Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend

This week in Beyond Layers we are discussing books.

It was really hard to pick a favourite, so I picked my favourite for 2012 so far.....and that is 'Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend' by Matthew Green.

From the back cover:

"My name is Budo.   I have been alive for 5 years.   5 years is a very long time for someone like me to be alive.   Max gave me my name.   Max is 8 years old.   He is the only human person who can see me.   I know what Max knows, and some things he doesn't.   I know that Max is in danger.   And I know that I am the only one who can save him."

My usual reading list includes books by Linda Fairstein, Harlan Coben and James Patterson so Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend was something different and a pleasant surprise.

Narrated by Budo, Matthew Green makes you feel like you are living every moment along with Budo, Max and the other characters.

For me, this book is about love and friendship. It will make you laugh, cry and maybe even believe.

Project MCP April

Another month has gone by and it's again time to share the images from Project MCP for April.

Project MCP April, Challenge #1 and #3

Challenge #1 - Illustrate the following in a photo: Showers/Wet
Challenge #3 - Interpret the following in a photo: Blooming

I decided to combine challenge #1 and #3 this month when creating this image.

This photo of a gardenia flower was taken in my garden after a break in the rain.

The SOOC image was originally of a white flower on a green background. In an attempt to make the water droplets more obvious, I tried a few Lightroom presets and settled on "Purple Glasses".

Details: Canon 7D, Canon EF 100mm f2.8L macro, 1/800sec @ f11, ISO 800

Project MCP April, Challenge #2

Challenge #2 - Take a picture using a shallow depth of field.

Passion Fruit Flower

Details: Canon 7D, Canon EF 100mm f2.8L macro, 1/80sec @ f5.6, ISO 1250



Project MCP April, Challenge #4

Challenge #4 - Get low. Lie down on the ground and shoot above.


A view from beneath the Gum Trees in my backyard.


Details: Canon 7D, Canon EF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 @18mm, 1/60sec @ f5.6, ISO 200



Update:  I am also including the flower images in Flower Art Friday. 

Texture Tuesday - The Soft eDition

This photo of my dog, Jen, seemed like the perfect image for this week's theme - soft.

I used Kim's Happy Heart texture with a blend mode of divide at 41% opacity.

Project MCP March

I decided it was time for me to participate in photography challenges again and Project MCP is both challenging and fun.

Here are my attempts for the March challenges:

Challenge #1





Challenge #1: Take a picture from a high vantage point from above your subject.


As none of my usual subjects were home on the day I took this photo, I had to improvise with some coconut M&Ms. The only problem was my subjects kept disappearing. (They were delicious by the way.)

Details:
Canon 7D, Canon EF 100mm f2.8L macro, f/3.2 @ 1/400sec, ISO 200.


Challenge #2




Challenge #2: Capture a photo using natural light.


This pair of Rainbow Lorikeets were photographed in our garden. We have many of these vibrant coloured birds visit our gardens to feed on the blossoms.

Details:
Canon 7D, Canon EFS 18-200mm @ 200mm, f/5.6 @ 1/100 sec, ISO 200.



Challenge #3






Challenge #3: Express the following word in a photo - Transition.


I found this challenge a little tricky, so when in doubt there is always LEGO. The transition being from a single piece to many pieces.

Details:
Canon 7D, Canon EF 100mm f2.8L macro, f/16 @ 1/125 sec, ISO 1000.


Challenge #4






Challenge #4: Create a "guess what" photo. This is a photo that is so close up it becomes abstract.


This one was definitely a challenge.

Details:
Canon 7D, Canon EF 100mm f2.8L macro, f/11 @ 1/250 sec, ISO 1000.

Answer: The bottom edge of uniforms hanging in a wardrobe.



Please stop by Project MCP and join in the fun.

Texture Tuesday - My Fav eDition

Roses would be one of my favourite flowers. This one is from my garden.

I used Kim's Faved Texture with a Hue/Saturation adjustment and a blend mode of Pin Light at 65% opacity.

In My Garden - Rainbow Lorikeets

This pair of Rainbow Lorikeets were sitting in a tree in our front yard. We get many of these vibrant coloured birds visiting our gardens to feed on the blossoms.

Texture Tuesday - Happy Heart

I couldn't resist taking a picture of this gorgeous gardenia flower in my garden today.

The image was first processed in LR3 using the Creative Split Tone 4 preset.

Then, in CS5, I added Kim Klassen's Happy Heart texture, using the blend mode Pin Light at 21% opacity.