Creative Monsoon

Esther Coombs

On - Tuesday 8 July 2008

Love this work by London artist Esther Coombs. Old tea cups and plates found at second hand shops and boot sales are painted over. Tea cups sell for about $50 each. I particularly like the tea cups with little tea bags painted on and 'more tea?' written at the bottom of the cup.

You can see Esthers site here.

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Card idea

On - Monday 7 July 2008

An idea for a birthday card

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photography

Distressed finish wedding photo

On - Monday 7 July 2008

Distressed effect wedding photos

The starting image

Duplicate the layer and go to filter>blur>radial blur. Choose zoom and a value of 25. Set blending method to overlay.

Erase the focal point so its not a blurred.

Drag on a layer of texture and set blending method to overlay.

Drag on another layer of texture and set to multiply.

Can use a third texture layer and set to hard light. Play around with the opacity.

Create a levels adjustment layer, select the radial gradient black and white and drag to create.

This should reveal the centre more.

Reduce the saturation of the main image.

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art and design

Digital watercolour

On - Monday 7 July 2008

A scene from Italy turned into a digital watercolour in photoshop

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Logo choice

On - Friday 4 July 2008

Thanks for the feedback on the logo, I think Im going to go for this version.

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Logo choice

On - Thursday 26 June 2008

Four options for a logo, what does everyone think? Which one do you prefer?

Use the poll on the right to vote. Thanks

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photography

Cross-processed in Italy

On - Monday 23 June 2008

Cross-processed La Creperie in Italy

Cross-process effect:

• make a new adjustment layer, levels. Set the red channel to 22 0.32 213

• green channel 36 1.45 231

• blue channel 0 0.62 234

• duplicate the background layer and drag it to the top of the stack. Go to adjustment hue/saturation

set saturation to +60

• set blending mode to hard light. open new adjustment layer photo fliter. choose cyan set intensity to 89% and uncheck preserve luminosity

• set blending mode for this photo filter layer to colour. Click on the layer mask and fill with black.

• choose a white brush opacity 50% paint over areas to reveal a stronger cyan cast, then flattern image

• finally choose the sponge tool flow 50% and go over any red and yellow areas to intensify them

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Italy trip June 2008

On - Monday 23 June 2008

Part 1 Sicily:

Yes we go all the way to Italy and photograph doors and windows, but no one does doors and windows quite like the Italians:

Three things stand out from the trip: Lemons, Gelati and Bougainvillea

Limoncello

is a lemon liqueur produced mainly in southern Italy. It is made from lemon rind, alcohol, water and sugar, but no actual lemon juice.

15 lemons (choose thick-skinned lemons that are easier to zest)

2 bottles (750ml) 100 proof vodka

4 cups suagr

5 cups water

• Wash the lemons and carefully zest making sure not to get the white part underneath the rind as its too bitter and will spoil the lemoncello

• In a large glass jar add one bottle of vodka and add the lemon zest, cover and let it sit at room temperature for up to 40 days in a cool dark place

• In a large saucepan, combine sugar and water, cook until thickened 5-7mins. Let it cool and add to limoncello mixture. Add the additional vodka and rest for another 40 days.

• Strain and bottle, discarding the lemon zest. Keep in the freezer until ready to

serve.

Taormina

Located on a terrace of Monte Taurowith view to Mt Etna, Taormina is full of antique and craft shops, delis and designer boutiques.

Syracuse

The cathedral in Syracuse was originally a Greek temple. Inside you can see the huge 5th century BC Doric columns.

Agrigento

The Valley of the Temples is the ancient Greek city of Akragas.

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Water drops

On - Saturday 21 June 2008

Sometimes the most simple things can make a great image. Here is a pic of our new shower curtain (with a little bit of photoshop help to bump the colour up)