ᴥ Miss K ᴥ thirty.

Classic Hollywood lover and serial archivist with my camera. Traveling all the time, either in my head or in my car/by plane or by train. Vivien Leigh. Julie Christie. Audrey Hepburn. I ♥ the Beatles. Mark Knopfler. Glen Campbell. & more Classic Country music. Victoriana. 1980's fads. I like butter on cantaloupe. I just thought you should know that.

At the moment, my current little obsessions: Norma Shearer films; John Sloan (American Impressionist artist); new pillowcases; owls; new rugs; and my revived love of classic films.


Just a little bit of this and a little bit of that.
 at the five and dime

counter on tumblr


Credits & FAQ 

Books:

Biographies

Coffee table 

Design Tools:

Archiving Tools: 

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do you make your .gifs? I learned mainly from Val’s (of missavagardner) links and then by her own instructions. She does a great job describing how to do it! Check it out here!
  2. What programs do you use to edit your photos? Please see above! (And, yes, I bought the Photoshop CS4 Suite with my my hard earned cash 3 years ago, lol) 
  3. How do you edit your photos? I use several tools I was taught in college. To smooth out skin, I use the clone stamp at a low strength. I also use the clone stamp to clone areas where there are funny spots, to add filler to a blank area or just general editing use. I discovered this tool over ten years ago and I just can’t part with it. I sorta just have it down to science. I use the paint brush tool at a low strength (opacity) to fill in areas, while sampling the color directly from the photo.
  4. How do you make high contrast photos, such as the edited Old Hollywood photos? I usually photograph these photos from books, postcards or magazines. Then I edit them in Photoshop or Camera Raw (but, now it’s just easier to directly move them into Photoshop). I then use the “Levels” tool and adjust to where I like it, while later converting the photo to true B & W. I then edit out any funny areas, where there may be goofy spots from dust or fingerprints, etc. Usually adjusting it in Levels, I can make it dark enough where the spots will not show, but I like to make it as best as I can. So, it’s easy to just scan a photo or take a photo and post it on here, but it’s another thing when you decide to actually edit it your own way. Then it turns into somewhat more a creation of your own doing. However, I always give credit to the photographer (unless the photographer is unknown at the time). I am a photographer myself and know how it feels to not have your work credited. Also, editing these photos I do for fun, even though it ends up being more work than I anticipated, I do it to strengthen my own editing skills, so we all win :) 
  5. Is this your profession? I do work as a part time photographer, however, painting and drawing are my true loves. Photographing makes easier money, though ;) I wish I could make .gifs forever, too, but to be honest, I think they’re just more novelty than anything else, but they are so fun and creative to make!
  6. What are your favorite artists? Please see my “About Me” section. All my favorites are on that page. 
  7. Would you follow me if I followed you? I usually try to return the favor. Sometimes I forget, but yes, I do try to follow back, unless your interests are just way too off base from my own. 
  8. Why do you like so many “dead” people, even “dead” presidents? (or this is how it usually would be asked) > Why are you so weird? Well, I have been in love with classic films since I was a young girl (about 22 years ago). The typical ones that got me into more classic films were Gone with the Wind, Singin’ in the Rain, Shirley Temple films and Esther Williams. I then grew a strong love for them as time went on. When I started drawing more, I also began drawing classic actors and actresses, because drawing from the old photos appealed to me. As for presidents, you’ll find on here FDR is by far my favorite guy - I know he made a few blunders during his presidency, but one cannot deny (or argue) that he was more than likely, the 20th Century’s best president. Hey, JFK and Jackie may have been more photogenic, but in my opinion, FDR was a better looking man. And, Eleanor was quite lovely in her early years, too. So, yes, I will post some FDR/ER related photos from time to time, with quotes or factoids. 

~ Did I not cover everything? ~ Please go to my “ask” page and feel free to ask me anything that’s on your mind!


· Notes