In my corner of the world it is very cold right now. The mornings look really pretty though; frosty and bright, which has inspired this little Photoshop action.

It pares back all the alpha channels and neutral tones and whitens those whites – I think it works best on shots that are already quite neutrally toned and will definitely help on photos that are a little dull or under exposed.

These examples here have had the action applied with no other adjustments but all of the steps can be dialled down in opacity if you’re after a more subtle effect. (And your original image will remain intact).

Frosty morning – Photoshop action

If you need a helping hand, here’s a guide on how to run and install a Photoshop action.

I’m off now to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa – hope you’re keeping warm too (or cool if you’re down-under).

It’s just turned midnight so that means it’s now December. Wow, that went so fast!

I’m finding it hard to resist the temptation of my Lindt chocolate advent calender so I thought I’s show you what (almost) December looks like in Beaulieu, Hampshire. Those dead birds in photo 4 are hung up outside a sweet shop – that’s odd isn’t it? Or am I being all Town Mousey?

I spent an afternoon in the New Forest last week. Possibly it wasn’t quite as brown as the photos below are showing, but that’s my overriding memory of the place. Luckily though I rather like brown, after all it’s the colour of coffee, chocolate, humans and teddy bears – all the good things in life!

I realised when I was there how very few of my hours each week are spent out of doors; doing things like breathing in proper air, walking on non-man-made surfaces, that sort of thing. Whilst I’ll always be a city girl at heart, I always feel so much better after connecting with the countryside.

I think my new years resolution will be to engage my inner Bear Grylls  and get a bit more intimate with Mother Nature – I hear she’s quite the awesome babe! (So long as it doesn’t rain).

All taken with Canon 5D MkII and 50mm f/1.4 lens