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  • Welcome to TPK! This is your first of 2 free articles. For unlimited access to tutorials and articles, join TPK Premium for less than the cost of a latte.

    The Inner Photographer … Brought to You by Photoshop

    November 23, 2012

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Everyday Skills

    We have been helping a friend set up her website, [www.alternativelivingreiki.com]. As of yet, our progress isn’t astounding, but we have been doing things little by little as we are in Northwestern Kansas for the Thanksgiving holiday. One of those things is taking good pictures that underline what Nichole at Alternative Living Reiki does. ReikiContinue…

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    Alternative Living Reiki

    We have been helping a friend set up her website, [www.alternativelivingreiki.com]. As of yet, our progress isn’t astounding, but we have been doing things little by little as we are in Northwestern Kansas for the Thanksgiving holiday. One of those things is taking good pictures that underline what Nichole at Alternative Living Reiki does. Reiki is an intensely natural treatment in which one’s energy fields are engaged to trigger healing and rejuvenation. To emphasize the nature aspect, Nichole and I traveled to a nearby lake to take pictures. Of course, we had to include a picture of yours truly getting a reiki treatment later, too!

    I proceeded to take pictures with a Fujifilm Finepix, which didn’t seem to be the best camera — but admittedly I don’t know much about cameras. It was certainly a welcome alternative to Instagram, though, so I kept shooting. I was hoping my somewhat tedious acquaintance with modifying photos using Photoshop would pull me through on this one. So, after we got done, I came home, plugged the memory card in to my computer, and browsed Pinterest for Photoshop tutorials.

    A tutorial titled How I Edit ALL of My Pictures by Jessica Drew Photography is one of my favorites.  It’s a tutorial that has encouraged me to play with the curves tool … a tool that I previously was too frightened to touch with a ten foot pole. Turns out moderation is key with that one. I also love using the dodge tool on the eyes. Brilliant.

    After reading through Ms. Drew’s tutorial, I had a couple of (what I consider) successful goes with Photoshop. Granted, the photos don’t look like a professional did them, but I’ve never credited myself as a photographer anyway. Without further ado, I present to you the before and after photos of Nichole:

    Nichole at the Lake
    Reiki Treatment

    Amazing what adding a bit of light can do, right? I think I am going to make it a goal to Photoshop all of my photos now. Go big or go home!

    On a more ethical note, I have read that several professional photographers refuse to use Photoshop. My hat’s off to them … I couldn’t do what they do! One of these superhumans is my friend Alex, who does photography as a hobby with his incredible camera that has a lens a mile long. Check out his site: [http://aumbhau.wordpress.com/] I would aspire to be like him … but I don’t because it’s unrealistic. As far as I’m concerned, give me a point and shoot camera plus some “cheating” software, and I’m set to go!

    More picture-taking tomorrow … little brother’s senior pictures!

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Sketchbooking

About the author

Hi, I’m Lindsey Bugbee, the illustrator, calligrapher, and author behind The Postman’s Knock (TPK). Since 2012, the TPK Blog has been a vibrant creative space filled with tutorials and lessons on modern calligraphy, hand lettering, and illustration. After publishing The Calligraphy Book, I wanted to elevate the quality of content even further—so I launched TPK Premium. You can join here to receive access to some of the internet’s best creative inspiration and project tutorials.

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3 responses

  1. yohannathomas911 Avatar
    yohannathomas911
    March 15, 2024

    Hey amigos and amigas! Let’s taco ’bout Spanish essay writing service https://essayhub.com/spanish-essay-writing, because sometimes conjugating verbs feels like a spicy nightmare! With these services, you can say “adios” to stressing over accents and “hola” to perfectly crafted essays faster than you can say “¡Ay, caramba!” It’s like having a virtual fiesta where essays magically write themselves while you siesta.

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  2. Jessica Drew Avatar
    Jessica Drew
    November 24, 2012

    Great job! 🙂

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    1. lindseybugbee Avatar
      lindseybugbee
      November 24, 2012

      Love all your tutorials — am planning on using the “Take a Photo Like a Pro” one today. Thanks for sharing!

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✨I’ve been making these little calligraphy Chr ✨I’ve been making these little calligraphy Christmas trees for years. They’re a go-to whenever I need a quick gift tag, envelope flourish, or something festive that doesn’t require a whole afternoon.

They look fancy, but they’re really just simple strokes stacked in different patterns. Truly: once you get the rhythm down, you can make a tree in under 30 seconds. 🎄 

If you want to try them (there are six styles!), the tutorial is on the TPK Blog, and it’s called
“6 Simple Ways to Make a Calligraphy Christmas Tree.” Feel free to google it, or visit: thepostmansknock.com/6-simple-ways-to-make-a-calligraphy-christmas-tree/

It’s very beginner-friendly, video-based, and a great way to get some creativity in during a busy season. I hope you love it as much as I do. 💛

#calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #holidaycalligraphy #calligraphyart #creativelifehappylife #christmascrafts #holidaycrafts #giftwrappingideas #diychristmas #christmascards #calligraphytutorial #finetec #metallicwatercolor #papercrafts #creativepractice #thepostmansknock #holidayinspiration #blackandgold #christmasideas #holidayideas
🎁 These printable gift tags are one of my favor 🎁 These printable gift tags are one of my favorite free printables on the TPK site. Just download, print, cut them out, and — if you want to — reinforce them with a bit of cardstock.

Inside the PDF you’ll find four designs: Festive Frida, Flourished Tree, Pine Boughs, and Merry & Bright. They’re all hand-drawn, and they make even the simplest wrapping look bespoke and artistic. 🎨 

Pro tip: If you’ve got a bit of extra time, add a pop of watercolor or some gold dots; and consider mounting the tag on a contrasting piece of cardstock for extra oomph.

They’re free to download at: thepostmansknock.com/free-super-cool-hand-drawn-printable-gift-tags/ (or visit the link in my stories today). Happy holidays!

#handdrawn #gifttags #printablegifttags #freeprintables #holidayprintables #christmascrafts #holidaygifts #papercrafts #snailmailinspo #mailart #creativegiftwrapping #diyholiday #diygifttags #artistsoninstagram #illustrationartists #thepostmansknock #tpkcommunity #calligraphycommunity #stationerylove #creativecommunity
There’s something extra fun about a card that do There’s something extra fun about a card that doesn’t just open … it comes to life. ✨ This little stand-up tree might look fancy, but it’s totally approachable — relaxing to make, satisfying to embellish, and (my favorite part) it folds up perfectly to pop in the mail. 💌🎄

If you’re looking for a holiday project that feels creative and doable, this is *such* a good one. The printable template does half the work for you, and you can customize the rest with flourishes, white ink, ornaments, or whatever feels festive to you.

The full step-by-step tutorial is waiting for you on the TPK website; just head to the link in my bio and tap “Blog.” I think you’ll have as much fun making this as I did. ❤️

#calligraphy #calligraphytutorial #holidaycalligraphy #flourishedcalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #calligraphycommunity #calligraphypractice #calligraphyart #letteringcommunity #letteringart #papercraft #papercrafting #diycards #handmadecards #holidaycards #christmascards #christmascrafts #snailmail #snailmailrevolution #snailmaillove #creativecommunity #stationerylove #makersgonnamake #thepostmansknock
I love it when I can make simple pointed pen pract I love it when I can make simple pointed pen practice on cardstock ... and it magically turns into a festive card! Find instructions + a printable template for making this “Loop-de-Loop” tree in the TPK 2025 Holiday Calligraphy Worksheet set. 🎄 (Link in bio, then navigate to the Blog!)

#pointedpen #calligraphy #calligraphypractice #pointedpenpractice #holiday #christmastree #treedrawing #doodles #goldwatercolor
Every November since 2016, I’ve looked forward t Every November since 2016, I’ve looked forward to sitting down with a cup of something warm ☕️ and sketching out ideas for the TPK holiday worksheet. This year was no exception, and I think you’ll be pleased with the motifs! They’re designed to bring calm, beauty, and (sneaky) pointed pen practice to your holiday season. 🎄Visit the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to Blog) for details!
The other day, I was thinking about sending out ho The other day, I was thinking about sending out holiday cards, and I immediately dismissed the thought with, “I have zero time to calligraph envelopes for those.” ✍️

... But is that true? I put it to the test for the latest article on the TPK Blog. Using some time-saving tricks I’ve learned over the years (like using a watery ink, a bouncy calligraphy style, and minimal pencil guidelines), I timed myself making three envelope concepts. Two of them took 5 minutes or less. The most time-intensive took 5 minutes, 30 seconds. The envelopes still turned out looking elegant, especially with the help of some artistic postage stamp collages. 💌

For clear step-by-step tutorials detailing how to make these envelopes and sourcing pretty postage, visit the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to “Blog”)!

#snailmail #mail #calligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #happymail #snailmailrevolution #mailbox #postage #vintagepostage
After I chose this music to accompany this reel, i After I chose this music to accompany this reel, it dawned on me: drawing a calligraphy medallion is like, well, Belle’s arc with the Beast. 

At first, it’s a bit of a weird situation. Strange shapes, questionable structure, possibly some growling (à la “YOU WILL JOIN ME FOR DINNER. That’s not a request!”) when the inevitable ink smudge happens. You keep thinking, “I’m not sure why I’m doing this ... should I hop on Felipe and gallop away?” 🐎

But something shifts as the medallion starts to come to life. And when you finish that last detail and pull back, the music swells. Light bursts from your paper like it did from Beast’s digits as he transformed into a stunningly beautiful prince. ✨ You’re practically in a ballroom celebrating, and, wait, did your furniture just turn into an adoring crowd that’s celebrating your fortitude and skill?

(And now you know how my mind works 🧠 ... I love a good metaphor, no matter how weak it may be!) 

To learn how to make a calligraphy medallion, just search for “calligraphy medallion” on the TPK site (link in bio). You’ll find both free Blog tutorials and detailed premium worksheets.

... I’ll show myself out now. 🙈

#pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphy #handwritten #pointedpen #dippen #calligraphymedallion #calligraphydrill #calligraphypractice
My favorite autumn projects are the ones that remi My favorite autumn projects are the ones that remind you how cozy this season can be. 🍂 This project definitely fits the bill ... create it with a hot, comforting drink nearby and an excellent audiobook, and you’re in for a treat! ☕️ ✍️ The tutorial on the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to Blog) is super detailed, with mini tutorial videos to guide you every step of the way.

#autumnart #watercolortutorial #arttutorial #handpainted #paintingtutorial #pointedpen #dippen #flourishing
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