a CHALLENGE!!

So while we were over at our amazing second shooter Jakes house last night we both decided to splurge and get the totally rad actions. For those of you that are not in the arts world, Totally Rad actions are these amazing little photoshop plug ins by a kick ass Boutwell photography team. Basically they help photographers achieve different looks for photos in the least destructive, simple way possible. Well, Jason and I get home and I'm all fired up to give them a whirl.... but, I figure while I'm at it why not make it a fun little challenge. So I emailed Jake challenging him to post a few images on his blog using the TRA's and I'd do the same, then whoever's image is the swankiest wins. Loser has to buy a big 'ole bag of coffee for the winner :0) Well, he posted his up here http://www.ericajoyce.com/blog/?p=421 and while I've got to admit they're pretty good I think I kicked his coffee lovin' butt. I dont usually post up SOOC, or straight out of camera shots because, well, because to a non photographer person they look pretty terrible. SOOOO for all of our clients viewing this please do not freak out when you see the originals and they are crazy dark- just remember we shoot natural light portraits (unlike Jakes) and we know what we're ultimately going to do with them in post processing. Here are a few of my challengers, along with their befores:

Ok, this one actually had a little bit of editing already done to it... I was just too lazy to pull the raw file


here it is with Lux and Flare


The rest of these are SOOC and from a recent engagement session (I finished editing them with these last night)



Yum... vintage goodness..... edited with pool party



edited with magic glasses and flare up



This one has yin/yang and pool party... I'm really loving pool party


So- what do you think? Who won????? Jake, I think we'll have to take this over to OPS to get some unbiased votes just in case your wife tries to sneak in a good word or two for you :0)

Hope you guys enjoyed our fun little contest!