it's a small world by jantan

it's a small world

I have been meaning to have a go at one of these tiny planet thingummyjigs for ages and finally got round to it today. Unbelievably easy, and good fun. I used PSE8 and this tutorial:

http://dirksphotoblog.wordpress.com/2006/09/06/tutorial-create-your-own-planets/

The photo I used is one that I used in my 'Same Tree Different Sky' album last year.


I took Angus (15) into town this afternoon for a well-overdue haircut and a trip to the dentist. Dropped him outside the hairdressers while I drove to an office supplies shop on the other side of town. I didn't hear my phone ring (my car is sooo noisy) but when I had finished in the stationers I found a message asking me to go back and get him because there was nobody there who could cut men's hair that day, so he still looks a bit like 'Cousin It.' Not sure what is going to be said when he goes back to school tomorrow.

I thought I might use the opportunity of having got him into town to get him inside a couple of shops to buy him some new clothes. No such luck, so between the non-existent hair cut time and his dental appointment he sat in the car listening to his music while I went and bought him some new clobber. He is definitely his father's son. Graham shares his disinterest in all things sartorial, so I employed the same maxim as I do when buying clothing for him. If it is non-descript and of a colour that could be found either at the bottom of a swamp or in a particularly unremarkable bruise, then he will probably wear it. How I crave a daughter at times..........

Anyway, my rule of thumb worked and he liked, well, didn't actively dislike all of the things I had bought. As we were leaving town we did share a bit of a laugh at a very drunk man throwing up all over his friend's 'Harrods' shopping bag, the irony! We were both very impressed by the fact that he didn't spill a drop of the can of beer he was holding at the the time. And as we drove home he cross-questioned me about my thoughts on Maggie Thatcher's passing (no tears from me - enough said.)

It makes me smile to hear him espousing his views on all things from current affairs and politics to religion. His opinions are so strong, idealistic and clear-cut. It reminds me very much of myself at that age. I know I 'harp on' about him not working hard for his exams - probably because that reminds me quite a lot of myself too. It is comforting however to realise that not all of the time he spends looking at Youtube is wasted. Often when I ask him how he knew about something or other (usually to do with world politics - he was obsessed with the American election) he has been watching documentaries and interviews about it on Youtube. I would say that the person he most respects in his immediate circle is my Dad. When we all went on holiday at the end of last year he and my Dad sat up into the early hours on a few occasions putting the world to rights. And although my Dad doesn't know it, his views (socialist, atheist) have been firmly adopted by his grandson.

It has been good to spend some time just with him while Sam has been away. And he has even done some work in the last week!

Only two days til Sam gets home. :0)
that is fantastic - I must try that - fav
April 9th, 2013  
Amy
Awesome, must try this!
April 9th, 2013  
Nicely done. Been thinking about trying it for a long time too, but haven't really taken any shots I think it'd work so well with.
April 9th, 2013  
I see that this shot is on your 365 album and because of that, perhaps more important! I like your frankness in setting down your thoughts and I do feel that I know you better! I hope Sam is your partner and also glad your Dad is still around!
April 9th, 2013  
This is fantastic Jan, must give it a go. Love your "diary" thoughts that you share with us. I think you are lucky to have a son who really doesnt care about what he wears. I have the opposite - a daughter who most definately does!! Bought the book you recommended but am hiding it from Eve who would read it first and play me at my own game.
April 9th, 2013  
@lucypics Oh yes, you have to hide it!
April 9th, 2013  
@jantan She did spot it and say "Get out of my life"? Whats that and why do you look so guilty? She is too smart that one. I pretended it was a novel.
April 9th, 2013  
Nicely done; must try it some time.
April 9th, 2013  
Lee
Looks Really good.
April 9th, 2013  
Really good result must try this
April 9th, 2013  
Awesome Jan.....Amazing result! Fav : )
April 9th, 2013  
Excellent
I have seen this done before and I might have a go with yesterdays pic :D
April 9th, 2013  
Jo
Love this and thanks for the link, definitely want to give it a try.
April 9th, 2013  
lol, nice one Jan :-)
April 9th, 2013  
This is one of the best I've seen. The single tree really works beautifully and looks a bit like a bonsai tree! I must get PSE soon. I'm still just using iPiccy because it's so convenient (and free online).
April 9th, 2013  
I've been messing with this lately too! I just need to take a good photo that works well with it! Nicely done, I really like it a lot!
April 9th, 2013  
Awesome processing!
April 9th, 2013  
Inspiration.......must try this.well done it has worked really well...sounds lovely grunge colour clothss and long hair, just like we were in the 60s!!
April 9th, 2013  
Nice one - this looks like a fun thing to try :)
April 9th, 2013  
Well done! Must try too!
April 9th, 2013  
Great results.
April 9th, 2013  
This looks great, I have yet to get into experimenting, maybe a lot of fun, love the colours
April 9th, 2013  
It turned out really cool! Wonderful job.
April 9th, 2013  
Nice technique
April 9th, 2013  
A wonderfully clever looking shot & I'm sure not as easy as you make out!! looks a bi Hobbity !!!
See I told you you needn't have anything to worry about with Angus he sounds a very rounded young man interested in what he's interested in!!!!
April 9th, 2013  
BTW I'm amazed your hairdressers weren't able to cut a mans hair......I thought most hairdressers were unisex now!!!
April 9th, 2013  
Wonderful processing,great effect!!
April 9th, 2013  
This is lovely and nicely thought out. Very cool.
April 9th, 2013  
Love this with the single tree - really effective. My husband use to sit up for hours with his granddad (atheist, communist (for a while) - shifting to very old Labour). Spent a long time as a result grappling with the private school question but ultimately thinks it's the right choice - just grateful for the atheist so he doesn't have to get it past granddad in the afterlife!
April 9th, 2013  
So creative and fun! Fav
April 10th, 2013  
Fav!...this is something I want to try at some time. Well done. I love your conversations with your son...I am always amazed at how much they do get when they are on the 'net'! You think they aren't aware...and then they say something!
April 10th, 2013  
@happypat It really is incredibly easy Pat. Literally crop photo, resize photo, rotate photo, apply filter and a bit of tidying up.
April 10th, 2013  
I love this effect! That tree just makes it!
April 11th, 2013  
This is awesome! Good for you for completing a project you've always wanted to try and thanks for sharing the info on how you accomplished it!
April 11th, 2013  
JH
I love it. Fav!

The sludgy bruise colour scheme sounds familiar - perfect description! Nice commentary today: sounds like things are maybe a bit less fraught with Angus. Good-o.
April 11th, 2013  
This is really beautiful. I'm so in awe at the things I see and learn on here. I'm going to check out the link tomorrow just to learn some more. And also your diary was great reading. Thank you for sharing. Quite a son you have. I'm glad you enjoy him so. Happy weekend to you. :)
April 13th, 2013  
Love the bright vivid colours. Thanks for the link, I'm going to give it a go :)
April 13th, 2013  
Brilliant! Something that I haven't done either. Thanks for that link.
April 15th, 2013  
FAV! Your son sound very similar to my youngest :o) xx
April 15th, 2013  
Your planet is wonderful and it is great fun to fav it.
And thank you so much for your kind comment and fav :o)
April 22nd, 2013  
I don't know which I enjoyed more, the photo or your writing. Suffice to say, I look forward to more:-).
April 23rd, 2013  
This one works so well for the small planet!
April 28th, 2013  
Wow, that's one of the best small planets I've seen. You chose the perfect shot for it.
May 29th, 2013  
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