Ciao! I've finally found an awesome way to highlight and sell my photos/art! ;-) So excited!

AWESOME!! Bellissima!! xoxo WOW! "Lunar Eclipse 2010, via Daily Dose of Imagery"

View from my PINterest board!
http://pinterest.com/pin/72956957/

"Righting Thieves Daze!" By Joana Young

Their our sew mini pee pole hoot due knot no how two right! Wit gramma issues, tiepoles, cinnamons, n queued acronymz, peeple tink thay our riders! Are brainz our sow amayzin', wii our a bull two sing hims... in steel knot no how two spill write!! Wurst, they no their our txting is shoes, butt know won gives a ship! Eye due knot swair, butt WTF? Eye jess wanna sway, "Git a ejucakation if ewe due knot no how two spill write!" OMG! Hoot in da whirled well wok necks too us, if wii due knot no how two due it write, in how wheel in knee won have inny eye deer how too reed are righting, write?!? Gimme a brake... ewe no? Watt's da porpoise two right if it is knot dun wright? IM POwed win eye see (in hare it wit mine owed airs), all dis crêpe! Will, dats it four now. LOL! ;p xoxo

By Joana Young

© Copyright April 2011

_______________________________________________________________________________

this is the poem i wrote last night on my phone via gmail (so it doesn't suddenly disappear). hehehe i was a tech writer before. i was also a college academic counselor, so when adults write unintentionally WRONG, it reflects badly professionally. currently, in the dept where work, i QC documents... for clients with BIG $$!! we cannot have any mistakes or we could lose (or some people say 'loose' hehe) the client!! please do not take offense at my humour!! it is just poking fun and not meant to hurt those who do not know english well. LOL, i'm sure foreigners in your land make innocent mistakes or have misunderstandings and it is laughable, but in a light-hearted and good way. for example, a foreigner once told me, "when i first came to the USA, i went to the restuarant and they asked me if i wanted a super salad. i knew english well, but had no clue what a super salad existed of! so later i found out it was 'soup or salad' and it was so funny!"  

in a casual environment, short writing is ok. however, writing professionally or in a business atmosphere, i often cringe at people's spelling and use of synonyms (please don't worry, i'm not saying anything about you lovely creative folks!!!!). it cracks me up how creative people are with txt messages too (i do it too!!) soooo creative!!!! so i make fun here in my write. i do feel that there is a rapid decline in the desire to write formally and with the proper spelling (lazy through spell check!!) and grammatically. for the kids these days, it is a crying shame!!

i know u are a clever "cleaver" peeps and will figure out each word. they are done with care, and i hope u laugh your a$$ off!! i am truly enjoying your friendship and fab interactions on all levels. i just feel that it is also incredible how wonderful our minds work. though there are so many ways to read something, we still are able to figure it out and seek to understand. hope you had fun!!!! xoxo 

BTW, i don't mind if you would like to share this. it is meant to be enjoyed WIT lotsa love and laughter!!! ♥ please just use the link so i can see the comments too!!! 

Who is this old man? :: Poem & Recording by: Joana Young

Poem & Recording by: Joana Young

http://soundcloud.com/user8616980/sounds-from-sunday-morning

Who is this old man?

He used to run about life with a heightened pace;

But now, he goes around with shoes he cannot lace.

Who is this old man?

There was not a day he would go without singing songs;

But now, he feels there isn’t a place where he belongs.

Who is this old man?

He used to be courageous, strong, and put up a fight;

But now, he feels defeated, and desperately cries at night.

Who is this old man?

He used to have the wisdom of a thousand years;

But now, he is shadowed and blinded like closed veneers.

Who is this old man?

He was known to travel to exotic and adventurous lands;

But now, his despair mounts like grains of sand.

Who is this old man?

He was a man whose life’s problems he would conquer;

But now, his mind is blank, hazed, and dazed in a blur.

Who is this old man?

He would share in the glory and excitement with bliss;

But now, all he can do is sit in silence and reminisce.

Who is this old man?

He once would go bravely into the dragon’s lair;

But now, all he does is look out the window and stare.

Who is this old man?

He would fly over the hills that no one would see;

But now, he just says, “The noose is knotted, just let me be.”

Who is this old man?

He would garnish himself with such laughter and joyful happiness;

But now, loneliness engulfs him in pangs of distress.

Who is this old man?

He once was a man who was loved and adored;

But now, he is withered, tattered, and scorned.

Who is this old man?

For this man still holds all of these amazing qualities… it is his own perception of loneliness and lowliness that he is plagued with. He is not old at all in years, but in his fears, and his doubts, and his tears… and he chooses to dwell under the darkest cloud. For this lovely man has not smiled or felt anything. He has become dead inside, empty. There is no sound, nor action, nor voice, nor gift that will uplift this old man. He has become sedentary, has given in, anguished, and no hope to live again.

Who is this old man?

He is one who has blessings in disguises in all forms, but chooses not to be grateful. Like a train, they pass right by him without notice, without a glance, without a chance that he can become ‘this person’ who he ‘once was.’ Or, could this be an illusion? It is for him to decide. It is for him to continue down the discontented path or make the arduous journey, the long trek, through the desert, through the mounds of sand, through the storms of tears, through the fire of those dragon lairs, through the noose and round up those fears, through the bewildered shadows of a million years, through the heightened air of heaviness to see the sun, to feel the warmth, to see the glory far beyond what he ‘used to be,’ for the train is waiting at the next station. He just needs to put on his best runners and make the first step.

Who is this old man?

He once was a man whose life was a mess;

But now, he has learned that he has been blessed.

Who is this old man?

He once was a man who was trifled and drowning in the sorrows he faced;

But now, he is a man who’s realized that life is preserved, and now has a place.

Who is this old man?

He once was a man who was without a care;

But now he is a man who is alive, and thrives, without a dare.

Photo credit by "mugley"

This photo was taken

on February 9, 2007 

in Melbourne, Victoria, AU.

GIVE AND TAKE

Gary Warne

“GIVE AND TAKE”

Hear the sound
Open your eyes
Turn around
Spoken lies

How we change
Hands of time
As we age
Still we climb

Drying tears
Wounds that heal
Facing fears
Things we feel

Hearts are broken
People in love
Promises spoken
To God above

Lives we live
People together
We take, we give
Now and forever

Open your heart
Give your all
Drift apart
Must stand tall

Peace & strife
Help each other
Throughout our life
Friend and lover

© 1997

PhotoShop Editing : AWESOME 'bloodshot eye' removal method... u will LOVE this!!

I have the great responsibility of editing formal portraits that I shoot. I have people ask me to "PhotoShop me!" for the details that they do not want highlighted. I do my best when it comes to minor editing, hiding unwanted blemishes, shadows, smoothing, etc. One tricky technique that I could not understand how to do with a natural look is getting the redness out of the eye whites, or "bloodshot eyes." The ideal tool for lightening is usually the dodge tool. When I used this tool, I ended up with light or bright pink eyes, when they are supposed to get white. So, I went 'surfing'... and found a great method on the Web. 

OMG found it!!!! It is much easier than it seems. The instructions are very detailed, which is good, but once you get the hang of it, it is about a 2 step process really. Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!! It totally WORKS!!! ;) 

Needless to say, I'm thrilled and so pleased with the results. You can vary your method or tool of selecting the parts to whiten, but I used this technique for the eye whites and to brighten or whiten teeth as well. Just keep in mind that it should look natural. Don't over do it!! Best to you... and happy editing!!

 

Instructions

1.         

o    1

Open Photoshop CS3 (I used PS CS4 and it worked fine) and the photo with the bloodshot eyes. Select the "Zoom Tool" (the very last tool on the right of the double column toolbar selections, which looks like a magnifying glass). Select the "+" magnifying glass and click and drag around the eyes to zoom to that area. If you have the "-" magnifying glass, either click on the "+" one along the top bar on the left side, or hold down the "Alt" key.

o    2

Select the "Polygonal Lasso Tool" by holding down the second tool on the left column of the toolbar (that looks like a lasso) and selecting it. Click continuously around the bloodshot area until you draw a line around it. Return to the beginning of where you started, to see the entire area you have outlined as the selected area to be manipulated.

o    3

Hold down the "Alt" key while clicking around any area you want to delete if it was mistakenly selected. Hold down the "Shift" key while clicking to select an area that you want to add to the areas to be manipulated. It is best to create an outline around the whites of the eyes on both sides to manipulate both areas at one time.

o    4

While in "RGB" Mode, open the "Hue/Saturation" window by holding down the "Ctrl" and "U" keys. Make sure the box next to "Preview" is checked so you can see how everything you are about to do is changing the selected area of the photo.

o    5

Move the "Hue," "Saturation" and "Lightness" bars up and down while the "Edit" section at the top of the window is under "Master" and/or "Reds." Generally, move the "Saturation" bar down and the "Lightness" bar up until the redness lightens and the whites of the eyes are more white or light gray instead of red.

o    6

Click on the "OK" tab when the whites of the eyes look more healthy and select the "Zoom Tool" again. Use the "-" magnifying glass to zoom back out and see the picture as a whole.

The Fibonacci Sequence and The Golden Mean : Golden Ratio in Art & Architecture

• • • 

      
      

      by Joana Young Photography

      
      

      The Fibonacci Sequence and The Golden Mean : Golden Ratio in Art & Architecture... What is the connection?? My discovery...

      
      

      I am a huge Fringe fan, which explains Fringe science... if you have not seen it and are into SciFi shows, it is well done and keeps the mind open to new possibilities. Anyhow, my curiosity runs a bit deep and thought you may be interested in learning about this interesting connection with math, science, and art. 

      
      

      In one of the episodes of Fringe, Dr. Walter Bishop hid the clues to something terribly important. The clues, and solution which was later discovered, as a sequence of numbers that was identified as being the 'Fibonacci Sequence.'

      
      

      I do not recall ever learning about this in math in high school, nor in college! I certainly wish that I had. It truly explains my fascination with geometry ;) But, by learning about this as a more mature person, it sparked an interest in me... that eventually answered many of my questions about the relationships with the talents of people who are knowledgeable and gifted in certain subjects.

      
      

      I work with accountants by day, or, as you may relate, my 'real' job. However, I hardly have the gift for numbers!! Interestingly, in college, I surprised myself one day in my statistics class when I worked out a problem during a test... the LONG way (no calculator). I understood how to get to the solution since I bought a new calculator and didn't know how to use the 3rd function on it to get to what I needed for my class. Voila! I came up with the solution on pressure and it was such a wonderful feeling (there is hope yet!).

      
      

      Anyhow, my point is that I have learned that many people who are gifted with numbers are excellent musicians. I would have never guessed it! But, in fact, the more I learn, the more I find out that this is so. Long story short (maybe not so short!! hehe), I was fascinated to learn (once I searched what I can find on the Internet) that The Fibonacci sequence and the golden mean DO have a relationship! Numbers, proportions, science, and the arts are all connected via this particular balance or harmony of numbers.

      
      

      Interestingly, I had always 'felt' or just 'known' the balance when I create. When I took fine art classes, I continued drawing, or coloring, or painting, until it felt 'right.' This 'feeling' I eventually incorporated with my photography... naturally.

      
      

      Although I had received many compliments on my artistic photography, it was not until a photography instructor saw my work and exclaimed, "your rule of thirds and your S lines are incredible!!" I had only taken a black and white photography class in high school which concentrated more on the development of film, so I honestly had no clue what he was talking about, yet I somehow have mastered it! Huge bonus!! :) So this instructor (salesman for computers at Circuit City) told me that it is difficult to teach this process of the rule of thirds to students, and he was surprised that I never studied it. This was fantastic news for me. 

      
      

      So, when I actually took a digital photography course, I did learn about the rule of thirds... and many other composition techniques, and it was elementary for me since this is what I have been practicing all along (yes, those art courses did pay off!). I had also learned things on my own by observing, since I am a very visual learner. I pay attention to the lighting in movies and different perspectives and techniques and try to make my photography simple, with the right harmony to 'feel good.'

      
      

      In my digital photography course, I noticed that emphasis was placed more on the result than actually learning how to use the camera! I was frustrated when I received the answer, "you will just need to experiment." Well, I am still learning to 'experiment' and in this discovery, it helps me NOT to have formal training... since I can create with my own techniques without feeling guilty that I did not partake in some 'rule' of photography!! I like being 'freestyle.'

      
      

      I have had much joy in sharing my 'learning' and 'experimenting' process with others. I eventually would like to have my 'art' printed on actual canvas and sell it on a large scale. For now, I continue to 'feel' my photography and I am so interested to learn what your thoughts are about how the The Fibonacci sequence is related to art or any other subject that you would care to share with me. I am VERY interested in learning! 

      
      

      I've searched websites and have only found that there is the geek mathematics explanation, or the deep artistic visual explanation. I am looking for a happy medium ;) I always wondered how I ended up in jobs related to finance. I have no complaints, however, how does someone of the right brain, creative, always end up with a numbers job? You can imagine my surprise once I learned about this 'golden mean.'

      
      

      Also, what is my fascination with nature? Why am I able to capture it with such a care, detail, and how does it inspire people so deeply? Aren't they things that people see every day? It is all related to the 'feeling,' this unique balance, this incredible proportion that God has given us... the life, our bodies, we are all related to this perfect balance... that is all summarized or explained with this set of numbers. 

      
      

      I also wondered, although I have never taken an architecture course in my life, I have been told by experts that I can capture it like no other. Even by a brilliant architect, he admires my photography and has asked me to do a photography project for him... his incredible designs. Fascinating, isn't it? We are all connected in this unique way. I feel that we are happy when we 

      
      

      Here is more info on the Fibonacci Sequence. If you find more or with a different perspective, I would be extremely interested in learning what you find! What are your discoveries with life and this incredible balance?

      
      

      There are many different names for the golden ratio; The Golden Mean, Phi, the Divine Section, The Golden Cut, The Golden Proportion, The Divine Proportion, and tau(t).

      
      

      Here is a website that visually relates the arts with the Fibonacci Sequence:

      
      

      http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/EMT668/EMAT6680.2000/Obara/Emat6690/Golden%20Ratio/golden.html

      
      

      
      

      Please let me know how you think... or 'feel' ;)

      over a year ago · Delete Post
    • 

      Joana Young Photography

      Check out this video... it is excellent!

      
      

      Patterns and Beauty: The Fibonacci Sequence in Nature

      
      

      http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/12110-patterns-and-beauty-the-fibonacci-sequence-in-nature-video.htm#mkcpgn=fb2

      over a year ago · Delete Post
    • 

      Joana Young Photography

      I wonder what are your thoughts about this??

      about 10 months ago · Delete Post
    • 

      Everett Houser

      Within God's creation are laws & measurements that govern. Whispers of genuis that we benefit from without any thought, or action. He has done all the hard work and answered the equations. Now we can sit along the shore and enjoy the embrace of a vibrant sunset, write a song, script a poem, or paint the scene that we see...all fueled by our spirit, creativity, and emotion. We ourselves are an equation. The human body is made up of geometry and rules that govern it...but within we are spirit and soul.

      
      

      Art is a candle lit by emotion and feeling. Our greatest capacity is that which lies within us and extends and reaches out to capture what we see around us. The rush of life keeps many of us from noticing the simple, and wonderous things that are right in front of us. 

      
      

      Art doesn't ask us to think, it asks us to feel. And thru this feeling we connect with the sequence and the equation, sometimes even when we are not aware. The rule of thirds and composition techniques are built into Nature, the song they sing help guide us.

      about 9 months ago · Mark as Irrelevant · Report · Delete Post
    • 

      Herb S Cervantes

      I've heard of the Fibonacci Sequence as I was pursuing my degree in Biology, but I did not think much of it. I sort of brushed it off as another formula to remember on a test, much like the law of gravity, or the infamous "E=m c-squared". Cramming to learn and memorize all of the math/chemistry/phsyics rules and formulas was the Top Priority at the time.

      
      

      But I wonder if 'Beauty' really does go 'beyond skin deep' - meaning, can we see Fibonacci, the Golden Mean, the rule of thirds, etc, right down to the molecular level, the double-helix structure of the DNA, the single strands of RNA, the cyclohexane rings, the isomers of sugar molecules... How about right down to the subatomic particle level, the arrangement of protons and electron clouds. 

      Thanks to the largely commercial availability of DSLRs - we can all easily share the photos of "the world that we can all see" - raw, unprocessed photos and photos skillfully and artfully processed with filters.

      But not too many of us have capability to shoot to the molecular or subatomic level to see and be able to work with these photos.

      If I said, "I have a passion for shooting dihydrogen oxide molecules and processing my photos using Topaz filters"... You'd probably think I'm crazy.

      How about, "Can anyone loan me a scanning electron microscope for the weekend so I can finish a project for my art photography class?"

      
      

      All fine and dandy for most of us who CAN see and appreciate natureand photography 'visually', but can we apply Fibonacci, the rule of thirds, golden mean, etc, in things we cannot see, as in poetry? 

      
      

      Think of how much less beauty there would be,

      for the ones who cannot see,

      without prose and poetry.

      
      

      Can we apply these rules to the verses, the meter, the rhymes, the rythm, the melody of limericks, sonnets, haikus, ballads, odes, and elegies.

      
      

      I'm a Biologist by education and training, so I have very little expertise in these "rules," so I am merely posing questions for thought - consider them "artistic hypotheses"...

      
      

      
      

      
      

      about 9 months ago · Mark as Irrelevant · Report · Delete Post
    • 

      Herb S Cervantes

      I wrote based on the premise that beauty is indeed everywhere in nature and in everything man made, such as architecture. I am simply wishing the following:

      
      

      1. Proliferation and availability of molecular and subatomic photography, be it raw or processed, or presented in some other artistic kind of way. I am sure there is beauty in the structure of Kevlar, or any other polysynthetic material. How about the carbon arrangement in the most coveted of all gems - Diamonds. It would be great to see the beauty of the carbon structure of diamonds beneath the surface glitter, and be able to work with photos. There's just not enough of these photos out there yet. For example, I am sure that my friend microbiologist and my friend photographer will shoot and present, photos of the same virus, in different ways.

      
      

      2. In regards to poetry, though it IS true that poetry needs to be read by someone who can see, but is the poem the words in print, the typeface, the font, the raised letters in Braille, or is poetry the "unseen thought", the "images", the feelings and emotions, conveyed by the words in print? How would one describe to the blind a scenery, a painting, or a panoramic landscape without the help of prose and poetry? I see, hear, feel the balance, beauty, and harmony in the words; I just am not "enculturated" enough about the direct correllation to and the application of the "rules" to poetry.

      
      

      I am still in awe with outer space photography - photographs of stars, planets, other galaxies (or other potential 'universes'), the clouds of Jupiter, even photographs of our own Earth from the space shuttle in orbit. It doesnt take much post processing to convey 'the Beauty and Magnificence of it all' and be completely fascinated. Thankfully these photos are readily available and widely circulated. But, how many photos show the turbulence of the electron cloud around a proton... or, a even a photo of the splitting atom...