Sue Thomas

Thank you. I'll go out to check the the wind direction, if it's blowing west, I'll shout for you, to see if you come running for treats! lol

To me, you did a grand job! You do surprise me about not knowing about the feathering, then blur. I also make a selection and feather, to brighten the lifted corners a touch on the photos, using brightness and contrast tool. It doesn't always show up well, it depends on the photo. I didn't use that technique on these photos. As Carole may demonstrate it later on this week. OOOps! Perhaps I shouldn't have said anything.

I'll post it on faace book, as posting on here really doesn't do the page justice, due to such compression.

Another scorching hot day here. I decided to crack on and do day 3. To my mind, I don't think that there is anyone that can do a lifted corner which on a parr with the the lifted photo script. Although, I must say everyone is doing superbly in this shadows workshop. I decided to showcase The Brown Thrashers going through a moult. I first noticed it on the 18th July. Every day I would go and photograph them, if they were about. I had them come to the call, like the Robins, their reward was a treat in the form of either nuts or blueberries. I now have a sequence of pics of the transition from juveniles to immature. Even their eyes are an earthy pale blue when young, and gradually during the moult changes to a yellow, eventually their eyes will be bright yellow. Here I used the first photo, and the last photo taken. I haven't seen them since, I suspect they have finally left the nursery. I did all three corners, and the sticker. I also used the fading background gradient for the background paper. Using the buish and yellowie colours from their eyes.

I agree! Admittedley the closer to the equator you get the less length of shadow you get, but there is still a shadow, no matter how minimal it is. I do believe that for a few days of the year there aren't any shadows what so ever at the equator.

It doesn't matter where you are in the world, shadows are created the same by the sun. There are seasonal variations. In the northern hemisphere they move from west to east and point north at mid day. In the southern hemisphere the shadow will point south. Time of day can vary a shadow greatly. From sunrise to sunset. At mid day, there will be a shadow but it will be minimal, unlike at sunrise and set. As the sun moves, so does the shadows. Shadows are constantly moving and changing thoughout the day.

I really do think that over thinking creates more problems, especially when it comes to shadows. If it looks right and real go with it. Spend some time outside observing shadows. The eye will educate the brain. In turn when creating shadows on a layout the brain will be able to tell if it looks natural or not. Of course it is Carole who educates us in what tools and settings to use and how to correctly apply them to a paper or element. Keen observation helps whether you are applying shadows, creating a colour palette or anything else to achieve a pleasing result.

I don't think PSP should support AI, other than something basic. Even then it slows the program down. I for one don't use AI. I don't have any inclination to use it either. Depending on the AI the program it creates using key words. Making the image not your own, unreal and in many cases far to futuristically unnatural. I will continue to create as natural as possible. By observing the wonders of mother nature.

Here is my lesson 2. Shadow setting 8 8 60 8. Reverse shadow 0 0 35 8. Perhaps it's personal choice, but I don't like to make my shadows to heavy and to dark, especailly on papers. As there is next to nothing in thickness in plain paper. On card stock and elements that is a different thing all together. My preference is to lower the depth and darkness. The colours of the papers also determine the settings I use. Is my thinking right or wrong? I almost always use the reverse shadow, to define papers.

Unfortunately not. They are the last birds to arrive in the Spring. Letting everyone know that they have arrived. Their visit is short but sweet, with their melodious song, and mischievious, bold character

I'm sure it does. Also a great way to start your day!

A constant stream of in and out!

I took the last photos for this year of the Wrens feeding their young yesterday afternoon. What goes in one end must come out the other end. When I saw the nestlings pop their heads out, I knew it was hours or at the most a day before they fledged. And that is exactly what they did. This morning the nest was empty. The last of the Wrens have fledged.

Cool shot! Did you take the photo with your phone?

Now that is what I call a beautifu splash of colour.

In situations like that, if I'm understanding you right. I will create shadows on their own layer. Allowing me to shadow promoted selections independently. Even using different shadow settings. Of course you will then have to use the eraser tool to carefully delete unwanted shadowed areas.

They rarely show themselves, as they spend almost all of their time on the ground lurking in the dense undergrowth. They also nest on the ground.

I didn't have any doubt in my mind, that this photo of a male Brown Thrasher taken on Tuesday morning was going to be photo of the week.

You certainly did a superb job on the knotted ropes. I don't think you followed the tutorial in the masterclass Learn the ropes. Unless there were other turorials. Beautiful Corrie style layout

It most certainly is, they have one of the most beautiful of songs. Signaling the arrival of Spring, as they are one of the first birds to arrive in Canada. They are common in grasslands, singing from fence posts.

I did/do the same as you Corrie. When I joined it was before the Lab. I started at the beginning, doing the tutorials that was then the creative scrap. Storing the patterns, elements, text etc in a folder for future use to be used when I showcase photos. Some elements I have never used, but I created them, and perhaps one day I will have a use for them. The beauty of creative scrap and lab, is that we learn how to uitilze techniques in different ways, and to think outside the box.

My confirmation email arrived last night, at the same time as the weekly scrapbook email.

You are always ever so kind, as are so many others. It is always very much appreciated.

Actually, it took several shots, to get the one I liked, as he was impatiently waiting to be fed. You are always so kind with your comments. Which is always appreciated my dear.

I couldn't agree more!