how to create a .gif outfit post

I've been creating .gifs for my outfit posts lately. I like having the .gif in addition to still photos because you can show movement and (depending on the photos) more of the outfit.

Here I am going to show provide a tutorial on .gif outfit posts so you can do this for your blog too! .gifs are pretty easy to create if you have PhotoShop. (I am using PhotoShop Elements 10 by the way!)

Before we begin - start with your camera.
Make sure your camera is set on the option for shooting continuous frames. Below is a photo of what it looks like on my Nikon D3100. (If you don't have a DSLR read the tip in the first step!)

1. Take the photos!
Have your photographer hold the camera as still as possible while he/she holds down the shutter button as you pose. You can twirl in circle, walk forward to the camera, or do multiple poses. (If your camera doesn't have the continuous shutter option, try having the photographer take multiple shots while you move in extreme slow-mo. It will seem funny in the moment but it might work!)

These are all of my frames:

2. Open all the photos in PhotoShop and start layering. 
Simply drag each new photo onto the first photo in order, with the first photo as the bottom layer, and the last photo as the top layer. Try not to do too much editing unless you can get the photos all to match.

3. Resize the image.
You'll probably need to resize the image to be able to save it in a .gif format.
Click "Image" then "Resize" and then "Image size..." I currently set mine to 500 pixels wide at 300 pixels per inch.

4. Save it as a .gif.
Go to "File" and click "Save for Web." Set it to GIF and check the boxes for Animate and Loop. I set my frame delay at 0.2.

And you're done!

Click here to see the original post from the gif above

Hope this tutorial helped! Let me know if you've created some .gifs - I'd love to see them!

xo-ally

stripes and white

I finally, somewhat figured out how to take photos on the manual setting on my camera. I've had my Nikon D3100 for a while now, but have stayed in the Auto setting area...I had tried shooting in manual many times but my photos always came out dark. After reading THESE blog posts about photography essentials, everything became so much clearer! Shooting in manual is a lot easier than you think. I'm still getting used to it, but check out the photo below! No edits :) I am so proud that you can see everything and that it isn't just one giant dark shadow....

See that dial pointed to M?! Boom. Manual setting. I feel so amateur to finally be using it!

Then I had some fun in Photoshop:

Here are some other practice photos from the day:

The "Awk Walk"

It's definitely a learning process, so I'm glad to get some tips along the way. I'm taking a photography class this fall, so I'm excited to keep improving my photos.

Outfit Details:

Hat: Harding-Lane, Tuckernuck Striped top: Forever 21 (old) similar Shorts: H&M Watch: Michael Kors Sandals: Tory Burch (old) similar

xo-ally

Easy Photoshop Tutorial: Turning Spring into Fall

Want to make spring and summer outdoor photos look like they were taken in the autumn months? This is super easy to do using Photoshop. All you need to do is adjust the yellow hues. This is how I did it, using Photoshop Elements.

Step 1: Choose a photo to start with.

Step 2: Click Enhance > Adjust Color > Adjust Hue/Saturation

Step 3: Change "Master" to "Yellows" on the drop-down menu. Adjust the Hue bar to -35 or play around with it until you get your desired look.

There you go! You now have an autumn-looking photo that took only about sixty seconds to do.

Enjoy! If you try this post it on your blog/Flickr/Tumblr/etc. and let me know - I'll go check it out!

xo-ally

adventures in colorado, year 2

I am visiting my best friend this week for spring break! We decided to take some photos outside on the sunny (but very windy) day!

What I'm wearing

Dress: Swank Cardigan, earrings: Nordstrom Flats: Divided Watch: Michael Kors

Jenn's outfit (isn't it cute?)

Dress: Urban Outfitters Earrings: Target Boots: Aldo Jacket (below): Nordstrom Ring: F21

Here are some more photos from the day:

We haven't seen each other in over a year - since last spring break - but it's amazing how nothing has changed! Well, a lot has happened over the year, but when we started talking, it was like we had never been apart. That's when you know it's BFFs, best friends forever!

xo

Love these easy-to-do Photoshop actions

Earlier this year I downloaded the Pioneer Woman's actions sets for Photoshop Elements to try something new with my photo editing. I loved the effects they put on the photos, and sat for at least an hour and a half trying out the different actions on my photos - so fun!

Here's an example of an original and edited photo.
Original:

Edited with the "Sunshine" action:

Here are some more edited photos from my trips to Colorado and California:

Once the actions are downloaded, all you need to do is open the photo in Photoshop, decide which action to use, and with a click of a button your photo is changed! It is so simple. Thanks, PW! :)

Download the actions from the website here.

xo