I knew this picture would turn out terrible, but I so loved the moment I had to capture it somehow. The lighting, the color, the eye shine, the graininess, reflection, background, everything was awful. Poor, sweet, adorable puppies in such a photo, tsk, tsk. I did the best I could to take away the awful and leave the adorable in place. I did some editing in Windows Live Photo Gallery and some in Adobe Photoshop Elements. I wish I was better at the editing process, but I can only do the simpler retouching – applying a yellow filter, lightening shadows, smoothing out some of the graininess, correcting the eye shine by cloning a spot of the nose onto the eyes and leaving a glint. I also added a diffuse glow to the highlighted areas and then softened the edges of the photo overall. When you want to preserve a memory sometimes you just have to do the best you can.
Wally and LuLu had been outside playing after dinner. It was dark, the porch light was on, and they showed up at the patio door ready to come back in. Wally was looking at Rich through the window, and LuLu was waiting to show off the nice little selection of sticks she’d carefully gathered up. She’ll parade around with them all proud and happy, showing them to each of us in turn – me, Rich, Wally. The parading will go on for quite a while as we exclaim over how pretty her sticks are, then she’ll hop up on the couch and sit demurely while I love on her little dome head and silky ears and tell her how much I appreciate her bringing in her pretty sticks to share. She’ll gradually relinquish them one at a time, dropping first one and letting me take it, then the next, and so on, as though she’d meant for me to have them all along. She has the most incredibly sweet way about her during this ritual. The whole time Wally will be looking from one to the other of us with his “Is she s’posed to have those?” look. It’s okay, Wally. She can hold them, but she can’t chew on them.
And that’s the way it goes here at Wally and LuLu’s house. I never smiled so much till they came to live with us. They are some very special doggies. Sending you lots of love and a wish for a beautiful day.
I can appreciate the moment and know the feeling well. Lulu's gift to you is priceless, something that money cannot buy! Love the picture, you did a great job editing!
ReplyDeleteLeslie, your photo and descriptive words are perfect. You really did capture the moment with your camera (and story). I think your editing is sheer magic. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pups with your Readers. So heartwarming!
ReplyDeleteYour photo of Wally and Lulu is just perfect for the moment. I too wish I could do more with PSE, but haven't been able to master it yet. I love your stories about the pups and this one about Lulu is so straight from the heart. Sweet!
ReplyDeleteYou did an awesome job capturing the moment. I love the emotion in their sweet faces.
ReplyDeleteMy two rescue cats make me smile all the time.
Love them so much.
Thanks for sharing your special pictures with us.
Beautiful photo and heartfelt words. John and I are staying at Olivia's house right now and I sure do miss her, as does the rest of her family here. When she died, I sent her family a wonderfully sounding windchime. Each time I hear it, now, I'm reminded of what a sweet and faithful and wonderful doggie she was. *sniff*
ReplyDeleteLeslie, the beauty of your post is in both your picture and your words. You paint such a beautiful picture of your kids. You made me smile, as usual and made my Saturday. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful photo, Leslie. Vance and I looked at it together and Vance said it looked as if it had been intentionally aged. Of course we read what you had done with it. He also suggested Light Room as an editing tool. It's expensive but, Vance said it's made a huge difference in his editing process. That said, it's a lovely, memorable photo. It's the end result that counts (smiling).
ReplyDeleteLeslie, please don't worry about how good or bad your photos are. It doesn't matter....the way you capture the love and beauty of your family, is just inspriring, no matter how they turn out. And, I think this photo is just gorgeous! It is clear to all of us, that the love of your lives is Wally and Lulu, and who can blame you? You also should be a writer...you describe things so beautifully. Brought tears of joy to my eyes when you were describing how Lulu gives you those sticks...one by one. Just a Blessing all the way around..for all of us! Hugs and Love...
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea how I wait for these pictures! This one is just gorgeous beyond words. I don't think it has anything to do with the editing. It's all about the love! You can feel the love they have for each other & for you just pouring out of this picture. And reading about Lulu's gifts to you brought tears to my eyes. I wish everyone in the world could experience this kind of unconditional love just once in their lives. I tell Brady every day that he is a blessing from God & I thank God for him every single day of my life. If you have a fur-person's love, then you have been blessed beyond words! Give them both a hug from me!
ReplyDeleteAwwwwwwwwwww Man! Giant warm and fuzzies!
ReplyDeleteYou sure know how to bring a lump to my throat. Your story & beautiful photo have touched me. What a lovely family you four create and I just know that you all appreciate each other to the max. Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteHello Leslie,
ReplyDeleteEvery moment is a gift. Your story was my gift for this moment.
Barbara
What a great picture and story. Did you ever think of putting together all these pictures and stories in a book? It would be a best seller! My granddaughters Chihuahua does the same thing but only with leaves - he's only 5 lbs and brings in one at a time - some almost as big as he is and puts them in a pile and they have to admire them and him of course! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!
ReplyDeleteIt's an adorable photo, with an adorable story. Thank you for giving my day a smile.
ReplyDeleteAaawwww... I always love the way you tell us exactly what Lulu and Wally are doing. Leslie, you have a wonderful way with words, so much so, that it's almost as if we, the readers, are there with you, Rich, Wally and Lulu.
ReplyDeleteI so love it when you share little stories about Wally and LuLu. They are such a blessing.
ReplyDeletetoo cute, great job with the picture, isn't it cute how they have their rituals they have to do and if you throw that off they just don't know what to do
ReplyDeleteI totally get "it" so much!! Murphy does the same parading with his treasures. Rick always asks me why I smile at Murph all the time. I can just FEEL the love you have for Wally and Lulu! hugs!!
ReplyDeleteWally and Lulu are so cute! I love how they "prance" and show off. thanks for sharing your pretty moment. hugs, de
ReplyDeleteI think you did a fantastic job editing this picture, Leslie. It's amazing what black and white can do for hiding imperfections!
ReplyDeleteAwww, what a Sweet memory! And you Picture turned out Wonderfully! 8-)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Shannon