I think you need to click over and see the ‘before’ to really appreciate the work that went into this edit.  I had heat stroke the afternoon I shot this but I probably sweat more trying to create this end image.  I must have changed the colors of the balloon and sky 3,000 times before I settled on a vintage peachy pink, not too peach, not too pink.  I only wish that I had control over everyone’s screen calibration so your image would look exactly like mine does.  Since I don’t have that kind of control, I will have to throw caution to the wind and hope it doesn’t look muddy on your end.  I have become aware of two things since I started this project seven days ago 1) I need to really practice my photography skills these ‘before’s’ are absolutely killing me 2) Time flies.  I had to check several times to make sure that it really was day seven. 

If anyone wants to join me don’t be shy, I have a little Flickr group set up with just myself as the only member and as we all know misery loves company. For those that are doing 365’s or 52’s feel free to add your before and afters to the group.

I have a tough time with indecision.  I am an individual of the hem and haw variety.  It’s a near miracle that I make it out of a grocery store, so many choices, so little time. I would like to say that once I finally make a decision I stand by it steadfast and strong, nope that is not the case either.  Many times I will then succumb to bouts of buyer’s remorse. If it was hard reading this, try living with me or better yet, try being me, it’s exhausting.  

A dear friend of mine, an inspiring interior designer, decided to take the bull by the horns and take on the daunting task of working with me on my studio makeover.  My other foible?  I like to have control.  This is not going to be easy breezy.  Her first call to action was for me to put together tears of offices I like.  This is my black version, I am working on the white as well.  It seems to me from these photo’s that I want to specifically own a vintage style drafting stool (it is featured in nearly every image above). The floors in Fig.01 are so magnificent (as is the photograph) which obviously I won’t be  able to accomplish with carpet in a rental but that tear will definitely be staying with me for when I own a house, that room slays me. I have been looking at Ballard’s ‘Original Home Office’ in black. It seems very functional and not too steep budget wise, but is it too Pottery Barn circa 1990?  I’m not crazy about the rubbed edges, thoughts? I also like the idea of a project desk over a regular desk since I do a lot of cutting, packing and taping in my business (yes, I live a highly glamorous life, don’t be jealous).

This whole ‘roll’ was a disaster.  I shot this outside the front door of my friend Adam’s house. Ad and his amazing wife Mrs. Adam had just remodeled their home, they decided to throw a celebratory party and I offered to shoot the unveiling.  I promptly got to work, barely ate and may or may not have had a glass of champagne on an empty stomach, the sugars may or may not have impaired my judgment and made me a little tipsy (I was so nervous, it was my first real shoot).  When I got home every photo was either underexposed or with a red or blue color cast.  I was horrified (no exaggeration).  Yes, I was looking at the LCD screen, but it was dark, I thought everything was ‘ok’. I tried to attempt to edit on multiple occasions but looking at the images made my stomach butterfly up.  I mentioned earlier how I hate to fail (like there are people out there that love to?), well this was a big failure.  Just take a gander at my ‘before’, brace yourself.  I feel like coming back to this folder of photo’s and even attempting to edit one was an accomplishment.  I sent Ad and his lovely wife the above image with the note, ‘sorry it took me two years to get this to you…’.  The lesson I learned?  It’s not a good idea to drink even the bittiest bit of champagne and shoot, but it is totally fine to have a glass of vino and edit, in fact I encourage it.

Seriously, this is my last giraffe edit, that’s all I got.  There will be rhino’s, and other odd toe ungulates in the near future but for now let’s bid adieu to the giraffe.  I wrote on Flickr that I wasn’t really happy with this edit but found I was thrilled to re-live the memory of the day this was shot.  It seems silly to not edit a photo of a great memory because it hadn’t turned out like I anticipated (see ‘before’). I would like to write ‘lesson learned’ but I know myself too well and I will be agonizing over my every photograph and have major edit indecision for at least another fortnight.  This photography hobby was supposed to be a creative diversion from my stressful day but it seems I can turn even the most relaxing activity into an exercise in neurosis. How could I have not wanted to edit or even print out a winking giraffe?  Beats me.