Making this year Christmas Message

It’s been some time since my last blog, but I have been fighting an illness, and now I am back. I thought I would end 2023 with how I made this year's Christmas message from my wife Lisa and me.

Iphone picture at Bronner’s in Frankenmuth,MI

It all starts with an idea. As I wandered the store, I liked this ornament of the two snow people. This may be this year's message. Out came my iPhone, and I took a few pictures. Next, I went into Photoshop to start the magic. First, I needed to cut it out; next was to pick a background that would work for this image. This is again done in Photoshop. Once I had the two, I had time to make a composite. After making the composite, I made some minor cleanups and color changes. Finally, I added the text. After all, it was a ready product, or at least I thought. :)

I started looking at it, and I thought, why not an animation? Once again, Adobe is to the rescue. I went into After Effect and thought I would add some animation of snow. I don’t know about you, but I think it makes it much more alive.

Now you know how I did it and what my mind thinks. Just think, it all started with an idea and a picture from the iPhone. Here is a quick look at the steps I did.

Merry Christmas, and I hope you have a great New Year. Stay tuned for 2024, for Paul J Zeinert Photography will be changing. It will be a different business model for 2024. (Stay tuned)

Christmas Magic

Just recently, my wife and I went to Frankenmuth, Michigan. This little city is everything about Christmas with a touch of German. We love going each year. While my wife shops, I have a camera in hand thinking of shots to take. There was this little village of elf and looking around, I thought, what could do I do with Photoshop with something like this? The first thing I wanted was a night scene. Lights turned on at the bar and brought it from sunlight (which it was shot at) to near night. Next, I wanted to feature the elf. Last was I thought about snow, but I did not like it. When I think of elf, I think magic and yes toys. This was the idea of stars to show the magic.

The Magic of Christmas has been a big part of my life for the past five weeks. I believe in angels, and there is no question I have one watching over my wife and I. This Christmas for those who are feeling there lowest if you believe you will be rewarded. It may take time, but it will happen. Believe in the Magic of Christmas. Merry Christmas, everyone, and keep Christmas in your heart all year round, not just this week.