How to brighten up grey Landscapes Tutorial

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>It's the time of the year again. Rainy days and grey clouds are all around us. And while that certainly has it's charm for some artistic photography (<a href="http://www.mersad-photography.blogspot.com/2013/10/rainy-days-exploring-new-sights.html" target="_blank">like here, for example</a>), it can also mean that our cameras produce a lot of washed-out, grey images.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's why I wanted to create this tutorial to show you how you can salvage those images. When the light outside is very flat (like under a cloud bank), our cameras tend to expose for some middle ground, or expose for only one of the two (sky or land). That's why you get high contrasts in those images, between white skies and dark grounds.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This tutorial covers both RAW editing in Adobe Photoshop's Camera Raw application, as well as regular JPEG editing in Adobe Photoshop. As always, most of these filters are available in other photo editing programs. I'll start with RAW first, so if you are editing JPEG, skip over down below to that section.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>click on the screenshots for a bigger view</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>RAW EDITING</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is what the before and after shot. As you can see the original is very dark and grey, not many details are visible. In the edited version, there is more life, color and brightness.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Al_UWJ_fNGedPY5xa9wu2vaLXiEzjFEzwWYXCSTl2n3rNDLW4bqy3fOPPbawjjmuS6OFPoLpebezloSvB4Ih2Cb3JKKZBe3PW8jfg10AZJxGhZenGv6Yc6dvEwlzAegh8l4DYWs4dVA/s1600/00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Al_UWJ_fNGedPY5xa9wu2vaLXiEzjFEzwWYXCSTl2n3rNDLW4bqy3fOPPbawjjmuS6OFPoLpebezloSvB4Ih2Cb3JKKZBe3PW8jfg10AZJxGhZenGv6Yc6dvEwlzAegh8l4DYWs4dVA/s1600/00.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a name="more"></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 1</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Open your image in Camera Raw</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PQ-DtimzCcV04SlmBc7LNX6jmKDySuIGaYExHvjUOr04OnB1yj5gtO0I0WfctkyPYqW3uJJ1a2IFon8AW1hqfLzZzgSnisc8tslv4Goyl1AWQTSQA3j65IbS24JdcFKIrWxyw_lwbbc/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PQ-DtimzCcV04SlmBc7LNX6jmKDySuIGaYExHvjUOr04OnB1yj5gtO0I0WfctkyPYqW3uJJ1a2IFon8AW1hqfLzZzgSnisc8tslv4Goyl1AWQTSQA3j65IbS24JdcFKIrWxyw_lwbbc/s1600/01.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 2</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Apply the settings</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">These settings worked for my image. What works for yours will always depend on the greyness, darkness and brightness of yours. Play around with the sliders! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Exposure:</b> Upped it slightly to +0,35</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Highlights:</b> Down to -58 (gives back detail in the blown-out sky)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Shadows:</b> Up to +76 (gives back detail for the dark foreground and dark elements)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Clarity: </b>(This is a new feature in Camera Raw 7.3) Slide it up to +59 (this gives some nice edge to the elements and takes care of fuzzy images)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Vibrance:</b> Up to +81 (for a nice rich color scheme) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjs0a3EvIil-FIMcDE1K7hxJVc93yegO81XUnf8inynFu_zW3Lec4fU7DJc2H9dE5fn1so8jOCTMgK75npG5-cvbbLcdIo4tGkwWAUp0Ggt38UPA2VGtot1VBycm3FIu1E_b3PqhOKZQ/s1600/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjs0a3EvIil-FIMcDE1K7hxJVc93yegO81XUnf8inynFu_zW3Lec4fU7DJc2H9dE5fn1so8jOCTMgK75npG5-cvbbLcdIo4tGkwWAUp0Ggt38UPA2VGtot1VBycm3FIu1E_b3PqhOKZQ/s1600/02.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />JPEG EDITING</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A different image for this example:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTelnL-CajcxV_1ivg5w59XqZ1EMabT97OL-Z6QuZC1p2ItjLv50q21K61ZqDa-CGWLxh_ggfoyaAdWt5_Rl6qDbLu2OpJyiNlw7tv7pWZcQSzzqFHIs8yuA0G08bH58LYcRU2fK17zQ/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTelnL-CajcxV_1ivg5w59XqZ1EMabT97OL-Z6QuZC1p2ItjLv50q21K61ZqDa-CGWLxh_ggfoyaAdWt5_Rl6qDbLu2OpJyiNlw7tv7pWZcQSzzqFHIs8yuA0G08bH58LYcRU2fK17zQ/s1600/11.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 1</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Open the image </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPrzAZ0ngJ2gSYJxkXlC7mxKoGIUZe_JPX5OUJVlsVJKA54ui3gaTZUpFBT5CWmK4mmMwETJv6jtjtz5ZdsCfrhdtVy0RLzZsyQ4GPk71QAjj-1hbS9jccOcKjaD9vWDwgEGf4YxkLAQ/s1600/04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPrzAZ0ngJ2gSYJxkXlC7mxKoGIUZe_JPX5OUJVlsVJKA54ui3gaTZUpFBT5CWmK4mmMwETJv6jtjtz5ZdsCfrhdtVy0RLzZsyQ4GPk71QAjj-1hbS9jccOcKjaD9vWDwgEGf4YxkLAQ/s1600/04.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <b> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 2</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Apply the Shadows/Highlights filter</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Image > Adjustments > Shadows/Highlights<b></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Slide the Shadow amount to 5 and the Highlights to 30. As I said before, this will vary on your image, but it's usually a good measure to have a nice clear and detailed view of both sky and land.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECEQPqNcID_t9W5H3pCJ4DUf2GM2na5jrsvryIyAuQ2UbR93lD36tRRBF_4heMqOtyxXU-e9Z1MBCgSZEaKbNKpMizzzvFCupBbKr_csoJ_qQtc60RlRj8kZKdmrycHLTgA1zYflobzk/s1600/05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECEQPqNcID_t9W5H3pCJ4DUf2GM2na5jrsvryIyAuQ2UbR93lD36tRRBF_4heMqOtyxXU-e9Z1MBCgSZEaKbNKpMizzzvFCupBbKr_csoJ_qQtc60RlRj8kZKdmrycHLTgA1zYflobzk/s1600/05.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 3</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Apply the Curves Filter</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Image > Adjustments > Curves</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Use the Curves line as shown in the screenshot and adjust accordingly. This will give a nice contrasted look to the  image.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkIxukY7GrJkB0g0rLrJJaO5jwpQV9y0FU_MReC33X7Cft3pbZMxpSTt3lkVcPchpjw5IosL6D9waXX3WmUpp9UJH0PYA9kQmOmd92QPcW7pkcuAhJ8ZkE7xhmJFFWGaLkHH1lg_Qw9I/s1600/06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkIxukY7GrJkB0g0rLrJJaO5jwpQV9y0FU_MReC33X7Cft3pbZMxpSTt3lkVcPchpjw5IosL6D9waXX3WmUpp9UJH0PYA9kQmOmd92QPcW7pkcuAhJ8ZkE7xhmJFFWGaLkHH1lg_Qw9I/s1600/06.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 4</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Apply the Hue/Saturation filter</b><br />Image > Adjustments >Hue/Saturation</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since grey landscapes lack color, you'll have to add it back in. By sliding the Saturation slider to 40, I was able to freshen up the colors and add a vibrant look. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZfpzctsn6IQZ5cXzEHpGKOhvrF2j5ydSS5J2Q8tt-BjzeT8uUej9RxGa5ChYdodjg6W_w8vh43eisavDWvqrNcFyYaXLzXr8t9r__tO6I5TNQYAnslSv6U5W9Nzd2da_PoB2dDzYzeM/s1600/07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZfpzctsn6IQZ5cXzEHpGKOhvrF2j5ydSS5J2Q8tt-BjzeT8uUej9RxGa5ChYdodjg6W_w8vh43eisavDWvqrNcFyYaXLzXr8t9r__tO6I5TNQYAnslSv6U5W9Nzd2da_PoB2dDzYzeM/s1600/07.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 5</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Apply the Color Balance filter</b><br />Image > Adjustments > Color Balance</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is optional. Sometimes when you Saturate an image, certain colors tend to pop out more then others, and the natural look of the image can be diminished. By using this filter you can adjust the colors to where they need to be. See if you need this. I did.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiuzPNTbBKUuqU3eLjpBYUKmHPLAXgiItFYK4hruq4Jg3JDEgX8OHbWjf6gxe6BCf9hBYSkRP4fqyY1eRP0OognoAoJXhuUlni9TmBTzo41q1MHrw7lRuDRDTZZvAR7Ns6_XPlzfLzVk/s1600/08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiuzPNTbBKUuqU3eLjpBYUKmHPLAXgiItFYK4hruq4Jg3JDEgX8OHbWjf6gxe6BCf9hBYSkRP4fqyY1eRP0OognoAoJXhuUlni9TmBTzo41q1MHrw7lRuDRDTZZvAR7Ns6_XPlzfLzVk/s1600/08.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 6</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Apply the Brightness/Contrast filter</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Image > Adjustments >  Brightness/Contrast<b></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I<b> </b>used this filter in the end to freshen up the image more. Brightness was at 5, while you can tweek the Contrast a little higher to 35.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBFvCK-3r2aGxAJS1VDZVIrw2vNO143DvTcLQpKO_G5xxLawq1VQD5L4Xdjx6RPBjPz87QEbjMSce1JuCKvwPwE9X3JZXNft25QfiLnjo0PmYr1ozE8LhPfb3nk9Mwcaenh-LgGSt7FQ/s1600/09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBFvCK-3r2aGxAJS1VDZVIrw2vNO143DvTcLQpKO_G5xxLawq1VQD5L4Xdjx6RPBjPz87QEbjMSce1JuCKvwPwE9X3JZXNft25QfiLnjo0PmYr1ozE8LhPfb3nk9Mwcaenh-LgGSt7FQ/s1600/09.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>I hope I could help with you with your grey and washed out landscapes. Try this out and you will be pleasantly surprised with the results. For more tutorials visit the <a href="http://www.mersad-photography.blogspot.com/p/contact-me.html" target="_blank">"Tutorials" page.</a></b></div></div>

How to brighten up grey Landscapes Tutorial

It's the time of the year again. Rainy days and grey clouds are all around us. And while that certainly has it's charm for some arti...

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NASA before Powerpoint by J.R. Eyerman 1960's

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFOP4jsxduVa5EkpoQSbaQf1PQksl9vknTPJkpmaWlaWUlis2fYfiqu4MZIXNjGn6zH1m-SLv50spEmeioooZvM3EFlKYasiPHoLVa8YCWG_dgx8yMmogc0wIWeDND9zlPnvFwn59vN7E/s1600/NASA+before+Powerpoint.+Photo+by+JR+Eyerman.+1960's..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFOP4jsxduVa5EkpoQSbaQf1PQksl9vknTPJkpmaWlaWUlis2fYfiqu4MZIXNjGn6zH1m-SLv50spEmeioooZvM3EFlKYasiPHoLVa8YCWG_dgx8yMmogc0wIWeDND9zlPnvFwn59vN7E/s1600/NASA+before+Powerpoint.+Photo+by+JR+Eyerman.+1960's..jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://imgur.com/AGiAcRl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">via</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._Eyerman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">J.R. Eyerman</a></b> (9 October 1906 [1] - 7 December 1985) was an American photographer and photojournalist. He was on staff for Life Magazine from 1942 to 1961. [2] His work has also appeared in Time, National Geographic, and other publications.</div></div>

NASA before Powerpoint by J.R. Eyerman 1960's

via J.R. Eyerman (9 October 1906 [1] - 7 December 1985) was an American photographer and photojournalist. He was on staff for Life Magazine...

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Creamy Pumpkin and Potato Soup Recipe

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>During these cold days it's good to eat something soothing and warm, and what better comfort food then creamy soups, that are filling and delicious.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I tried this recipe yesterday, after my dad brought home a big orange pumpkin/butternut squash. I love those the most. Especially cut into pieces and baked in the oven with some garlic. But since it was so big, many dishes could be made with it. One was this creamy soup. I added potatoes to it, and blended everything in the end with an immersion blender.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The ingrediends are:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Pumpkin/Butternut Squash (cut in cubes), two-three handfuls of chopped pumpkin pieces</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 8 potatoes (cut in cubes) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1 liter (4 cups) water </div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1 tbsp stock poweder or 1 stock cube</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1 clove garlic, chopped roughly</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1 onion, chopped roughly</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 100 ml (1/2 cup) cream </div><div style="text-align: justify;">- salt and pepper to taste</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>click on the images for a bigger view </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqoGu8bJqk4qgI1hzYUxl6uH1Kr5vCBB1DOoynJtZYdJgOq1put8doxHdXXXfJew2PoENJ_oVZ7p1d0BqZgZBBlMlawzbkAIkZziXRx02XlRo4ubvo8oOSYFXDzpPckTWfWAGU0_lkbA/s1600/IMG_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqoGu8bJqk4qgI1hzYUxl6uH1Kr5vCBB1DOoynJtZYdJgOq1put8doxHdXXXfJew2PoENJ_oVZ7p1d0BqZgZBBlMlawzbkAIkZziXRx02XlRo4ubvo8oOSYFXDzpPckTWfWAGU0_lkbA/s1600/IMG_12.jpg" /></a></div><br /><a name="more"></a><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Huge pumpkin! I only used the top part of it, and even that turned out to much, so I wrapped it up and put it in the fridge. For optimal consistency I recon about two-three handfuls of pumpkin. You can never go wrong with the measurements, since it always depends on the consistency of the soup that you want to have.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuYEFIUjzP0QI9o9impLz7OJ09qXXvcAWRaldPRXQNNauc-lrzPWiRPJMLVKaJcdBZJki5ZF5Jn03JRyUW_dX8epiOzhucXe2U4yZQsyy2MAb7KdkVTivP9F1fmRQNyrNbsndYLMXYXY/s1600/IMG_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuYEFIUjzP0QI9o9impLz7OJ09qXXvcAWRaldPRXQNNauc-lrzPWiRPJMLVKaJcdBZJki5ZF5Jn03JRyUW_dX8epiOzhucXe2U4yZQsyy2MAb7KdkVTivP9F1fmRQNyrNbsndYLMXYXY/s1600/IMG_01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgt6D1TtwJmPtDz-VMfvXI0gMlrhA4AhdOGxr04IpCjvd2uL_pUIGWqvDiy0_LEEIArHPkEQ9-4QJaBrcX4SHuKeUSDXueYulQOw6LSHVwpbLdvcbmT51ptcWKKS80_kJyHcr9YhklGKc/s1600/IMG_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgt6D1TtwJmPtDz-VMfvXI0gMlrhA4AhdOGxr04IpCjvd2uL_pUIGWqvDiy0_LEEIArHPkEQ9-4QJaBrcX4SHuKeUSDXueYulQOw6LSHVwpbLdvcbmT51ptcWKKS80_kJyHcr9YhklGKc/s1600/IMG_02.jpg" /></a></div><br />I washed some potatoes, ended up using 8 of them. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1Fjkx_Sxk3uRWvuN5LRoq2AX9XHPJWkjJFXeRQsFrHh57-lqXHfCxxseSTOhB-X1yJH8WyMOPfeW1e4Ws40Z_mEbcI1kLLE9p5Yif7N8jApbFWqhxW0I0n96K1hoSCzE6zDqre_YRhw/s1600/IMG_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1Fjkx_Sxk3uRWvuN5LRoq2AX9XHPJWkjJFXeRQsFrHh57-lqXHfCxxseSTOhB-X1yJH8WyMOPfeW1e4Ws40Z_mEbcI1kLLE9p5Yif7N8jApbFWqhxW0I0n96K1hoSCzE6zDqre_YRhw/s1600/IMG_03.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Cut everything up into pieces before you start to make the soup. Once the oil is hot everything goes fast.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In some cold vegetable oil put a roughly chopped garlic clove, and let it heat up. Next add one onion, chopped, and some salt, to help you stop the onions from burning.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaE55FkGdVck4idPKP1S3u5MRyEXnQUaas2kVwkFAjjhKWKpEGYldbFhO2Uqt8R-98hilAfteN-HLwLQeIvUL9yJARDN0-aedNHx2o2__8G5NH3TPlDhMHw-N4tTJfWsv_kZn6RH_Xw0/s1600/IMG_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaE55FkGdVck4idPKP1S3u5MRyEXnQUaas2kVwkFAjjhKWKpEGYldbFhO2Uqt8R-98hilAfteN-HLwLQeIvUL9yJARDN0-aedNHx2o2__8G5NH3TPlDhMHw-N4tTJfWsv_kZn6RH_Xw0/s1600/IMG_04.jpg" /></a></div><br />After a couple of minutes add the potatoes and cover them in the oil and onion mixture. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIZmXQ_bkh7YKVd7H7207DQOvGStbt8lSN3-qQtk9YGevqd1_ZlVhxNpiBSVisjUEc8joyZXSzRJCwfuI4MEng0HhC7tuyvZAZCb0aE7-9_-Bgequ6StJiURuomgxCmyKZNE_bbftE4Y/s1600/IMG_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIZmXQ_bkh7YKVd7H7207DQOvGStbt8lSN3-qQtk9YGevqd1_ZlVhxNpiBSVisjUEc8joyZXSzRJCwfuI4MEng0HhC7tuyvZAZCb0aE7-9_-Bgequ6StJiURuomgxCmyKZNE_bbftE4Y/s1600/IMG_05.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Top it off with water, add the water ans season everything with pepper and some stock cube, or stock powder, like I did. You can always add more salt and pepper in the end. Don't over do it. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhberSU3T1AiyePP0JtO3VdpCiwnMgCN1vLNTIlvylITzeOpogjmWoUWixQp2EPQcQ5ldvlCTlEIY8zpvul2SlytsWZ2pE_L3fo-HNB6wwXj2BjkoYuzvu2zWHXTFWOim9sMv_gSYaWKHg/s1600/IMG_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhberSU3T1AiyePP0JtO3VdpCiwnMgCN1vLNTIlvylITzeOpogjmWoUWixQp2EPQcQ5ldvlCTlEIY8zpvul2SlytsWZ2pE_L3fo-HNB6wwXj2BjkoYuzvu2zWHXTFWOim9sMv_gSYaWKHg/s1600/IMG_06.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRufgIDhQnPPGIk4YsH_8ZRo372-rgxSw-WfuwrOHHxPbwMEIb3FzaLEmXs45QBMui1vca5DjW3rp_ZbYle9LIGhC3cybx0biiuusJslV595VJ3B9VWXRcTNmPUdmE4Nk77Y6NbnlOBM/s1600/IMG_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRufgIDhQnPPGIk4YsH_8ZRo372-rgxSw-WfuwrOHHxPbwMEIb3FzaLEmXs45QBMui1vca5DjW3rp_ZbYle9LIGhC3cybx0biiuusJslV595VJ3B9VWXRcTNmPUdmE4Nk77Y6NbnlOBM/s1600/IMG_07.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Let the potatoes cook for 10 minutes, since they need longer. After that add the cubes of pumpkin and cook until the pumpkin and potatoes are soft. For me it took 30 minutes. Cook everything on medium heat.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVtvlBl7OwwGAZpIfCpq6CWmkD0LdD2Fm4IzIwYHIZXNVuNT5xB6pNJ2mpODkhgTnDAnW2TQprWV8-qgJ42EkaxmEpyI7PaXNECPxu6Ih3wpdqUZZRuWowk6mCmy7YXlj6h1unWtPFGU/s1600/IMG_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVtvlBl7OwwGAZpIfCpq6CWmkD0LdD2Fm4IzIwYHIZXNVuNT5xB6pNJ2mpODkhgTnDAnW2TQprWV8-qgJ42EkaxmEpyI7PaXNECPxu6Ih3wpdqUZZRuWowk6mCmy7YXlj6h1unWtPFGU/s1600/IMG_08.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Once it's all soft and cooked, insert your immersion blender into the soup and blitz until everything is creamy. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawuDdk0u3UldjQ8rM1VxhlBhxsJ3JW_U6W9_TfvzXH27vCgr17Xkyq4EiBn8VGL_mmh6Su4FTGkeS3tbCnX8RvCEi43rHvujoV7GAd_HSYIQFI88_5ytLJljeo5AO8J9FLJCzan96AzU/s1600/IMG_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawuDdk0u3UldjQ8rM1VxhlBhxsJ3JW_U6W9_TfvzXH27vCgr17Xkyq4EiBn8VGL_mmh6Su4FTGkeS3tbCnX8RvCEi43rHvujoV7GAd_HSYIQFI88_5ytLJljeo5AO8J9FLJCzan96AzU/s1600/IMG_09.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Add some cream to lighten it up, and stir well. Taste it right now, and if you want more salt then add it at this point. I added two teaspoons of salt at this stage. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ENNdHW6HoDMDMg2AUpsqBY0axCe9CVyif6UaL736x2bWJbtJP5N6MGPB-XVim2OBYfB54lq9kKmnZOXUyHfLQam3_Wv8JGricedLRxohqCMcd29Tqn1OSojc2O99aeUkHGma_LErhcY/s1600/IMG_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ENNdHW6HoDMDMg2AUpsqBY0axCe9CVyif6UaL736x2bWJbtJP5N6MGPB-XVim2OBYfB54lq9kKmnZOXUyHfLQam3_Wv8JGricedLRxohqCMcd29Tqn1OSojc2O99aeUkHGma_LErhcY/s1600/IMG_10.jpg" /></a></div><br />Serve warm and enjoy! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkVT-z2cTQXzr1tPx4YkMXK2u-4z16_pid9GABecaCZA6YCzHmukj4Af08_MpHgIzgSs9W0gAgbzNkwnWB1p2slotdTldwihMasckbCfudU9bQOl3KD1-vuFkfB3rJL8EDeUg_nyqNnY/s1600/IMG_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkVT-z2cTQXzr1tPx4YkMXK2u-4z16_pid9GABecaCZA6YCzHmukj4Af08_MpHgIzgSs9W0gAgbzNkwnWB1p2slotdTldwihMasckbCfudU9bQOl3KD1-vuFkfB3rJL8EDeUg_nyqNnY/s1600/IMG_11.jpg" /></a></div><br />You can add additional cream and pepper on top when serving. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKtfO9l_KV4EmtimwJK7deVM8OHpg20PtBZNn2EC1snoZG6sjzZrVR12vFzhesG4RATFazjyTwamgtNuIAoRElNTwzAI4hoOWm24AUwxDGg4hOFilnekDqFdAQDuTs3Y5F7YNAgw4w9Q/s1600/IMG_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKtfO9l_KV4EmtimwJK7deVM8OHpg20PtBZNn2EC1snoZG6sjzZrVR12vFzhesG4RATFazjyTwamgtNuIAoRElNTwzAI4hoOWm24AUwxDGg4hOFilnekDqFdAQDuTs3Y5F7YNAgw4w9Q/s1600/IMG_13.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>I hope you will make this recipe since it's so delicious and easy. You can vary the vegetables, and do some other combos like <span class="st">brussels sprouts</span> and potatoes, peas and potatoes, etc. I hope you all are warm and safe, and that this recipe will help along the way.</b></div></div>

Creamy Pumpkin and Potato Soup Recipe

During these cold days it's good to eat something soothing and warm, and what better comfort food then creamy soups, that are filling an...

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On The Road Again... [Blog Update]

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dear readers, today I'm traveling to Budapest, Hungary and will stay there for a couple of days. This is just a quick update to let you know that I probably won't be able to visit your blogs for the next couple of days.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will try to do some On Location blogging and post updates through my iPad with some travel images while in Budapest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you haven't already, you can check out my latest post here: <a href="http://www.mersad-photography.blogspot.com/2013/10/mysteries-of-night.html" target="_blank"><b>Mysteries of the Night</b></a>. And once I return I hope to bring with me a big amount of new material for all you to see. As I said, I hope to post from Budapest soon and give you some photos from the city called <i>Paris of the east</i>...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RWxGDN6VzsjPZIvKm9TMosHQlFD7GxZdyKG9L5NHTx5g_jBBAsMj9ffo86mQkwoF_4Ln_XzGv7QiIKFkRe1lNfZLcF1LdXTUviRQlOrFexb1TUFXLHGXoL3_gmXSllytE0wCu0_NYPY/s1600/Parliament-at-dusk-Icy-Danube-River-Budapest-Hungary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RWxGDN6VzsjPZIvKm9TMosHQlFD7GxZdyKG9L5NHTx5g_jBBAsMj9ffo86mQkwoF_4Ln_XzGv7QiIKFkRe1lNfZLcF1LdXTUviRQlOrFexb1TUFXLHGXoL3_gmXSllytE0wCu0_NYPY/s1600/Parliament-at-dusk-Icy-Danube-River-Budapest-Hungary.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>

On The Road Again... [Blog Update]

Dear readers, today I'm traveling to Budapest, Hungary and will stay there for a couple of days. This is just a quick update to let you ...

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Religion in Mostar: Different, Yet the Same

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>One thing that traveling, and the different blogs I read, teaches me every time, is how, despite everything, we are still the same. </b>Same things drive us. Same thing scare us. Same things bring us joy. Through it all, the same emotions guide us through life, and no matter where we reside, it's those feelings that make us who we are. This is ture on a bigger scale, as well as in the confinements of one place, for example different religious objects in a town.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>click on the images for a bigger view</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4MTz-WQtU0Ui1sP3oeEKyJaeE-ElZfvNr3nAyu7pLTfpEZaR-XVTP_O3QiKx9uwffJvrdSGPfaOv1YdaWezS4L3ODiS-NXEsTv3_2bx7x5iVPe_v9-Rf3lEwUb28aKzwGb74q1ShcEw/s1600/IMG_35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4MTz-WQtU0Ui1sP3oeEKyJaeE-ElZfvNr3nAyu7pLTfpEZaR-XVTP_O3QiKx9uwffJvrdSGPfaOv1YdaWezS4L3ODiS-NXEsTv3_2bx7x5iVPe_v9-Rf3lEwUb28aKzwGb74q1ShcEw/s1600/IMG_35.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name="more"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloTzF0_m-1uqb0S5F7goVXnBC4y7X24VIVxNAkzbwurSUCZEJSNWbG0jSoSbPPUgzzBVWdZ56m64u72TXs22o27yEBVcvWt3g6Ig3EJR5tfGO1HVxe9FMD6Hi-TtlpUboUH_VzdPVFPM/s1600/IMG_37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloTzF0_m-1uqb0S5F7goVXnBC4y7X24VIVxNAkzbwurSUCZEJSNWbG0jSoSbPPUgzzBVWdZ56m64u72TXs22o27yEBVcvWt3g6Ig3EJR5tfGO1HVxe9FMD6Hi-TtlpUboUH_VzdPVFPM/s1600/IMG_37.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislpw0nSn8E_8dgDuCrdwYrHY1zOLRzh05vMzlyMqJke_6FExaIuAEd3SLvyEFcrBcnnQQLq-z-GWmjGwD6nW1MKYzaUfLNgTU-krwhBew4_Dzf1Pwb7CQt9G0gnJOayqcdkVtsJsDJms/s1600/IMG_34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislpw0nSn8E_8dgDuCrdwYrHY1zOLRzh05vMzlyMqJke_6FExaIuAEd3SLvyEFcrBcnnQQLq-z-GWmjGwD6nW1MKYzaUfLNgTU-krwhBew4_Dzf1Pwb7CQt9G0gnJOayqcdkVtsJsDJms/s1600/IMG_34.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjL9YMeI48a-SNwqfc56rtL0SVE-QXXTmZrYTdbMF5RZcWgZW6yuE2w_2ejm02sjXgI_STlSU0wYfLnwtYWXbcDbjHUOU1DWQQMW3GEH7ST3lXfw3ThGUJaxdDAqo71LwXggAJkbv-CD8/s1600/IMG_38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjL9YMeI48a-SNwqfc56rtL0SVE-QXXTmZrYTdbMF5RZcWgZW6yuE2w_2ejm02sjXgI_STlSU0wYfLnwtYWXbcDbjHUOU1DWQQMW3GEH7ST3lXfw3ThGUJaxdDAqo71LwXggAJkbv-CD8/s1600/IMG_38.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0TvRaHN2bqT-COwggIRNVOKNNBE7MELGbAf2gesiKobh3Ubfet40CYKIxwDZoe_irG2Ueymy8dL9OAGnpVAWPvZgucOKOVXiL6x9je2J9f11y0frv1RWYDfmEq9UqXPZm0V5qErRse4/s1600/IMG_36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0TvRaHN2bqT-COwggIRNVOKNNBE7MELGbAf2gesiKobh3Ubfet40CYKIxwDZoe_irG2Ueymy8dL9OAGnpVAWPvZgucOKOVXiL6x9je2J9f11y0frv1RWYDfmEq9UqXPZm0V5qErRse4/s1600/IMG_36.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>How do you feel about blogging and the world view you gain through it? Have a happy start into the new work week.</b></div></div>

Religion in Mostar: Different, Yet the Same

One thing that traveling, and the different blogs I read, teaches me every time, is how, despite everything, we are still the same. Same thi...

Read more »