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Happy Birthday

2008.07.02

A simple reminder that Freedom, isn't Free.

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For my birthday last Saturday, Heidi surprised me by buying me Photoshop CS3! I was absolutely stunned. I know there are some wonderful women out here on the 'blog, but I'm sorry, none of you as are WONDERFUL as my Heidi! =)

To this point, I've not had any editing tools other than a very powerful RAW editor, which has been fine by me to this point, and I will continue to use this tool to convert my RAW images to jpg. But, I have had a desire at times to do more with my images, and this will definitely allow me to do MORE. What an enormous learning curve.

With the gift of CS3 for my birthday, and America's upcoming birthday on Friday, I thought I'd push my Neophite Photoshopping skills a bit and try to come up with something appropriate for both occasions.

This is a composite image of 3 separate images - 2 of which were taken when I shot the Internment service at the National Cemetery, and the Eagle was taken recently as well. All of the original images have been posted before.

I rather like this! One day, I MAY even participate in the editing challenges!

Mat

26 Comments

GREAT job, Mat! I love what you've done here.

Happy birthday to you, a fellow July birthday! Mine is Saturday, and my mother's was yesterday. (I did a birthday post for her yesterday.) I hope you've had a great one!

ncshutterbug · 2008-07-02: 22:33

Very beautiful creation (and GIFT!!!), Mat.
CS3 is a wonderful software. It may take 20 years to learn everything, but it is very rewarding for everyday you lear new things and new possibilities materialize.
Happy birthday, my dear friend.
Have great fun with your new toy!

Madoc · 2008-07-02: 22:38

Happy belated birthday! And congrats on your new toy.

You did a great job with this. I like the blend of elements you chose to convey your thoughts on the 4th! I look forward to seeing more of your explorations!

vollenda · 2008-07-02: 22:42

Wow gr8 work!!!!!!
n belated happy bdayyy

Speedu · 2008-07-02: 23:32

welldone! nice editing

Askrubies · 2008-07-03: 00:00

I like it!!

TamaraHarden · 2008-07-03: 00:01

pretty amazing, great job.

jodycmoore · 2008-07-03: 00:44

Excellent!!!!
Happy birthday to you!!

Gwadannie · 2008-07-03: 02:46

Interesting composite image.

Lynda · 2008-07-03: 05:46

Great post!!

peregol · 2008-07-03: 05:54

happy birthday Mat. what a wonderful gift. make the best use of your Photoshop and show to all of us your skills, like this compo. once again congratulations.

storytaylor · 2008-07-03: 07:22

Well congratulations, happy birthday and great job with the composite! I look forward to seeing what you do with cs3.

etodd80 · 2008-07-03: 10:30

Breathtaking

Tiredmom30 · 2008-07-03: 12:50

Happy Belated Birthday! Wow Heidi is one heck of a woman! This photo is gorgeous! Nice work Matt

bamommy · 2008-07-03: 14:45

Beautifully done Mat, Happy Birthday!

pattyb · 2008-07-03: 15:20

Hey Mat I love this ... and I left you news in messages..

that is so awesome tha t Heidi did that and she is Wonderful ...

I love this picture and meaning .. and so sorry I missed your bday ... hope it was good :):)

Lindyart · 2008-07-03: 17:05

Happy belated wishes! Heidi is the best! I agree. :)

Now the pic. I'm so impressed and love what you did here. You may regret letting anyone (me) know you have cs3. Now I'm going to ask you how to do everything. I know zip about it and I see you've already conquered layers. Mat, I'd say you just shot yourself in the foot.

We just got into our room. Now to find the dude who has my on field credentials. The game is at 7:00 tonight!

TheCrazyCroat · 2008-07-03: 17:42

Wow! Certainly couldn't tell you are new to the photoshop - great picture! You certainly DO have a great wife, as a matter of fact I don't think she needed pop to her finger for the butterfly - she is too sweet on her own! I have going oto have to come up with a new word, I just know "wow" isn't going to be good enough anymore!

picturemom · 2008-07-03: 21:08

Happy birthday, Mat!!

ambersunsets · 2008-07-03: 22:41

Great image and happy birthday Mat!

kangshung · 2008-07-06: 06:16

Beautiful image and Happy Birthday. Have fun learning and playing with CS3. I look forward to seeing all the images you create to share with us.

jusshel39 · 2008-07-06: 19:24

I look forward to seeing a whole new side of photography from you now! You have such a creative flare...I am sure you will be hooked on photoshop in no time! It is definitely on my ever-growing to do list, but I still have no idea how to use the program and it has been on my computer for a while! LOL!

mattandbranson · 2008-07-08: 14:26

OH and a belated happy birthday!!! =)

mattandbranson · 2008-07-08: 14:26