My GPS Camera Phone

When shooting with a camera phone, you’re limited in what effects you can create. Because of that, you’re forced to either take crappy pictures or make adjustments and come up with something different. That’s what I did with today’s photo.

As I was waiting with my youngest daughter after school, I noticed the interesting patterns that were coming out of the sand and the shadows, so I started shooting. What I quickly realized is that the shadows acted as a natural vignette. To enhance this effect, I turned the brightness way down until the shadows begin to get that underexposed look.

Once in Photoshop, all that needs to be done is some minor color correction, level adjustments and a bit of burning to darken any of the lighter edges. That’s it! Stay tuned for more on brightness adjustment and working with shadows.

A fitting image for a Thursday. It’s all downhill from here. I know, the saying doesn’t quite match the photo. If I had a picture of a hill, I’d post it, but a slide is going to have to do.

Many thanks to those who stopped by yesterday to see Vanessa, my most awesome and totally cute cat. She rules.

Camera phone: Nokia 5610 XpressMusic (Yes, it’s an Amazon link. Just click it already, it’s a good product detail page.)

Since we’re on the topic of butts, I wonder how many have sat here? How many parents have yelled at their kids from here? How many kids have thrown tantrums when they were told it was time to go home? How many birthday party balloons have been tied to it? How many homeless people tried to sleep here? How many people took this same picture?