The Puppet Master

The Puppet Master, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

This is a rough image that I put together using GIMP to manipulate the characters onto a different background. Look for additional posts as I play around to come up with something with a little more glitz to it.

Rest Assured

Rest Assured, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

I recently started using Nikon's - View NX2. I also started shooting in RAW format. I always shot in JPEG, but now I understand the power of RAW. This image was taken as a JPEG and edited with View NX2 and Irfanview and GIMP. Why 3 different programs? Because each one of these does a few things really good. I'll be posting some RAW before/after shots in the near future. Hope you like this one.

Royal Bloodline

Royal Bloodline, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

Her Majesty.. Pumpkin
We rescued her when she was just a kitten. We found her (or should I say she found us?) at Fortescue NJ. She has the most beautiful markings. She often sits with her front paws crossed.

The Face of God

The Face of God, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

This is the image as it was captured from my camera. This was taken looking west. The figure in the cloud only lasted for a few brief moments and was gone. God communicates with us on a daily basis. Are we watching and listening? Allow him to really open your eyes so that you can begin to really 'SEE'.

I still feel your Smile

I still feel your Smile, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

Shadow Games

Shadow Games, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

An attempt at selective de-saturation. Starting with a color shot I desaturated the entire image first and then added a layer mask. I then used the paint tool with white to paint back in only the portion of the cat which extended past the curtain's edge. I lightened the eye and saturated the colors. Hope you like it.

Awakining

Awakining, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

I used gimp to bring out the light in the center portion of the flower. Early morning light gave this flower good light yet maintaining the detail in the flower'. In about another half an hour, all the dew drops would be gone.

Stay With Me Tonight

Stay With Me Tonight, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

You only need look in your own backyard for inspiration. That magic light was shining so wonderfully on our heads of wheat. I underexposed to really bring out the sky details. I also adjusted the curves and saturation. This was one of the better images captured tonight.

Rabbit Hole

Rabbit Hole, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

Metals chairs stacked outside a Center City Philadelphia Cafe.. What attracted my attention was the repeating patterns the stacked chairs make. The form along with some early morning light created the stark contrast. This would most likely would not have been the case had it been later in the day with the sun directly overhead. I encourage you to get up early and shoot, doesn't matter what you shoot as long as you're paying attention to the early morning light. Learn to 'see' light.

Flower

Flower, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

This flower was from Mother's Day in an arrangement I gave to my wife. I shot this single flower next to the window. The green in the background is from the grass outside. I lightened the petals in the center of the flower and shifted the color to enhance the yellow and bring out a warm tone. Hope you like it.

My Heart when you're Gone

Before Image


After Image

My Heart when you're Gone, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

I spotted a cracked storefront window. The early morning light was striking at the
right angle to light up the cracks and only a small portion of the store inside. I
used GIMP to saturate the color and adjusted the levels to bring out more of the
white in the cracks. I was not specifically looking for this shot. I just happened upon
it and liked the contrasting light, shadows, and color.

Gold and Brick

Gold and Brick, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

I discovered this building while walking to work in Philadelphia. The early morning light was being reflected onto the face of this building. What really caught my eye was the old weathered doors and the red brick. I have no clue was this building once was. The pain on the wall was very faded and I'm sure it changed owners a few times. The cobblestones leading to the door were also interesting. The image was processed using GIMP and Corel Painter Essentials. I hope you enjoy the image.

Red Square

Red Square, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

I like shooting odd angles and the buildings in Center City Philadelphia give you plenty of opportunity. I was also looking at combining several different elements. I used GIMP to brighten the reds of the awnings. I also increased color saturation, and brightness and contrast. Added a black to transarent gradient to the bottom and extending upwards.

Calm Within a Storm

Calm Within a Storm, originally uploaded by Jersey Rich.

As I was shooting some shots of a natural spillway from a lake I spotted a red leaf that somehow managed to stay where it was. The sun was above and to camera left. It was partly cloudy and when the sun came out it lit this leaf up. It looked so calm that it wasn't even moving.

I try my best to not worry about the camera settings when I shoot. I try to focus my attention on the entire image. I'll often shift the camera around several times before snapping an image. This one of about 50 shots. I played with exposure compensation and prefer to have the image slightly on the dark side so as not to blow out the details of any lighter areas. I also shoot with max color saturation and contrast.