Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently.
I took this photo a few days ago with my phone so I could play around with the Photoshop app. It was dark, so it isn't very good. It is the most recent photo of me, though.
I know....horrible photo, right? Don't answer that. Remind me why I'm doing this Tumblr thing again?
xxoo
Rischa
Today I'm supposed to show you all a photo that makes me sad or angry. Well, there are lots of those types of photos. When I see animal or human cruelty photos, when I see a photo of someone that I love that has been lost to this world, when I see images of personal loss, such as flood, fire, famine, disease, or natural disasters, I get upset. I get sad and angry at the same things that would probably make YOU sad and angry. But why would I want to wallow in that kind of thing? I'm not going to make my blog readers sad or angry! I read a quote yesterday that said something like, "Women who never break the rules rarely make history". So guess what, Ladies and Gents! No pitiful photos will be posted here! Not today, anyway. So SMILE and be happy my beautiful blog readers!
XXOO
Rischa
Day 06 — Something random.
Hmm....Something random. Well, you saw my previous post where I was testing a new iPhone app. I guess my random thing could be talking about my new phone.
Apple iPhone 3GS - 16 GB
I got the newest version of the iPhone with 16 gigs of memory. My blackberry only had 1/4 of that I think. I enjoyed having the Blackberry Storm for when I had it, but I'm an iPhone girl all the way, now. It's so much faster, it takes better photos, I can download all sorts of applications, and it's less bulky. I'm not exactly new to the Apple applications as I've had an iTouch for a year. I got it last Mother's Day. The only real difference between the iTouch and iPhone is that one has a phone and camera and the other doesn't. I can even get online with the iTouch if I'm near WiFi. But now, I can use all my cool apps WITHOUT having to find WiFi! Yay!
So here are my favorite applications:
Tweetdeck for iPhone
If you use Twitter at all you should try downloading the desktop Tweetdeck, too. It makes Twitter a lot easier and you'll never miss an @reply or DM again. I also have my Tweetdecks, both the desktop and iPhone version, set up to show me my Facebook activity.
When I want to do more than just a quick view of the updates I go to my Facebook for iPhone application. I can do pretty much anything from there that I can from my desktop Facebook. That includes uploading photos, updating my status, replying to others, and etc...
As of right now I have the FREE version of Mobile Reader and I LOVE it! In fact, I love it so much I wouldn't even mind paying the $2.99 for the paid Pro version. I really don't even notice the ads, though, as they're tiny at the bottom of the posts. I subscribe to around 100 blogs and this app makes it so easy to read them without having to go to Google Reader on my desktop or laptop. I don't have to do any signing in or anything. You can send yourself the link in an email if you think you'd like to read it on your desktop, add a star to your favorites, and view them later from the Starred Items Folder, you can mark them as read, and take advantage of many other features that make this simple application SO incredibly handy.
It's a Photoshop Nerd's dream come true! I can now edit my photos RIGHT on my iPhone! It's SO much fun! And can you believe it's FREE!? I can't, because I have and use the regular versions of Photoshop, as well, and they ain't cheap. Yes, I said ain't....what of it? Anyway, this application is fun to use, gives you lots of the more basic PS options, and is completely FREE. Oh, did I already mention that part? I really am just a nerd at heart.
So those are my favorite iPhone applications. They're not the only ones I use, of course, but these are the ones I use and love the most. I highly recommend every one of them. There are others worth mentioning, but not really worth the time it takes to find the icons and links and write a whole paragraph about. I haven't made my mind up about the Typepad app mentioned and used in the previous post, but it seems like it's worth the FREE download so far. Also, Echofon is another great Twitter application. That one ALMOST made the list, but I think Tweetdeck beats it because of the ease of use and we really only need one Twitter app. Other good ones include, Mixology, FMC for the girls, Bejeweled 2, Fling, Lose It!, TV.com, iCraig, BluffMaster, and Google Earth. I have been looking for the best GPS app, too, so if anyone can recommend a useful one please let me know. There are so many to choose from it makes the decision on which to download harder. I haven't downloaded ALL of these to my iPhone, but they're all on my iTouch and a few will make the cut to download to the phone. They're all great apps. I just don't want to have TOO much on my phone. BTW, Bejeweled IS on my phone and I'm thinking now that maybe it should be on this list. It's my go-to game when I'm bored and have already exhausted my Social Media apps.
BTW, we also got Kolby a new phone when I got mine. Here's his:
Samsung Impression
It's super cool, too, and he's loving it. It's capable of being a smart phone, as well, but Kolby said he's not interested in all of that. He likes to keep things simple. I know a lot of people who would rather not have the extra bells and whistles. As long as it has a keyboard for texting, takes photos, and is clear when talking, Kolby is happy.
I'm starting to feel almost human again after being sick for 1 day shy of a week. I thought I would never be back to normal! Kolby got sick 1 day before me, but he seemed to feel better way quicker. I guess it's that strong, teen immune system of his. I think I'm in love with whoever came up with Theraflu, by the way. That stuff makes things at least a little more bearable. A+ for Theraflu!!! F- for Nyquil!!
As I remember it Nyquil used to be the best thing ever made, but Nyquil and Dayquil couldn't TOUCH whatever it was I had. I swear I'm not selling Theraflu.
So anyway, I'm glad everyone enjoyed the Photoshop Actions from my last blog entry. I had a ton of hits from those! I guess when I go back to selling my art I should just make up a couple of Photoshop Actions to get folks to visit. LOL Or maybe I should learn to make Lightroom Presets. I've been wanting to use LR more. I got the program a couple of years ago and hardly used it. I'm a creature of habit. I keep going back to Photoshop.
Today I've been a buzzy bee. I cleaned out my drawers. No! Not THOSE drawers! My chest of drawers! I think I cut down on my amount of clothing by half! Woohoo! It was a long time coming. To say my drawers were full would be an understatement. (Insert joke here) Haha! I even got rid of old socks and a pair of shoes! Tomorrow I think I'll tackle the closet. Of course, I had other stuff to do, too. I've been in bed, for the most part, for a week. So there was quite a bit of laundry and cleaning to do today. I had to force myself to go into the garage and do laundry after our little visitor last week. I'll tell you about that in another post because the photos are still on my cam.
Speaking of laundry, the washer just finished, so.....gotta run! Until next time my dears!
I was thinking today that it's too time consuming to "pretty up" photos for blogging. So I came up with a couple of Photoshop Actions to make the process quicker and easier. I made these in PSCS2, so if they don't work in other versions I'm sorry. They may, but I just don't know until someone tries it and lets me know.
I've included some instructions for both actions. Please read the instructions before running the actions as there are some rules to follow for using them.
Here's what the Portrait image will look like after the action has been run with a drop shadow and flattened:
And here is what the Landscape image will look like after the action has been run with a drop shadow and flattened:
Keep in mind that the above images are AFTER I added a drop shadow and flattened the images.
Here is a screenshot preview of both actions just how they will look to you once you've completed the action without a drop shadow:
(Click to see larger)
As I mention in the included "Instructions" files, there is no need to give me credit when using these actions, however it is always appreciated. The same goes for leaving me a comment on my blog if you download. ;-)
PS. The bunny is my little friend that sits on my art desk. I found him at a yard sale. I keep meaning to fix his mouth. I embroidered the chick last year.
This is day 3 of my "alone time". I don't remember it being this miserable when I was single. I guess I had a more exciting life back then. I worked 2 jobs at a night club and enjoyed the night life quite a bit. I had places to go and people to see. So when I got home and it was just me I was perfectly fine with that. Plus, I was never alone for too long at the time because Kolby was with me. When he went to visit my parents it was only a few miles away. Not a few hundred. Joel is saying the rain and lack of work may send him home sooner than he thought, though, so that's good. It will mess up the plans we had for him to pick up Kolby on the way back, but we can always go get him Friday.
So anyway, I have to admit that it isn't totally horrible being alone. I haven't had to do nearly as much cleaning, I get the whole King bed to myself, I can cook (or not cook) anything I'd like, and Joel's alarm doesn't wake me up at 5:30 AM.
Joel called between the last paragraph and now and says he'll be home tomorrow morning. Yay! Thank you RAIN!
I haven't been creating much art; Digital or Real LIfe. I did make a little something in PSP a few days ago just so I wouldn't forget how. I used a tutorial. It took me a while to find a tutorial with all free materials, but I did it. It's a Christmas one, which isn't my favorite, but it let me stretch my PSP skills so I'm happy enough. I made several tags and an Incredimail stationery with it.
Here's my tag:
And you can download the matching Incredimail Stationery HERE.
I also did some updating on my Photoshop Group's blog. I gave it a Christmas background and added a couple of gadgets to the sidebar. Check it out!
www.PhotoshopPhemales.Blogspot.com
Okay, that's it for now. I've got chores to work on.
I don't recall sharing these before. I could look over 5 years worth of blog posts, but I'm just not that bored. So I'll either be sharing these or RE-sharing them if they've already been shared.
Here's what the B/W High Key action will give you:
The header of this blog was also done using the B/W High Key action. I've used it many times. It's fun to run the action and then drag the black and white image over the top of the same image in color and lower the opacity of the b/w image. It will result in a very cool look.
Here's the result you will get with the Dreamy action:
This may not have been the best photo for the before/after, but you see what it does. This action is good for wedding photography or dressy events or perhaps a little girl in a field of flowers. You get the point. Also, I created these actions in PSCS2, but I have used them in PSCS3, as well. I can't say whether they'll work in 4 as I just don't have it to try. If you try it and find out please let me know if it's a ya or nay.
You don't have to give me credit if you don't want to do so, but please don't take the credit yourself if any credit is given. ;-) That's just not nice.
If you want to show me your work just leave a link to your uploaded photo in the comments section. I'd really love to see what you can do with the actions.
