Shutter Love Tuesday {Stuffed Animals}

Ted E. Bear has resided with me since I was 18 months old...and I turn 30 years old this coming Monday, June 14.  He was brand new when my mom bought him for me as a baby, but he now shows the worn threads, bald patches, missing mouth, and scratched eyes of a bear that has been loved dearly for over 28 years. 

He has seen me through all the ups and downs in life.  The good times and the bad times.  Teddy has been there for a lifetime of momentous times...beginning elementary school, graduating high school, graduating college, moving to Atlanta for my first job, returning to Huntsville, Alabama a few years later, and, most recently, getting married.  I may be knocking on 30's door, but Teddy still sleeps in the bed with me every night.    

Teddy's face is sweet, sentimental, and endearing.  His scratched eyes are soft and understanding.  There really isn't much else that symbolizes love better than Teddy.

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Fix-It Friday

One last Fix-It Friday before my vacation to the Florida Keys TOMORROW!!  This week's photo had some white balance issues and was underexposed.

Original Image from I Heart Faces:

My first "normal" edit:

My second edit with a little more flare:

Finally, a black and white conversion (my personal favorite for this image):

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Fix-It Friday

Another Friday = Fix-It Friday!  This image wasn't nearly as bad out of camera as last week's!  It was still good editing practice, nonetheless.

I Heart Faces "Fix-It Friday" Original Image:

My Edited Final Image (using Photoshop CS4 and TRA Actions):

And a black and white conversion for fun...

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Teddi {Welsh Corgi}

Easter Sunday I had the pleasure of photographing Teddi, a handsome Welsh Corgi.  He is incredibly sweet, adorable, has the most gorgeous fur and a great big smile.  Sadly, Teddi was recently diagnosed with Lymphatic Cancer which will likely cut short his young life.  His mom, Colleen, wanted to get some photos of Teddi in case he lost his battle soon.

I have to say, you could see Teddi's love for his mom.  He followed her everywhere and listened intently to her every word.  If she walked away, he was right behind her.  I am so thankful that Colleen let me capture their relationship in photos that she'll be able to keep forever.  I am keeping Teddi in my prayers and I ask that all of you do, as well.

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Birding in Alabama

I love birding...seriously love it.  My problem is that I can't afford a nice 400mm lens, so I have to make due with my Nikon 70-300mm VR lens.  It does the job, but I end up cropping a great deal.  These are the times that a solid 21 megapixels would come in handy!

I went for a hike through Hayes Nature Preserve with my mom last weekend on an especially beautiful day and came across my first Yellow Bellied Sapsucker (that I've photographed at least).  Looking through the viewfinder and seeing the distinctive black stripes across his eyes, I instantly assumed he was a Downy Woodpecker.  It wasn't until I got home and uploaded the photos that I noticed the red on his head and under his bill.  I was stumped for a bit, but thanks to Mr. Google, I realized he was a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker.

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