Photos with Flare

I love to experiment and I have enjoyed touching up my photos with textures, actions, brushes and more. There is so much to learn. Recently I came across a series of Textures called "Lite Flare" which is a texture that puts light, sunshine and photography flares you get usually by accident! But the results can be extraordinary. I have attached some photos to give you some ideas of what you can do and how much fun you can have. Careful though, you can get carried away as well. Keep in mind how the sun rises and sets, where it rises, and sets. The set was created by Photographer Patti Brown and it is amazing! One of the sets she offers on her Kaleidescope set is Lite Flare. Coupled with layers you can create some amazing photos! It enhances the picture and captures the moment exactly the way you remember it. So give it a try. One thing I learned is that when working with multiple textures be sure and flatten the image as you go. The lite flare won't show up on top of a layer. It needs to be on top of the photo. Have some fun. I promise you will love it.

Pictures I see may not be the picture you see...

Recently, someone purchased a picture from me. It was a picture taken at Bellows Beach on the island of Oahu. My home town. It was one of my older pictures so I was a little leery of the request. He wanted an 11 X 14 of the picture, and I was fearful that it wouldn't look as good as his expectations of my work. I am an amateur. I am getting better, and sometimes I get the perfect shot, but in my opinion this wasn't one of those times.

We talked back and forth and I learned that he had some very fond memories of Bellows Beach. It was his memories that made that photo beautiful to him. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder they say, and I have come to realize how true that can be. Each day when we pick up our camera, we are taking pictures of the beauty we see, or the oddity, or juxtaposition of the shot.

But someone else, is seeing a memory of their past, or perhaps a goal for their future. They are remembering a tale once told, or a song once rehearsed. Photos allow others the opportunity to relive or replay their own stories.

Its kind of wonderful when you think about it. Don't get so caught up in taking the perfect shot. Take pictures of what you love. You never know what memory you make wake up, or who you may inspire.