Creating an animation or slideshow

Listen up, I am here to show you how to do an animation, 

which can also be used to create a slideshow

Our last post we had two animations and were asked by a fellow reader how it was done. Though it is rather simple, it does take a little planning, especially if one decides to add text. Overall the process requires a little forethought as to what one wishes to achieve.

Now I use Photoshop, which has an animation feature. Adobe’s Elements 10, available for Macintosh and Windows, has a feature for turning pictures into movies, which is not the same as creating a regular animation. I did search Adobe’s Element 10 website for an answer if they have an animation feature, but was unable to discover any mention of it.

I mentioned that you can also create a slideshow of your images and not just an animation, between the two there is little difference, so what I am sharing with you today, applies to both.

In order to achieve a good sequence of multiple images it is important to have the camera on a tripod and the subject matter moving slowly so that you are able to capture a good number of images that are equally spaced out, so not to appear choppy. Now if you are working with only two or three images already available, just make sure that they work in the sequence your planning to put together.

Copy all your images into a folder and I suggest adding a prefix of #01, #02 etc., to each image so you know which one to import first into Photoshop. As you begin to open an image decide what size the animation is going to be, then resize the image and save it for ‘Web and other Devises’. This way you will optimize each image and reduce file size. Do this to all the images you are planning to use.

Concerning the final size of the animation/slideshow, I recommend no larger that 400 pixels and no smaller than 150 pixels for best results within Blogger. I should also point out that once it is uploaded to Blogger, it has to be  at ‘Original Size’ or it will not run, but let’s get back to importing the images to Photoshop.

Now that they are all resized, create a new file based on their final size and begin importing them with the first image first and so forth. You will notice that you have created a set of layers, one upon another. Now safe it.

Building upon the first image and layer

All images are imported and in their own layer

Make sure all layers are deselected except for the first image

Select and obtain the animation window from the menu bar

Import the first image. Note you are in frame mode, which is preferred 

After having imported all your images it is time to select

the exposure of each image

Select the desired exposure rate

With all still selected set to ‘forever’ otherwise the animation will only run once

Now save for the internet

Make sure to check GIF to it will not work

Time to check how it looks and if it needs any adjustments -

remember it needs to be 'Original Size'

If you are doing a slide show, the only thing you will do is adjust the length each frame is exposed in order to allow one to view the image before proceeding to the next one. Should your slide show contain vertical and horizontal images there are two other steps that needs to be accomplished before importing all your images.

When one combines vertical and horizontal, your end format will be a square and the background will be white unless you decide to go transparent. For a sample of a combination of vertical and horizontal images in a square  layout please visit my Art of Aids post.

Now it is time for an afternoon snooze before dinner

(^..^)

♥

Finally my turn

Today was simple beautiful. Dad was cleaning the house and washing the tiles, when I decided to go out on the balcony. After seeing it was all clear and that there was more sun puddles to be had on the deck I ventured there. Dad kept an eye on my so I felt safe but I could not help be on special alert. After a gust of wind, causing leaves to be picked from the branches, tumbling down to the awaiting pile covering much of the backyard, it was especially those that had already fallen and were now stirred that caused me to be on alert. 

Dad has access to a new camera, a small pocket digital that has been laying around his son’s room and was not being used, so now I get my picture taken a little more.

I have to focus on our fence line making sure there is no one trespassing.

Now back on the balcony the surveillance continues

because one has to keep an eye for intruders.

I even have to look over dad’s shoulder.

Sometimes it gets so busy all I do is turn my head

from one side to the other —

It can make you dizzy.

Time for a break and soak up some weaning autumn sunlight.

Now before you leave us, let me share with you

my next post. It is about dad and what he

has been up to these last months.

Here is a preview.

(^..^)

♥

The winners to our calendar bookmarks

Can you tell I am upset with dad?

I know, dad lost all track of time, he has just too many irons in the fire and I had to show dad my sharp and long nails today since I cannot crack a whip like humans. I guess he got the message as here he finally gets around to presenting the second quarter winners to the calendar bookmark contest.

So this evening dad made his selection and then imported each digital file into PhotoShop for the usual cropping, but also making any refinements to the image like adjusting the level, curves and any colour corrections. So without any further delay, here is the spring calendar winners.

Quincy

For the month of April we have Michelle’s cat Quincy starting off the Spring Quarter. Quincy who had just a birthday two weeks ago, which he had celebrated in a grand style with everyone in attendance. You should be forewarned that visiting Michelle’s blog Chocolate and Marmalade Tea, because it has something even for humans, they are called delicious recipes and wonderful stories, including lots of illustrations from the 1950’s on the sidebar. So drop by and see Quincy’s birthday bash.

Oh before I forget, Michelle had also sent some pictures of Quincy that were Black & White and since dad loves Black & White photographs, we will be making it an options from now on. Thank you my dear for suggesting it.

Neytiri

One picture above all stood out this time, it came from Ms K in Canada, who had everything going for her when she took a picture of Neytiri. There were a few others of Neytiri, but what I particularly liked about this one, was the pose and especially the over all tonal qualities of light, the surroundings and of course Neytiri herself, who was made up to be the princess she is. Some of you may recognize the name Neytiri from the movie Avatar and I think it is very fitting indeed.

Neytiri shares her spot with Canadian Num-Num Fund director Clooney, who is a real ham and loves to pose for the camera in all sorts of costumes and situations. Neytiri has been keeping a close eye on Clooney as she herself begins to carve out her own acting road to stardom. So drop on by and see what the two of them are up at Clooney’s Num-Num Fund and I guarantee you will stay awhile as Ms. K does some very imaginative writing to go along with the interesting pictures.

Maui

Making a second appearance is Katnip Lounge, but only after giving everyone else who was not a previous winner a shot at the spring quarter. However Trish made a strong showing with Maui, or is it that Maui made a strong showing?

Since Trish had entered five images, the other ones were of Sylvester and Felix, but Maui beat them both, especially with a very shy look, while appearing to be deep in contemplation about something very important. Dad loved  seeing Maui being photographed with the camera lens wide open, since it made the background very much out of focus and gave the fur a special touch. Of course we should also mention that the exceptional mustache helped get the extra vote that pushed Maui into the June slot.

So here are the three pictures assembled into the final print version and remember to get the full size version, you have to click on the link beneath the picture, which well then take you to our Picasa ‘Freebie’ album.

To download the PRINTER version, click here

In closing we just wanted to add that for those of you who did not make it to please try again. Ms K tried real hard and succeeded with Neytiri and so can you. Now I know it is somewhat difficult for many of you to photograph your feline in a vertical format, since a number of you sent in pictures framed horizontally. Michelle’s picture of Quinn I was able to crop and achieve a vertical format, but only because it was large enough.

However with 2012, I am going to make it easier on everyone by redesigning the calendar bookmarks with a horizontal format, in the hope that this will attract more participants to the contest. Still I wish for those individuals who did not enter but have thought of it will do so, as now is your chance because better weather is on it’s way, providing more opportunities for you to capture that shoot that just may secure a spot on the next six openings.

Thank you to all those who have entered, Miss Kitty and I have appreciated your participation.

(^..^)

♥

A painting, an award—life is good

It seems we have disappeared once again and it is not al his fault. With the weather being so cold and because we have had also a lot of rain, I have been hibernating like some bear in a cave up in the high Sierra’s, only my cave is a fur house. It has not only been keeping warm, it has me sleeping in their at time for more than ten hours at a time, only coming out for some nibbles of food and you know, sandbox business. 

Are you aware that I am turning eighteen this month and as we get older, we are no longer into playing games or much of any other activities, so I cannot blame dad, even though he too contributed to our absence.

Some of you may know that dad is an artist and because last year most of his time was spent in cardiovascular rehabilitation, he has not painted, that is for almost two years. For him art is his life, it is what he lives for and though things are still a daily struggle, he had a surge of creativity that just needed to be harnessed.

Canvas size: 36x48” inches

So here you see dad is painting in the kitchen that is his make-shift studio. He is applying a gesso ground to the surface of the canvas, so that it can receive various white and buff colored acrylic paint, which was then followed with oil paints. 

White on White

You may be wondering what it is to represent or what the materials are. Dad has been working on a photographic series since 2005, in which he photographed telephone poles in the city of Berkeley, California. Poles that were covered with thick layers of fliers and staples, which had been torn off before new ones were being added, a process that has taken years. Dad’s last two posts at his other blog, The Artist Within Us, shows images from the series he has named “Typography Graveyard.” 

As for the materials, well to recreate on a large scale these torn little pieces of paper, dad used grocery paper shopping bags. Their stronger construction made it an ideal choice and once several layers of medium gel had been applied to both sides and then painted, the forms took on a more solid state of form. Dad’s been happy with the results, especially with the soft variations of whites.

Recently we were the recipients of an award from Mumsy, Chancy and Co. and earlier this evening we wrote our apologies to Mumsy for having taken so long to acknowledge their gracious gift. We hope you can forgive us.

Now Mumsy, Chancy and Co. became followers of our blog this year and though one might say we are new friends, a visit to their blog will have you feeling very quickly like old comfortable friends one has known for years. So won’t you drop in on them if and make a new friend.

Now the award comes with two request, to share seven things you may not know about me, Miss Kitty that is and to pass the award along to fifteen others. Now by now you know that dad restricts new recipients to three, so that there is some elevation of pride with the award. So here is our list to whom we wish to bestow the ward to:

• Katnip Lounge and their baker dozen of felines in their cabana. Many of you already know Tricia and her many adoring feline companies who live a life of luxury. Her photographs are just wonderful and earlier this year, one of her cats graced our calendar bookmarks.

• Clooney’s Num-Num Fund is another sight that one just cannot get enough of. Her writings are hilarious and the accompanying pictures a riot. You have got to stop on by.

• Gwundergarten, Alexandra’s bilingual blog, so you have no excuse not to visit. Her cat Noah makes several appearance but also shares the site for other very interesting things and right now Alexandra is showing some beautiful photographs of flowers while Noah (who also appeared on out bookmark calendars) is supervising her.

Seven things you may not know about me. Let see now, what can I share that is not embarrassing or a sworn secrete.

• I have my birthday is coming up this month, even though we do not know the exact date, we all settled on the 15th
• I am patient but persistent, especially when I am hungry and it is not dinner time
• When big sister is away at USC, I really miss her and cannot wait for her return
• Getting use to strangers, especially when they are friends of big brother and sister
• When it comes to food, I am very picky
• In the morning, while I lay on the bed and dad gives me belly rubs, I am in heaven
• Watching television while being on dad’s lap is being the center of attention

———

It is that time of year again

As we bring this post to a close, a quick reminder that there is still some time left to enter our calendar bookmark photo competition and if you can help spread the word among your friends that would be great—just keep in mind the guidelines & requirements. We greatly appreciate the assistance.

Second Quarter Photo Competition

It is that time of year again in which Miss Kitty will select the next set of winners for  the second quarter calendar bookmarks. So you have thirty days to get your images to us, so you will have plenty of time to get that image which becomes totally irresistible.

The winners for the first quarter

The previous photo competition went very well and now we are back to fill the slots for month April, May and June. Since I would like everyone to participate, especially the shy ones, please read my suggestions in order to improve your changes. I have also reposted the finalists of the first quarter to serve as a guide in what was selected from those that I felt made the cut. Above all, keep in mind the format that the winning images are being inserted to.

The previous finalists

When you judge your own photographs prior to submission, I would like to to look at them with a critical eye, checking for good lighting, that there are no highlights that are not without detail and that the feline pictured is engaging with the photographer. Of greatest importance is lighting and inmost cases I prefer indirect daylight since shadows are softer. A lamp creates a harsh shadow, an area with virtually no detail. Apart from lighting, consider also the composition of the photo, as it can be the difference of making it into the finals or not.

Requirements to qualify

1: you can submit up to 5 digital images

2: Image orientation: vertical preferred 

    (if our photo is horizontal we need to be able to crop it vertical

3: Formats accepted: JPG (extra fine setting-highest resolution), TIFF or RAW

4: PLease do not crop your picture

5: Image size: 2000 x 3000 pixels (5 MB plus) preferred

6: Last day to submit: Midnight on March 22, 2011

7: Be a follower of this blog

Do not forget to include

1: Your name and the name of your feline

2: A link to your blog

3: Please place Photo Competition in the subject line of the email

Now let us not forget the legal matters

By submitting your images, you allow the winning entries to used by a Cats Golden Years 'one time only' for the sole purpose they were intended, the Miss Kitty 2011 Calendar Bookmarks, otherwise the photographer retains all other rights.

You also allow us crop the image and to use any Photoshop enhancements tools as we see fit.

Availability of the calendar bookmarks

The final design with the winning images will be made available in the last week of March for download from our Picasa album via a link so that it can be printed out on your colour printer in full resolution onto 8 .5 x 11 inches card stock.

For submissions or any questions, please click here

Wishing you all good luck!

Huggs and kisses

Wishing all my furry friends and their humans

a wonderful Happy Valentine Day

Huggs and kisses

Ms K

(^..^)

♥

An Egyptian bronze cat

Some of you may know that I have a number of other blogs dealing with art and almost on a daily bases spending time researching the various news sources for interesting articles to share on Twitter. Since Miss K has her own Twitter account (MsKittyvanDyck), I have started recently researching ‘cats in the news,’ when I came across the following story about an Egyptian bronze cat that I would like to share with you. 

The article appeared in ARTdaily and is copied in full without changes:

This charming hollow cast bronze cat is shown alert, sitting upright with the tail curled to the right side. Estimate: £15,000 to £20,000. Photo: Bonhams.

LONDON.- Bonhams sale of Antiquities on April 13 includes a beautiful but inscrutable Egyptian cat cast in bronze, with gold earrings, that dates from circa 664-32BC estimated to sell for £15,000 to £20,000. 

This charming hollow cast bronze cat is shown alert, sitting upright with the tail curled to the right side, the body with stippled surface, wearing a Bes-headed pectoral suspended on a cord and original gold earrings. It has beautiful well-defined features with recessed eyes and incised whiskers. The feline comes from a private Swiss collection. Bought in New York in 1958. With copies of accompanying collection notes. 

Photo: Bonhams.

Such cats are images of the cat goddess Bastet and were often placed on the top of bronze boxes containing mummified cats. 

Madeleine Perridge, Head of Antiquities at Bonhams comments: “This is a wonderfully striking cat with beautifully defined features, particularly the finely incised detail of the fur and the delightful original gold earrings. Considering that it is more than 2,000 years old, it is in excellent condition. In fact you could say that this cat for all its great age, has still not outlived its nine lives.” 

Praised for controlling vermin which could be a threat to the harvest, Egyptian nobles of the New Kingdom period would also take cats on bird-hunting expeditions. By the Graeco-Roman period, cats as the personification of the goddess Bastet, were deemed to be sacred animals and it was forbidden to remove them from Egypt. 

The cat goddess Bastet eventually replaced the cult of Mafdet, a lion-headed goddess. Bastet's image softened over time and she became the deity representing protection, fertility and motherhood. 

As a revered animal important to Egyptian society and religion, cats like humans, were also mummified. Mummified cats were given as an offering to Bastet. In 1888, an Egyptian farmer uncovered a large tomb with mummified cats and kittens. This discovery outside the town of Beni Hasan had eighty-thousand cat mummies, dating to 1000-2000 BCE. 

— — —

If you have enjoyed this or the one on our previous post, then please check out tweets on the sidebar as we regularly post to Tweeter with any interesting news about felines on a variety of subject matter. If you have a Tweeter account, you may also wish to follow Miss Kitty. 

Enjoy your Sunday and don’t forget

the calendar photo contest is coming up