Photoshop Enhancements for Flowers - New eBook!

I am very happy to announce that I have just finished my newest eBook. I have been working around the clock trying to get it ready for publication. With over 12,000 words and 130 pages, this is a PDF format.

Introduction

I was inspired to write this new eBook following a recent blog post I wrote titled “No Need to Guild the Lily.” After publishing that post, I received multiple emails asking for more images and how-to techniques. Many of the people writing in were happy to see me sharing a more natural look for my processed flower images. For the most part, many of my Photoshop techniques have been discussed previously on my blog and even in my other eBooks. But recently, I have refined my processing quite a bit. So, for this writing, I wanted to share some of those new thoughts along with the step-by-step tutorials. Also, at the time of this publication, I am working with Photoshop Version: 24.7, 2023. If you are using another version of Photoshop there may be some slight differences. There are five very detailed sections in this book.

Most of the images contained in this book will be labelled as either Before or After. This allows everyone to see what I am dealing with before I start working on an image. I find this approach to be very helpful in conveying my ideas. When you see an image labelled with the word Before it will signify that an image is straight-out-of-camera with absolutely no enhancements or editing, please keep this in mind when viewing the photo. After, will mean that I have processed the image and it is my final version which also includes resizing for the web, adding my signature and sharpening. I’ll be working in Photoshop and sometimes bringing my images into Camera-Raw from Photoshop, please keep in mind this is not a Photoshop 101 lesson book.

Available only though A Creative Adventure HERE.

The Mara Delivers Again

The Mara Delivers Again…

Nashipae, with her 4 cubs. I kept the image a bit dark, to reflect what I saw at the time of capture—just before sunrise. I have some more images after the sunrise that I ‘ll share later.

I’m just getting back from a fantastic 3 week visit to Kenya. On my last blog post, I shared my first group’s sightings along with some of my favorite images from Samburu and the Mara. 

For this post I’ll share the encounters my second group had. This tour was co- led by Paul McKenzie, and it started in Amboseli and ended in the Mara. 

I am thrilled to report that Amboseli looks fantastic, especially compared to the way it looked last year. Plagued by one of the worst droughts in years, Amboseli has rebounded significantly.

Amboseli

While in Amboseli we focused mainly on the herds of elephants walking across the dried lakebed. Those are iconic shots that everyone, (including Paul and I) want to get. We also looked for backlighting and dust, both elements add so much to an image.  After our time at Amboseli, we took a private charter to the famed Maasai Mara. 

Amboseli

Amboseli

Young African Jacana, Amboseli.

Grey Crowned Cranes, Amboseli.

Once our feet touched down on Mara soil it all started. Right away we located Nashipae, the mother of the 4 cubs. I’m happy to report that when I left, all four cubs still had all of their paws and tails attached. The fact that they are still alive proves that Nashipae is an excellent mama.  As you can see from the photos, we spent a lot of time concentrating on capturing photos of the cubs.

Nashipai with 2 of her cubs.

The vast grasslands are a feeding ground for many of the different herds, and with the big herds come the predators. My first group had several wildebeest crossings but this time we had zero. We did however happen upon a leopard (Jilime) and cheetah (Nashipai with the 4 cubs) having a stand- off.  

During our time in the Mara, we focused mainly on the big cats. We watched as they hunted, fed and shared tender moments. We also spent some time watching for unique behavior. 

Nashipai and Jilime

Nashipai and Jilime. It is not common to see a leopard and a cheetah in the same frame.

This year, the lions provided quite a bit of entertainment. One morning we were just about to have a bush breakfast when our guide spotted a lioness going after a warthog piglet. We threw our breakfast into the vehicle and got to the chase just as it was over— or so we thought. The lioness did not kill the piglet right away. And the piglet fought back and tried to escape. The tiny warthog finally got free and made a run for it but as it was running away it made a brave decision to turn back towards the lioness and give her the “what for”. It was fascinating to watch but we all knew the fate of the little warthog—even if it didn’t. So sad…

The baby Warthog is trying to bite the lion. The lighting was bad, but I liked the action captured.

We watched as the Rongai pride, which is a very large pride, made a failed attempt at taking down a buffalo. At first, we thought the lead young male would be able to get one with the two large females assisting him, but he was walked straight out of the herd by a few large bulls. 

The trip would not be complete without mating lions <smile>

At the very last bit of light.

Super high key shot of one of the last remaining members of the fast five coalition of male cheetahs.

It was another amazing trip and once again a fun group. I’m looking forward to returning next September to see what the Mara has in store for us. Oh, and we did see the same Serval cat three times— but no photos as it was hidden in the tall grasses each time, we found it. 

The Mara Always Delivers

The Mara always delivers— that’s what my guide Simon says all the time, and he is right. There are so many photo opportunities every day and a sighting around each turn in the road. I’ll be in Africa until October 4th. I feel so lucky!

Scolding the cubs as they took a break.

Nashipae with four very young cubs just as she spotted the male lion.

Our first full day was fantastic. We located a cheetah named Nashipae with four very young cubs, each of which still had some dark markings on their undersides and a full mantle. Nashipae walked her cubs for at least a mile. They had one water break along the way. I felt so sorry for them as they struggled to keep up. But momma was hungry, and she needed to find something to hunt.

As she walked through the grasslands for what felt like forever, she just about stumbled right into a resting lion. Lucky for her cubs that the wind was blowing towards her and she was able to smell the lion and redirect her course.

Too many Wildebeest trying to get get across.

Our next day was epic. We had one of the largest wildebeest river crossings I have ever seen. Followed by yet another one on the following day. The herds were massive and funneling into the Mara River hoping to make it across without incident. 

Faulu.

Faulu.

On one of our days, we photographed a small leopard called Faulu. She is the daughter of Fig —for those of you familiar with the animals in the Mara. Our guide calls Faulu a killing machine. I photographed her climbing up a tree that held two of her latest kills, a gazelle, and a jackal. In my photo shown below, I love the way her front paws look like she is begging. 

Last two of the Fast Five hunting in the rain.

Another great day was spent with the two remaining members of the Fast Five, - a coalition of five male cheetah aka Tano Bora. I first photographed the Fast Five in 2017. Since then, they have dwindled down to just two. We watched them successfully hunt a wildebeest. The two male cheetahs waited for it to start raining before making their move. Predators in the Mara know that their prey will get distracted in the rain and they can hunt them more easily. For my photos, I love how the rain softened the backgrounds. Though, Donna Bourdon got the winning shot. 

During our time in the Mara, we also had two separate lion hunts, both were over quickly. We were also treated to a special sighting of a different leopard with her young cub. 

Hammerkop with frog.

On our very last day we started out early with another sighting of a serval cat. The light was too low for a reasonable photo, but we watched as it started to hunt for frogs. From there we rode on towards some herds. We stumbled on two male lions walking through the grasses following a good distance behind a female lion. Every so often the males would catch wind of her scent, and both would start flehmen. “Flehmen” is the male response” to sex hormones of females, receptive to reproduction. They usually show their teeth and curl their lips and nose.

As we headed back to camp to prepare for our flight to Samburu, we photographed a marshal eagle in a lovely tree. There were so many wonderful images captured by all. We shared some of our best images before or after dinner each night. 

Right now, I am writing this from the air on our way to Samburu from the Mara. We’re in a 12-passenger plane and we have it all to ourselves. Once we land, we’ll go out on a game drive on our way to our lodge. 

Samburu

Well Samburu is hotter than the Mara and there is dust! Yippee! Dust and backlighting are a great element that can add tremendously to an image. 

Beisa oryx

I’m so glad we came to Samburu. On our first game drive we saw all of the “Special 5” that Samburu is known for. They are the Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Grevy's zebra and Gerenuk. 

Gerenuk, female feeding.

In addition to the Special 5, we also saw the Vulturine Guinea fowl. They have the most beautiful feathers I have ever seen. I zeroed in on a close- up of the feathers since I never see them in the Mara. 

Vulturine Guineafowl

Somali ostrich, male “Spanish Dancer”

On our last morning we photographed a male Somali ostrich displaying for a female— it flounced a full skirt of feathers out in what looked like a hoop skirt. I fondly titled this one “Spanish Dancer.”

Male cheetah backlit

If you haven’t been to Samburu, then I would suggest a visit. Some say the best time to go is during the rainy season to get lush backgrounds— but for photography, I prefer the dust that comes during the dryer times, like in September. We spent most of our time in the field, with just our group— it felt very private. 

I have a ton more image but I need to get some work done before my next group!

The Life of Riley

I receive emails all the time saying that I have “The Life of Riley”. Well, if you look that phrase up as I did you will find that I am not living the life of Riley. However, I am living a good life, but it certainly isn’t a carefree, whimsical life. And I wouldn’t want that type of life anyway.

In between all of my workshops, Zoom programs with private clients - I write blog posts, articles, answer emails, and I am even working on my next book. In addition to this workload, I have family obligations, including driving my grandsons to therapy or soccer, watching my granddog while his family goes to the Outerbanks without him ….awe.

And then there is my house. It is now 20 something years old and anything that can brake is breaking. So home repairs, lawn maintenance and cleaning out closets has become my everyday life when I am home. So you see, my life is just like yours—full of chaos, work and passion.

Today I worked on a few rose images that I wanted to share here—what fun to be able to sit at the computer and look at flower images all day. Maybe this is the life of Riley! Being able to do what I love is truly a gift.

I do have some good news to share very soon regarding 10 of my Dahlia images and I have been busy with that as well.

Anyone looking to read more about the derivation of the phase The Life of Riley can check out this link- https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-life-of-riley.html

Speak Softly

Speak softly, love
So no one hears us but the sky…

This tune, or rather this verse has been playing over and over in my head. I can’t seem to shake it. Sometimes when this happens, I can redirect it but this time it has been days and I keep humming it. I finally went online and looked up the lyrics to the song which is actually the "Love Theme from The Godfather.” I played it in its entirety over and over to try to “play it out.” Yet, this morning I am still humming…As I was humming, I was sorting through some of my old flower photos for an upcoming book. These photos just fit the mood.