Fun shoot with the Kings at the Bicentennial Mall in Nashville

Curves adjustment layers…. To be honest, after three years of working in PS, I’m just now warming up to Curves.  To those proficient in PS, I can hear you mumbling under your breath, “What took you so long, you luddite?”  My breakthrough came after watching a CreativeLive workshop featuring David Nightingale teaching Creative Post Processing. He demystified Curves and enlightened me to the power of a “S” curve! The website Cambridgeincolor has a good explanation and demonstration of Photoshop curves.

A couple of before and after photos with a few basic Curves adjustments:

This week is IBMA’s World Bluegrass Week and the 100th birthday celebration of Bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe.  I was drafted by a friend to head down to the Ryman Auditorium outdoor stage and take in the tunes.  I started to take a raincheck, but then I remembered a friend from high school that was a mighty fine picker, and decided to head on in.  After settling into the crowd, the tunes started rubbing off on me…my foot started tapping and my hands clapping.  The crowds were animated with the frequent instrumental solos and ecstatic as the likes of Vince Gill and Dierks Bentley among the many legends dropping in for a song. Days like this are one of the many reasons Nashville is a great place to live!

Rosco was a Christmas present for Kara a year and a half ago.  He tolerates us.

Time flies!  One day you have an infant in your hands and before you know it, the child isn’t a child anymore, really just steps from being an adult.  Take time to love those people important to you and let them know in no uncertain terms that you are on their side…their cheerleader…their shoulder to cry on…and then sit back and watch them fly!

Had the chance today to head out to East Nashville and take in the Tomato Art Fest!  I really wasn’t sure what to expect.  What I experienced was: a lot of happy people, some great creative artists, food, music and of course, tomatoes.

The Tomato Art Fest was founded by Meg and Bret MacFadyen, owners of East Nashville’s Art and Invention Gallery. In 2004, the gallery hosted an art show celebrating the tomato in late summer, and planned a few neighborhood events to promote the show. The Tomato Art Fest proved so popular that it immediately turned into an annual, signature event for the hip, urban neighborhood of East Nashville.  (From the Tomato Art Fest site.)

If you are new to Nashville, or just becoming aware of the social/cultural opportunities, keep an eye out.  Nashville is full of festivals, celebrations, great musicians and bands and so much more.  Venture out!