I Heart Faces–Pets

This week’s theme at I Heart Faces is “Pets”. My favorite. I love photographing animals, whether it’s my dog, a deer or bird in the back yard, or some CRAAAZY bug that my boy captures. And, I love looking at everybody’s entries during Pet Week, too; so many sweet pups, cuddly kitties, and beasties of all kinds. This shot was taken last weekend at the Atlanta Steeplechase; the outriders came up to the fence to let us have a closer look at their magnificent steeds, and this fine fellow actually posed. Beautifully, I might add; what a head! It was a very bright yet overcast day, and the sky was totally blown out, so I added a Florabella sky texture that was a bonus with one of her sets. I think it makes it look like a vintage postcard.
Click the button below to head over to I Heart Faces and look at all of the other furry (or maybe even scaly, feathered, or exoskeletoned) critters (but please, leave some love first.. I love comments!)

I Heart Faces–Smile!

I Heart Faces turns two this week; can you believe it? Next month will be the two year mark for me, and there haven’t been many missed weeks, either. When I look back at my first entry and then look at where I am now, I just want to wrap my arms around I Heart Faces (i.e. Amy and Angie) and give them a great big (((hug)))!  I may not be great, but I’m certainly better than I was.

The theme this week is “Smile”, and that’s a perfect fit for celebrating IHF’s birthday.  They’ve made me and a million others smile in a million different ways over the past two years.  THIS smile photo is one of my favorites; my little friend’s tooth came out just a day or so later.  That smile, with or without his front teeth,  brightens my day whenever I see it!   This week’s contest is guaranteed to make YOU smile, so make sure to check out the other entries.  Happy Birthday, I Heart Faces!!

I Heart Faces-Favorite Face Picture of 2010

This is my first blog post of 2011, and my first post in a couple of weeks. Since the majority of my posts last year were I Heart Faces contest entries, it seems appropriate that my first post this year should be one as well. The theme this week is Best (human) Face Photo of 2010. After looking back through countless shots of my boy, our friends, and all that I’ve shot, this photo just stands out for me. I love the light, I love her expression, and I love the processing. I know there will be some amazing photos entered, so once you’ve left me a little love, head on over to I Heart Faces and check out everyone else’s favorites!

I Heart Faces-Pets

I love “Pet Week” at I Heart Faces! Well, other than the fact that I have a REALLY hard time trying to decide on which photo to choose. My dog? The husky next door to my mom with the ice blue eyes? The adorable donkey down the road? The beautiful mustang that my friend trained? How about that crazy robber fly that was perfectly in focus, or the toad that my boy dressed in a seemingly endless supply of LEGO hats? This time around, I really was drawn to this photo of a friend’s sweet kitty baby; she has that “look” that my cats always gave me. Eyes almost closed, but not quite; she’s very aware that I’m there, but she’s relaxed and smiling for me. This was taken about a month and a half ago; I saw her today and she’s bigger but still a total sweetie. ❤
I know I’ll be checking out all of the links this week to see the sweet, silly, or even scary faces; head on over to I Heart Faces and treat yourself to some GREAT animal photos!

I Heart Faces–My arms are TOO short!

I’ve tried to take “long-arm” self-portraits, but it just doesn’t work for me. My zoom lens is too heavy to hold out and keep stable. And my arms are too short to hold my 50mm far enough out to focus. I don’t have a remote control clicker, so I’m pretty much left with mirror shots. Which leaves the camera in front of my face. But wait… that’s what most folks see when they look at me, so I guess this really is THE most accurate self-portrait anyway! :<) Do you take pictures of yourself? For me, it’s rare. Maybe I should make that my New Year’s resolution; to get in front of the camera more. ugh. First, the diet….
To see lots more of the IHF fans in FRONT of the camera, head on over to I Heart Faces and visit my friends… you might just get some great ideas on how to “picture yourself in the picture”!

I Heart Faces-Black and White Landscape

I don’t shoot landscapes with an eye for black and white conversion. I tend to focus on the colors that I see, rather than imagining the contrast and texture that black and white would bring. Converting this lake shot to black and white changed the feeling from dreamy to edgier and more mysterious; I think I may try more conversions, because I like what it does! How about you; do you always see your world in living color, or are you a black and white kind of person?
For more black and white entries, head over to I Heart Faces and check out the links…

I Heart Faces- Silhouettes

The theme for the I Heart Faces contest this week is “Silhouettes”. I remember as a child having a silhouette done by an artist. They shined a light across the side view of my face, making a shadow on black paper on the wall. They then cut that paper into a silhouette of my face. It was a perfect likeness, but with no details. In photography, it’s really the same thing; the focal object of the picture is between the camera and the sun in such a way as to block out light. All (or nearly all) detail is lost, yet still, you know what you’re looking at. This picture was taken this fall in Destin, FL. We were on our boat, headed to Crab Island at sunset. I had a split second to grab the shot before we moved out of range; so glad that I got it. AND… so glad that our beloved white sands were spared the devastation that seemed inevitable just a couple of months before.
For more amazing silhouette shots, make sure to visit I Heart Faces and from there the blogs of those who linked up. I promise you’ll love it!

I Heart Faces-Orange

The theme at I Heart Faces this week is orange. I think I’ve got that covered in this shot. Awesome little man who goes to our school; his personality keeps me smiling!
For more brightly colored photos, head over to I Heart Faces and check out the links!

I Heart Faces-Fall Colors

This is a non competition week at I Heart Faces. They’re hosting a workshop this weekend and Amy and Angie are pretty darn busy right now. I can’t wait to see all of the fabulous photos that come out of the workshop; boy, do I wish I could go! Maybe next year….
Anyway, here’s what I Heart Faces is looking for this week:

This means no judged contest, but a week of fun and to share your story. We’d like for you to link up your favorite image of Fall and tell a short story to go along with your photo. Have a favorite fall memory? Where is the prettiest place you’ve been during the fall? How does your photo make you feel? Do you have fall traditions? Your photo does not have to include a face.

I took this pic this weekend. The berries are on a bush at my mom’s house outside of Nashville; I’ve clipped those berries most years at Thanksgiving to take home to decorate for Christmas. Right now, they’re pale yet still lovely; in another month, they’ll be deep red and ready to weave into wreaths and garland. I suppose I could make it easy on myself and just plant one of the bushes at my house in Georgia, but this one was planted by my dad before he died in 1995. I guess it makes me feel like I still have a little part of him with me during the holidays.

For more fall color and stories, head on over to I Heart Faces and visit all of my friends. Happy Fall, y’all….

I Heart Faces-PINK Week!

Over 200,000 women are diagnosed annually with breast cancer, so maybe 1,700 seems like a really small number of men. But if it’s YOUR man; your husband, your dad, your son, then it’s not insignificant. Women aren’t the only ones who need to be aware of the symptoms of breast cancer; check out this link and make sure that the men in your life know what to look for.
And don’t forget to visit I Heart Faces and check out all of the Pink entries in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I remember last year’s entries; some of them brought me to tears, while others made me laugh. But the power of the picture certainly helped to make me more aware. And many thanks to my handsome model, who knows that real men DO wear pink!