Changing Backgrounds

Ever since I learned how to switch out

skies in Photoshop Elements 8,

I have been playing around with

this fun feature.

I love photographing barns and

follow Tricia Hayes'

Barn Charm

The photo above is the original sky

which is pretty enough...

But changing the sky is a simple

photo-editing technique.

You can find numerous tutorials online sharing how

to do this in your own editing program.

I couldn't stop playing with the techinque

and put children up in the skies.

(Click on photos to enlarge.)

Thought I would share these

because they really are fun.

I also added various textures

and bokeh that you can find for free online.

You can also find lots of pretty sky photos online

or start taking interesting sky photos yourself

and storing them in a SKIES folder

where you can find them again.

Couldn't resist putting wings

on 5-year-old Katy because

she is such an

ANGEL!

                                                        I'm sure you will think up even

more ways to use the

Changing Backgrounds technique.

For more inspiration check out

Chelsey's

Paper Heart Camera.

I entered her Show and Tell Challenge

called, From a Distance.

Skies are a distance.

                                                    I hope I sparked your imagination.



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Dreamy Effects

It's Labor Day Weekend,

and it's storming like crazy...

so I'm in front of the computer

playing like crazy.

I've begun taking portraits for friends

and have been trying to figure out how

to edit them in Photoshop Elements 8.

I found this

great tutorial

and spent all morning trying out the technique.

(Click on photos to enlarge.)

I love the original photos...

But, it was fun to

create a softer, dreamy effect.

You can find free textures

by simply typing "free textures"

into google.

I keep a folder just for textures.

They can dramatically change a photo.

Or make subtle changes.

From this...

to this:

I like this photo...

But this looks like she's

walking in an enchanted forest.

I like all the PINK

in this photo...

I may have taken the pink

over the top!

I used the technique and

the special effects that come in

PSE8 for this next photo.

This is the BEFORE:

I made the background look like a painting.

This is AFTER:

I posted this photo of my daughter

 a few days ago.

Here it is with a

texture that looks like

dreamy lens flare.

If you want more editing ideas,

check out Chelsey's

Paper Camera

I have learned so many new tricks from

all the people who participate in

Touch up Tuesday!

THANKS!!!