The last couple months I’ve been working on some actions that I’ll hopefully be releasing sooner than later. I’ve just wrapped up a set of monochrome recipes– most of which I use on a regular basis.

Click on the sampler to view a larger version.

Here’s a run-down of what each action in this set is like:

Blanco Y Negro: My go-to B&W conversion. Adds contrast and a slightly warm tone.
Attic: Flatter, less contrasty, with a warm tone.
Old News: Very low contrast with an adjustable “fade” layer.
Black Lemon: Deep shadows and soft highlights with a strong yellow tone.
Confessor: Cooler tones, slight red cast to the shadows, with a zooming effect around the edges. Works best on photos that don’t have a super shallow DoF.
Frontier: Old world style, with added noise (hard to tell in the sampler, but I used the same action on this week’s 52 weeks photo).
Copper Kings: Slight added contrast with a coppery/lavender tone.

Even though almost all of these are already color toned, I’ve been compiling a stack of tones to use on b&w or color photos. And then there’s about 10-15 regular actions, ranging from subtle changes to a “fauxlaroid” simulation.

I’ll be posting more samplers and previews of before/after processing in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned!

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Filed under: News, Projects

Normally, I’m not a fan of calicos, but this one was literally begging for her picture to be taken.

She’s the kind of cat that willingly follows you to the end of the block, darting in front of your feet with every step, so as to try and get you to stop and hang out some more.

I must’ve looked real silly trying to walk away without inadvertently stomping on her. I actually had to jog diagonally across the street to lose her! Too friendly to handle.

Taken on NE 8th & Siskiyou, at the edge of Irving Park, next to the playground.

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Filed under: Caturday, Photography, Portland

This weekend we rallied up a last minute group of friends for a Sunday brunch at Helser’s on Alberta. Ever since our first visit with Chris’s family back in December I’d been dreaming of a return trip.

Me being incapable of keeping track of the days of the week, I forgot that it was Sunday and we had to wait for about 40 minutes before they could squeeze the six of us into a table.

But man, when we were finally seated? It was the best spot in the whole joint. I don’t know what was more yummy that morning– my food, or the light coming in from the windows behind me!

Ok, so the cast of characters was: Me and Chris (who dodged the camera all morning, natch), Sada, Steven, Justin and Andrew.

Despite the giant menu board emblazoned with the words “honeycrisp” “caramel” and “crepes” that stared me down the entire morning, I went with the same thing I got last time: the Pepper Bacon & Tillamook Cheddar Hash. It comes with Yukon gold potatoes, creme fraiche, two poached eggs and a side of fruit.

Sada got the Mushroom hash, with bacon substituted for the Havarti cheese it normally comes with.

Steven’s Smoked Salmon Benedict.

Chris’s Smoked Salmon Hash.

Justin’s Brioche French Toast (someone had to dare to stray from the savory train!).

And Andrew’s plate, which I can’t remember what it was… I think he may have also had the Mushroom Hash.

Definitely my favorite brunch spot in Portland. Well, so far, anyway. :)

Helser’s is located on the corner of NE 16th and Alberta.
They’re open 7am-3pm daily.
(503) 281-1477

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Filed under: Around Town, Eats of the Week, Photography, Portland

Check out those thumbs!

This gato lives next door to that petite little thing on NE 9th & Tillamook. I wonder if they’re friends?

We had quite a little photoshoot together, but it was rudely interrupted by a dog across the street.

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Filed under: Caturday, Photography, Portland

Chris checked Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind out of the library a bit ago and it’s due back tomorrow, so this whole last week was frantic with the thought of going back on the wait list. It seems to be a popular series– and with good reason. If you’re a fan of fantasy, I highly recommend this book.

Last night I stayed up way past my bedtime and finally finished it! A whole day and a half ahead of schedule, at that.

Now I get to fully indulge myself in the first season of Legend of the Seeker until I get my mitts on the second book in the series. Wait lists be damned!

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Filed under: Geekery, Photography