{Thoughtful Thursday} on a Friday ~ The Up Close eDition

 And How 'bout a Give-Away?! 

Happiest Friday!

Could somebody please tell me what happened to Wednesday and Thursday?  

Poof  - Gone.....

'sigh'

Today I am getting a little up-close and not too personal with a favorite piece of our home. :) The old door that separates the kitchen and entrance....and in particular it's lovely antique door knob. 

Isn't it pretty?  

I took the top pic with my 24-70, then switched over to my 105 micro lens.... so I could get in on the beautiful detail.  

Someone once left a comment here..... 'Kim, you could make a door knob look good.'

How sweet is that?  Thank you!

It struck me as kinda funny though.... cause I think door knobs are BEAUTIFUL.... 

Which got me to thinking of the line....  'beauty is in the eye of the beholder.'

Perhaps, half of the trick to making pretty pictures is seeing the beauty in our subject...... 

Whatchya think?  

Some of today's images are textured with Mona from The Studio Collection, set to Linear Burn at 100% opacity. Linear Burn is a cool blend mode to play with... It can be quite dramatic..... Give it a try...Remember you can always lower the opacity.... for a more subtle effect.

Before adding the texture I converted the photos to black and whites with a slight sepia overlay. (as seen in the second and last photo)...

So how bout a weekend challenge! With a chance to win a little something too. 

Here's how this give away will work.  

(please note: in order to qualify you gotta follow the 'rules')

1. Find something that may not be considered 'beautiful'........ something unique.... detailed.... lovely....get up close and capture it's true beauty! (perhaps you already have an unique up-close photo in your collection....if so, you are a step ahead...)

2. Share the link to your 'unique beauty' photo in the comments below. 

3. Then pop over to Shutter Sisters and link up there for a second chance to win...My SS post is also about getting up-close.... and Mr. Bennigan is making his SS debut. 

Are you in?  The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Sunday, June 26th, before noon, at the bottom of this post.

The give away prizes are:

~ 1 Free Studio Collection Texture Set - $60 value

~ 1 Free 4 months membership to The Photoshop Test Kitchen - $25.00 value

~ 1 Free Spot in The Essentials eCourse (which started this past Tuesday... but not too worry... there's lots of time to catch up!)

Okie doke..... I'm signing off....  

Good luck!

Have a most beautiful Friday!  

xxo,

p.s. If I owe you an email... Hang in there... It's coming........ I have a few hours slotted to catch up on my inbox..... later this afternoon. :)

Update on June 26 by Kim Klassen

Give Away Winners - please email me to collect your 'prize'......

The Studio Collection - Renee Howell {This I didn't Know Blog}

4 month Test Kitchen Membership - Dianne - {everything else thrown in}

Essentials eCourse Scholarship - Kristin - {Me the Picture Taker Blog}

 

Comments

[Charleen]

Great prompt! The first thing I thought of was the peeling door on my garden shed. It's been on my list forever but I never get around to scraping and painting it. Now I know why ... it's beautiful!! http://flic.kr/p/9Ws8ss Even SOC isn't bad http://flic.kr/p/9WrVGJ

[~Shari]

Seriously, I do not feel worthy to even post my photo here. But, I so enjoy your blog and tips and tricks and today post as to how you make a darn door know look beautiful, I thought I may play along.

Here is a link to my grandmothers (vintage) food coloring bottle.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28998778@N00/4979546127/

I am not sure if it is ok to do this - but I have the original and the processing done to achieve the final photo. Feel free to delete this if this is not cool.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28998778@N00/4980151540/

[amyd]

thanks Kim for reminding that I had an old photo of a great doorknob
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fourcornersdesign/5866696567/in/photostream

and this more recent photo of garden nozzles
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fourcornersdesign/5867251016/in/photostream/

thanks kim for a great post and a great giveaway!

[Amisha]

My meds!

http://gorgeousandfun.typepad.com/gorgeous_and_fun/2011/06/been-sick.html

[Geri]

Oh how I would love to win any of your wonderful gifties!!!

here's something very dear to my heart - my brushes :)

http://www.myheartartbygeri.com/2011/06/lets-get-up-close.html

[Pam Kennedy]

How fun! Love your doorknob! :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkreadsalot/5334021505/in/photostream

[Pam Kennedy]

Sooo I missed the part about the picture being something not normally seen as beautiful, hence my entry of the rose! DOH! So here's my legit entry: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkreadsalot/5816735185/in/photostream

Sorry about that!

:)

[Pam]

I just love your door knob Kim,
Here is a link to my rusty old picture
http://pamjonesphotography.blogspot.com/2011/06/beauty-is-in-eye-of-beholder.html

Pam

[Mindy Essex]

Love this - it's one of my favorite things to do. This is from my backporch ...

http://wp.me/s1D7EC-unlocked

[Sherry]

Love the door knob. Here is some
pressed glass. Thanks!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sher65/5867704570/in/photostream

[Sherry]

Okay, I tried that again and used sepia like you did and I like it better.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sher65/5867170131/in/photostream

Count this entry instead of the other. Thanks!

[Janet]

Here is my contribution to our door theme! This is detail of the door at Lichfield Cathedral in Staffordshire England. The Cathedral dates back to 1100s. I am not sure how old the door or the fixtures on the door are! Made extra special by Kim's Texture Warm Sun. Enjoy the weekend everyone..

[Janet]

Here is my contribution to the weekend Challenge. This is detail of the door at Lichfield Cathedral in Staffordshire England. The Cathedral dates back to 1100s. I am not sure how old the door or the fixtures on the door are! Made extra special by Kim's Texture Warm Sun. Enjoy the weekend everyone..

[Janet]

Here is my contribution to the weekend Challenge set by Kim Klassen of Shutter Sisters. This is detail of the door at Lichfield Cathedral in Staffordshire England. The Cathedral dates back to 1100s. I am not sure how old the door or the fixtures on the door are! Made extra special by Kim's Texture Warm Sun. Enjoy the weekend everyone..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40632777@N04/5867732146/

[Kelly Warren]

I just happen to have a photo titled "Eye of the Beholder"! It's actually a close up of grass seed pods, which upon sneezing make may those with allergies sneeze... http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellynwarren/5867659780/in/photostream

[linda makiej]

I had such fun with this!!! thanks for this challenge Kim!!

http://gallerymakiej.blogspot.com/2011/06/up-close.html

[Corinne Marie]

Door nobs are great, I mean we touch them everyday! :)

[Corinne Marie]

oops here is link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mscorinnemarie55/5868060870/in/photostream

[Kerry Estey Keith]

A close up with cheap screw on Macro Lens: http://www.womanwild.org/2011/06/once-owl-now-heart.html

[Kai]

My leaking hummingbird feeder.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/-kai2-/5860601527/

[Barb]

Here's mine
http://keepingupwiththetimes.blogspot.com/2011/06/kim-klassen-friday-night-challenge.html
thanks for the chance to win!

[Nancy]

The back screen door to my 100+ year-old farm house.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5159/5868489132_619060519f_b.jpg

[olivia]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifeloveandfotografia/5487456656/

I'm obsessed with building, old buildings and architecture. My husband is always why I like to take pictures of old buildings, I think its just because I love the history behind it

[pthurmond1]

Up close and personal with a mushroom!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50901045@N02/5867966197/in/photostream

[karie]

here is the sweetest little bee i've ever seen

http://karieleephotography.blogspot.com/2011/06/up-close.html

ENJOY!!

[Dianne]

pretty barbed wire??

http://www.everythingelsethrownin.net/2011/06/iron-bars-do-not-prison-make.html

Thanks, Kim--I always enjoy your challenges!

[Tia]

Oh, Oh, Oh, I want to win!!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/henriksent/5415978905/

Thanks for all your inspiration and wonderful things on your site! I took your mini course and would love to take the Essentials.

[marci]

this is a wall. but up close it is an incredibly beautiful wall.

http://harmonie.aminus3.com/image/2011-05-09.html

[Sally Turlington]

Oh how I love a give away! I'm submitting this goofy photo. Surely this subject isn't considered pretty!!?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sallyt/5868395587/in/photostream

[Andrea Thomas]

Usually we think of open flowers as beautiful, but these unopened flower buds really caught my eye instead!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreainsc/5869490106/

[denise]

Oh Kim...those knobs are stunning. I love your processing too!!! xxo Denise

[Becky U]

up close with my electric meter~thanks for the giveaway too!

http://noteveryonehasfilm.blogspot.com/2011/06/up-close-with-kim-klassen.html

[Teresa]

Loved the treatment of the door knob Kim. This is what I love about pp, you can create beauty out of something ordinary. Her'es my contribution a bunch of keys.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teresa-p/5869896688/

[Neringa]

The first thing that came to my mind was the thistle. I always used to see it as an ugly, prickly weed. But another day I saw it blooming, and I thought to myself- that's pretty. . . So today I grabbed my camera and went to get some photos...

Here is one of them http://www.flickr.com/photos/neringa111/5870022027/

Thank you Kim for great ideas.

[Kathy]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53092841@N06/5870676316/in/photostream
Brrrr....Winter :)

[Alabama Dianna]

My flowers are fading and dying away but I can STILL see the beauty in them~

http://www.flickr.com/photos/diannahauf/5871057594/

[Kristin]

Followed you over today from Shutter Sisters - always LOVE a new discovery - had a wonderful photo to add to your section today . . .

http://methepicturetaker.blogspot.com/2011/06/up-close-and-personal.html

A lovely close up of our little grandbaby, her darling little newborn face only, just minutes old. And of course I was overjoyed to share.

I'm linked up at Shutter Sisters as well :)

Kristin

[Anita @ GoingalittleCoastal]

I sadly don't have a macro but here is a view of my tablecloth through a blue ball jar. One day macro, you will be mine!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52364811@N06/5537034411/in/photostream/

[Carrie]

I loved the way the light was falling across my jewelry box in this pic......thanks so much for a great give away! ;0)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62774219@N08/5871337087/in/photostream

[jovita]

Hi Kim, here`s mine...Thank you

http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulsmoothie/5832378616/

[Jenny]

I love old things the Best!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60556974@N07/5872371705/in/photostream

[Teresa Schmid]

I took this photo a little while back. This little fella was less than a half inch long and crawling on a blue bucket
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teresasbengals/4905288217/
Love the door knobs!

[Kylie]

This is a shot I took a while back of bolts on a really old railway bridge.

http://mistofsilver.aminus3.com/image/2010-02-23.html

[Renee]

Doorknobs and keyholes. thanks for the idea Kim!

http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/thoughtful-thursday-on-a-friday-the-up-close-edition.html

Great way to spend a quiet Sunday morning outside on the porch with the birds singing and the dogs sleeping!

[Renee]

Whoops - here is the real link. Wishing for that "delete that previous post" button!

http://renee5280.blogspot.com/2011/06/thoughtful-thursday.html

Renee

[cathy]

Hope I am not too late! Knight's glove.....

http://donaldandcathy.typepad.com/ma_vie_trouvee/2011/06/kims-weekend-challenge-knights-gloves.html

Thanks Kim!

[jan]

Here is my "beauty" close up. More of a natural than made.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61488543@N08/

Have enjoyed the texture tuesdays totally!

[Lisa Bivona]

Congratulations, to all the winners, sadly I missed the deadline, but I do enjoy seeing others win!!!!!!

Lisa

[Anna]

I've been away for a family graduation, but wanted to tell you how I love your unexpected subject matter! Great shots! I just posted some of my first macro shots today. Oh my, what a super fun lens :)

[Kathy Jones]

Congratulations to all the winners!