Debbie Wibowo

{January Ignite: A Creative Discovery}

30 January 2012

When 23 photographers from Bloom Forum joined hands to create a group that focuses on Fine Art, I immediately raised my hands without knowing much what actually fine art is (haha..so typical me.)

This group was inspired by Nichole Van and her group Elevate created last year. In Nicole's own words, “there are no rules. Just post what comes from the heart and allow the inner artist a chance to explore and to fly.” I am not good at following rules or commit to themes so the "no rules" as a rule for this group is perfect for me. :)

At the end of each month, we will post a photo or series of pictures to explore our creative side. Again, no rules, just have fun (oh yeah, I've said that...)

Here my submission. You can sip or coffee or tea, sit back and enjoy all the beautiful creations shared by these amazing ladies, starting with Kate Suzanne Photography.

comments: 15

{Embracing BW}

28 January 2012

When January started, I enthusiastically decided to do another 365 project. When I did this project two years ago, I enjoyed all the new things that I learned in one year. This year, I was hoping that this project would help me learn or achieve something new too.

The first two weeks passed and I think I was doing pretty good in terms of committing to take one picture per day. But I feel that my pictures are "empty". They are just pictures. Soon, the project is more like an obligation, a feeling that I totally don't like and doesn't go well with creativity. :) (don't you think?) The project doesn't give me the same kick when I first did it.

I felt like I need to pursue a new venue but didn't have a clue what I should pursue...until...few days ago when I learned about Kristen Cook Photography. I checked out her blog and oooh dear... I immediately fell in love with her "Photo a Day" project in BW. Her pictures are so full of emotion and discovering her blog was like an "AHA" moment for me. I love colors and my pictures are 99.99 percent in colors. But BW is a different world. I plan to not using any props at all or doing a planned shot. Just to capture what happen in our everyday life. So with this being said, I make it public that I am not going to continue my 365 (boo!) and will embrace BW to capture what I see in everyday's life (with my daughter as the main focus, of course...hahaha. Oh poor child!).

I left a comment on Kristen blog asking her permission to do similar project. She graciously said yes. :) I am not going to take one pic per day, only every other day when I feel that those small things are worth to be captured and preserved as memories. And oh yes, I will continue to take pics in colors too. :)

Her silliness is something that I always love and grateful for. She grabbed her bottle water after dinner and tried to place it in on top of her nose. Five minutes and several unsuccessful attempts later, she got a little frustrated and decided to show it on her face. :)

I got home and found her like this. She said she had a headache. I hugged and kissed her, and she managed to share that she was selected as "Writer of the Month" (insert proud smiling face here, please!). I said that I would prepare dinner, she said OK. When I checked on her ten minutes later, she was asleep. She woke my husband up at 1:30AM and said she was hungry. :D I was just glad that she didn't wake me up and that I could sleep through the night. Ha!

Her visit to Jakarta last year left her a lovely memories. She can't stop talking about her grandparents and how much she misses them. I was wrapping a package to send it to my mom and she decided to make a card for grandma while waiting for dinner. She made sure she wrote "From Writer of the Month" on the box. LOL.

comments: 4

{Having Fun Editing with Textures!}

16 January 2012

I love looking up to the sky and take pictures of the soothing color of blue sky, fluffy clouds, branches, and birds. This time, I was fortunate to meet a bird that was not shy of a camera lens. :)

Several people asked me how to get a dreamy, milky tone in my pics. Well, I am sharing you one of my editing technique now ... one of my techniques to achieve this is by using textures. Now, there are many textures that allow you to achieve different end results. Grungy look, distressed, rustic, as well as painterly. One of my favorites textures are textures offered by Flypaper. Now, how do I know which textures to use for a picture? Well, I don't. :D I've learned that working with textures requires patience. There are many times that I apply several textures, don't like the end result, and have to try all over again. But I enjoy the creative process and here's one of my recent play with Flypaper textures.

Here's the recipe just in case you want to give it a try. All textures used are from Flypaper Texture Box 2.
- Sunflower Sky @ multiply 42% - masked off from the bird
- Burnished @ screen 32%
- Marie Antoinette @ soft light 52% - masked off from the bird
- Lavender Sky @ vivid light 22% - masked off from the bird
- Level adjustment to adjust brightness and contrast

Once again the before and after in a bigger size.
SOOC

Edited

comments: 4

{Look for Light, Look for Colors}

09 January 2012

I am a light chaser (not sure if that term actually exists.) I love bright light. I am inspired by light. And I am also inspired by colors. I don't have a favorite color because I love all colors, every single one of them. Bright, bold, vibrant, dark, light, pastel colors. All of them. :)

When I take a picture, I always look for the light and also what I can use as a background to make the picture stands out. I noticed this berries during an afternoon walk with Jo (one of our favorite activities.) The little red berries look cute and lovely with a little of light fell upon them. The berries stood out among other little berries and green leaves. I saw a potential in that bush. I saw "a background" for my little berries. LOL.

Keep on reading sweet peeps as I am going to share with you how I edited this image.

Here's the SOOC. A little too dark and cold.

Here's what I did during the editing:

ran Florabella Color Lush Action, tweaked it. I turned off the lighten layer, turned down the opacity of contrast layer, and turned down the whole action opacity to about 70%.
ran Florabella Milk Action, turned off the more hazy layer, turned down the lighten layer.
now here's the fun part...I added Bokeh 4 texture from Shadow House Creations at multiply (21%) and overlay (8%).
added a curve adjustment layer, change the blending mode to soft light and turned down the opacity to 45%.
added a white solid color adjustment, turned down the opacity to 4%.

...and here's the edited image. Ta-da......

Hope you find this useful. Will be sharing more secrets so make sure you subscribe to the blog ;)

comments: 3

{366 Project: Week 1}

08 January 2012

I don't know what I was thinking when I committed to do another 365 this year. (Oh, it's actually 366 this year as it's a leap year).

The first time I did this project was two years ago, when I first purchased my DSLR. There were times when I fell behind, skipped few days, and just couldn't wait until the project was finished. But then I remembered that I took a look at all the pictures and felt the happy feeling of accomplishment. I met wonderful photographers and learned new techniques.

It is that feeling that pushed me to do another 366 this year. I am glad that I was able to finish the first week! Phew!

If you are doing similar project, whether it is 52, 10-10, 365, please leave your link in the comment below. I'd love to follow your work!

comments: 3

{52 on Friday: Self Portrait}

06 January 2012

This is the last week of 52 project that started in 2011. It's been a lovely journey that I shared with other talented photographers I met through the Bloom Forum.

This week's theme is Self Portrait (uh-oh). I am so bad at self portrait, which kinda explain why I never change my profile pic on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or Pinterest. LOL.

This one is no different. I tried different pose, different angle, but never really like the results. The best ones are the ones where my face are not included in the pic. Ha!

So here you go...Oh, and err yeah the book is more for a prop than as an actual book. Just so that I look a little smart reading something related to politic. :D

I so can't wait to see what the other photogs come up with. Let's start with Krista Keller of Krista Keller Photography!

comments: 7