Sunday, February 24, 2008

Ibarra!

When I did my study abroad as an undergrad, I lived right next to the Ibarra plant in Guadalajra, Mexico. They are famous for their hot chocolate, but they also make a sweet chocolate bar that you melt into warmed milk for homemade hot chocolate. SOOO good!!

If you walked out the door at just the right time, all you smelled in the air was yummy Ibarra chocolate! My roomate, a self-confessed chocoholic, always said she must have died and gone to heaven, haha.

Today we went to our local international grocery store, and they had Ibarra chocolate! It doesn't get too cold her in our coastal Virginia town, I don't think we ever get nights that feel like a "hot chocolate night"....but tonight we'll be pretending.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Photoshop Friday: Vintage Film Effect Action

Okay, so it's Saturday.....shhh.

I typically don't use too many actions. To me, it takes away some of the fun of Photoshop....but I do love a good action. Especially when an artist is generous enough to share an action for free! ;)

Is it cheating or just plain lazy to share an action for Photoshop Friday? No, you don't mind? Because it's free you say?

There are so many different techniques to achieving that "vintage" look, depending on what "look" you are after. Some techniques simply use a sepia conversion and burn the edges or do a vingette. Others are more involved, with textures, etc.

I found this vintage action on Flickr (LOVE flickr) so I thought I'd share the link you for my Photoshop Friday. :)

Vintage Film Effect Action

Here are a couple of my examples.

Original.




Original.


Vintage Film Action. I reduced the action layer down to about 70% because I liked a more subtle look. But if you give the action a try, you'll see you can get much more drastic results.


Original...here's my bro. ;) I wonder if I should tell him I used his picture, haha.


Vintage Film Action. I reduced the action layer down to about 70%.


And a b&w conversion....just because I like it, hehe.