has challenged us to use texture in our photos this week, either naturally or through photoshop. I tried to coerce Allen into sitting still for a few minutes in between layers of clothes and feathers and toys... but he wasn't having it. So I took my only way out, Photoshop! Hunting for new textures was fun, and I found several really good ones. I applied one of them to a  picture I took of Allen a few days ago (so it's not completely cheating) and played around with settings and filters. I have to say, I'm loving the result. I'm just starting out with textures but I think I'll be using them a lot more often now.
I'm just not sure if I should have left him more 'blended in'.  What do you think?

The idea for my blogging book club has been moved to its very own blog HERE . This will make it more organized and leave this blog to focus on my love for photography!

Finally! My first You Capture! The whole reason I finally took a plunge into the blogosphere.
This was a tough one, mainly because I have SO many things I love around the apartment (and am a self diagnosed pack rat).
I did manage to capture a (very) few of my favorite things though, while my son napped. He's a budding photographer (at 2!) and whenever he sees the camera in my hands, tries to convince me with puppy dog eyes that it needs to be in his hands. Needless to say that makes picture taking a little difficult when he's awake!

This week made me realize that I don't take nearly enough group shots! I love to focus in on detail, so I guess the 'big picture' doesn't interest me much lol
I think this weekend, I'm going to set up a tripod and 'bother' my men with trying to get some family pictures... with me in them. Right now it's looking too much like my husband is a single father with a camera crew!
I did manage to find one picture that I liked enough to submit, and that had more than two people in it.
We were going to check out a new brick-oven pizza restaurant (Toby's) with our friends, and Allen was so happy that he finally got to see Jasey again, that he held her hand for a good 20 minutes.
Yummy pizza was enjoyed by all, and an even yummier Nutella filled Calzone brought the evening to an end. Allen babbled all the way home in the car, even though it was about 2 hours past his bed time. Ahhh sugar highs!

Woohoo so I'm feeling sort of, kind of well enough to finally get on the computer again (after a 4 day break *gasp*).
Earlier last week I was trying to catch a good picture of my son on his new rocking horse... but he of course had other plans. He found it hilarious when he closed his eyes at just the right moment and I made grrr noises. He even mocked me, all the while laughing and galloping away, taunting me with promises of oh-so-cute photos.
But not to worry, I got my revenge later when I strategically placed a shiny red kitchen bowl (the kitchen is off limits, and therefore has mounds of unfounded treasure!) in his room. The camera was on and ready, and just as he tilted his head to look out from under his cool new hat and yell peek-a-boo..... he was greeted by mommy's triumphant *flash*!
So since this photo falls in the specified time frame, has his face in it (majority of it anyway) and is not either blurred beyond all recognition or makes one run in search of a priest to perform an exorcism, it's the perfect one to enter in this week's challenge.
Enjoy!