Cleaning Up, Moving Forward

The older I get, the more I try not to make New Year's lists I know won't make it past the first couple of weeks in January. Instead, I've started making a list of things I'd like to improve upon from the past year. Yes, I know, it's still a list but it's all in how you look at what you're about to tackle.

I began this blog last April. For various reasons, I've allowed myself to be easily distracted and haven't put the time into the blog that I should have. It is so very hard to not let life get in the way of our pursuits. 

This week, I decided to make necessary changes and took the leap to enhance my online presence: I'm now creating a proper online portfolio through Smugmug. I really like the look of the site and the flexibility it offers to display my work.

What does this all mean?

Through the rest of February, I will be straightening up my blog, developing my portfolio and will be able to sell prints of my photos as well as many other items. I hope--over time--it will mean I can start bringing in some extra money to help pay household bills. Take a vacation. Sell the house and travel around the United States in photography bliss...

I think you get the picture. 

And the winner is...

"Eerie Night" 

Chosen by the readers, "Eerie Night" is Irish Lady Photography's top photo manipulation of 2011.  It's a view of low-hanging storm clouds that passed just to the east of my house.  Between thunderstorms, I grabbed my D40 equipped with the 18-55mm lens and ran outside to snap pictures.

The initial photo didn't show the proper definition seen by the naked eye.  I popped the photo into Microsoft Office Picture Manager and played with the color and contrast.  When I got the clouds the way I wanted them, I then used another editing program like PhotoScape and used the watercolor filter to get the finished look you see here.

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Thank you so much for your time spent viewing and voting.  I plan to add more manipulations throughout 2012.  Please come back often to see the new additions.  There will be chances at the end of each quarter to vote for your new favorites. 

Thanks again, 

Maria