Category Archives: Checking In

Image of the week

A new resolution this week is to target one new image and call it image of the week. By this I mean I can either shoot something or go back through some of my existing work and take another look at an image I may have passed by and see if anything clicks. I often find after a bit of time lapses from shooting an image I may see it differently. I think the emotional connection to a shoot has somewhat lessened. Often, I think wow … this is pretty good. Also I know that over time my editing skills are improving and I may have some new ideas to post process an image. The image of the week for this week is one I shot last year at a local garden. This flamingo looked so peaceful and almost in a meditative state.

Thanks for looking and reading. More of my work can be viewed on my website.

Create a Vignette in Photoshop

Here is a quick and easy way to create a Vignette in Photoshop using the Elliptical Tool. This Photoshop technique is easy and extremely powerful in bringing the viewers attention to the intended subject.

First either copy your background layer by dragging the Layer to the Create A New Layer button on the bottom the Layer Palette or use the Layer drop down menu at the top of your screen. If there are Adjustment Layers in addition to your background layer, I use the “Merge a copy of all visible layers” (CMD+shift+Option+E/CTRL+shift+Alt+E)

Next, grab your Elliptical Marquee Tool. This is the second tool from the top in your side toolbar and is located along with the Rectangular Marquee Tool. Shift/Click and drag the Elliptical tool across the photo where you want the vignette to appear. This does not have to be exact and may take a few times doing it to get it placed where you want. If you don’t like your first try, just Deselect (cmd/d) and try again.

Feather your selection 250 pixels (Select > Modify > Feather or Shift F6). If you are looking for a more gradual subtle Vignette, may need to repeat the Feathering.

Next Inverse your Selection (Select > Inverse or shift/cmd/I).

Final step to creating a Vignette in Photoshop is to add a Curves Adjustment Layer to darken the edges of the selected area. You can either create the Layer by clicking on the Icon on the bottom of your Layers Palette and select Curves or use the toolbar at the top of Photoshop and select Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves. Once the Curves Properties Window is on your screen, in the RGB mode, pull down on the Curve, usually in the center to darken the edges.

Below are sample before and after images so you can see the impact a vignette can make.

Thanks for reading. More of my work can be viewed at www.susanmcanany.com.

New Year

2012 went by quick. Looking back, I am thankful for all of the experiences that came my way, photographic and otherwise. I am especially thankful for new inspirations and ideas and some great photographic workshops and seminars I attended. Thanks to the fabulous photographers that put them on. All of it has helped me craft my vision and define my style of photography. And much fun along the way.

Looking to the future and 2013, I already have several exciting trips planned and can see opportunity for my work to grow even more and in different directions. I plan to post more Photoshop hints and tips on the blog, along with samples of new work. So check back often.

I wish you all good health, great treasures and much happiness this year!

Camera Research

I have a little money burning in a hole in my pocket these days due to a possession I sold specifically with the idea of using the proceeds to finance a new camera. Photokina occurred last week and Vendors are announcing new cameras and gadgets. I am definitely looking everything. I grew up shooting Nikon and Fuji and then five or six years ago I made the switch to Canon. Recently I have been looking at the Nikon’s D800E and it’s 36 megapixel capabilities and contemplating a switch back. Of course, as we all know when it comes to great photography the person behind the camera and the vision is really what makes it happen.

More of my work can be viewed at www.susanmcanany.com.

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.

Albert Einstein

Dali on My Birthday Weekend

Although I am posting this a few weeks after my birthday, I wanted to tell about my trip to the Dali Museum in St Petersburg, Florida. I had been there once before and was totally inspired and will say this repeat trip did not disappoint. The museum in St Petersburg, FL is a new building designed specifically to house his work and reflects his vision in many ways, so a visit is a total submersion in Salvador Dali and a truly a delightful experience.

It was a very busy Sunday, so we walked through the museum opposite the crowds, which allowed me to view his pieces with a different perspective. I was astounded with the artistic development in Dali’s work. Although, his initial pieces were perfectly crafted with incredibly detailed, they came across more simplistic in thoughts and concepts. As Dali evolved as an artist his work become massive and complex, with many underlying themes reflecting the social themes of the decade and I am sure his personal experiences. Also evident was the influence of other artist’s and masters of the times, proving even the best need others to craft their vision. Dali even broke out into different modalities, at one time designing jewelry. This reminded me of celebrities designing a line of clothing, fragrance or jewelry. Who knows what further notoriety and success Dali would of claimed had the Home Shopping Network had been around.

It was truly an inspirational day. My work can be viewed at Susan McAnany Photography.

Welcome July

July is the month of much celebration during the summer. The obvious holiday of July 4th and also my birthday occurs during the month of July. I will be away for the first half of the month and plan on bringing back images to share with you. Although I shot this image a few years back, it is one of my favorite flag images. I have a great giclée print available if anyone is interested. You can contact me through my website susanmcanany.com. It is for sale online at my Etsy Store. Thanks for visiting.

Andy Warhol and More

An Andy Warhol exhibit was part of a recent exciting and exhausting trip to St. Louis, Mo, my hometown. There is something about returning to my place of birth and growth as a youngster that tends to ground me and bring me back to how I came to be who I am. This trip I brought my one and only main squeeze with me. We are thinking about relo-ing there, at least on a part time basis, and I wanted him to get a better feel for the city and the surrounding areas. Also, we are beginning a big birthday celebration and wanted to take in a Cubs-Cardinals baseball game. (Cubs won so he was happy.) And then of course we spent considerable time with family, which is a part of the grounding process. I am fortunate I come from a big family and we all get along, despite our differences.

Although I didn’t take any photos while I was there, we did manage to squeeze in a trip to an art museum associated with St. Louis University for a little inspiration. An exhibit of Andy Warhol’s Polaroids were the initially attraction, but in reality the other exhibits were somewhat more impressive. One artist that struck me was, Brother Mel Meyer, a Marianist monk. Now Brother Mel apparently is quite known in St Louis. For 60 years he has been studying and making art in a variety of mediums along with period of teaching in his earlier years. He is known for his watercolors, acrylics and stain glass to name a few mediums, but what really excited me was Brother Mel’s metal sculptures. He incorporates many unique components, shapes and shades of color to create captivating and intriguing works of art. I will have to visit his studio next time in St. Louis. Here is a link to his website.

Visit my website Susan McAnany Photography to view my work.

Lessons From A Dog

Writing about “Lessons from a Dog” is a way I can pay tribute to my beloved, Bailee, a 17 year old Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, who very recently passed away.

She was 55 pounds of sporting breed energy and of course adorable and very smart. I got her initially for companionship, protection and something to motivate me to get walking. She provided all those things and so much more.

I was incredibly fortunate to have this dog in my life. I have no children, so of course she became “my girl”. Pets are the perfect child substitute; they love you unconditionally even when you drop them off for boarding and return days or weeks later to pick them up. They are always happy to see you. Another great benefit is no college tuition to pay, although Bailee did require her share of obedience schools and private trainers due to her willful nature. But that made her all the more human to me.

She loved to do the outrageous, she could dive to the bottom of our 10 foot deep swimming pool and retrieve a toy. She would hunt squirrels in the yard in Maryland and lizards in Florida yielding the areas completely barren. I think her proudest moment was when a wild bird had gotten into the house and she caught it midair. Her bite was so soft, she didn’t even hurt the bird, just released it when we requested. (Of course I was frantic and screaming.)

Although I knew her passing was near, it is still a painful experience, but also a thought provoker. As I think about her, and our life together I am reminded of the many great personality traits she exhibited daily. Here are a few lessons from a dog I learned:

Trust Your Instincts
Whether hunting in the yard or protecting her human pack, she operated instinctively. I do this also, but sometimes I question my own gut feeling. In photography, if I see a great shot I vow to stop and take it. When my gut tells me to light a certain way in the studio, I will take the time and effort required to do exactly what my instincts are telling me to do.

Time Is Inconsequential
I do my best work and am the happiest when I live and work in the moment, A dog does that EVERY single moment of their life. This was so evident living with a dog experiencing declining health. One day she may be near death and the next day running jubilantly through the yard totally obvious to her previous bad day. But we humans often are looking towards the next thing we are going to do or recounting past experiences unable to fully embrace the moment we are currently experiencing. To be present in the moment and enjoy each one is worth the extra effort.

Take time to Stretch
A good stretch feels good any time and is good for you, which is why animals do it all the time. It is good for your muscles, ligaments and organs. But let me take it further and use my imagination to stretch my thinking and creativity. I plan to stay out of my box.

Eat Your Vegetables
Up until her final years, Bailee loved carrots and broccoli and I firmly believe eating those, along with generally a healthy diet, good exercise and lots of loving extended her life. The breed’s expected lifespan is only 12-14 years. So eat up!

Be Fearless
This is perhaps my favorite. Bailee attacked life. From the moment she came into my life at 8 weeks till her passing 11 days shy of 17 years, she was so inquisitive and would try anything. Once she escaped the yard and was found on the beach close to the house. Well, I know she didn’t walk on the path. She undoubtedly ran up the street, cut through the private golf course (probably dropped a load along the way) and trespassed though some private beachfront properties to get to the beach to sniff, run and play. I am sure there was not an ounce of fear in her. She was a true adventurer. Now I am not recommended trespassing, but if a questionable or risky opportunity arises, I am going take it and think of Bailee.

My man and I feel a huge void in our lives since her passing. I know as time goes on life will fill the void and the pain will diminish, but for this week I am content to reminisce and savor her memory. To view more images of “my girl” or learn about Wirehaired Pointing Griffons check out her website.

Visit my website to view more of my work.

A New Presence

My boyfriend launched this blog for me and I must admit I am excited and a little intimidated. My plan is to keep it up to date with hopefully some interesting and amusing tales about the fast paced world of fine art photography I am involved in. I can’t believe it is already the end of Feb, 2012. I feel like time is moving like a high speed roller coaster, with many creative ideas and projects and not enough peaks or time to create them all. Thank goodness for notepads! To view my current work, check out www.susanmcanany.com. As always, thanks for visiting.