Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Gimpy Days


I’m a terrible one for going through phases, particularly when it comes to pastimes. Case in point being my Etsy treasury obsession a little while ago. I’ve actually not been on there for ages now, but no doubt when the notion takes me I’ll throw myself right back into it. That’s the way I do things, when I come across something I enjoy I tend to overload on it for a while at first. Like playing online Scrabble, or reading too much of the one author.

My current obsession is with the image editing software Gimp. I couldn’t afford to buy Photoshop again when my laptop packed in so I got this free alternative instead; it really is almost as good. At least it is for my purposes, I’m sure proper graphics people would wrinkle their noses at it. Anyway, aside from making my blog banner and buttons, I hadn’t put it to much use until recently. Then about a week ago I was saving some photos when I realised how many I had taken since I got my wee camera. I’ve hundreds! Most of them are quite poor but I have that many I thought I should do something with them. So I started playing around on Gimp and I’ve now found a new outlet for my procrastination. Many hours will and already have been consumed!

Here’s a few examples of what I’ve come up with while playing around with layers and textures. These are only my first attempts at this kind of thing and I’m still only learning, so please don’t judge them too harshly! I’ll have creepy ones to post as the season approaches. And I haven’t forgotten about the promised fungi photos, either, I’ll post them some day soon too. You’re going to be sick looking at photos here by the time this phase passes!


p.s I’ve even started a Flickr account, which you can check out here.

12 comments:

Kathy said...

WOW! LOOK what you did!?! These are great. I'm downloading it and going to have some fun. These photos are just terrific. Don't you just LOVE playing with photos? I do! I'd be a lot thinner if I didn't sit at the computer so much....le' sigh...

Thanks for sharing!

Kathy

Róisín said...

Aw, thanks Kathy! And yes I do love playing with photos! I know what you mean about sitting at the computer too, the strongest muscles are in my fingers. Well, hope you enjoy Gimp as much as I do! Have a lovely day,
Roisin x

Danni said...

These are lovely and a rather pleasant way to procrastinate. I've used and enjoyed the Gimp, but when it comes to editing photos to get the soft ephemeral feel yours have I seem to have no talent at all. I'll just have to keep an eye out to see more of your photos, hehe.

Oh! I've added you over on Flickr. :)

Róisín said...

You're too kind Danni :) Thanks for the Flickr add too! I'm over browsing through your photostream right now; so many marvellous shots! I can see myself getting very addicted to Flickr now as well, it's a whole new world. Well, glad you stopped by and I hope all is good with you,
Roisin x

Laura {Gypsea Tree} said...

These are awesome! Forget job searching- must get Gimp! I have never heard of it before. I too can see a new obsession on the horizon. I do the exact same thing. I get crazy obsessed with something for days or weeks and then drop it entirely until some random future date where I will re-discover it and go through the whole cycle again. I do this particularly with anything that will assist me in not doing other things I'm supposed to be. haha. Indeed I think you must be my Irish counterpart! Happy gimping! (hehe that name cracks me up!)

Róisín said...

That's exactly how it works for me too Laura! This is getting spooky now... At least I can safely say I think you'll love Gimp. Like PS but without the hefty price tag, perfect for us poor jobless people :) Look on the bright side, at least we've got plenty of spare time to enjoy things like this. My man always tries to make me feel better by saying that I should be enjoying this little break from the real world. He's probably right (as usual). Anyway, happy gimping to you too! (The name cracks me up as well, I had to resist a few jokes while writing that post!)
Roisin x

Anonymous said...

Fabulous kindred spirit!!

http://fanciliciousfairylands.blogspot.com/

You are lovely!

brandi said...

~one can never get tired of seeing such magical pictures and images!! i think you have found a beautiful creative outlet and you have done wonders so far...can hardly wait to see what else you will share...much l♥ve and light upon you always~

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

I will check that out! I love the sparkly effect! Thanks dear one for the bit o' knowledge! Hope all is well and sending you lovely thoughts of joy. Blessings.

Róisín said...

Thanks for the kind words as ever ladies :) I hope all is well with you and you're enjoying this magical season. I'm looking forward to getting over to your blogs for a catch up!
Roisin x

Anonymous said...

I've never heard of Gimp - but LOVE what you are creating with it! I'm still using a very old (VERY OLD) version of Paint Shop Pro that took me a long time to learn! I'm off to visit your flickr...
Have a great weekend, Róisín!
Zuzu

Róisín said...

Aw, thanks Zuzu :) Hope you had a great weekend too!
Roisin x

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