Sunday 27 November 2011

I'm feeling RADical

Let's hear it for early Christmas presents! And for brothers who suggest them. Friday night, Uncle Dave dropped by to see if there were any Fajitas on offer. There usually are, Fridays, so he wasn't exactly taking a wild stab in the dark.

 "I'll just sit here quietly and not bother you til tea is ready," he said, "because I can see you are conflicted."

"How?" I asked.

"Because you've got your don't-bother-me-now-I'm-feeling-conflicted face on."

Of course. He was right, though. I was conflicted. Torn. Troubled. My free 30 day trial of RadLab was about to end. I had told myself I wouldn't get sucked in. That I would just enjoy it for a month, play around with as many photos as I had time for, and then walk away. But it wasn't turning out to be that easy. RadLab is a lot of fun. RadLab is photo effects made easy. Like this:

Macaroons made by The (Not So) Small One

or this


or this


I had just begun to explore what it can do with its "stylets" and "recipes", But I did have a plan. The Black Friday sale. And that's where Uncle Dave came in. I was still deliberating when he arrived, and eventually he said, "Would you like it as a Christmas present?" and I said "Yes, please," and hit the button. So now I'm posting pictures of girly macaroons in the hope that he will scroll past and not realise I'm using my present early. Do you think it will work?

If you have willpower (and Photoshop or Elements) I do recommend downloading the 30 day trial and having a play around. I think you'll like it.

So, all I have to do now is remind you that it's Storytelling Sunday next week. The final one of the year! We need to talk about what's next: I had wanted to finish it up on a high, but you have been telling me you would like to keep it going. Let's think about it - keep it the same? change it up? Let me know what you feel like doing..

23 comments:

scrappysue said...

Oh how fun Sian, I'm so glad you like RadLab. I was waiting for Black Friday and hoping and hoping that the discount would be a good one. I had to plea a bit to borrow the money out of December's scrappy budget. Personally I think its the best thing ever. Promise not to tell Uncle Dave!

beccaf1970 said...

Glad you are enjoying your early Christmas present...I may have to look at the free trial! I also love how you staged your cookie photo shoot...I need to try this too! Thanks for the inspiration!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Radlab, eh? I've never heard of it but I'll check it out. I have PhotoShop but just haven't been able to play with it enough to feel comfortable navigating it. Your photos are great with the different effects!

Alison said...

What a kind brother! Glad you're enjoying it..must get around to investigating it
Alison xx

Nathalie said...

I don't know RadLab but I recognize a plate of yummy desert when I see one! Uncle Dave is very nice indeed :)

Cheryl said...

looks good - i love playing around with photos. i might just check it out x

Jennifer Shaw said...

What an awesome gift and lovely brother you have! The effects look terrific!

debs14 said...

What a clever plan to use a photo of something pretty and girly to ensure it bypasses him completely and he is blissfully unaware of you using it early!
I have really enjoyed Storytelling Sundays but can understand you may wish to put a new twist on it ... can't wait to see what you decide!

Becky said...

What a great early Christmas present! I have PSE but just don't seem to have the time to play around with it - I am hoping that 2012 might see a new job with fewer hours at work leaving me more hours for play!

Cheri said...

RadLab looks totally cool - but I already have enough toys that I still need to learn to use, so I'm going to do my best to resist for now!

Amy said...

I think actions are fantastic, theoretically. For the most part I love it when I see them used by others, but I am yet to see a set that encompases how I'd like my photos to look .. I think the ones you have chosen are fantastic for still life shots ... speaking of the still life shots here today - does TNSSO have some hints and tips re the macarons?

Miriam said...

What a lovely brother you have and a present that you really wanted, now that's perfect and what it is all about for me.
Can I vote for continuing with the monthly Story Telling Sunday?

Maria Ontiveros said...

Aren't brothers great? I'm getting back to all things PSE and PSE-like in the new year.
Rinda

Ginger said...

there you are... at it again! you enabler :) I have looked at Radlab in the past, but had completely forgotten about them! On another note, I have been thinking of taking the Christmas photo class you had mentioned on a previous post but cannot find it... who was it with again?

Melissa said...

Oh yes, early Christmas presents are wonderful - so glad Uncle Dave was there to help you out of your conflicted state!

I'm not quite ready for Storytelling Sunday, but I know what I'll be doing (just need to get my layout together) and I have a giveaway planned that day.

I've enjoyed the challenge of getting some stories recorded that I might not have otherwise (if it hadn't been for Storytelling Sunday), so thank you for hosting it! I'm looking forward to either continuing it or seeing what else you have up your sleeve to challenge us! :>)

Jimjams said...

Good for Uncle Dave ... and my 12th and final story is in the pipeline ...

Lynn said...

Have fun with your christmas present! Thanks for your input re the Slice machine - I have put it on my wish list so heres hoping!

I love storytelling sunday and would love for it to continue, but I do appreciate it takes an amount of work on your part. For me it has got me recording some childhood memories that would otherwise be lost and I also find that when reading other peoples stories it prompts one of my own.

Lisa said...

I've heard a lot about RadLab - maybe I should check it out as your photos look gorgeous!

I haven't joined in on STS but I really enjoy reading yours every month. I'd be sad to see it stop.

Scrappi Sandi said...

I don't have Photoshop or Elements, so this probably isn't for me!! But I do love playing with other 'application' sites like Picassa & BigHugeLabs, so I'm not missing out altogether!! BTW those macaroons look absolutely delish whichever way you show 'em!! :) Enjoy that Xmas gift...what a thoughtful & perceptive gent 'Uncle Dave' is!!

Sandie said...

I've not heard of RadLab but like the effects. What a great early Christmas present - I so love ones like that! Oh, and the macaroons look amazing!

Anonymous said...

Haven't heard of Radlab - I'll have to check it out.

Lisa-Jane said...

I think that it was very fortuitous timing him popping around for fajitas on Black Friday. Our fajita night is Monday (when I am not eating because I am at Slimming World :-(()

Missus Wookie said...

Looks fun, not played w any effects for PSE yet. Thinking of STS but not written it yet.

Related Posts with Thumbnails