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Friday, March 7, 2008

Lunch With "The Big Guy"

My wife called me about 11:30 and asked me what I was doing for lunch. Our daughter was sick and had a doctor appointment, so Nana went by and picked up the grandson this morning. I was being invited to lunch with "The Big Guy." Where does he want to dine? He answers, "Red Robin." This is his middle sister's favorite place to eat. I told you I raised my daughter not to like McDonald's and she is passing the training along. It's just that Red Robin is a semi-gourmet burger place, so lunch is going to be a little pricey for Nana and I. The kids menu is affordable enough.
As you can see, I brought a camera along just in case there was a photo op. Nana took our picture. When I got home, I decided to try out a few of the new tricks I had learned in my recently completed PhotoShop Elements class. I realize some of these tricks are very elementary to many of you who work in PhotoShop all of the time, but I am enjoying learning the tricks of the trade, so here is the before and after.


Before


After


You'll notice several things about the "After" picture. The picture has been cropped and the colors have been enhanced. You will also notice that the red straw is gone! I could not crop enough of the photo to eliminate the straw, so, I had to use a little "magic" tool called the clone stamp. It is a wonderful thing. With a little more work, I can probably blur the background a little similar to changing the depth of field in a photo. I'll work on that later, but for now I am just happy to be able to make the photo this much improved.

And now, I close this post with my inspirational song of the week. This week I am posting a hymn that speaks to anyone who is going through a difficult time. One of my fellow bloggers, Orney's Wife, lost a close friend this week. I have a friend that is fast losing the battle with ALS. He will not be with us much longer and I already miss him. But I know that no matter what happens, as long as I have Christ, "It Is Well With My Soul." Enjoy.





9 comments:

orneryswife said...

Thank you so much, my friend One of my favorite hymns and beautifully rendered, indeed. What a blessed assurance to know it IS well with my soul. Thanks to the blazing fast speed of my husband's laptop and the superb high speed internet connection, (NOT) I listened twice, since the first time was loading and stopping along the way for a very disjointed musical experience! :-) In the process, I was doubly blessed.

Also, great job on your photo shopping! I would never know the straw had been there had you not brought it to my attention. Amazing stuff, this digital photography!
Blessings to you, and hope you are soon snow free and enjoying some spring weather!
TM

Sandee said...

What a handsome grandson you have. He looks like a lot of fun. My mother passed away from ALS. It's an awful way to go. Have a great day and weekend. :)

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Great pictures and nicely done ...you will learn playing with Photoshop is so much fun.

TY for the musical selection and my thoughts and prayers are with your friend...ALS is a horrid disease...

Very handsome two gentlemen btw

Sarge Charlie said...

excellent photos, one day I will try to learn how to photoshop.

Byrning Bunny said...

That is one charismatic little man! I'm envious of all your photo shopping expertise. Nice work.

http://byrningbunny.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

Peace like a river...
Beautiful.
I used to sing it to my boys as I rocked them as babies and toddlers.
Thanks for that reminder.

The picture tweaking is pretty darn good! You say, it's elementary but I say, not.
:)
Have a good weekend.

DoubleDeckerBusGuy said...

First of all, Photoshop is a magic thing to be sure! Second of all, I look forward to the day I can take a grand-kid to lunch! Third, thanks for the hymn... it is, indeed, inspirational.

TLR said...

Hi Drillah, you are getting good with that photo shop. The Big Guy is adorable

Erin said...

Hello! Thanks for coming by my blog :)

First of all - your grandson has excellent taste in burger joints, I LOVE Red Robin ;)

Second - that's cool with the Photoshop! I consider myself pretty adept at the computer and I don't have a clue what the heck I'm doing in PS. I just marvel in what others do with it, lol.