Sledding fun 3

IMG_3072, originally uploaded by Mark Kaske.

Sledding fun 2

IMG_3058, originally uploaded by Mark Kaske.

Ethan and Adline got a 2-seater sled for Christmas. Very fun!

Sledding fun

IMG_3078, originally uploaded by Mark Kaske.

Winter in Minnesota is all about getting out in the bitter cold and sledding. There are few things as exciting a rushing down a hill with the wind in your face.

Slideoo - kick butt slideshows

Slideoo is a great slide show maker for Flickr users. This thing is blow your hair back fast and so easy to use. They also have easy tools to drop it into your various blogs or even embed it into you site. I created one with some images from this year - see the previous post. Love this app!!!

Flickr + Picnik

It seems that a few of my favorite online photo places Flickr and Picnik (one to store and share and the other to tweak) have joined up and will allow you to use both services together. I have played iwth Picknik a bit in the past. This news is awesome! As a somewhat heavy Flickr user, this will allow me to touch up minor things in photos quickly all from the same spot and not need to jump around, jump around.....

Sweet online photo editor

Just read about FlautR online and went to check it out - they have a great browser based easy to use photo editor but the coolest thing is that they have some sweet effects that you can apply quickly and easily to your images. It integrates with Flickr and can also take images from your computer.
While this isn't going to put Photoshop out of business any time soon, it is cool that more and more basic photo editing can be done via the web and a browser and you can apply effects easily.

For example I used a picture from my Flickr account and attempted to try some of the 'one click' effects on it.

The original picture:


With the Whorhol effect on it:


With the contrast effect on it:


Again, most of the frames and stuff probably won't be that useful, but it you are looking for something that you can play with pictures quick, this is a great tool.

Look out world

IMG_2122, originally uploaded by Mark Kaske.

The next rock star is already in the making. Of course it helps when you get a new 'girl guitar' for your birthday.

Loving Flickr

The new photo upload tool that Flickr released awhile ago is AWESOME! I happen to be a Flickr head anyhow, but this tool is great as it allows you to easily step through the upload process.

Some areas that have been improved are:
1. The interface is so clean!
2. You can upload as many pictures as you need or want to very easily.
3. The status screen as images are uploading is very cool as at a glance you can see what image is currently being uploaded and what the percentage of that and you total upload is.

Something that I would love to have Flickr update or make easier.... and there might be a way to do this and I am too dumb to have figured it out is to find a way to do mass tags or descriptions. Rather then adding them image by image. For example, if I am on vacation I want to tag all of my images from that with the same vacation tag at one time rather then having to add it to each image.

That is just a minor deal though as overall Flickr continues to rule as far as ease of use and the sweetness that is the Flickr community.

What do you carry around with you?

This flickr group consists of things that people carry around in their pockets/purses every day. It is kind of interesting.

Another way to pass time... with images

Because it is the weekend I figured I would write some more about my favorite time wasters. FD's Flickr toys has been around for quite awhile, but I really like their easy tools that allow you to create 'Motivator' type images as well as fun 'magazine covers'

Here is one of the Motivator-type images:

Great way to waste time....

Flickr is one of my favorite sites on the web. If for no other reason then it makes me feel like I am a better photographer then I am. Of course it helps that I happen to have very photogenic children.
What is even more fun then Flickr is all the fun and free tools that allow you to play with your pictures.

My latest obsession is Dumpr which has some fun tools. Some examples of my favorite which is the 'turn your image old'.


This is the original image of Ethan swinging.


This is the same image 'made old'.


This is the original image of Adline swinging.


The image 'made old'

Try it out, it is way easy. Any other image tools that you use or like?