photo editing

What do you guys use to edit your photos? I'm no expert photo editor. I do what I can with what I have (all free programs). I'm contemplating on whether or not to take the plunge and invest in Photoshop and Lightroom. How do you guys feel about these images?

1.) This is the original image I snapped on Auto on a sunny day at the beach. No post editing.

2.) This is the same image that I edited in my Google+ account.  (Note: Your Google+ photo editor is what Picnik used to be! All the same actions/filters.... kazam!) I did a simple "Auto Fix" and then increased the sharpness by about 18%.

3.) And THIS was edited from the original image (numero 1). I found and downloaded Gimp, which is supposed to be an equivalent to Photoshop.  Do any of you guys use it/heard of it? I edited the colors by curves and got this result. I like the pastels it gave me (MUCH different from the Auto Fix from Google+ photo editor).

What do you guys think, which is your favorite? Do you prefer no edit? The high contrast edit? Or the ethereal edit?

Click here to see more of my photography.

Shine a Light

“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” -Isaiah 1:17

Today is #ShineALight on slavery day. Want an opportunity to join in on the #EndItMovement?

Team up with these two nonprofits (whom I have been SO BLESSED to work with) who are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating women and children who have been trafficked for sex in India:

Indian Rescue Mission Indian Rescue Mission and its team rescues children forced into prostitution, and seek justice against their oppressors; by identifying victims and perpetrators of forced prostitution and by mobilizing law enforcement agencies to rescue victims and arrest perpetrators, by assisting the legal system in the prosecution of perpetrators and by encouraging rescued girls and to seek justice and to engage in effective rehabilitation.

&

Ashraya Mission Ashraya Mission is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization based in Nashville, Tennessee. Our rehabilitation home for girls rescued from the sex industry is located in India. Although small, the provision of quality medical care, trauma counseling, art/music therapy, education, proper nutrition and an exposure to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is changing lives. Through these mechanisms, Ashraya Mission aims to be a refuge and a place of redemption for these beautiful ladies.

and NEVER forget: "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."

Happy Easter!

"Love has a hem to her garment that reaches the very dust. It sweeps the streets and lanes, and because it can, it must." - Mother Teresa

One day, back in Sep/Oct we were hanging out with our friends by the river (in Karnataka). This day served as our "going away party" after working at Ashraya Mission for the past several weeks.  We ate a delicious meal of Chicken 65 cooked to perfection on a makeshift stove by our friend Shunkar. After lunch we basked on the river bank, nursing our full bellies. We took a dip in the river with some buffalo then dried off by the heat of the Indian sun. While we were sun-bathing this friendly woman crossed the river near us. My friend Mithun picked up my camera and snapped these beautiful photos of her. Just look at her bright smile!

-Happy Easters!