I ♥ KJPJanuary 31, 2012

I am new to Pinterest, so I was exploring to see what all the fuss was about.  It’s pretty interesting.  Basically, it’s a way to bookmark cool stuff you find on the web into collections.  While I was browsing, I came across a bracelet, which appealed to my love for things both preppy and nautical.   When I clicked through the link, I found a gem of a company, Kiel James Patrick.  Based in Rhode Island, Kiel James Patrick handcrafts accessories, primarily bracelets, reminiscent of my college years, when nautical-inspired accessories and classic plaids and tartans were king.  Kiel James Patrick takes these classics and puts a contemporary twist on them, making a classic-cool addition to your wardrobe.  It’s no wonder that Tommy Hilfiger used them in his “Meet the Hilfigers” campaign.

It was hard to choose from all the fabulous offerings, but I selected the Leather Turk’s Head Knot Bracelet.  This one is called, “Mariner and Cape Poge Bay.”  When I received my package, I could tell that KJP cares about the products they make.  My bracelet arrived in a lovely navy blue box, hand-tied with a nautical knot (a bowline knot?).

When you open the box, your bracelet is wrapped in tissue with a nostalgic map design, which is repeated on the box interior.  Love the wooden tag with madras pattern on the reverse side!  When you make such a great product with such care, you don’t skimp on the packaging.

KJP’s line is genuinely American.  As KJP says on the website, “From the buttons to each individual stitch, KJP products are 100% USA Made.”  KJP’s line at the present is limited to bracelets, neckware, belts, earrings and headbands.  I’m looking forward to this fall when KJP teams up with another great American company, Frank Clegg Leatherworks of Fall River, Massachusetts, to release a collection of leather and fabric products.

Once you browse the website, you’ll want to order one, or two, or…  If you can’t help yourself, you can save some money.  At checkout, you have the option to share the word on this great company via Twitter and Facebook, and save up to 20%!

I love mine, and you’ll see me wearing it in the courtroom if you look closely.  I’ve got my eye on a one of the bracelets in the new Triton Collection.  Enough said.  Time to shop!

Details: BouquetsJuly 26, 2010

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

 

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

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Upgrade to Lightroom 3July 14, 2010

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. GundersonI have always loved Lightroom because it is so easy to sort and process photographs, but the latest version is a remarkable step up. Adobe recently released Lightroom 3, and I have been using it to process new photographs, but just recently reworked some older photographs which were originally processed in Lightroom 2, and the difference was remarkable. The big selling point of LR3 has been the improvement in noise reduction. Just looking at this one photograph, the difference is clear.

This is a shot from last year’s Shoot with Beckstead workshop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This was taken at the Milwaukee Art Museum and I wasn’t using flash, so the model’s face was in the shadows. Here is the shot SOOC (straight out of camera):

 The next image is after processing in Lightroom 2 to bring up the exposure and lift the shadows on her face:

The detail is not great, but the image was improved.  But then came Lightroom 3 with its improved noise reduction:

The real beauty is in the details.  Here is an enlargement of her face SOOC:

In LR2, the overall look of the image was improved, but the detail was lost.  Lots of noise on her face is evident here:

The beauty of the noise reduction is seen in the detail on LR3:

What an improvement!

W

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

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Album SpreadsJune 16, 2010

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

I am working on some album spreads for Desirae and Phillip’s wedding.

Cover:

Two page spreads:

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

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Ring ShotsApril 11, 2010

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

Having some fun today, trying to add some sparkle!  For the Strobists, the ring was placed on a mirror surrounded by black cards to which I pinned CDs, shiny side out.  I positioned a 430EX II, gelled half yellow, half blue, and triggered it with Pocketwizards (Mini TT1 on camera, flash on Flex TT5, on a lightstand to camera right, aiming toward the CDs to create the splash of color).  I fashioned a snoot, rectangular in shape out of black cardstock, for my Mini Litepanel, and held it above the ring, camera left.  Shot at 2.8 with my Canon 200mm f/2.8 on my 40D.  For the non-Strobists, I threw a bunch of light around to catch the sparkle of my ring, given to me by my husband on our 10th anniversary.

W

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!March 17, 2010

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

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Coquette CafeFebruary 6, 2010

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. GundersonOne of my favorite restaurants is changing hands.  Sanford and Angie D’Amato announced last week the sale of Coquette Cafe to former Sanford and Coquette chefs, Nick Burki and Chris Hatleli.  Let’s hope Coquette doesn’t go the way of the Sanford bakery, Harlequin, which closed its doors last August.  Check out Coquette Cafe at: Coquette Cafe

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

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Baby, It’s Cold OutsideJanuary 18, 2010

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. GundersonTime for indoor pursuits…

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

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Merry Christmas!December 24, 2009

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson

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Corporate Shoot with TraceyNovember 29, 2009

All words and images ©2006-2013 Wendy G. Gunderson


When my friend Tracey needed a few corporate shots, I wasn’t expecting December weather in October, but it was still a fun outing.  Tracey has been with Robertson Ryan since January of 1996.  She received her designation as a Certified Insurance Counselor in 1997.  Her personal insurance customers include individuals, families and high net worth clients.  Tracey’s commercial insurance expertise lays in small to medium size accounts with office, real estate, professional and workers compensation exposure.  Tracey also assists her clients with their life and health insurance needs. Tracey is a genius as far as all things insurance, so if you need any assistance in finding insurance to fit your business needs, give her a call.

Tracey Moran Fricker
Robertson Ryan & Associates
(414) 221-0398
Email:  tfricker@robertsonryan.com
Robertson Ryan & Associates Website

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