Anna Aden Writes

  This is one of the composites, I created in one of the courses. This was based on graphic design and I feel like an island floating in a new landscape. It is a composite of three images with a bit of blending.  This was from a boo Photoshop Composting I'm still finding my way with this, so I have the technical skills which I realise it a matter of masks and blending modes however the next thing is to keep on doing it until I learn the principles of graphic design. It's complicated to explain and I'm still finding my way but basically at some point I need to start doing my own stuff, and right now those images look a bit awkward until I get the design aspect right. It can be fun but also some aspects can be tedious and boring. And I guess it's a matter of keep on practice,  and I also want to get to the point, I can use my own pictures.  Writing  Going well and steady, nothing significant to report on that front. But I'm looking at a soft deadline of completing...

All's good. Ma and I have lost some weight but still soldiering on with this. Mainly because of underlying health issues especially during this of the pandemic. It is hard but  after a while it becomes habit though I've had about three burgers. One from Burger King - the Whopper and another from Leon, a vegan once called Sweet Carolina - some barbeque concoction and a final from a local cafe which was more bacon and avocado. However it' still managing with the calorie allocation, keeping a food dairy and weighing once a week. Shopping days are the worst because I buy more snacks on special order. Also boredom days since I haven't gone further than a couple of miles from home scene the pandemic started.  Novel-in-progress up date It's still slow or should I say I'm a slow writer so more or less in progress.  Time Management I've discovered the term gathering point. That's like stuff just hanging around waiting to be processed or put back. I guess from my ...

Photographing for Compositing in Photoshop by  Seán Duggan This is a linkedIn learning course, I've just completed with an instructor called Seán Duggan who is very popular and good. This is the second one of his courses I've taken, and I've found it's best just to keep on going until something sinks in. This is just my version of his exercise. In the first course, I was taking notes, but then I realised it was a matter of practice, which meant doing one course after another.   In the original exercise the model was standing on the rocks. I've just added a crypt, from a local part, then I've added more rocks to the picture.  This picture is from the same course but I decided to use a toy model which I took using my lighting cardboard studio, and then I just applied the techniques  in the class. As it can get boring just doing those exercises.  Eating Plan  My mother and I are on a meal plan, it's going to be a long term thing but so far she's lost...

Card box light Studio I finally made one with a panettone box, or Marks and Spencers veganettone box. It seemed straightforward on the youtube videos but as often the case was it wasn't. Unfortunately there is a problem with google blogger and my browser image upload so I can't show you my card board box studio but this is the box. And yes, I thought it tasted nice. I bought three of them, one for me, my mother and my sister. I sister wasn't impress, saying it was too sweet but I thought it was delicious. However there was a slight honey after taste, saying that it may be because I was judging it, rather than just eating. However its a winner for next year. Anyway, not to digress, after deciding to experiment using a smaller box. At first, I couldn't find my paper cutter and then after going to Ryanmans for essential items (as you do), they had sold out. Then I needed to get the lightening. I have one desk lamp but the bulb had gone, so since desk lamps bulbs  are essen...

Happy New Year!  I hope everyone had a good and safe time, and we move another year into the decade of 2020. I spent my evening with a close relative since we are in the same 'bubble' though I did do a bit of social distancing and took a few precautions to wear a mask etc. The whole thing is really confusing in the UK but I social distance, wear a mask and since last March 2020, I've not travelled by public transport or gone out of my immediate area. I went to work once because I needed to pack up some stuff but it's pretty much just staying around my area. This has had an effect on my family bonding because I still haven't spend time with another relative but I guess video calls will have to do.  I've also started a new hobby, photography compositions or composting , and I'm going to start to look at creating composite fantasy pictures. It started because I wanted to learn to make my own romance covers but price of the course was prohibitive. Not only that,...