CBT Pre-race

So....I've gotten a little behind on my once per week commitment.  I'll try to make up for it some with a bunch of pictures today.  Going to number then - curious in any comments.  These were pre-race yesterday between 10:30 and 11 am.  Used the 24-70mm L.  All the adjustment are in Lightroom.  I finally bought a book so I can figure out Photoshop.

#1  I applied Matt's Auto Adjustment (from Killer Lightroom tips) for portraits.   This is such a typical face for CBT.

#2  Used same preset.  It put a little more richness in the green of the grass and softened his face just a bit.

#3  Used Matt's Soft Focus Level I along with a slight exposure adjustment and some vignetting.

#4  Same soft focus preset as before.  He had definitely gone into "posing" mode.

#5  Christopher liked this one a lot.  "I've seen pictures like this before where the person isn't in the middle."  I think that was his way of saying it is slightly more artistic than mom usually is.  Used the Matt's Auto Adjustment again.

Maybe I can get back on track now - there are so many beautiful things around!

Easter Flowers

While we were out doing our Easter egg hunt, I tried to take a few other pictures.  I was contrasting taking flowers in sunlight versus shade.

These pink azaleas were awfully pretty.  I did find that I kept forgetting to adjust for the different light as I moved back and forth between shade and light. 

I definitely prefer the shade.  The color here is a little more washed out than the actual picture.  On this one, I kept going back forth on the aperture - between 2.8 and 3.5.  This one was with 2.8, ISO 200.

Tuscaloosa Flowers

I'm trying to take advantage of any opportunities I see.  I got these shots right after JST's race at Lake Lurleen outside Tuscaloosa.  This wisteria smelled wonderful.  I used one of Matt's presets (from Killer Lightroom Tips).

Love dogwoods.  The blooms are on trees so it was hard to get as close I wanted.  Using a 2.8 really blurred out the background so it didn't matter as much.

I find the underside just as compelling a flower as the topside.  When I have a more time, I'll crop them to see if they get any more interesting.

CBT#4 Revised

I liked Traci's idea so....

This is the original picture a.k.a. CBT #4.

Traci thought it would look good b&w.  She was right.  I just used the standard low contrast b&w preset in Lr.

While I was at it, I always tried the antique light.  I just love that you can totally change these pictures with just a click.  Thanks for the idea, my friend.

CBT#5

Last one.   Which one was your favorite?  Curious what you liked and didn't like.

CBT#4

Okay.  Only two more, then I want to hear which one you like the most. 

CBT#3

Next in the series.  Love this one because he said this one was to remind me of how as an infant and toddler he would hold his ears when he was falling asleep.  

Light source was the window.  Not sure I like the light from the side.  I know I see it done, but I'm not so sure.