Playing with Camera Raw

I've been playing with my camera today and have set it on to RAW to see whether I see much difference. I've also been shooting in manual (after doing the Moving into Manual class on BPS) and just generally playing around. Do I see much difference? At times I think I do. I've felt that some of the photos are sharper but whether that's just because I'm taking more time while I'm taking them and concentrating on my focus points etc., I don't know.

Bellatrix

All these photos are taken using natural light (no flash) and just playing with the settings.

Tom

I love his colouring, markings and facial expressions ;o)

This afternoon I downloaded the Camera Raw 5.6 upgrade for Photoshop Elements 8 and installed it. I don't know how much difference there is between 5.5 (which is what Elements 8 came with) and 5.6 but I'll be playing around over the weekend to try and find out.

xx

10 000 Steps and a card

I started wearing my pedometer yesterday so that I could get an idea of how many steps I take in a day. I know that the recommended daily is 10 000 but had no idea how many I might take. So, I took Cloud for her walk, I walked home from town after meeting my friend Sarah for a coffee and I was on my feet around the house and up and down the stairs. I was really shocked when I checked to see how many steps I'd taken just before I went to bed. Only 5 384!! Wow!

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Today I've worn it all day again and as I sat down to type this, I took a photo to show how many steps I've taken today.

It's better than yesterday but still nearly 3000 short of the recommended daily. Today I took Cloud for her walk, went into town and walked around town and I've been on my feet most of the day. I'm going to have to look at going for a longer walk or a couple of walks a day just to try and get my step total up more. Do any of you wear a pedometer, do you hit 10 000 steps a day? I'd be interested to know how you reach your target.

To end tonight, a photo of the card I made for a friend's birthday. I think if you click on it you should be able to see it more clearly.

Have a good evening.

xx

Our morning dog walk

On our dog walk this morning I remembered to take my camera. We don't do a terribly long walk but we are lucky that we live in quite pretty surroundings. This field can be seen just down the road from us and a lot of people walk their dogs there. It also stretches up behind the houses just behind us and we can access it from there too.

A little bit further on and you can see the old Manor House through the trees.

This garden is on our route and is well looked after. At the moment the snowdrops are all coming out and there's a mass of white snowdrops just waiting to open.

On the homeward stretch. The red postbox on the right is just behind Mum and Dad's house (their's is the one with the hedge) and this morning Dad was in his bedroom and waved as we walked past. :o)

This was taken once we got home. My face looks quite red but I have to admit that it wasn't particularly from exertion, it was because it was bitterly cold this morning. My nose and chin felt quite numb by the time we got back. This is also why there aren't any more photos, my hands were freezing and I wanted to keep them in my pockets as much as possible. I guess next time I'll have to remember to take my gloves and hat!

I think even Cloud was quite happy to get home - though she knows that she gets a doggy treat once we get inside.

xx

Healthy Eating Update

I realised this morning that I was supposed to take a photo last week for my monthly update and I hadn't. I got Claire to take another photo of me this morning instead. I've worn the same clothes (I think last time I had also just taken Cloud for a walk!) so that I can get a better idea of whether it's working or not. I have to say, I'm quite happy with the progress so far - still a long way to go but I can see a slight improvement. It's encouraged me to keep on with what I'm doing and stick to the Weight Watchers plan. xx