celticsong22's photostream  

This was taken in broad daylight, but as I processed it, it began to take on the look of moonlight. I think the effect is much more interesting than the original look of the photo. I love the more bluish tones that came up in the processing, too.

I've just been given a store to manage in West Altamonte, which is about an hour from home. Working 10 hour days (or longer,) and having a very old and deathly slow computer at work have made it impossible for me to be on here much. It looks like even my editing attempts will have to be made at night before bed, and on days off. Commenting will be at a really dull roar for now, and looks like ANY time on here will be curtailed for a while.

If they keep me in the store I'm being assigned, it will be moving soon, since the lease is up and a more suitable location is being sought. If I'm lucky, they will set me up with a new computer so I can be up and running again, but if I'm REALLY lucky, I won't have so much time to use it, lol!

Thanks to you, my friends, for your kind comments during this time. It is not by choice that I'm not commenting, but by necessity. I miss the interaction. Life happens, though, and this is where I'm at right now. We all know there are only 24 hours in a day, but most of us try to stretch it to 26. It doesn't work. Something has to give sometime! I'll be back when I can. I love you guys, and hope everyone is doing great! It's a hard time for me, so your prayers are coveted. Hugs....Chris

When I first saw this pic, I thought it might come out nicely if I processed it to look something like an old, master's painting. I think I was right. While the natural tones were beautiful, they were possibly a little too vivid; a little too clean. I used the Orton-like filter on this, as I do with most of my pics now, which enriched the depth of color, and deepened the shading, allowing for more contrast, which I also adjusted. Two textures were used, and to get the vignette to do what I wanted, I had to turn the photo upside down after I did the vignette the first time, so that the top would have nearly as much depth as the bottom. I then put it back the way it was, of course. I like the result.

This was taken at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, Florida, one of my favorite nature hangouts.

This was zoomed in, and I still couldn't get as close as I'd like to have gotten on this shot. The pelican was huge, and being so far away, I was surprised how large he looked from where I was standing on top of the bridge. The blackbird was surveying what the pelican was doing, probably hoping for leftovers! A few seconds later, the pelican dove off the dock and plunged into the river, so I guess the hunt was successful.

I always feel excited when I get to watch nature play out in front of me, and even more so when I can photograph it. I would've liked to have clearer pics of this, and hopefully, in the future I will. This day was cloudy, with low light, since a storm was coming in. From second to second was a challenge with the rapidly changing light, as clouds drifted overhead, and I felt glad I could capture the scene at all.

There was a storm coming in from the west, so of course, brilliant moi had to climb up on one of the areas tallest bridges for a better look!

This is facing the beachside, overlooking the Halifax River, in Port Orange, Florida, which is two cities south of Daytona.

This is the view of a sunset from one of the stores I work in. Nice way to end the day, huh? I'll be there tomorrow. Hopefully it will be as nice then.

Nighty night, Folks!