P52 | DIRTY

P52 | Dirty

Fungus is such an ugly word. Dirty, almost.  But I have to admit, I am one fungus-loving woman, and this week I couldn't resist the urge to get down and dirty for some lovely mushroom shots.  I even busted the seam of my jeans on the backside and threw caution to the wind as I crawled on the ground near a busy street with my bottom up and my underwear exposed.

And oh- The constable even stopped to ask what I was doing (I suppose the 2 cameras around me weren't the dead giveaway you would think), and tell me that some folks boil mushrooms and make dope with them.

Interesting.

But mister, these aren't that kind, and I'm not looking for any trouble.

I just want to photograph them.

I love the little dirt dustings on their tops; an evidence of their recent birth.

I love mushrooms. They invoke daydreams of faeries and mystical creatures of my childhood imagination.  I'll get dirty for that, anyday.

Now, head on over to Erin Norman Photography to get a look at her take on "Dirty", and follow the chain of artists expressing their vision through p52 inspiration.

P52 | Desire

P52 | Desire

I can't say much about this amazing Boudoir session from yesterday, but this image is a perfect representation of this week's theme of "Desire".  I must say though, this mom totally rocked my camera!

Now head on over to Erin Norman Photography and check out her interpretation for this week's theme!

P52 | SMALL

Got my hands on a couple of little beauties this week....thanks to a little wine, $40 in my paypal account and eBay.

This week's P52 theme was "small", and while these little treasures are small in size, they put a great big smile on my face.  That "Bullet" seriously fits in the palm of my hand, about the size of a small apple.  I am in love.

Did I mention that I collect antique cameras?

Now, head on over to Erin Norman Photography and check out her interpretation of this week's inspiration, Small....

Pimp Your Image Contest

It's time to show me what you got. 

Download these freebies, (the "Kiss"* action from the Modern Whimsy Action Set, and the "Hinge" texture from the Debut Textures Collection, and work your magic. Simply post your edit using one or both freebies on my facebook page with the caption "My entry using the freebies for the 'Pimp Your Image' contest!" or something like that.  Then, share your before and after on your page (personal or business, making sure to tag the Swoon the Moon Photography facebook page in your description.  YOU MAY ENTER UP TO 5 IMAGES

(If you choose to purchase the action or textures set, you may submit using any of the actions or textures. If you win the contest, I will refund your purchase price.)

I will be choosing my favorite entries to share in the newsfeed from the STM page.  If I choose your image to share, you will be entered into the finalists round.  All finalists will be featured on a special blog on September 1, 2012, upon which a panel of judges (some of my colleagues and action testers) will help me choose a winner.

*The Kiss action is for CS3 and higher. Elements users can still participate using the free texture, though!

To learn more about the Modern Whimsy Action Set and the Debut Textures Collection, CLICK HERE

What's the prize???

The winner will receive the Modern Whimsy action set, the Debut Textures collection, and a spot as an official Swoon the Moon action tester FOR LIFE.  This means you will get all future action sets at no cost....before they are released to the public.


So.....show me what you got!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FREEBIES

***disclaimer***

Winner WILL NOT will not be notified publicly via Facebook.  You MUST be 18 to participate.  A

ccording to Facebook rules, residents of

 Belgium, Norway, Sweden, or India ARE NOT eligible to participate.  This promotion is in NO WAY sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Debut Textures Collection

Introducing the Debut Textures collection for photographers 

compatible with any editing program that allows for layering, including the free software, GIMP

$15

 

This collection includes 24 high resolution textures (4288x2848, 300ppi)

These textures can be used with any editing software that supports working in layers, including Photoshop Elelments, Photoshop CS, and even Gimp, a free software.

These beautiful textures add light, color, contrast, tone, texture and vignette to images. 

They can also be used to make cards, templates, backgrounds and more.

24 high resolution textures
$15

Be sure to check out the Modern Whimsy Actions, these textures work beautifully with them!

*due to the digital nature of these products, they are non-refundable

Modern Whimsy Actions

Introducing tools to simplify your editing, increase your productivity and bring new creative life to your images.

The Modern Whimsy Action Collection | CS3 and Higher

Modern Whimsy Action Set
$35

 

20 beautiful actions, fully layered for customization. 

This amazing action set includes a skin smoothing action, "Angelic Skin", a basic all-in-one action, "Frills",  that allows you to customize a clean edit by simply turning layers off and on and adjusting the opacity to taste.  

In addition to these must-have basics, there are also several clean tone actions, such as Kiss, Jewel, Shine, Elizabeth, Sweets and Better.  "Beloved" is a versatile action that can be used in color, black and white, with or without haze, or as a coffee-toned  black and white....or simply turn on the coffee tone layer, reduce to about 20% and you have vintage. It's 4 actions in one!

I have also included several dreamy-toned actions in this collection, such as Just Because, Pixie, Summer Breeze, Fireflies, Dreamy, This Much, and another versatile action, Daydreamer, which has various layers that can be turned on for a variety of tones and effects.

Of course, there are also several black and white actions. Grim is a darker, grungy black and white, which can be lightened by turning off the "Grim Darkness" layer, and is a beautiful silver-toned black and white.  Silver Dust is a beautifully toned black and white with a hazy, film-shift appeal. I love this one!  And finally, there is Secrets. A stunning, clean, earthy black and white.

I love that these actions can be used alone, or combined to achieve unlimited creative results.  My testers have all given rave reviews, and below I have included several examples for you.

This beautiful set of edits was submitted by the lovely and talented Divian Conner- Visual Artist.  Check out her work, she is simply amazing!

Modern Whimsy Action Set

$35

For more samples, including before and after images, go here

Also be sure to check out the Debut Textures collection, they work beautifully with the actions!

*due to the digital nature of these products, they are non-refundable