exhausted, there's nothing quite like it.  The day is done, you can rest now.  Such a refreshing feeling of life. 

Then there's weary.  You're tired, but you still have work to do.  You are exhausted, but you are not done yet.  You have been going for too long, and you still have a long way to go.  This completely contrasting state is one not of life, but of death.  You WANT to rest, but you cannot.  Rest escapes you, and you wish "it would all just end"...  :-X

I am so happy and  thankful to be able to feel TIRED right now!










Take care all, and rest well...
=Matt=

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