One year of blogging and looking into the rear-view mirror.
Am I a different person now? I’m certainly older with maybe one more wrinkle but the big change is: I DARE!
One year ago I never imagined all the *crazy* things that I would do for my blog. Yet here I am: chatting with authors and people I have never seen. Developping many skills.
The big lesson is to TRY. Don’t be afraid to fail. Failing is good as you will learn to do better.
With my new experience I’ve decided to write a series about the many things that blogging brought me.
First part today is Photoshop.
Why photoshop and why do I think it bold?
Because twelve months ago, even one week ago I was SCARED of photoshop!
It was this daunting tool only used by pro and I could never ever use it!
Yes but…
With blogging come pictures. Graphics. Bookstagrams. Banners. Fairyloot challenges… do I need to go on?
Soon enough I drooled on fantastic banners and pictures taken by pro bloggers all using Photoshop. I was mesmerized!
That’s when my Fairy Godmother appeared!
I won’t to name her here as I don’t know if she wants to stay anonymous or not but a wonderful co-blogger master at creating book covers offered to teach us the ropes of Photoshop. Us being me and another fellow blogger salivating like I was on all the banners, graphics etc.
But how teach us? I mean you have to see “live” what the other is doing and show your own action when you are stuck to correct you.
That’s when another wonder happened and I became even more cool to my kids: we were talking and seeing each other via Skype one side of the ocean to the other side all along while sharing our screens thanks to another tool. How cool is that for a fourty something mom he? 😉
Four hours later *when I told you she IS a fairy godmother* I was ready to begin with the coveted photography software.
I’m really, really far from mastering it but I’m training nearly every day dutifully showing my creations to our teacher like the good student that I am.
Here below are my first creations and I KNOW they have flaws but the point is: I’m trying.
And yes I’m proud of me. I’m doing something new. I’m experimenting all this thanks to something that I thought would be a simple hobby but became an all consuming passion!
Do you think blogging changed you? Did you become bolder? Wiser? Smarter?
Thanks for reading this firts post!
I wish you all a wonderful weekend.
PS: Open letter to my fairy Godmother: thank you for your patience and dedication.
Sophie
I love this post! I am getting involved in photoshop too, and it is daunting, but I think it will benefit us in the long run. I am so glad we have connected through blogging. Your blog is so wonderful! <3
Thank you SO Much Adrienne. And your blog is gorgeous too you know it. <3
It’s been a long time since I used a photoshop but I think it’s time for me to use it once again! Those pics looks pretty cool! 🙂
Thank you Raven! I’m training every day and trying new things all the time. New banner coming later today with my Ultimate Reading Challenge. I can’t wait to see your creations!
I’d LOVE to buy Photoshop! It’s just so expensive. I tend to use the free software online, but nothing is as good as Photoshop. It’s the best editing software I’ve ever used, and it does everything!
So you used it before Wendy? It cost about 140 USD a year in my country if you take Photoshop CC + Lightroom with only 20GB storage. I don’t know if the price is different in the US. I’m only learning it but the cool tricks is pivoting your picture before cutting the edges (so if it was not centered correctly no worries and I don’t count the pictures I had to throw away as they were slightly off center) and of course you cant cut around any object you’d like to insert in another picture as an added layer. I couldn’t do it with Pic Collage or Canva or PicMonkey.
Congratsss!!! Sophie, I am so happy for you. I find Photoshop a bit difficult. We’re learning to use it in school and it’s a bit hard to understand but it’s a really great tool when it comes to making header, banners etc.
Thank you Aditi! I hope you’ll soon get the hang of it. Happy Sunday <3
OMG! This is amazing! Your graphics look sooo cool!
I do have photoshop and I have No idea how to use it!
Your fairy godmother sounds amazing! Give her my love.
Ha thank you so much! She let the cat out of the bags in the comments below 😉 Happy Sunday by now!
How awesome Sophie!!! I just love those pics!!!! So badass!
Thank you so much Dani!! <3
Congratulations Sophie! Those images are amazing and your only going to get better!
Thank you so much Kayla! I have room for improvement but that too is something that I’m looking to. Nothing better than a challenge to spice up your days 😉
It seems I’m always hitting new buttons and messing around with new apps. Great job Sophie, I’ll have to work up the nerve to hit photoshop, LOL!
P.S. LOOVE the Bitterroot Inn pic, very pretty!
Thank you Trisy!! And if you try Photoshop I could help you LOL
I definitely agree with your thoughts on this because I do think that for many bloggers that it helps us grow because we do “stretch” ourselves, especially in ways that we don’t expect or see happening. I have used photoshop a bit, but it still intimidates me so I won’t use it as my primary design software until I get more comfortable with it. But I do know that there is so many things you can do with it. But I have learned so much about web design just by being a blogger and its been amazing.
Hi Renee you are so right about web design and it will be one of my future posts! I love your blog design and graphics by the way 😉 And you love in Utah!!! I love that State. It’s my favorite with Montana. I guess I’m not a beach girl.
Aaaand cue the waterworks. Sophie, it’s a honor to be your Fairy Godmother (lol, guess I busted my cover). I had so much fun and can’t wait for the next session. Plus, your creations look already wicked amazing, and with practice they will look even better, and more importantly take less time to make.
As for your question, blogging made me bolder as it had me reach out to authors, PAs and such. All people that I had previously thought of as extraterrestrial creatures who lived on a blessedly inspired cloud. And would have never dared contact. Blogging made me realize we are all humans, with different roles but all at the same level.
Bisous!
Exactly Talia! It will be my next weekly post about being bolder. You are reading my thoughts LOL But give how we worked together that’s no wonder. Effortless 😉 Stay warm and the lights in your dorm room looks amazing! Cozy and “fairy tale” like. <3
Congrats to you! Photoshop can be very daunting, but it’s such a powerful tool once you master it. Keep working at it and it’ll be so easy to navigate!
Thank you Alyssa! Do you use Photoshop for your graphics?