Day 195: Experimenting With Sunset Silhouettes

Well, today's been a busy day! After a rather lazy morning, we packed the cars, and drove through the wonderful windy country roads of the Lake District. I love them! Ha. Made a pit stop at a waterfall, clambered around on the rocks there, taking photos from various locations, and giving an Englishman tips on photography! Then we headed off again, and had lunch on a secluded beach on the shores of Ulswater Lake, and did a spot of paddling/wading/swimming. And took more photos. Then we hit the road again, and went to a near by town, to get a steamer boat out on Ulswater Lake, more photos. I love me some boat banter! Theeeen, we headed home, fed and bathed Fin, went out again to get Fish Suppers, and enjoyed them beside Derwentwater. More photos. Then we headed back to the waterfall Dave, Ali, and myself visited on Sunday night, to take more photos, in the lighter evening light. But my photos aren't really much better as it's been so incredibly dry, and sunny, and warm, this week, that the waterfall had dried up a bit.

Oh, and I missed out the part that involves today's chosen photos. Totally did that on purpose...

Before heading to the waterfall, I wanted to try taking some fun silhouette photos of the Morrison family on a grassy hill beside the lake, in the sunset. Needs a bit of work, but it's something I've wanted to try for a while, so I'm glad I've tried it now at least. I couldn't choose between these 3, so I decided to just put them all on, in storyboard styley. The one in the middle is the look I was going for, proper silhouette, but next time I'll need to get the subjects positioned somewhere that there's not anything behind them, so I can see their full silhouette. Did that make sense? Anyway, I need to get to bed. Enjoy!

Day 194: Sleepy Boy

As I'm writing this post, I can hear Finlay giggling in the bath. I love that sound. It's been wonderful having him around every day, all this week, providing us all with great entertainment. But, every entertainer on tour needs their rest...

Day 193: Dave Always Entertains

Today's 365 post requires two photos, so I can put across just how amazing and highly amusing the moment was! You see, at 9 o'clock this evening, Dave decided to go climb the hill that we can see from our housie. None of the rest of us were in the mood to do it at the time, so off he went on his own. It's not a long walk, so he was up and on the phone to us in no time...we ran out to the balcony, and I grabbed the most telephoto lens I own...

Here is Part 1 (I've had to move out on to the balcony as the Internets not strong enough inside tonight...brr)

The camera's not really picking Dave up in this image, if you zoom in super duper you can slightly make him out, but our wonderfully made eyes could see him at the top of the hill...and just to be sure we were seeing him, and not a tree, we asked him to do side steps...and star jumps...

Which leads to Part two...

This is as zoomed in as my most telephoto lens can do, and zoom on Photoshop did the rest. It.Was.Hilarious seeing this for the first time...and every time after that to be honest.

I'm glad I didn't decide to go up the hill with him, as I would've missed out on this comical moment, but we'll maybe go up another night, as the view up there over the lake and Keswick is pretty nice I believe!

Day 192: Double the Bench Monday Banter!

You all have the luxury of TWO Bench Monday photos this evening, as we weren't sure Sarah and Fin would be able to join us on our quest for a bench that includes some awesome background scenery, so I got a photo of Sarah and Fin after we'd had our swim in the Lake. But then decided that rather than wait till evening to return to the viewpoint we were at last night, we'd just go now...or then, so everyone could go. So anyway, here's the photo of Sarah and Fin...

And here's the more unconventional Bench Monday at the viewpoint...

We're all there; Ali, Dave, myself, Nana Jana, Sarah, and Fin...being a teenage boy with his belly on show, and his trousers below his underwear. Ha. There was an old couple watching and waiting at the side as I ran back and forth pressing the self timer. I later offered to take a photo of the two of them, and Mum and I got chatting to them. Turns out they're in Keswick for the Convention, and they have friends who moved up to Point. Haha. Oh, and they're celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary! I love it.

Oh, and also, check out that view!!

Day 191: Too many beautiful sites!

I've managed to get the internet connected right beside the patio doors INSIDE tonight. Thankfully. Or I'd have had to take ma duvet outside!

It was a difficult choice, picking one photo for today's post, because Dave, Ali, and myself went out for a wee drive after supper and found a pretty incredible viewpoint up a hill. I got a rather beautiful photo of the purple sky across Derwentwater Lake, and then we went to check out a waterfall down the hill, and I got a few photos of it...at 30 second exposures cause it was in the middle of a forest at 10:25pm! Ha. They're pretty impressive, considering. However, I chose this one I took this afternoon, near a stone circle at the top of the hill past our housie, as it's simply beautiful! I love the way the sun's shining across parts of the valley, and ma wee stone wall and gate. Pretty much perfect!

We'll be visiting both the viewpoint, and the waterfall, later on in the week, at a slightly earlier time. So check back for, hopefully, some beautiful photos of them too!

Day 190: Hellooo Keswick!

I’m posting today’s blog post from outside, on the ground, on the front balcony of our self catering cottage. It’s the only place I’ve found a signal for BT Openzone. But, I don’t mind too much since I’m looking out at some beautiful hills, as the sun sets, with a cup of tea in hand.

Today’s photo was taken down at a lake called Derwentwater, which we visited for half an hour or so just before dinner. It didn’t take long to fall in love, and I’m looking forward to going back for a swim, and/or some boat trip banter!

Now...I'm debating whether to stay and watch the sun set completely, or go to bed, because my head's throbbing! I think I'll go to bed, so I can enjoy the wonders of God's creation better tomorrow.

Day 189: Au Natural vs Photoshop

I've decided to talk BEFORE today's photo...even though when I post this you'll probably still see the photo before the text, but anyway. I'm actually slightly scared of today's photo! I decided to leave my hair to dry naturally this morning, with a bit of curling spray, but no hair dryer. And it made me think about that photo I took earlier on in the year, of me wearing make up etc, and just generally looking weird, and not my usual self. Ha.

So I thought I'd do the opposite of that today, and take a photo of ME, and not edit the photo in Photoshop at all, no sharpening, or brightening, or anything! But, then I started thinking about posting an edited photo beside it, showing what Photoshop can do...I've never really tried using the 'Liquify' tool before, and I have an action that you can use to soften people's skin, I've mentioned it before, but I hate using it photos. Today, I did it all!.

Now, before I post the photos, I'd like to say I only spent about 10 minutes on the after photo. I could have gone so much further with it, but what I've done in that space of time is pretty scary! And also, may I assure you, by no means do I wish my face actually looked like this.

What I've done to the after photo is - suck in my cheeks under my cheek bones just a little, pushed in the width of my face a bit, made me lips....bigger, and adjusted the shape of my upper lip, made the bridge of my nose a bitty slimmer, lifted my nose slightly...brightened my eyes, softened my skin...I think that's it. Oh and I removed the scar under my lip. It's nothing really.

So...there you have it. That's today's totally random photo! Now, I must go pack for yet another holiday. Feel free to share your thoughts on the above! Ha.