Halina Veratsennik | San-Francisco Bay Area Photographer

Ross store in El Cerrito, CA Became a Drive-Trough

HalinaV — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:46:01 +0000

*— blog post out of order —*

Saturday. 2 days ago.
After some meetings and photoshoot, we (my family) were about to do some grocery shopping after getting a Linner (lunch + dinner) at local shopping center.
And then we heard a loud noise of glass breaking. Like a tall glass building broke into hundreds of thousands of pieces.
We looked around.
We saw people running to…
the Ross store.
We started to walk there too.
What we saw could have made National news (and similar cases did make national CNN news before):

Apparently the elderly lady who parked in the handicapped spot in front of the Ross Store, mistaken gas and brakes and drove through the door smashing the front door glass, windows (and I think glass cabinets that were inside of the store that are holding the jewelry).

Luckily no one was hurt!
and lucky me – I had a camera in my purse, so I can take pictures of the accident (not that it’s a benefit, but it’s definitely not something that happen every day).

I actually felt like paparazzi there. Since I was the only one holding a DSLR camera and not a phone to take pictures :)

San-Francisco – Mission District

HalinaV — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:06:05 +0000

San-Francisco is beautiful. I really Love this city (even though I still didn’t explore it completely – it’s just so much to see). But I’ve made a list of places in the city I need to visit and photograph. List is better than nothing…

Yeah…

I’ve made that list 6 months ago. And it’s still long, and not that many lines are crossed out…

But I’m getting better – I’ve used to go to SF only couple times a year – and this year I already tripled that number :)

In July, during Scott Kelby’s Third World Wide Photo Walk, I signed up with the group of photographers (and photography enthusiasts) that walked around San-Francisco Mission District, visited murals close to 16th St and Market, went to Mission Dolores park and enjoyed the view of downtown from there.

If you are interested in Photography, if you want to meet with like-minded people, walk around the neighborhood, chat about photography, equipment, editing and other photo-related subjects – I think it’s a great idea to join a photo walk like that. Maybe next year?

Here are the images that I took at that Photo Walk (all made using my templates for Lightroom 3):

(click on the previews below to see the photo in big size)

. End of August, 2010

HalinaV — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:50:04 +0000

I am so behind with blogging.
Writing on this blog (I’m much better with other ones).
There are so many things going on (especially in my head :)) that it’s hard to keep track of everything, organize and … write (not just Copy-Paste and make notes).

Travelling
Sessions.
Visitors
MeetUps
Organizing Photography Outings
Trying to make sure that I visit those that are scheduled by others.
Keeping everybody happy (or at least content)
Trying to avoid dissappointments (dealing with myself is the most hard task :))

School will start next week.

…and I will continue make promises, compromises and hope for the best.
But it’s Life :) Everybody is dealing with the same thing. Right?

Free Collage Template for Lightroom 3 (for photographers) – August Freebie

HalinaV — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:37:55 +0000

I start to accept, that creativity needs a routine and a schedule. So I decided that I need some kind of schedule for this blog too.
Long term commitment, but not a stressful one (because I don’t like stress).

Here is an idea:
Once a month I will create and post a FREE template (collage, card, album page) for Lightroom 3 (Print Panel) first of all (but that might change).

I did create some templates before and you can see\download previous bundle of free 20+ collage templates for Lightroom 3 here – <>
(I am exited that those templates were featured on Adobe blogs, Adobe Lightroom Facebook page, Lightroom Killer Tips blog and other blogs :))

So… Here is my First Monthly Share…

August Freebie – 20×20 collage\storyboard (for 9 photos):

<< Click Here To Download Template Archive >>

some useful links with that:

Tutorial - “How to install, use and export Lightroom 3 templates”
Tutorial – “How to change a background color in Lightroom 3 template”

p.s. It would be great if you send me a link to show how you use this (or any other templates) – just post a comment or send me an email :)

Tutorial – How to use collage and album templates in Lightroom 3

HalinaV — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:10:04 +0000

I’ve made a little tutorial on how to install, use my collage and album templates for Lightroom 3 and also how to save them on your hard drive:

To install templates:

1. Select the Print panel in Lightroom-3:

2. In the left panel point the mouse to the “User Templates”

right-click and select “Import”:

3. In the pop-up window select all the templates you want to install ( they all have .lrtemplate ending on the files). Click OK.

4. Templates should appear in the left side panel under “User Templates”

To place pictures to the template, just drag and drop photo to the place.

To export and save a template in Lightroom 3:

1. In the right-side panel open up Print Job and make sure that Print to is selected with JPEG File:

Then press “Print to File” button and Save a collage:

That’s it! You are done!

Now if you want you can open a JPEG file in Photoshop (or Lightroom) and resize it, or if you want to print it, just load it to your photo-lab account.

. discoveries

HalinaV — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:01:33 +0000

It seems, if feels like I’ve learned so much in the past few days.
A lot of things *in general and also –
Some things about myself.

I went to World Wide Photo Walk for the first time . Very happy that I did, even though I had to drag myself out of the bed at 7am on Saturday morning
…. Well, actually, it’s not true. My daughter helped me with that (getting up in the morning :)) – she was my personal alarm.

I’ve met people. So many interesting people.

Also this weekend I’ve listened and watched (mostly listen though) to David duChemin talk, explain, express and teach. I can’t think of any other well known, established photographer who’ve had as much impact, influence on me so far as David duChemin on this past weekend three-day webinar . I did a lot of nodding, smiling and laughing, making comments into the air (while wearing my wireless headphones and listening to all those words).

“Our vision naturally extends beyond what we can do. That’s what makes it fun and a challenge.” ~ David duChemin

I guess (I start to feel) that I’m on the new mission (aside from other important things like packages, books, cooking and cleaning, reading and “taking care of… so many different and unrelated things).

I feel like I’m on the track to … discover.
Something.
Me.
Something about me.
Something about *my vision

. Dreams

HalinaV — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:30:11 +0000

“There is nothing like a dream to create the future.”

– Victor Hugo-

Mimi & AleYo | San-Francisco Anniversary Photography

HalinaV — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 08:32:53 +0000

It is always fun to catch up with your friends (Mimi), meet new people (her husband AleYo), enjoy weather in fabulous San-Francisco on a warm day and of course take pictures :))
Wedding anniversary photos are fun (and they can also be a great present ;)). It’s like having an engagement photo session, but not before the wedding – a year after :))

Mimi and AleYo are such a fun and outgoing people! They are really open to anything (a lot of walking and modeling with the crowds watching :)) and they are just simply in love! :)) awwwww! :)

click on the preview to see the image in bigger size:

Miss A. – Preview | San-Francisco Bay Area Newborn Photography

HalinaV — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:30:10 +0000

I Really Have\Need\Want :) to post a preview \ sneak peak photos of Miss A.

One for Daddy:

And one for Mommy:

More photos are coming!

Miss S. | San-Francisco Bay Area Newborn Photography

HalinaV — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 06:16:45 +0000

“A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.”
Eda J. Le Shan

I believe all newborns are perfect. Yes, they are. And they are cute, and sweet, and soft and so innocent.
Miss S. is just another proof :) sleepy, cuddly and …. well… I’ll say it again – Perfect :)

click on preview below to see images in bigger size: