September 2008

Ezine Articles Expert Author!
I have started writing articles for various online article websites and have just gotten recognition from EzineAricles.com as an Expert Author! Check out my first article here:
How to Whiten Teeth in Photoshop.

Fix Your Pictures!
We can fix virtually anything in your pictures such as adding components, combining images, making art out of a precious old photograph. We can take out wrinkles, spots, and even shave off some weight! We can restore, colorize and make a new photo look old, whatever you can dream, we can do it for you! Check it out!


ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY!
GO TO WWW.SHARONS.PHOTOSTOCKPLUS.COM  AND CHECK OUT, IN THE  "HDR ETC"  FOLDER THE
SUB-FOLDER "ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY"
I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT SOME OF THESE NEW TECHNIQUES I AM LEARNING AND YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT. THE PORTRAITS ARE OUTSTANDING.


San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust Calendar for 2009

For three years now I have entered my images into the SBMLT calendar contest and have been gratified to win first place last year and second place this year. (see image on home page). I am proud to be a part of this worthy cause in that they preserve the pristine beauty of the mountains and keep us all aware of the importance of our natural heritage. Capturing images that show the indigenous features of the land is enlightening and fun.
My husband Gene also placed 2 of his images this year!

Vino 100

Cindy Olson owner of the recently relocated Vino 100 wine store in Lake Arrowhead Village has invited me to display some of my "wine" related images for sale in her store, not the least of which is my "Wine Bottles in the Rain" image that has sold more and gotten more attention than any other image in my photographic life! As a matter of fact it is already on display there and there will be others to follow.

This is very exciting for a couple of reasons. One, Cindy wants to have an after hours art showing of my art along with wine tasting some evening. Two this is very good marketing for both myself and the wine store and is a great opportunity to get more known in the community.

Check out this store - it is a wine-lover's dream come true; very classy, spacious and upscale with hundreds of wine choices! As well, Cindy is a very helpful, warm and knowledgeable person in the area of wines! Check them online: Vino 100.


HDR Photography

Just this last month I have discovered a new way to make photos into beautiful high dynamic range images. I have been studying and have found its not a simple process but is very effective. I will be putting up a folder on my stock website: www.sharons.photostockplus.com labelled HDR in the next week or two. I am very excited about the possibilities!
ALSO IN THE HDR FOLDER IS "ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY" AND IN THERE IS MY NEWEST STUFF.. ITS REALLY GETTING PRETTY COOL!  REALLY GOOD FOR PORTRAITS AND FAMILY EVENTS, ETC.

Fixin Pix - "Rocky" for Denny

I have been working on the "Let Me Fix Your Pictures" site. It is coming along nicely! Fixin pix is what I really love to do.

I just finished another dog portrait for "Rocky's Cafe" here in the San Bernardino Mountains in a little town called Sky Forest. Denny, the owner named the restaurant after "Rocky" his beloved rotweiller whom has since deceased. I took the only snapshot he had of him and made it into a piece of art that really did justice to Rocky. They loved it and have it displayed in the restaurant.

Be sure to check out their food, its delicious! Homemade on the spot hot and cold sandwiches that will keep you coming back for more! (Try the Philly Cheesesteak, yum!)

Here is Rocky in his element.

The Lost Ranch

This last May I was commissioned to take photographs at The Lost Ranch in Lake Arrowhead, of a branding of the cattle there. Invited by Steve and Valerie Montoya, I spent the day chronicling the events as they unfolded, which were exciting to say the least. The ranch's owner Mark Bayley and his wife Kathy were gracious hosts.

Three professional ropers arrived with their horses that morning. Steve and Valerie stable their horses there at the ranch and were part of the round-up too. The cattle (all 7 of them) didn't like the idea of being penned up for heaven knows what reason, so decided to escape to the lake! Everyone on horseback and Mark and I in the truck rushed over to round them back up to the pen. Ultimately, Mark putting hay in the back of the pickup was the best lure. They mooed right on back.

The newly wrought branding iron was heated up on a fire built by Mark. The events of roping and bringing down the cattle were exciting and sad at the same time, but it is something that I was personally brought up with all my life, having lived on three different cattle ranches as I grew up, so I knew it was a necessary action.

All in all it was fun and interesting and everyone was tired and dirty at the end of the day. Kathy barbequed some delicious burgers for us all. The day was counted as a great success!
Check out the pictures I took: www.sharons.photostockplus.com and click on the "The Lost Ranch" folder.

My photoart "Coyote Dream" is going to be a new music album cover!

I have been working with very talented music recording artist Ron Rutherford in several capacities: one is helping him market his photographic images - Rarestar Art - (check this out) and the other is creating for him the cover to his next new music album! This new album is entitled "Coyote Dream" and the release date is yet to be announced. 
                            
In 2006 Ron wrote, recorded and produced "Lone Wolf", a fantastically creative body of music! You can go to Ron's website and review the making of Lone Wolf and get it for your Classic Rock collection, because it is a "classic" in every sense of the word. Every song is a memory!