Dabbing with Digital Art

I recently decided to give digital art a try. Having a fascination with space and the stars I looked up some tutorials on line. It took some doing and I have a ways to go but here is my first attempt at it. The planets look alright but I feel I need to work on the lay outs a bit more. I titled this one "Solar Storm."

New software for photos

I recently purchased software to improve my photos. Fluid mask 3 is a wonderful way to pull an image from its background as to the current one I am using in photoshop. This will come in very handy when getting around things like hair and trees. It gives your photo a more natural look when placed into a background of your choice without the rough cut look. I have to do more practice on it to get it down to a science but you can see by the image I have posted, how fun it can be.

Allergic to Penicillin

Thursday night I was laying on the couch. I had been fighting a head cold for a few days when Tammy brought me in a bottle of meds ( Augmentin) I had from a prescription two months prior for my ears. Little did I know that this drug was to be taken with prednisone to counteract the penicillin but I took one and after 15 minutes I began showing signs of a very bad reaction to this drug. I began itching on my hands. Then it spread to my legs, arms, neck and all over. Within a few minutes my body was covered lumps and my body turned beat red and sweating uncontrollably. Tammy called 911 and they were there within minutes. I began loosing consciousness and at times was unresponsive. Very scary to be laying on your bathroom floor wondering if this is going to be it for you. At times I thought I was and I never hope to experience that again. The next morning in the hospital they gave my a band for my wrist which states I am allergic to penicillin. In fact they are keeping me for a 24 hour observation just to make sure I would be alright. Its Friday night and I'm doing very well and can't wait to go home in the morning.

A Tribute to 9/11

I came up with this idea sometime ago and with the eighth anniversary here, I wanted to share with everyone a little tribute of my own to all of those who were effected by the travesty of that fateful event which changed the lives of so many. The message is clear and fits well with the photo. God bless us all

Studio Closing

It comes with great sadness that I will be closing down my studio October 10th. With the economy being the way it is and people watching their every penny, I am unable to continue with it and also pay the bills coming in to the shop. Tammy is also closing down her scrap booking part of the store as well.


However we are not completely gone from sight. Tammy will be selling her products online and holding scrap events quarterly at a nearby establishment and I will still do my photography on location at customers homes or local areas of interest. In time we are hoping the economy will turn around and we can once again open a new bigger store in another location in the area.


I want to personally thank all the wonderful people I have met while here and how grateful I am for allowing me to give them memories that will last a life time in their photos.

For you Mom. May 11th 1938 - Aug. 13th 2009

Make a Smilebox slideshow

For the Love of a Mother

It doesn't seem that long ago, the memories are so clear.

Sitting on your lap, and you holding me so dear.

Raising me was not easy, at times I got into trouble.

Even more I know I would sometimes burst your bubble.

But as I grew, so did my heart.

You gave me a new life, a new role, a completely different part.

When I was needed, I came forward for brothers one and two.

It hurts me knowing, I'm helpless in saving you.

So much sorrow for you, so much pain.

It's time to part the clouds, it's time to stop the rain.

When that day comes and it's your time to leave,

you will be met by our dearly departed Steve.

He will take you by the hand and tell you everything is alright.

A new journey will begin through heavens eternal light.

From then on I may not see you but I know you will be there.

Spreading love, joy and showing us, just how much you care.

Each night I will say a prayer for you and end it with amen.

Because someday I know we'll be together again.

To all family, friends and the hearts of each brother

I want to say how proud I am, She is my Mother.

Michael J. Marti

7/28/2009

Colors of Nature

I really enjoy getting out there with nature and capturing images for all to see. I will post more in time along with other things like birds, bugs and animals.

Fun With Photos

I will be offering customers the chance to bring in their photos and have some fun with them. You may email them or bring them down to the studio. Give me your ideas and I will transform them into something fun to share with others. If you do email your photos, make sure they are at its highest quality and in jpeg format. Images that are brought in and scanned will not have as high quality as you may want so please keep that in mind before proceeding. Prices depend on quality of photo and allowed time for processing. Stop in or call our shop anytime. You may email me as well at picturesdelight@yahoo.com

Girls begin swimming lessons

Macayla and Mckenzie started their swim lessons today. They were to start on Monday but we had still been camping and they could not go yesterday due to the weather. Mckenzie had to leave the pool early cause she was getting too cold but is excited to try again tomorrow.

Bad weather on Tuesday

Girls at pool

Macayla on water slide

Macayla on diving board

Girls just wanna have fun

4th Of July Weekend Getaway

On Friday we all attended the Albert Lea parade and got home fairly late so Tammy and I decided we would get up early the next morning to pack up for our trip to Flandrau state park by New Ulm. We had expected the kids to come into our bedroom early demanding their chocolate milk or jump all over me as they usually do, but on this morning we were not bothered and took advantage of the situation and slept in. Tammy had hoped to be packed and get over to New Ulm and visit some of the historical sites before our 4pm. check-in time at the park but plans always seem to change.

We arrived about 2:30 that afternoon and did manage to drive around a bit to see some of the interesting things in town. Some areas we would like to see in the near future like one of the parks which had a fountain with a statue of a fairy on it.

Once we got to the park we bought a year round state park pass and some items for our camping expedition like fire wood, ice and some really neat packs which you could throw in your fire to change the color of the flames. We camped in the rustic area where there was no electricity and the toilets were rested in a shack with a hole in the ground. (P.U.) You may have to fight the flies when you go in though so a can of raid might be useful. Water was available from a well which you had to hand pump from a nearby faucet. It really gives you a sense of how things must have been in the old days.

There are lots of things to enjoy there like swimming, long trails, and lots of wildlife to see. The deer in the park are use to seeing people and roam all over. We saw them several times and one night there was a group of five within 150ft. of our tent.

We would like to get out and do more camping yet this year. The girls had a good time and it was nice having them connect with nature instead of tying themselves to the TV all the time. Tammy and I had fun teasing the girls about Big foot and telling them we were going to give them some bread and leave them in the woods if they didn't behave. Of course that back fired when Kenzie said " Hey how did you know about Hansel and Gretel." We had to laugh and when we told the girls it was time to leave the park she yelled to Macayla, "Come on Hansel, its time to go."Yes people were looking at us chuckling. All and all I think we had a good time.

Sara & Peter Tie the Knot

On June 20th 2009, Sara and Peter tied the knot. I stated in a previous post that I would post some photos from the wedding and here they are. I want to personally say congratulations to them and hope their lives are filled with all the love and joy life can bring. And thank you Susie (Mother of the bride) for the opportunity to help make your day memorable.

New Student

I Have begun training a new student in photography. Lindsey has joined me in the studio to learn photography. I have never trained anyone before but her enthusiasm is very very high and she seems to be enjoying herself. I brought her in on a sitting today and allowed her the opportunity to do some shots herself. Over the next few weeks we will examine indoor and outdoor photos along with working on enhancements through photoshop. It is my hope that she will be ready to go out on her own within the next few months. Thanks again Lindsey for allowing me to show you all I know.

Love Is In The Air

Over this past weekend, I was given the great pleasure of photographing a wedding for a young couple Sara and Peter. It has been a number of years since I last did a wedding and I think I was just as nervous as they were. I must say of all the weddings I have done, this one was the funnest of all. The people and the atmosphere was very relaxed and they were all very friendly and made me feel like one of the family. Sara's mother, Susie asked me a few months ago if I would be willing to do the wedding for her daughter and I'm glad I did. Susie and I worked together at a local nursing home before I was laid off for economic reasons. Once the family receives their CD's, I will post some of the photos provided I have their permission to do so.


On another note, I would also like to Thank Jenny for taking time out to come and assist me with the wedding. She did a beautiful job and if another wedding comes my way, I would like to hire her on again. She knew what to do and even offered some great advice on some shots to take. She told me she had fun getting out there to help me achieve the photos I got. I couldn't have gotten those shots without her so again, Thank you so much

COPY-CATS

According to Webster's dictionary the term copy-cat means: one who imitates or adopts the behavior or practices of another. I'm sure many of you have been frustrated by an individual who feels the need to dwell in your shadow to copy or create something which is very similar to your work or ideas. Its true that all of us become inspired by something we have seen which helps our own imaginations and creativity. For that, there is nothing wrong. It shows how talented we are. However when you work hard to accomplish something only to have people basically steal your thunder and pretend they are the originators of the work seen by others can be very intimidating. I say it only shows that there are people out there who are basically riding through life, feeding off their predecessors to accomplish goals they could never achieve on their own. In one way you can feel good about it to an extent. It only means that these type of people are jealous and envious of those who actually have the creative flair to succeed. I mean I'm not just talking about a photo or even a product on the market. It could be something as simple as running an ad in the paper or quoting a logo a business may use. What ever the case I just wanted to let all the people out there who feel as I do, that it will never stop me from using my imagination to create works of art which I know was not produced by another. Besides could you ever really be happy knowing your success was attributed from another.

Mckenzie's busy week

On Friday of last week, my youngest daughter Mckenzie graduated from pre-school. Moments after receiving her diploma she said, "Now I can go to kindergarten tomorrow." She was upset to find she has to wait til fall to begin.
The following day was a gathering called Take a kid fishing day, held each year in Albert Lea. The weather was not so cooperative but I took both my girls there anyway since neither one had every fished before. They gave out free fishing poles, tackle and bait to all the kids that showed for the event. Also they would give out lots of free prizes. Mckenzie won a teddy bear and Macayla scrambled to gather as much free tackle as she could carry. Mckenzie caught her first fish and you can see by her photo that she was happy yet a little afraid by the fish flopping all over the place. The weather turned nasty shortly after and the event was rained out, but I promised the girls I would take them out again this summer.

A simple background idea

Here is an interesting way for anyone to bring a background to your photos. I photographed a sheet of scrapbook paper from my wife's stock and merged it with a picture of my daughter. Using photoshop, I shot her against a black background, screened it and dropped it in for a fun way to do pictures. By doing this it also helps when it comes to creating a page to scrapbook since it was made from one. By the way, I asked my daughter to give me the look when she does not get her way and as you can see by her expression, its either give in or watch as she becomes possessed by a little demon.

The Past Meets the Present

A few weeks ago I had a wonderful lady named Lila come into my studio for a sitting to surprise her children with some portraits. Having looked through my sample book, she saw a picture of an elderly woman masked together with an old photo taken of her in the 1940's. Lila asked if I would be able to do the same for her. I did with a few of the older photos she brought and after seeing them, she was very happy with the results. My plans are from here on that I will be posting one or two of the best from each sitting I do providing I have permission from my customers to do so. Thanks again Lila. Your warm heart and kindness is an inspiration to all photographers.

The Eagles have Landed

I took my girls out to find an eagles nest which was reportedly only a few miles from my home. I followed a gravel road near the river and while coming around a bend in the road, my daughter yelled out that she could see the nest. Sure enough sitting approximately 50 feet off the ground was a large nest. We stopped and I could see that there was indeed a bald eagle perched on the edge of the nest. I set my camera and began taking shots. I felt I still was not close enough and got out and walked across a small field to the edge of a wooded area. Again I took more shots and then realized that there were 2 eagles. Having my 300mm. telephoto lens at max I still felt that I was not close enough but getting any closer would have put me in the thick of the brush and I would not have gotten a clear shot. I plan on going their more often in the near future and hopefully get some good shots of them in flight closer to where I'm shooting.

Free Kid's Special Event

Sat May 2nd 1-3pm Kid's Special Event-FREEEE
Have your child come in and make something SPECIAL for MOM or Grandma for Mother's Day! You can bring in your child any time between 1 and 3pm. We have something really cute for them to create and Picture's Delight Photography by Michael J will be taking a picture of your child to help create this special gift.
Children will also get to wrap their gift and create a gift card so there will be no peeking.
(one per child please and children under 9 must be a accompanied with an adult)

New lighting experiments

Tammy brought our daughters Macayla and Mckenzie in for some spring portraits. I decided this would be a good time to try some new lighting techniques I've been reading up on. I must say it did not take long to get the lighting just how I wanted it. I will now be using it more in my sittings in the future.