Maybe Matilda: Birthday Boy Photo

Friday, August 26, 2011

Birthday Boy Photo

My baby turned one this week! (Does that mean I have to stop calling him my baby?) I'm going to skip the part where I go on and on about how I can't believe a year has gone by, I can't imagine my life without him, etc. (although I'm sorely tempted) and hop right ahead to the part you might actually care about--one of his birthday gifts . . . sort of. Okay, fine, it was mostly a gift for me, but hopefully he'll appreciate it someday. And if not, at least it'll be put to good use when I gaze at it and cry remembering his sweet mushy baby years when he's a big sullen teenager who hates his mother.

I saw this picture a while back on Pinterest and really loved the idea--a yearly photo of the birthday kiddo with a description of their personality that year. Wouldn't this make a cool album someday? All of his birthday photos together as a little tribute to his childhood and growing years?


So I decided to stretch my limited photo-editing skills to their limit and try to start a tradition of birthday photos for my little one. Unfortunately, in all the hustle and bustle of our wild partying, I didn't end up with any photos of the little guy with his cake that really seemed just right! In every picture I snapped, something was happening--he was caught mid-chew (not his most flattering look), or gazing blankly off into the distance, and the ones where he was smiling sure weren't perfect either. So it turns out, the photo editing that was going to be a stretch to start with turned into a reeeeeeally biiiiiig stretch!

I decided that this picture was my favorite--this is how it looked straight out of the camera:
What a cutie! I'm going to make a separate post later about his cake--it seriously needs its own moment, because it just might be the only attractive-looking thing I've ever baked. Truly. I'm a disastrous baker.

Anyway, that photo obviously needs some help. He's precious, no doubt, but it's awfully dark, plus there's a balloon string coming straight out of his head, purse handles in the corner, and a kitchen chair taking up a whole side of the shot. I figured I could crop out the purse and chair, but I didn't really want to--I wanted to keep as much space as possible for the words I wanted to add.

I started with editing the color in Lightroom. (So many of you suggested it in this post when I asked for your editing tips that I downloaded the 30-day free trial, and once again you have proved yourselves fabulous. I love it! Just have to collect my pennies so I can buy a copy to keep.) I wanted it to have a faded, washed out look, and ended up here:

I have to admit that as a total novice at photo editing, I was tickled pink with the coloring I ended up with on this. Nobody better make fun of anything, now . . . don't burst my birthday balloon, thinking I did a good job.

I still had to get rid of those pesky background objects (balloon string, purse, chair, chair's shadow). After spending a ridiculous amount of time on gimp trying to figure out how to make that happen, success! It's not perfect, so don't look too closely, but I finally got them to disappear! Add in a little text, and here's what I've got:

Yay! Now all the focus is on my cute little goober enjoying his birthday cake--no distracting objects in the background--along with some things I hope I never forget about the way he is right now. It isn't perfect, but it's just what I wanted--a sweet tribute to my little guy on his first birthday. (Oh, and in case the text doesn't make sense, his all-time favorite movie is Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs . . . that was his party theme. I'm pretty sure if he had to choose between that movie and me . . . well, never mind. I'd rather keep deluding myself.)

27 comments :

  1. Aww what a cutie!! My daughter daintily ate her first birthday cake....but I think my son is going to destroy his just like Forrest haha Love the photo idea, what a great way to remember his 1st :)

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  2. That looks really really cute Rachel! I am gonna have to steal this for JJ. Although I am lacking in the photo editing skills department.

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  3. What a doll! Great idea! If only I only I had done this with all of my kids!!...maybe I can do this retrospectively?

    And I still call my 10-year-old 'baby' sometimes, much to her chagrin.

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  4. Adorable pictures! My Son is 26 he is still my baby!

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  5. good call with a chocolate cake, we made elmo, and his face was dyed red for days. Awesome editing as well!!

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  6. You did such a great job with this! It looks so fabulous, and it's such a transformation from the original photo. I'm seriously impressed!

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  7. That is darling. I wish I had thought of something that cute for birthday shots....you will be so happy you did this!

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  8. it looks really good! I so wish I had thought of this when my kids were younger.

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  9. I think this turned out so nice! You did a great job editing.

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  10. I think you edited the picture wonderfully! He is SUCH a cutie, so you really can't go wrong! Love the idea you used, I may have to try that out...

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  11. i love this...think i might copy ya:)

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  12. That turned out super cute! My little gal just turned one too and we have some great photos of her and the smash cake. I might have to give this one a whirl! Thanks for sharing. BTW, your baby is a cutie ;-)

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  13. This is so adorable! What a great keepsake, and I'm sure he'll love to look at them for many years, until he starts to hate you. :) I love trying things from Pinterest that I find. I started doing one a week and blogging about it, and started a linky party yesterday for people who do the same. You should link this up next week! :)

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  14. This is awesome! I love the idea of starting a tradition like this now. And your editing skills are great- much better than you give yourself credit for!

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  15. Happy Birthday, Forrest! This is such a cool idea! Your final product looks awesome. I love his expression and how the cake ev-er-y-where.

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  16. you really did a fantastic job! I have seen those on pinterest too and just took the perfect "1st day of kindergarten" sot to try this. You editing turned out great!! He is such a cutie and I dont know if I have said it before but I LOVE LOVE LOVE that his name is Forrest. Wonderful name!

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  17. Love! That is so cute I'm going to do this too :)

    Excited to see detail about the cake (and hopefully more pictures hehe)

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  18. Um...my guy is almost 7 and I still call baby sometimes, oh sure he rolls his eyes and says I'm embarrassing but I don't care. I gave birth to him, he's my first, and he'll ever be too old to be my baby. (And besides, that will just give him one more thing to tell his future therapist about when discussing his crazy mother.)

    Cute pictures. I'm jealous. I need to learn how to use my camera better. If only to take a million photos of the baby.
    liZ

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  19. I LOVE this idea! Almost enough to get over my fear of childbirth..almost.

    As for Lightroom...Do you know any teachers or college students?? They can get a copy for $80ish. That's how we acquired ours!

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  20. ahhhh he is SO SSOOO cute! Like seriously I am drooling and not because of that tasty cake all over him! You did a great job with your photo editing! It is fun to see what a huge difference it can make!!
    Jaime

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  21. Wow, you did a great job editing that photo, and it looks great! Such a wonderful idea for a yearly keep-sake, too! Forrest is a doll face!!

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  22. What a sweet little photo and baby. What a wonderful moment, 1 year old! Congrats!

    Natalie
    www.projectdowhatyoulove.wordpress.com

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  23. I am so in LOVE with this idea! And yes, they will always be your babies (even when they're 40), that's what i tell my pickles. So call them that for as long as you like!!
    x Marnie

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  24. Just wanted to let you know I linked up to you today.

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  25. Holy Mac n Cheese! Your little boy is sooooo adorable! I love this idea! Thanks so much for sharing!!

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  26. Rachel!! This is absolutely precious! I saw the same original photo on pinterest (you know my obsession!) but I think I love what you did with it more. This would make an AWESOME album - what a great tradition!

    Did you know you can crop in Lightroom? I'm totally addicted to that program. :)

    And no, you never have to stop calling him your baby! What a cutie pie. :) Congrats on the big milestone!

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  27. good call with a chocolate cake, we made elmo, and his face was dyed red for days. Awesome editing as well!!

    marble top dining tables

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