Up until now I have been a believer in raw photography...now I believe in photoshop.  Tyler, my brother asked me to take his senior pictures this year...yes, I still have a brother in high school, and I was honored to capture his grown-up self this past weekend.  Feeling that the time was right, and I personally have liked myself in fewer photographs lately, Jahred and I invested in youth/software that is cheaper than botox.

Because I'm not yet a pro, I am experimenting with different effects to see exactly how far I'm willing to go.  I do think I'll keep my photos honest, but playing with the colors is oh so much fun!

Because this is Tyler's last "first day of school" I thought I would include Axels first "first day of school."  A big year for both of them.

Axels first day of pre-school, only the red eyes were removed.

Andy (the middle brother in our family) turns 24, Axel decorated two cakes with candles.  Some color work was done on this photo.

Tyler's senior pic.  Selective coloring on this photo.  This could get addicting!

I'm actually speechless when it comes to a major project that I've just completed.  Having mentioned to many people that my grandfather was the original scrap-booker, now, publicly in print is a 166 page book of his collection!

After a summer of scanning, editing and having a little faith, I have published his collection through Blurb into an 11x13 semi-chronological book (can be found under search: Richard Ruedy).  The outcome is stunning, the publishing is beautiful, and the image quality is spot-on!  I honestly cannot believe how it looks in print.

Wishing he were alive to see his treasured collection preserved forever in the pages of history, I can only imagine the stories he would tell about the articles, pictures and captions he placed on each page.  I know it was his hand guiding me on late nights of formating, re-formating and making final editorial decisions.  In the end, the book is more or less exactly how he scrap-booked it, and exactly how he would have wanted it.

Perhaps the most compelling part of the book is the final third.  This part of the book came from a separate album that he held of Memorials.  Clipping each obituary from the paper, he honored and preserved every fallen member of the Saint Paul Police, retired, killed in the line of duty, family members of Police Officers, and it was clear how much he cherished each and every friend on the force.

Yesterday the book was officially presented to the Saint Paul Police Historical Society.  Nana brought us all together at their monthly meeting and she generously donated a copy of the book.  What's even more wonderful is that on Blurb, the book will always be available in their bookstore and people can order them for gifts, as memorials and to leave to their own children.  For any Minnesota, Saint Paul, Police or history collector, it covers a remarkable time in history.

With gratitude for all the circumstances surrounding this year, truly the gift of free-time has been my blessing.  Feel free to "preview" the book through the Blurb website.  If ever you are interested in creating a similar book, I would be more than happy to throw a few pointers your way!