"Welcome to my Blog! Here is where I will be posting information about my love of photography , which will include some of my Client portrait sessions , my favorite gear, workshops or just some thoughts about my life as a photographer. Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting, you are always a welcome guest! "
Susi
Leigh Beamer's new music CD!
"Reflections of Me" by Leigh Beamer!
Leigh Beamer's new music CD is now released !
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to take the Photography and design her CD for her, which was really a lot of fun! It is wonderful to work with an artist who knew what she wanted and so it was great to collaborate with her every step of the way. She even chose the font I used, which we found on the internet and it works perfectly with the 'feeling' of the whole design.
The front cover location was suggested by her Mom , Stacey and we arrived at this barn just as the sun was setting and a optimum time for the best light! Leigh was great to photograph , as her portraits came out with a mood of sensitivity and poetic thoughtfulness..much like her voice!
We were not sure what to add to the back cover , but Leigh knew she wanted a tree. Then one day she texted me and said "I know where the tree is!" and so we rode out to her Aunts beautiful farm land there was the tree and yes, it was just what the back cover needed!
The inside fold out, I knew this needed to be a fade out in order to see the text on top and not obscure the notes. I suggested a scenic combination of one of her portraits from the barn, the tree line from her Aunts Property and a road suggesting her journey to making this beautiful music CD and where else this may take her, and she agreed. I think it captures how much music means to her in many ways.
This CD was produced by the amazing Jim Lloyd of Rural Retreat , Virginia. A fine musician and Barber. He also plays bass, guitar and percussion on the CD. Leigh's first guitar teacher , mentor and friend , Sam Gleaves, contributes vocal harmony, banjo, guitar, autoharp and percussion. So, some excellent accompaniment!
The CD was recorded at Eastwood Studios in Cana, Va.
The song list is bound to please people of all ages ! I know some of my personal fav's from the 60's are on there! When I get my copy I will come back and let ya know how I liked it! I am quite sure I will be raving! :)
I have heard Leigh , Sam and Jim in live concerts and so I guarantee this CD will be a treat!
If there are any musicians in need of Photography and CD design please get in touch with me via facebook or my web site.
You can purchase songs from this CD by going to CD Baby right now! So what ya waiting for??
More PS Creative Articles
Just completed two more article for PS Creative magazine!
One is on using the 'Vantage Point" filter, a handy little tool, and the other is a 4 page article on painting with PS Elements which was a first for me. I was surprised how much you can do in the Elements version.
The source image I used for the article is beautiful Andrea Williams and this is from her senior shoot , which I did for her in return for using the images for lessons and such.
Don't forget that issue 66 has an article of mine , as well! So be sure and go to Barnes n Noble and check them out!
Thanks for visiting, please leave a comment and come back again!
Susi
New Article for Photoshop Creative!
I have not written for "Photoshop Creative" in a while so was glad to receive an assignment from them this week! It is a 5 page article on Creative brushes in Photoshop and how to create a portrait using all the different settings, layer styles and dynamics. It was a fun article to write and I also did 2 videos for their CD on creating custom brushes and how to change the brush options so be on the look out for my new article!
I used my favorite little model , Cassa Marie, for the shoot and managed to capture her contemplative look just as the sun was going down and shining it's beautiful golden light on her and the woods behind her.
Thank you Cassa ! It has been wonderful watching you grow over the years and it has always been a joy to photograph you!
Time for Sports!
Sooo, it's almost Fall and the local sports are getting off the ground and on the field! :) I have been shooting sports in my town now for 4 years and really enjoy the challenge of capturing the fleeting moments on the field or the court! The kids are great and make me feel appreciated by tagging my images on Facebook or asking me to come out to the next game and document a special game.
I finally got a new web site to feature this area of my Photography and I picked Zenfolio as the host as I just like the professional layout, products , music and whole package! Please visit my sports site when you get the chance and leave me a note in the guest book!
http://susilawson.zenfolio.com/
Photoshop CS5 is here!
I just ordered the new Photoshop CS5 and this version really has me excited!
The 'content aware fill tool' alone looks to be worth the upgrade for Photographers! If you are like me, then you find your self wanting to move and eliminate objects a LOT, so with this new content fill tool , all the time we spent cloning and refining to make the 'move' realistic, can now be done in an instant! WA-LA!
Then there is the HDR pro filter built right into photoshop and this set of filters will make the HDR technique so much easier and down right fun! We will even be able to apply this look to a single image.. I be happy :)
Then there is the 'Puppet Warp' which will enable us to actually bend arms or legs to new positions to make the portrait even more incredible! How darn cool is that??
Being an artist who used Photoshop for painting as well as editing, I am very stoked to know that the brush engine has been improved and so now painting in Photoshop will lean more towards the style of traditional painting. Big plus!!
Then there is the 'Bridge ' which I never used , as it was such a hassle leaving photoshop to use it , but now it is inside PSC5 and a much handier and useful feature!
I can't wait to get my hands on this new version and start playing, experimenting, creating and then sharing every thing I learn with you all!
So please keep coming back to check for news , add me on facebook and I will keep you informed!
Later Buds,
Susi
© Susi Lawson Photography