The Artist's Eyes thru the lens

Portraits

2009-03-06T08:35:00.007-05:00

I love shooting portraits. Every person has such a unique look, like a snowflake, no two people are exactly alike. When shooting portraits of women vs men, it is important to me to maintain the manliness of the male as well as the softness of the female. When it comes to children, rarely ever do I find I need to retouch their skin, their skin is usually flawless. As we age, some people age more gracefully than others, or some have had skin conditions that left marks from the dreaded teen years!

What I have found with people wanting portraits, is it is definitely important to not recreate them in Photoshop, but rather gently soften the skins normal conditions. There are those who don't want to see themselves as they really are, but for the most part, I have noticed most do want to see themselves as they are. As a photographer or an artist it is our job to see the shot and capture it, most flattering to the person you are shooting, but that doesn't mean you can't add to the portrait in post processing just enough to give that added umph factor.

I took a few portraits of my youngest daughter Lexi with my beau John, the other night. She has flawless skin, and he has the rugged look that thirty plus years add.

In post processing, I wanted to maintain the soft, feminine and youthful look of my daughter, without making her look plastic (over softening) so I opened the image up in Photoshop and did some basic adjustment commands to levels and contrast first. Then I created another layer via copy by pressing Ctrl J (PC shortcut/Mac has a different shortcut), then added a High Pass filter (set at 50%) and set it for Soft Light. Sometimes there are little adjustments needed like reducing the opacity of the layer if the filter seems too dark. Also check the eyes to make sure they haven't darkened too much, sometimes you may want to use the eraser tool to just remove the filter details over the eyes, so you don't lose detail in the iris, then flatten the image layers.

When you look at your composition at this point, you see the photo kind of pops! You definitely see more detail in your image, as well as some deepening of shadows and colors. You also will notice though, any blemishes or irregularities in the skin are more enhanced. At this point you want to soften those issues.

To soften the skin you make another layer via copy and go to filters. In filters find Blur, then go to Gausian Blur. You want to set it to approximately 10%, then go over to Opacity and reduce it to 50% as well. Make sure your background color is set to black, then while pressing Alt, go down to the bottom right of your layers window and press the Mask icon.

At this point I go to my tools and choose the paintbrush. I set the paintbrush to 100% and start going over the skin of my female model. You will see the blur accentuating the softness of her skin. If your male model seems to have a bit too much rough detail in his face, you might consider running the brush at 50% across his features. I did this with John in these shots, in my opinion it balanced the composition better. I hope this gave a little added ideas for portraits and post processing in Photoshop. Though I am not a master, I thought it would be a little fun to share my technique for portraits.

Website woes

2009-02-17T08:00:00.002-05:00

I have been going through website woes. There are so many things I still need to do to my website to get it looking/working correctly. I have much respect for web designers. CSS is not your friend lol.
I had tried using a flickr slideshow for my Portfolio, but honestly I feel that it is less than professional having it shown through flickr slideshow. I like the ease of use and way it runs through your images, though having the viewer able to click the photos to go to flickr and see the comments made by friends/contacts I think takes away from the professionalism.
I have decided to use Photoshop Gallery, which is very clean and professional, but getting everything placed in the correct folders in your website template folder can be a bit daunting. I was able to get one Portfolio situated with guidence, but my forty year old brain seems to have forgotten how I accomplished this already! This will be my biggest angst.
On another note, when one works in so many mediums, it is difficult to narrow down the focus to just a few offerings. Do I focus on Murals, Paintings, Sculptures, Backdrops and Photography? Or do I merge Murals, Paintings and Backdrops into one Portfolio? Will a visitor spend the time going through pages and pages of website content? Or will they get bored clicking away? The thought pattern is geared from a visitors perspective, but what sort of visitors am I getting?
Html, Php, CSS...all are greek to me still, as foreign as going to another country and trying to understand what they are saying to you. I am trying to be patient, and learn slowly, but I have to confess sometimes it gives me, the website woes.

The Artist's Mind

2009-02-09T09:35:00.003-05:00

As an artist, sometimes you go through creative moments when you feel like you are bordering on the edge of insanity....
One of my favorite photographers David Hobby, found this comic strip artist Aaron Johnson. I found a trip to his website can calm even the most stressful moments of creative blockage hehe. I believe this particular comic strip (above) truly captured the feelings I get at times.
I have been working diligently on a series of sculptures for my website for weeks now. It has been a little tedious to say the least, coming up with a set to show in my portfolio. Due to moving from California to Indiana, to Louisville, many of the pieces I had brought with me were damaged in the moves. Though it caused me to feel pretty disheartened, it also has allowed me to meet new challenges and step up my creative edge.
Please check in on my site within the next few weeks, there should be a few pieces added to my Sculpture Portfolio.

DIY Ring Light Flash Modifier

2009-01-30T20:10:00.008-05:00

So this week has been a stressful one to say the least. The weather has been dreadful from snow to sleet, freezing ice on the roads to more snow and more ice. The Governor even issued a state of emergency for Kentucky. We have been stuck in our home for the whole week, due to the driveway being snowed in and icy. Fortunately we were only without power for part of day one, while over 200k residents are still without any.

When nature takes her wrath out on our state, what else can you do but wait her out...and do a DIY! DIY you say? Yes! A Do It Yourself Project! I decided to try out a flickr friends DIY Ring Light Flash Modifier Project. As I looked around my house, I was able to find a laptop box from my daughters computer I gave her for Christmas, about the size of a medium pizza box (which will also work) and another moving box that was definitely due to be retired from storing items. I then located my packaging tape, the roll of tin foil from my kitchen, the kids craft glue, a box cutter and my 14" x 17" artists sketch pad.

I sat down and reviewed Nick Wheeler's tutorial and set to work. I looked at my camera and proceeded to measure the size of my lens. I then measured and cut a piece of cardboard big enough to make a square to fit my lens through. I made the square deep enough to make fold down flaps to adhere to the center of my Modifier (2" at each end).

I then took my box and found the center by drawing a big X from corner to corner on both sides of my box. I centered/set my lens frame on this and traced around the inside of the lens frame. Once I lifted this I traced my first circle, I found a salad plate from my kitchen cabinet made a great circle template. A dinner plate then made a perfect outer circle for my light channel.

At this point I cut out my lens hole on each side of my box and attached the lens frame to the inside of my box (the back side only)gluing the flaps with the Elmers. I sat back admiring my work thus far with a childish pleasure!

Pulling out my tin foil, I found the foil just fit inside perfectly width wise, so I spread the Elmers evenly across the entire inside of the back side of my box. I carefully laid in the tin foil smoothing it till it was wrinkle free. I added strips along the sides, overlapping it along the edges so it was seamless, then did the same around the lens frame and the inside of the lid. The whole process didnt take any longer than wrapping a Christmas present and the Elmers glue was pretty forgiving, allowing me to lift it whenever I needed to to reposition it.

After all the internals were done, I closed the lid and folded the flaps of the lens frame down over the top of my box, gluing them down. I used my packaging tape to tape the lid down and sturdy up my framework. Boy this is starting to really look like something!

I looked around and made sure my kids and my kitties weren't anywhere near to get in the way of my mad hacking and set in to cut out my two circles. Nope no kids and no kitties! I took less time than I should have here because I looked at this one to be just a test run project. If you get close to my finished project, it definitely looks like I was hacking vs. carefully cutting clean lines lol!.

I took my cut cardboard circle and used it as a template to then cut out the smaller circle and larger circle/square frame, from the retired box I had sat in my pile of supplies. Before I got to work attaching my white diffuser, I quickly painted these pieces black.

The tutorial I was using suggested fabric, which muslin or a sheet would work, but I opted for what I had on hand since this was just a test run and used a sheet of artists sketch paper (Charcoal grade). I glued this to the entire front of my Modifier box and decided now was a good time to go get a snack from the kitchen!

Ok, no snacks, it seems my kids have eaten everything in the kitchen while we've been stuck inside...so I guess I will finish this project.

I took the two pieces I had cut out and painted black and glued them over the white paper, careful to center them on the box. This looks pretty good! But something is missing...

Oh! I almost forgot, I measured the spot on one corner of my nice little modifier for my flash. Easiest way was to trace around it. I also measured it on some of my scrap cardboard to make a frame around my flash. I made sure it would slide over my flash down to the bend in my flash as well as fit inside the flash hole in the modifier. Once I made sure it would fit together snugly, I pushed it into the flash modifier hole about an inch and a half, then taped it to the modifier.

Nicks tutorial goes into more hardware options to allow you to attach it to a light stand. The costs are pretty cheap from the looks of the items he used, but I wanted to see if I could do it with no cost other than materials I already had.

Below you can see a finished product view of my DIY...

...and a photo of my daughter, using the Ring Flash=)

Website update

2009-01-25T10:10:00.006-05:00

After a few weeks of hard work and determination, I was able to get my website The Artist's Eyes, up and running. I still have some changes to do to my Portfolio.

I admit figuring out what to write "About Me" also was a bit daunting lol. Being an artist since I could hold a pencil or paintbrush, I have always thrown myself, heart and soul, into every medium I could find, so narrowing myself down to a few was also a challenge. In the end, I took what I found to be my most requested areas and offered those as my services.

Back in 1990, I started painting murals such as nurseries, kitchens and bathrooms. I eventually moved from murals to adding faux treatments. Clients would start off wanting "just" one room done, and end up continuing their home personalization to include added treatments to other rooms in their home. One of my favorite personalization techniques was recreating existing furnishings. I would discuss a vision I had for an ordinary desk, such as adding a faux marble technique, and more often than not, they would say "okay!" It didn't take long for my clients to include businesses such as restaurants, doctors offices, daycare's and hospitals.

Another area of service that went hand in hand with murals/faux treatments are canvas paintings. Not every one is interested in having a 9' x 10' painting across a rooms wall hehe. I have been commissioned to paint everything from Portraits to landscapes, pets to wild animals, as well as special commissions for the themed room or office.

When I started assisting John Adkins of Fotographic on his sittings and events, I found a huge need in the photography community for custom backdrops. With my extensive art background, it has been easy for me to merge this into my existing services. Right now I only have a few backdrops in the portfolio but I have more to add as I complete them in the coming weeks.

Going along that same path, I have been requested more and more for my photography services around the Louisville, KY area. I have been blessed with four beautiful children, whom have been very supportive by modeling/posing for my portfolio (Special thanks to: Vincent, Jessica, Michael and Alexis). You will see quite a few photos of them in my portfolio lol. My services include Family Portraits to individuals, Weddings and Events, as well as Senior Portraits to Bands. Sometimes it isn't easy finding a backdrop for the special shot some clients are interested in, but with post processing, I have been able to create just about any composition that special client wants.

Last but not least, I have been a sculptor for a decade. Many of my previous clients have had me create special commissioned pieces for their homes and businesses. My portfolio will be added in the upcoming weeks. You can read more about my services as well as the process here.

In conclusion I am very excited with the opening of The Artist's Eyes, I hope you enjoy perusing my site and drop me a line if you have any questions!

[Special thanks to: Christy Mesker of B.Dog Development, Jason Mesker of Go Boy I.T., and John Adkins for his loving support and assistance]

My Website

2008-11-23T14:15:00.004-05:00

Here it is almost the end of 2008. It seems each year goes by faster than the year previous! This years goals were to work on my freelance artist business and get it going, but due to setbacks that didn't work out.
Now we are nearing the end of 2008 and I am finally getting somewhere with my self employment goals. I have even less time than before since I took over General Manager of the Computers Plus I am employed at, but it was a big step up from Sales Consultant. It's something else to add to my resume hehe, though at times the strain/stress of corporate management can wear one thin.
I am able though as I said, to finally afford to get myself going with my own dreams. It's been so hard to go from being self employed for so many years (sixteen to be exact) to "working for the man" lol. I guess it helps one light a fire under your own feet!
My dear friends Jason and Christy have helped me immensely with getting a website started. They found me a really nice base template (which I've torn apart and recreated) *sorry Christy, I hope the recoding isn't terribly difficult!*. As well they set up space for theartistseyes.net on their server. [GoBoy IT and B.Dog Development are their businesses]. They are very good at what they do, and are worth the cost!
John has been so patient as well, he has learned a lot through Christy about html coding etc, and through working on his own site Fotographic.us he's got quite a bit of knowledge himself! So with him I have been learning very slowly how to create my website.
We set a goal date of January 1, 2009 to open my site to the general internet public. I am very excited! As well it will definitely get me back into gear with my art as well as new found love of photography. Integrating the two is an exciting new area of art, that I haven't experimented with previously...it should be fun!!!! =)
Please check my website http://theartistseyes.net/ for the upcoming grand opening

Fireworks

2008-09-04T08:01:00.005-04:00

John took me across the river to take night shots of downtown Louisville, KY. I learned how to take long exposure shots. While we were there, Louisville set off fireworks by the Second St. Bridge. I sat my camera to Manual mode, F/8.0 ISO 80, with a 15 second shutter. These are what came out!

After capturing the fireworks, we turned our focus back towards the downtown cityscape. We saw the smoke from the fireworks had created a false cloud cover over the buildings, the lights from the buildings bounced through the fake clouds like the Northern Lights.

My favorite capture of the evening was my three frame panoramic. Using a feature in the Canon S5, I was able to take a seamless pano.

In the end, I was tickled to find the Canon S5 IS was able to perform another technique as well as an SLR.

Tilt Shift

2008-08-24T12:22:00.007-04:00

There is a photoshop technique that I have been fascinated with for some time called "Tilt Shift" It is a process where you take a photo (usually a landscape of some sort) and give it an effect of being a miniature scale model vs a large reality scaled landscape.
While on the Scott Kelby Worldwide Walk, I took a photo that when I viewed it set off the alarms..."MUST TILT SHIFT"!!! lol...this was the end result.

The effect can be achieved with a photograph with a large depth of field, (artificially creating a small depth of field on your focus plane. Your focus area stays sharp, everything else is blurred slightly out of focus. Wikipedia has a couple great links on "Tilt Shift":

Tilt-shift photography

Tilt-shift miniature faking

Learning High Key

2008-07-15T10:37:00.007-04:00

Yesterday afternoon and evening I decided to toy with some techniques. What started out being an attempt at bracketing some shots for testing out HDR in CS3, turned into an amazing find. I found one of my shots turned out a natural High Key effect shot.
[Light from bathroom doorway (incandescent)to the left of the model; natural light streaming in from the right; no flash] (0.5 f/2.7 ISO 200)]

I of course looked at my settings and proceeded to try it again (could it have just been a fluke? Unfortunately my second attempt on my oldest son proved more difficult, it was taken several hours later, so the natural light had disappeared. I had to rely strictly on my flash and two static lights placed to each side of the model.

[The conflict of the flash color/static lights (incandscent)caused this image to need a lot of work in Photoshop CS3 to recover the true white] [1/60, f/3.5, ISO 200; flash set at full with Gary Fong Diffuser]

I had a willing victim with my younger son Michael, he decided to be the ham of the evening. He was the most difficult because of his dramatic posing, after half a dozen shots, and the resulted harsh shadows, I couldn't test this technique with him lol. He kept moving forward past the lights causing those shadows, but I had to post this shot because it was so hilarious!

[1/8, f/2.7, ISO 200; on static light to each side of model outside of framing; no flash]

Upon my final trial, I used my youngest daughter Alexis. At this point there was no natural light coming in whatsoever(9pm). I positioned her in front of a bare wall, placed the two static lights to each side, again not using flash. This shot I would have to say was my favorite for the day.

[1/6, f/3.5, ISO 200; one static light to each side of model outside of framing; no flash]

In the end what did I learn? Lighting is the most important factor, learning your cameras settings are very important, and lastly, if you are looking for a point and shoot that can give you the quality and range of usage as an DSLR, the Canon S5 IS can give you the same technical rewards as an DSLR when trying out special techniques, for quite less the price. I love my S5!

Henry's Ark - Prospect, KY

2008-07-13T21:04:00.011-04:00

Today John and I met up with Christy & Jason (our close friends) for an outing to Henry's Ark and Yewdell Gardens (Look for previous blog post by me about Yewdell Gardens).
Henry's Ark is a little secret hidden in Prospect, Kentucky. It is a unique exotic animal petting zoo open to the public, with the only cost being donations to enjoy.
When we arrived, we found ourselves being greeted by a parking attendant:

He was more than eager to show us the sign that stated, Henry's Ark was not liable for personal accidents, property damage etc. lol
The zoo being a non profit privately owned organization, is struggling to keep afloat due to the costs to care for these extraordinary creatures, such as their pair of Capabaras:

There are Water Buffalo, Zebras, Yaks, Llamas, Goats, Pot Bellied Pigs, Sheep, Emu, Ostrich, Capabara, various unique birds, Camels, Monkeys, Elk, Deer, Antelope, and many other special animals. The rarest being an Albino Peacock.
This massive creature was staying cool by hiding inside his shelter:

Visitors can come in and bring bags of carrots to hand feed most the animals. Feeding time being the most exciting time to visit, is around 10:30 am.

This is really a great place, and a place I will definitely bring my children to, it is a great hands on learning experience for young and old alike, where you can spend some time with some truly special creatures. The staff on site are very friendly and glad to answer any questions any visitor has about the animals they are visiting. I hope that their struggle is met with reward, because to lose a place like this would be tragic.
If you feel so inclined to visit, or to donate to their plight, follow the link to their newsletter: Henry's Ark

Portraits & Textures

2008-07-11T11:02:00.003-04:00

This photograph was taken in a long hallway full of doors, at the end of the hallway, I had Jessica sitting in front of the last door in front of a swing arm desk lamp. With Photoshop, I added a texture layer, which enabled me to completely edit out the hall, doors, and lamp, then used the eraser tool to uncover the model and light, to give that focus to the model and create a magical effect with the light as an orb floating in her hand.

This portrait of Jessica was set up on a stairwell, note completely unattractive area, with grey patterned carpeted stairs and oddly colored two tone walls. But the natural lighting created by the entrance glass, made for a nicely lit portrait. Adding a texture layer with Photoshop, to the photograph, then using the eraser tool to uncover the model, allowed me to completely draw the eye to the model, and completely remove the distracting walls and carpeted stairs.

I am by far not an expert in photography or texture usage, but I thought that sharing how I created this effect might be nice to share with other people who are just learning like me! It is a fun added way to create a unique portrait style to any portrait composition. Regarless of where you take the photo. All that is needed is good lighting, and a texture overlay. There are many free resources for download on the internet as well as on flickr. Happy texturing!

Kentucky Derby

2008-05-01T14:49:00.007-04:00

This week has been chalked full of events going on preluding to this weekends Kentucky Derby. Though finishing my fourth complete year here on the East Coast, this was my first time attending any of these events.

I took some time to study up on the history of the Derby. Kentucky has been a major state of horse breeding and racing since the early 1800's. Meriweather Clark [grandson to the famous William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition] opened Churchill Downs in 1875.

May 17, 1875,was the first official Kentucky Derby. The Derby is also referred to as "The Run for the Roses," due to the beautiful blanket of 554 red roses awarded to the Derby winner each year. The Governor of Kentucky awards the garland and the trophy.

The Mint Julep, an iced drink which consisting of bourbon, mint and a sugar syrup is the traditional beverage of the race. A thick stew of beef, chicken, pork and vegetables called burgoo, is also a Derby tradition.

John had showed me some photos he took a few years before during Derby week. They were stunning! During Derby week they have a Hot Air Balloon Race every year. It's a three day event. First day the balloon participants meet up at Waterfront Park, the second night they do the Balloon Glow, and the following morning the race commences. He took me to the Balloon Glow event. That event dozens of hot air balloons that compete in the race come together for fans to see. The announcers countdown to a time where all the balloons light up their flames at the same time. It's a truly gorgeous sight to see! Unfortunately due to the weather [high winds] we weren't able to see more than 3 balloons up at a time and were never allowed on the grass to get up close and personal to meet their crews.

The highlight for me was the Steamboat Race Wednesday afternoon. It was a memorable and somewhat sad occassion. The Delta Queen was to run in her last race.

The Delta Queen was built in 1927 and operated since 1966 under a special Congressional exemption to Coast Guard fire-safety standard, she loses her exemption this year. Her hull was built in Scotland in the late 1920's, then brought to California where American craftsmen built her artistic/ornate wooden superstructure and equally gorgeous cabins/interiors. She boasted 87 cabins for overnight guests ranging from small and quaint to large luxurious cabins that resembled bedrooms of upscale southern homes. She was first launched in 1927. A steam calliope dating back to 1897 can be heard all across the river...as well the 1883 bell, which is the same one that sounded landings for the steamboat Mark Twain rode down river. November 2008, she will be retired, a long standing icon of our past.

The Delta ran against the Belle of Louisville, also a historic ship. She originally was named "Idlewind" was built in 1914, in Pittsburgh by James Rees & Sons Company. Her history carries on many different duties...passenger ferry, charter ship, war duties/pushing oil barges down river, and USO nightclub. In 1947 her name was changed to Avalon, and so started a 13 yr career as the most used river steamer in the country. In 1962 she was rescued from going to the ship junkyard by Jefferson County Judge/Executive Marlow Cook at which time she took the now known name of "The Belle of Louisville". In 1989 she became a Historical Landmark, celebrated her 90th birthday in 2004, and is now known as the oldest river steamboat in operation....as well as the 2008 winner of the Steamboat Races. [22 -19 vs. Delta Queen]

Yewdell Gardens

2008-04-20T10:59:00.007-04:00

This weekend John and I managed to sneak in a walk through Yewdell Gardens before the rain took away our beautiful blue skies. John grew up exploring Yewdell with his best friend George Klien. George Kleins grandparents created Yewdell Gardens.
Yewdell is a gorgeous horticulture experience nestled in Crestwood, Ky. There is an amazing history behind this special place. It's creators, Theodore & Martha Klein, turned their 33 acre private property into the most exquisite garden, with a collection of well over one thousand different plant species from around the world, as well as many he created from cross genus development.
Theodore built several unique buildings on the property, including a full size castle. You can still go inside and tour the castle now. While walking through the garden, John entertained me with many stories of childhood with George and his family.
When Theodore died, his family with the help of many others turned this unique garden into a historical preservation, open to the public. They have a Membership Club you can be part of, as well as many events throughout the year. Many weddings are held in the garden each year as well. You have to book pretty well in advance to get your turn though!
Even through today the Klein family continue to be a big part in the continued care and maintenance of this gorgeous garden today.

Photographic Art

2008-04-13T15:11:00.008-04:00

I have been reawakened to the art of photography since meeting my boyfriend John Adkins [The World Thru My Lens, Fotographic, foto71] whom I consider a very talented photographer. Seeing the world through his eyes has been second only to seeing the eyes through the eyes of my children.
My children give me such an appreciation that age some times can diminish due to life's adult distractions, such as job, being a single parent, bills etc.
Being an artist, I've always thought I had an eye for beautiful or interesting things in life, but until recently, these things always quickly became forgotten clutter in my brain.
Finding the instant gratification found in photography as an art through John, has enabled me to capture these precious moments instantly as well as preserve them in a way I can recall them quickly...(my brain doesn't refresh as fast as it used to) he-he!
I will be forever thankful to him for helping me find such a pleasurable means to channel my creative energies. You can see my photos on my flickr page, as well as see my art on my main website, though that page is currently under construction.

Mural Portfolio

2008-04-01T06:02:00.001-04:00

Donation Projects

2008-04-01T06:01:00.001-04:00

About Me

2008-04-01T06:00:00.004-04:00

Jenn Lee was born in South Korea, adopted in 1973 and spent the next 26 years growing up in California. A graduate in 1988 as an Art Major, she spent every spare moment learning every art form she could get her hands on. Her artistic spirit moved her to become a Freelance Artist.

After high-school, she spent the next few years struggling to build her client base, succeeding to become a known artist in California, creating murals and paintings for both homeowners and business clientele alike. From baby nurseries to day-cares, restaurants to hospitals, her joy came from changing her clients dreams into reality. Her pride and joy project was a 17′ x 30′ Jungle Mural for The American Cancer Society in 1995.

Over the years she continued her Freelance Art business while raising her family.Her children are her life, and through their eyes she added a unique artistic view to some of her compositions. From whimsical painting accents to furnishings and fairytale like murals to walls and ceilings, her artwork told a story that grew the imaginations of the children that lived in those rooms. Her sculptures held such character they appeared to come to life if you blinked.

In 2003 she made a major life change moving her family to the East Coast to start a new beginning. Almost six years later she has renewed her career as an as an ECO Friendly Freelance Artist in the Louisville, KY area, as well as partnering with John Adkins Photography as Artistic Adviser. Welcome to The Artist’s Eyes by Jenn Lee, where your vision comes to life, through the artist’s eyes.