Favorite Iphoneography Apps...

I have another confession....

I am a IG addict...completely and totally obsessed! :0)  Instagram, for me, is beyond a place to add filters to a photo.  It has become my {social} outlet, with all the political ranting now filling facebook everywhere I look, I turn to Instagram to catch up with everyone ;0) so much more inspiring!  It gives me a chance to glimpse into their souls; to see what beauty captures their eye, and their truths.  I love the interaction and support that comes from Instagram, it is the first thing I check in the mornings...

So Instagram is more social to me than a {photography app}.  While I like the filters they offer and the tilt-shift blur effect I prefer to edit my photos in other apps.  I thought i would share a couple of my go to apps for editing photos...oh, and if you are an IG'er I would love to see your truths and beauty, you can find me here:

Follow @fadedprairie

Lo-Mob: Love this app for the TTV filters and emulsions, you can actually see your photo applied to the different filters instead of waiting for a preview.  This app definitely doesn't work on all types of photos but for lovely horned herefords it is beautiful!

PhotoToaster: This app is amazing for all it's filters and effects!  I also love the control you have over a texture you are applying.  Oh, and the Airprint feature....{divine}!!

Camera+: This is my go to camera on my phone.  The zoom feature, area of focus, and depth of field effect are essential to me.  When applying an effect you can see your photo in nine different filters, definitely a must for an impatient person such as myself! ;0) Maximus thinks it's pretty nifty too!

ScratchCam: This app is my most recent download.  There are many different textures, colors, and scratches you can apply to a photo...again, this app may not work with certain photos just use your creativity and play!

Vintique: I love the move and scale feature of this app!  It opens right up to the controls, you can crop, rotate and adjust to your hearts content.  There are oodles, and oodles of filters you can apply to your photo, again you can see your photo with all different effects on it...{perfection} The vibrance, temp + tint, and vignette controls are some of my favorites.

Remember there really is no right or wrong way with iphoneography!  The best advice I can give is to jump right in, mix and match apps, and enjoy!

What are some of your favorite apps??  You know I have an addiction and would love to hear!

A Photographers List...

i've tried....i really have...

i'm usually the last person to think of christmas until after thanksgiving...

but this year...

i think i'll blame it on the snow, wassail, and mindy gledhill's winter moon cd...

oh, and as always...anthropologie's catalog...

i've already put together some gift lists...sorry! :0)

every monday i'll share a different gift list; everything for prairie girls, photographers, a vintage home, and artists...hopefully you find something for that special someone on your list...

even if you are like me and don't think of it until after thanksgiving!! ;0)

first up...

The Photographers...

1. The iPhone Telephoto Lens...all i can say is...it's about time and a definite must!!

2. a Wild Flowers Workshop...not just any photography workshop...this will be held in round top, tx...wait for it....held at the most *AMAZING* location....wait for it....rachel ashwell's THE PRAIRIE!!! i know!! sigh....*dream* big girls!!

3. i *love* these iPhone cases...i simply can't decide which to pick...they definitely have something for everyone!

4. of course no photographer should be without florabella's photoshop actions!

5. this 50mm f/1.4g would make a great stocking stuffer!!

6. again florabella! this time her textures and vintage frames...

7. this calender dedicated to the oh.so.beautiful vintage camera would look divine on the studio wall...

8. okay, i have a confession...the next item is coming home to me...i couldn't resist!! a grey, rosette embellished camera strap...

last but not least...

9. a stunning fine art print from lucy snowe photography...simply beautiful...

there you have it my friends...a gift list for the holidays for the photographers in your life!!

happy shopping...{after thanksgiving!!} ;0)

In Trouble...

hello dear readers...

happy tuesday and happy summer vacation!! YAY!! :0)

the kids have yet to utter the words {i'm bored} so i'm feeling blessed! ;0) the new puppy just might have helped the situation...if i can get clancey to put him down for two seconds i will try and get a couple photos...sheesh...that girl....

yesterday i made a little purchase and i think i just may be in trouble...

you see i have wanted an iphone for like {forever}!! since our cell phone company was selling out we decided to switch over to another company and i couldn't resist..

sigh...i *love* her and all her white beauty...

and please don't even get me started on instagram...

i got the same look from the husband...

{seriously?? you let her loose waving that thing in our faces when all we want is a flake of alfalfa hay!?!?} they really where giving the husband the what for!! ;0)

still trying to learn the ins and outs...

any suggestions, tips and tricks from my favorite readers???

do you instagram or TTV??

would like to know i'm not the only addict...

featured photos & a winner

friday's always happen to take me by surprise...

i had SO much planned this week for this little blog...

and then my husband plowed and harrowed our fields...

which turned up SO many rocks that we having been living, breathing, eating rocks each and every day...sigh...

you would think after a 100 years of being farmed the land would quit turning up those cursed things!! ;0)

i cannot tell you how much it has meant to me to be able to get lost within your delicate, gentle photographs...i do believe this challenge was my *favorite* by far {don't i say that every week?!?} ;0)

before i announce the winner, the featured photos from the challenge {whitewashed}...

simply stated's {Tree Blossoms}

*loved* everything about this photo!! *thank* you rebecca, my soul needed this this week! :0)

leah's {sweet tea}

what a peaceful, serene photo...*stunning*!!

now for the winner of florabella's luxe II texture set...

this was an *extremely* tough decision!! SO many wonderful entries and featured photos...all simply *beautiful*...

the photo i did choose as the final winner had a little bit of everything that spoke to me...the processing, the composition, and simple beauty...

almadr's {vintage spring}

*congrats* dear girl!! please email me at fadedprairie {dot} com or through flickr mail and i will get you your new set of textures!!

*thank you* once again to everyone who joined in each and every week!

i hope you all have a wonderful mother's day weekend! enjoy!

{Inspiration} Distressed Jewell

today i would like to share an *incredible* artist with you...

i'm not sure i can even describe to you how in awe i am of her and her photography...

jewell is creator and owner of distressed textures; not only did the beauty of her textures capture me but her simple statement, " i have a thing for cows. it is common for me to stop on the side of the road, watch them, and converse with them."

do i need to explain or say anymore?...

my words cannot do justice to the beauty of this woman's soul or to the incredible depth of which her work inspires...

i will let you be transported along another time with just these few glimpses...

{brittle and bitter she stands}

{closure}

{a place for quiet}

{fireflies dance at the widow's house}

{the caption beneath this alluring photo reads: they were all she had left....}

{untarnished lands}

i have spent countless hours lost within her creations...*thank you* jewell for sharing your gifts, beauty, and raw talent....

i hope today, dear readers, you have been able to find a place of stillness and beauty somewhere within the midst of the noise and uncertain...

{all photos property of jewell, used with permission. for more of her *amazing* work you can visit her here}

texture tuesdays...

don't you just *love* tuesdays?

especially this one...it begins our spring break!

gathering cows, eating sand filled potato salad, and rolling easter eggs down slick rock hills are all planned for this week...

i also enjoy joining kim for her texture tuesdays...

this week we were challenged to use {sweet treat} and {silence} on our photo...

still looking for spring in other places since no such season exists here...sigh...

i will be taking a short break this week from the computer, i've decided to extend my {mood} challenge prairie spring green for another week...

you can enter here or here on our flickr page...

the entries so far are absolutely *divine*!

you all amaze me dear readers!!

enjoy your easter!

{Mood} Prairie Spring Green...

happy friday dear readers!

are you ready to be challenged?!

first up the featured photos from last weeks challenge...{golden rod}...

farmgirl chaos' {golden boys}

this photo just brought sunshine into my day and oh how i want to hug and kiss those two sweets!!

lorraine's {sweet peeps}

*love* the processing and all the vintage goodness of this photo!

*thanks* to everyone who played along last week...your photos are *amazing*!

now for this weeks challenge...

i wanted to stick with {moods} of spring and all it's amazing colors, so this really has been a challenge for me...uumm...we really don't have {spring} here..well maybe once june hits! :0)

so i've had to look elsewhere for colors of spring...

this week it was the prairie spring green of a vintage scale...

processed with florabella's {hibiscus} and texture {chartreuse}...

so lovely readers give me your best prairie spring green photos! you can share here in our flickr pool or i've decided to add a linky at the bottom of the post...

for the rules:

~you have one week to enter...

~next week i will feature two photos here, those two photos will be entered to win florabella's new luxe II texture set at the end of the month...

~only photos that fit within the weeks {mood} challenge will be considered for featuring...

have fun and CANNOT wait to see {spring} on your prairie! :0)

Romantic...

it is time again for kim's texture tuesday...

today i wanted something a little dramatic...

something with passion...

{can you tell i just finished a romantic, historical fiction novel...}

sigh...curse the hopeless romantic in me...

so i find this is what i created...

processed with florabella's vintage cloud texture and kim's magic 3...

i'm not sure if it is what i had in mind when i took the photo the other night...not sure if i even like it, yet it suggests a little flair is needed in my life right now...

instead of getting charged by a doggie calf that i'm suppose to {magically} help suck; to help him remember the need and warmth of milk in his belly...

it might sound innocent enough but i can tell you there was nothing innocent about the thoughts and noises of destruction he was directing my way...

and i can tell you there was nothing romantic about the whole event either... ;0)

{be sure to enter the {mood} golden rod challenge here, new challenge will begin friday}

a little...

you all bring such sunshine to my soul each and everyday with your kind words and encouragement...

i just wanted to say *THANK YOU* so much and hope the following photos bring

a little sunshine to your soul today...

Photography Projects...

today is tempting...

tempting and teasing us with spring...

so i am headed out to help baby calves suck, doctor calves, check on calves, and hopefully not have to help a heifer calve... :0)

can you tell we are in the middle of calving season?!?

the husband is off rounding up cattle..

so it is up to the kids and me today...

and i show you a picture of a hen...go figure?!?

i did want you all who are looking to improve your photography skills, learn the basics, and practice, practice, practice...

there are some *amazing* sites that are offering projects and linky parties on just exactly how to do this!

becky of {farmgirl paints} is hosting The Thrive Project!! *love* this...she shares tips and tricks on all the basics...*fabulous*!

jeanne of {a bushel and a peck} is taking photos with a purpose...

every friday during the month of februray she will post a theme and you take photos that fit within that theme...

a great way to practice and celebrate love all month long!!

and lara with {modern prairie girl} is hosting a fun, unique, photo challenge...

where you find any {still-life} object around your house and play!!

these are just a FEW challenges, and projects going on around blogland...

there are many 365 day challenges, 10 for 10, and 52 projects on flickr so spread your wings and challenge your photographer self!!

{i will talk a little bit more about some other challenges and e-courses within the coming weeks that i will be participating in! *love* this blogging land!!} ;0)

what about you?? are you already participating in some? know of some fabulous ones out there?? Please share!!

have a wonderful, tempting spring weekend!

The Savvy Photographer..

this morning there was an unexpected surprise in my email...

Marsha with The Savvy Photographer left a sweet little note letting me know they were featuring a couple of my goods on their website!

Photo Displays that Rock...

Marsha has created an *amazing* site for photographers and all the goods one needs...

I am also *thrilled* that soon I will be contributing to the inspiration found there...

*thrilled* and somewhat sick to my stomach...ugh...

the old questions and doubts coming back full force again...

but I am {brave} and I'm learning to embrace those small whispers of doubt...

please check out Marsha's site, you will be *amazed*

Raw Beauty..

just a quick post today to let you know that i'm in the Test Kitchen today cooking with kim's new vintage textures...

my recipe shows you how a little adjustment can bring out the raw beauty of your photo and the texture you are using...

the test kitchen is a membership site...you can become a member for just $10.00 a month or four months for $25.00..{would make a fabulous christmas gift!!}

look forward to seeing you in the kitchen!!

Textures on the Prairie...

you know i *adore* florabella right?!?...

i have "stalked" her blog for awhile now waiting breathlessly for any news on another set of actions or textures...

guess what...

yep she is close to releasing her third set of textures....and she needs testers...

wouldn't that be fabulous?!?

to be a tester for her textures!! sigh...*bliss*...

so here is my entry...

i processed the prairie barbwire with florabella's reverie adjusted to soft light with an 82% opacity, then added her antique texture which was adjusted to overlay with a 32% opacity...

crossing fingers.... :0)

{hope everyone has a safe and wonderful halloween! i wonder who's idea it was that we needed to celebrate it for 4 days?!? sheesh...}

Let's Talk...

textures shall we??....

i haven't applied textures to my photos for awhile, not because i don't *love* them...

they simply take a little longer to get "right" than i have time for right now...

and by "right" i don't mean i'm doing them "right" just that they look "right" to me...

"right"...

okay then...

i thought i would show you a photo with different textures and opacities applied...

so here we go...

pumpkin photo no. 1...

sooc...

a little too something or other going on there...not great...

let's apply a couple textures...

pumpkin photo with textures no 1....

i applied a texture called leaves on metal {don't you *adore* the name} adjusted the layer to soft light with a 39% opacity...

another texture was added {i rarely use just one layer...i'm a multi layered kind of girl! ;0) } this layer was kim's autumn texture adjusted to vivid light opacity 42%

that's it...super easy, and makes a big difference...

pumpkin photo with textures no. 2...

i wanted something a little warmer....something with a hint of pumpkin orange in it...

first texture was kim's mustard seed texture adjusted to soft light with 95% opacity...

vintage autumn from florabella was applied next, adjusted to color with 48% opacity...

*love* how this one turned out...

i absolutely *adore* florabella's actions and textures...{check out her website for information about the up and coming release of her new set of textures...cannot wait!!}

pumpkin photo with textures no. 3....

i wanted to show you a heavily applied, grunged texture...

first i applied a worn and thin texture adjusted to overlay with 79% opacity...

kim's walnut texture was added next adjusted to soft light with a 38% opacity...

here are a few things to think about when applying textures...

*play around with what layer you adjust your texture to...i always like to try different layers, especially the hard light, color, or hue...it really penetrates your photo and gives you something you never would have thought of...

*opacity...can make all the difference...if you don't adjust the texture will definitely take over your photo and block out all the beauty you captured with your lens...

*add multiple layers of textures...mix and match...you never know what you will get...

*textures can be anything, not just what you buy and download...step outside, take a close-up of that rusty goodness, that beautifully aged barnwood...a brick wall with ivy...prairie wheat...where ever there is texture in your world you can apply it to a photo and make a one of a kind piece of artwork...

so there you have an afternoon full of prairie pumpkins with textures...

what about you? are you a texture girl...an action girl...neither?!?

i really spend WAY too much time messing around with BOTH... ;0)