0First of, I mentioned purchasing a dummy a few days ago – a “creative process” notebook to collect thoughts & ideas regarding my photography. I am now two days into using it, and I must tell you – it has helped me to set up the beginnings of a new photo project about which I’m terribly excited… but I am keeping this one to myself until completion, which is something I need to do, I think – to learn and grow and develop and relying on myself, not necessarily needing direct feedback to know that I’m working on something worthwhile. When it’s done, it’s sort of a “take it or leave it” for everyone else, but it would be something finished, no more doubts, no looking back, that I can be proud of and deliver.
(Blogging is also very helpful in that sense; for the longest time I felt I could only express myself visually, but writing about stuff, even daily life, and remembering funny moments or what we did in the UK, it’s valuable. I enjoy going through this blog’s small, but growing archives.)
These photos were taken yesterday in my reading nook, because:
a) I like showing you bits of my home & daily life. I’ve recently cleared out most of what was in my reading nook, and just left my IKEA Poäng chair, a small wooden stool as side table, and my Poäng foot bench (and plants, it calms me). It is less cluttered, way more relaxing, and it has become an excellent place for me to sit down with some tea (peppermint) and a book. I read lots in Julia Child’s My Life in France, which I then finished this morning. This was so good for me. I need to really learn to relax especially now that I have so much more on my mind, and this small, light space is doing the trick. For evenings, I have a large warm-toned lamp on, and a candle (in a lantern) in front of the window. Bliss!
b) I wanted some indoor photos to practice editing techniques on. These photos were mostly edited in Lightroom. Friday I (well, my American twin Kari) got it into my head to begin working on developing Lightroom Presets. Which in my opinion requires practice and understanding how the program and each of its developing effects really work. Yesterday I made my first preset (not used here). It was frustrating – due to my not yet knowing LR that well and being too impatient! It takes time! But I believe in figuring things out on your own, making mistakes and correcting them, learning as you go – and as I was working on it I wondered if it was at all good. It felt like I’d barely done anything; I didn’t have faith.
But then I checked the before and after. Lo! The difference was a-mah-zing #HappyEndings. Not due to my preset skillz, because I barely even dipped my toes into it, but to how much Lightroom can DO with a RAW photo. And the quality! I’ll always use Photoshop to get some of my toning techniques just right. It’s part of my work flow and that will never change. But I do know now that Lightroom offers so much more than being an awesome correcting tool, which is what I’ve always used it for. Correcting white balance, exposure, sharpening, etc. But never to full on edit a photo in. I am pleasantly surprised and will continue to dabble. (But I’ll never let go of my beloved Photoshop. Nevah.)
And finally, this weekend’s nail polish: Catrice 220: Lost in Mud (2 coats on top of 2 x HEMA nail hardener). Lost in Mud is an instant favorite. Super easy to apply! It’s a slightly pinkishly hued greige. (My fingers are still a bit pink-ish from trying to remove the previous dark red color… Nasty to remove but I still love red.)
Not the best photo, but the only decent one I had, haha. (I was losing daylight, so I took a quick snap.)
So as I mentioned, tonight I’m going to try a recipe from an old vegetarian cookbook. It’ll be a frittata kind of deal, shouldn’t be too difficult – but I didn’t want to be too ambitious for my first new recipe in a long time.
Yesterday I made lentils for myself as they are a very good replacement for meat. I prepared them simply, flavoring them with some olive oil, black pepper and cheese. Quite delicious. This coming Friday afternoon I’m going to try my hand at a different way to prepare them… Hmm 
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