Thanks for taking a picture of me Jana! You are amazing!

Followers

WHO IS BALD IS BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY?

Well, it's me of course! Hi, I'm Scott, just an ordinary guy who loves life and all the little nuances that it brings! Simply put, I'm a father to a wonderful son, a husband to a beautiful wife, and an amateur photographer who enjoys looking at the world through a piece of glass! I took up photography a couple of years ago, after having gastric bypass surgery. Since 12/07, I have lost 180 pounds, but found a real passion for documenting life with my camera. I could say that the big names out there have inspired me, and they have, But my true inspiration comes from the people I meet everyday who share the same thoughts and zeal I have for photography. We are truly blessed with some really great photographers around Nashville. So, what are you waiting for.... ...grab a camera, snap some pics, and enjoy life to the fullest!
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Thursday, December 24, 2009

Wishing you and yours…

…a Very Merry Christmas from Bald Is Beautiful!

Final Christmas CArd

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas Support Groups and how I've spent the last two weeks!

For a long time on this blog, I’ve talked about support and what that means. Well, over the last 2 weeks, I’ve been reminded how lucky I am to have support. Throughout my journey of “extreme proportions”, I’ve met and befriended several people, not only here in Tennessee, but on the internet as well!

Over the last 2 weeks I’ve been busy. Busy gathering with family, friends, work and my support groups! Heck, there’s even two support group functions did not make this year! But through these gatherings, I’ve found friendships that not only have pulled me out of the darkest pits of depressions, but also allowed me to scream from the mountain tops how lucky I am!

I was noticing on the Obesity Help Boards the other day how someone from my own state was looking for support in her area. I found that odd, but then thought of my friends in Washington, California, and even Germany, who do not have the privilege and pleasure of meeting with people of like minds on a regular basis!

Anyway, my new hobby of photography has allowed me to capture these moments, and I thought I would share them with you. Sit back, grab a cup of java and enjoy!

OH Christmas Party eDITS-1

Recovering Fatty Christmas Breakfast (RF06.com)

5

Obesity Help Dinner Club Christmas Party (OH TN. Forum)

collage

Obesity Help Lunch Bunch Christmas Party (OH TN. Forum)

I have also put these photos to music, so turn up the volume, and enjoy Denver and the Mile High Orchestra!

Monday, December 14, 2009

I Heart Faces~Pet Challenge

I’ve only entered a couple of shots over at I ♥ FACES, but thoroughly enjoy them, and use all I’ve learned with my photography. If you’ve never checked the site out, stop what you're doing, put down that cup of coffee, and click your way over there right now…OK, I’m waiting. Just remember to come back when your done! LOL!

OK, now that your back, here’s my entry for this week:

Prissy-1

This is my terroristic little one named Prissy!

Prissy is suppose to be a mix between a Chihuahua and a Shih Tzu. My thought is there is a little Doberman Pinscher mixed in as well. As rambunctious as this pup is, she can be just as sweet and loving!

Now Prissy is my entry for the week, but I also have to share the other one we have as well. This is Chi Chi. Notice how calm she is. These 2 are polar opposites. The nice thing, we love them and they are part of the family!

chichi

C Ya Next Time!

th_smiley-camera

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Fix-It-Friday - again!

FacesFixIt

Well it’s time for another Fix-It-Friday from I ♥ Faces.  Today’s challenge was a lot of fun, and I really like the results.

 11-6-09

Here’s the original photo from Hotomom.  What a cute young lady!  Head on over and check out some of Hotomom’s photos.  She’s got a really cute family!

  11-7 Final Edit

Now here’s my fix for this photo.

1) Opened the original and adjusted the exposure, added a little warmth, and rotated the photo in Lightroom 2.5.

2) From there, I went on to edit in Photoshop using an “Eye Pop” tutorial from Jessica Sprague.  I also used the healing brush to take away a few blemishes.

3)  At this point I went back to Lightroom 2.5 and used an adjustment brush to smooth the skin.

4) I also adjusted or added clarity, vibrancy and a post crop vignette in LR.

5) The scrapbook page was made for “Pink Lemonade” from Jessica Sprague also!

 

11-7 scrapbook

I really enjoy Fix-It-Friday.  It gives me an opportunity to practice new techniques and make the ones I know better.

I have a son, and he’s all boy!  When Beth was pregnant with RJ, I did nothing but buy girl clothes, but that’s another story for another day!

 

Monday, November 2, 2009

Halloween 2009

Well, it’s come and gone.  Now it’s time to skip Thanksgiving and go straight to Christmas.  Can you believe the speed this year has?  It’s moving along like an out of control snowball rolling downhill toward the depths of Hades!!!!!!

moon glow

Tradition is something that all families hold dear.  For us, heading to my Mom and Dad’s for Halloween is one of those traditions.  With RJ being older, I thought we were all but done with the idea of schlepping through the neighborhood dressed as who knows what, begging for candy!  Heaven knows, I don’t need candy in my house at this time!!!!!!!!

Well, as much as I thought we were finished, RJ decides that we need to go.  Not for him mind you, but so we would not hurt his grandmother’s feelings.  Every year, Mama Jo makes a big pot of chili, and RJ has loved it from the get go.  When we get there, Mama Jo ask if I brought my camera, then says, “Oh, wait minute, is your arm attached to your body?”  Kind of like the old proverbial question, “Does a bear @%$ in the woods?”  I can’t believe it, she wants me to take her picture!

For years, I’ve told everyone that my mother (and her 2 daughters) were witches.  No one would believe me.  Now I have proof!  Here she is, in all of her glory mixing a cauldron of potions!  The Witch ghost You got to have at least one ghost picture on Halloween! 

RJ said he was to old for the ritualistic begging of candy!  Those were his exact words…”ritualistic begging:.  When did my boy grow up?  Anyway, when Mama Jo gave him a bag of “seed candy”, he was off to the races.  Heck, she even gave him a Jeff Gordon football jersey to wear for his costume.  It was funny, I was taking pictures and the neighbor boy came over for his candy.  RJ asked if I was ready, and I told him no, I was staying here taking photos.  The neighbor Dad told him to come on, he could go with them.  RJ said he now understood what it was like having a younger brother.  He then politely  but firmly said “DON’T WANT ONE!”

rjNow, I believe this is one of the best pictures I have taken of my mother.  She looks as if she is in her element (dressed for the part and all!)  But there is a reason, she has never asked me to take her picture before…Mama Jo 

And this is it….

Sorry Mama Jo, I couldn’t resist dragging out an oldie but goodie!

mama jo

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Home is where the heart is!

The other day, I had to make a run over to Baptist Hospital.  No, I wasn’t sick or in too much pain, I needed to visit the Protein Queen (aka: Recovering Fatty) , and pick up some supplies!  You see, I’m just like one of these guys you see standing on the corner with a sign that says…”Will work for food!”  Only I do computer/blog work for protein :) 

Baptist Hospital

  I had also picked up RJ from school, so he went with me.  When we left, we found a parking garage near by, and thought it would be a great place to take pictures from.  So, we grabbed the camera from the trunk, set up the tripod, and started snapping photos.  The boy was like a kid at Christmas , running around hollering at what he found from his perch on high!  The highlight, he found his school.  He proudly proclaimed that his school was 15 miles away and he could still see it.  In truth, it was less that a mile from where we were!

Head MagnetI love color, there I said it.  I’m not a black and white type person.  This is a renovated Government Housing Project near RJ’s school.  Heck, these house’s look better than mine!  Project  Just a simple parking garage at Baptist hospital.  It was the angles and lines that drew my eyes to it.

garage

But in the midst of filth and grime, in the center of all that is wrong with the world, one light shines through.  God’s grace is always there to embrace us, to love us, and to shower us with beauty!  Right there, on that cloudy day, the heavens opened, and He proclaimed that He is still there and on His throne!suns rays

panorama

I love my city!

Have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

May your day be filled with…

Black Eyed Susan

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Fall Colors 2009

I made a point to ge out of the house yesterday.  My main goal was to track down some beautiful fall colors.  It seems that it’s just about the right time of the year here in Tennessee to see those leaving just a changing!

 

So, here ya go!  I thoroughly recommend that if you have a hobby, or something you enjoy doing, go Nike on it. 

“Just do it!”

   fall 3

fall 1

 

fall 11

fall 9

 

Just click on the above album to view all of them!

How to throw a rock in the lake!

That’s right folks, my son has regrettably agreed to demonstrate the technique needed to “throw a rock in the lake”.  You too can learn this skill just by following his patented throwing strategies.  If assistance is needed with perfecting your skills, RJ is available for a fee!

9 panel framed

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Winner, winner, chicken dinner……..

……well, not for me!

I did not win, nor was I an Honorable Mention in the photo contest I entered the other day. It was the one for “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” from I ♥ Faces.

You know, there is one part of me that says, “Geez Scott, did you really expect to win?” Not really, because there are some really good, no let me scratch that statement. There are some really great photog’s that entered. I mean some of the shots blew me away! But then some of them were really boring! Click here for the winning entries and honorable mentions.

I guess I’m a little biased with my shots. When I posted this shot, I really felt good about it. I could feel the emotion of the runners, but more importantly how the woman in the pink hat felt.

Then again, sometimes it’s nice to be shot down so to say. No, I did not expect to win, but I did expect at least an honorable mention.

What does this type of rejection do to a person? 1of 2 things is going to happen…

1) I’m going to sit on my butt and never enter another contest again. In fact, I’m never going to take another picture again!

or

2) I’m going to pick myself up, dust myself off, and start snapping pics right away!

Well guys and gals, the answer is #2. In fact, this afternoon, I plan on taking RJ to watch his old football team play. And you just know my camera is going to be in my hand. Football 07

Then later this afternoon, or tomorrow sometime, I plan on driving around and getting some fall foliage shots. The leaves are just about at their peak, or just beyond, and I’ve been waiting for this time of year!Keebler Elves 08

So, be prepared for some new photos and reflections from me…

Monday, October 19, 2009

"PINK WEEK” Photo Challenge

button_-_photochallenge1

Pink_Week

Think Pink

~Racing for the cure~

This week's challenge over at I ♥ Faces is "Think Pink" in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My next door neighbor is a Breast Cancer Survivor, so this has hit home really hard.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Photoshop weekend!

This weekend it has been really cold in Nashville.  I mean it’s the coldest day we’ve had since last winter.  Geez, the thermometer is reading 36 degrees this morning.  That’s just plain cold.  In fact, coffee is not really helping either!

Well, this weekend I’ve been playing with Photoshop again.  Man, this is one wicked program!  Since the weather has turned chilly, I decided it was a good time to design this years Christmas card.  Now, I’m not gonna show you that one yet, but I will share with you what else I have been working on.

A BOY AND HIS CELLO

storyboard sto'ry·board' v. A panel or series of panels of rough sketches outlining the scene sequence and major changes of action or plot in a production to be shot on film or video. 

I could not be prouder of my son and the progress he has made with his music!  In one short year, he is becoming a great cello player.  The way he can listen to a song and then play it on Betty (his cello), is amazing.  He has now started playing guitar as well. 

Dad, this one’s for you…he saw the guitar I had given you oh so many years ago and asked if he could play it.  Every Friday he packs up his guitar for lessons at school. 

I have truly been Blessed!

C Ya!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

FIX - IT - FRIDAYS & BAD BACKS

FacesFixIt

Well, it’s time once again for a Fix-it-Friday over at I Faces , and this one was hard. The shadows on the right, and the over exposure on the left. Like I said, this one was tough!

10-16-09

Original photo from Christal from A Moose, A Bear & A Ladybug

10-16-09 edit-Edit-2

Edited photo

Corrected exposure using layers. Then went on to use a couple of filters from NIK Color Efex Pro, specifically “Lighten/Darken Center” and “Glamour Glow”. Then added a vignette around the edges. I used PhotoShop. Lightroom and Nik for my photo editing.

I know it’s not perfect, but it’s better!

Art is very subjective. I’ve truly learned what the statement “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” really means. What I find nice, others may find appalling. But that’s OK, cause the only person I have to please is me…I mean my wife!

Oh yeah, what else can you do when your back is down and out…

Fixit2

Have fun!