Vignette Crocus

Vignette Crocus
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel.

Since today is the warmest day we have had so far and I am still recovering from pneumonia, I grabbed my camera and went outside to snap a few photos. Here's our first crocus plants to come up.

I used Picnik to crop the original photo and then apply a creative vignette effect. This one darkens the edges of the photo. I set it to a purple color.

I am impressed with the features of this Web site and recommend it to all my friends.

Come to the Picnik!

Picnik is an online photo editing tool for those who either do not have an application they can use to edit their photos or for those who wish to edit their photos using any computer that is online and their Fickr or Picasa Web Album accounts.

Do we really need PhotoShop or other expensive software manipulation tools anymore? How many of us have struggled to learn these tools in workshops or graduate classes only to learn of their expense? As time is essential to educators, this tool is simple and quick to learn.

Mush! The Iditarod 2007

Through the years, I have been watching the technology evolve improving the coverage of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race in Alaska. The official Web site offers a subscription now, for a reasonable price, but other Web sites offer coverage too. My own Iditarod page have been condensed from the three pages I used to have to only one.

But, this does not mean there is less offered. It is just evolving. My favorite coverage was always Alaska Public Radio's short and interesting audio clips which you can listen to free of charge using iTunes.

Open Source has also hit the trail with the BSSD IditaProject. There a lot to explore here... podcasts, videos, a thematic unit and a even a wiki! As the race this year is expected to be fast with an early winner, you'd better put on your parka and get over there to see what is happening...

Photo of Me at Plymouth

Photo of Me at Plymouth
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel.

Despite the fact that I have owned two previous digital cameras, I realize it takes a lot of time to get used to all the features. I have it set at 8.1 Megapixels. I used my first shots of The Forefather's monument in Plymouth, MA to make a movie. When it is posted, I'll tell you more about it.

Notice the reflection of my husband in the lenses of my glasses. He took a realistic photo of me (it was very cold) but he never gets close enough. So, I guess I can tell him that at 8.1 Megapixels, this is close enough. Where's the wrinkle cream?