A terrific photo by lesec GaÃtan.

Nice photograph selection Danny. :)

Enhanced the colors using various blend modes. Continued to further enhanced colors using Nik filters (skylight, Sunshine and contrast).
Used adapt.EQ to enhance the texture of the cabin, and painted out the areas that were blocky.
To slightly blur the background and bring the rocker to the center of attention I painted a classical blur on the distant background with a soft brush.
Selected an area with a high feather and copied to another layer.
Created a blank layer and used layer styles to get a texture that seemed appropriate. Beveled and embossed the edges.
Ran layer styles again to a lesser degree on the photograph selection.

Nice result LQQKER. I like the colors.

In PSP8, I used one step photo fix to "improve" the color and contrast and smart blur to soften the image. Then copied it into a layer above the original in PS7. Added a mask and painted the chair back in. Then applied a canvas texture filter to the top layer, keeping the texture off of the chair. Flattened and saved. Unfortunately, I don't think this will show well because of the compression.

Catia

Love the effects Catia and LQQKER.

Heres my attempt using Mystical TTC and Photoshop Ink Outlines.

Christine

Interesting result Christine. Looks like a moon lit night. Where's Jason? :)

Catia

I feel like I’m falling into a rut because of late I have been using the same or only slight variations on pretty much the same technique. Maybe that’s what’s referred to as developing ones style. I don’t know…

Anyway, a snapshot of the layers palette follows for anyone who wants the layer by layer details.

Worthy of note (perhaps): Before getting into things I duplicated the background and dragged the top layer to the left a bit to get the rocking chair off dead center. Then I blended Background copy with the Background using a layer mask.

The frame was created using an action written by Johny Akerlund (available here http://www.jakerlund.net/), where you’ll find interesting content about black and white and toning effects.

~Danny~

Layers palette snapshot attached...

LQQKER--very striking. I like the combinations in the image--rich color and meted tones--and the green texture at the edge blending in to the trees. Excellent as usual.

C--the soft colors and soft texture are perfect for giving the impression of a misting morning.

Christine--I wish you'd posted a larger version (my eyes see better big). I have a hunch I'd go wild on the texture I think I see in there. I've been playing with ink outlines lately too--I think it's a great discovery.

Danny--if that's your style, it's a winner. Combining impressionist with other filters makes it even better.

I started with my mixed bag action (detailed below), then changed the blending mode on the sketch layer to soft light. Put of dup of the original on the top and ran a gaussian blur sketch with that and set the blending mode to soft light.

Mixed bag--Color layer--impressionist followed by paint engine. Sketch layer--buzz sketch followed by impressionist then paint engine. I use custom settings I've saved, but playing with different settings is fun to see what pops out.

hopefully with the pic this time.

Nicely done, Cheryl. I especially like the textured look. Definitely worth the multiple attempts!

Happy 2004!

Jeff, the archive miner, at work again....

All of the other pictures are beautiful! I especially like LQQKER's.

Here's mine:
* VP Impasto
* Edge Preserving Smooth
* PhotoEffex Background Blur
* Multiply Layer with Xero LineArt
* PaintEngine Arctic (Effect ammount reduced to ~0.8)

-Jeff

Very nice Jeff. I like the colors and the brush strokes.

:pleased:

Catia

Thanks, Catia.

I like the way Virtual Painter renders colors, but not the way it leaves the textures. I usually spend some time re-doing things after VP, to make them look less like VP was used.

-Jeff

LQQKER - great colors and the texture adds to the overall feel in this image. The frame feel you have added is a wonderful add.

catia - very warm and soothing result, colors are wonderful.

Christine - love the blue --- adds mystery, this came out very nice.

Danny - very nice result, and the off center is perfect.

Cheryl - always a pleasure to see your work, this is no exception!

Jeff - Very colorful and rich.

I duplicated original layer, then lasso on the chair copy and paste into new layer. Desaturate, find edges, add blur, Anisotropic, PE Borg. Desaturae the midle layer, used history brush (Wet Media) to add some color. Flatten, PE Arctic.

Hi Guys!

I'm not sure that I understand this forum yet. Is it about how many filters etc you can use or are simple techniques that you think make an interesting pic valid? I've submited 2 pics. The first I stretched the photo to place the chair closer to thirds. Masked the chair and ran a slight radial blur to strengthen the chair and the sweep of the overhanging branches, then increased saturation. The second image I ran what I had done thru PhotoArtMaster. I tend to prefer the simplicity of the first but what do you think? I really like the variety I see here from everybody!

Cheers
Duv

Here's the second pic.

Cheers
Duv

A different look. I used the Flaming Pear Infared, inverted it and did a little layer blending.

Hi Guys!

I'm not sure that I understand this forum yet. Is it about how many filters etc you can use or are simple techniques that you think make an interesting pic valid? I've submited 2 pics. The first I stretched the photo to place the chair closer to thirds. Masked the chair and ran a slight radial blur to strengthen the chair and the sweep of the overhanging branches, then increased saturation. The second image I ran what I had done thru PhotoArtMaster. I tend to prefer the simplicity of the first but what do you think? I really like the variety I see here from everybody!

Cheers
Duv

Most people probably start out in this hobby by applying one or two native filters from Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or whatever program they are using. As skills develop many choose to create effects that aren’t so easily recreated. Some decide to experiment with combinations of filters and/or plugins or, like you, acquire standalone dedicated programs like PhotoArtMaster. Others tinker with actions or scripts to apply labor intensive combinations of effects.

RE: Is it about how many filters etc you can use?
How one reaches a final result doesn't really matter. It can be a complex series of steps, including various combinations of filters, plugins and/or brush strokes (even across applications) applied to one or many layers or a relatively simple process.

I’d say it’s not about how many filters one can use, but how one uses the tools at hand. The final result is a function of the artist.

RE: Are simple techniques that you think make an interesting pic valid?
Absolutely. Keep in mind “interesting” is a relative term, as is “art.” Different strokes for different folks.

This is more of a "how I did it" forum and not so much a "give me constructive feedback/suggestions for improvement" venue. The "Critiques" forum is where one can get that type of feedback.

What you've done here fits right in and your descriptions would be helpful to someone just starting out, which is what we look for.

Hope this clarifies things a bit. By all means feel welcome to continue to share your creations and methods.

BTW: You can post up to 5 images per post. After you click the "upload button" (and the upload completes), you can browse to another pic and upload it, too.

~Danny~

Thank you Danny! I've always been a bit of a minimalist and was feeling a little intimidated by the huge range of filters that seem to be available out there. Anyhow, I see now a lot of not so filtered efforts that makes me realize the huge range of talent and possibilities of this forum. Anywhooo, here is a cooler effort using a combination of Xero Emphasis and Impressionist filters with Soft Light snow added and a contrast intensifying curves adjustment.

Cheers
Duv

Beautiful, Duv! I think this is my favorite one.

-Jeff

Thank you Jeff! Playing in amongst all this creativety is quite addictive.

Cheers
Duv

Duv,

Would you mind giving a little more detail on the snow?

-Jeff

If I hadn't shoveled a lot of this recently, I'd like it a lot better! (LOL)

Seriously, a very convincing effect, Duv. Well done.

~Danny~

If I hadn't shoveled a lot of this recently, I'd like it a lot better! (LOL)


Ahhh... The joys of living in Texas. It was 68F yesterday, and we expect 71F today. And, we had about 2" of Snow on Saturday -- just enough for a snowman and a snowball fight! No shoveling!!!!

-Jeff

I really liked all, but Jeff and Cheryl have my vote for interesting takeoffs. I did mine with VP pointillism pretty strong, and on another layer xero lineart. VP Pointillism loses all the details if you don't put them back in with another layer.

AmyHutton

PS7 combined with photoartmaster. First changed hue and saturation in ps7.

Here's another version. A little too pixelated but not enough res for anything tighter I think -

David

Very nice rendition, David. I'm delighted you found us!

~Danny~

For this one i used the impressionX software.

I did all kinds of things.
Photoshop
invert
h/s
filters-crosshatch,fade. waterpaper,multi
Painter
oil, chalk, photo grain, blur
Photoshop
select chair-h/s
invert-channel mixer, photo filters
blends
kiska

i knew exactly what i want, but didn't turn out so...

I sure would rather be there then here but here I am:
1. BuzzPro - Simple 1 set at 349
2. New layer linera light 12% opacity
3. Added and extra cross web at the top to the chair (want to be comfortable ;>)
4. Flatten and burned at Midtone 69% especially along the walk way edges and some grass and tree parts.
5. Added a texture to the image - canvas 70 - 3 - Top Right
6. Used Bud's double matt frame and placed a texture on the frame only using texture grain clumped.
Thanks
Bob

So many wonderful entries, that I thought I'd give it a try.

1. I finally broke down and purchased Buzz so I had to give it a go. Used Buzz Simplifier One.
2. The rest was Nik Filters to enhance the colors (sunshine & gold reflector). I wanted to create that morning sunshine glow.
3. Then I cropped the photo to add emphasis to the rocker.
4. Final step was to add a bit of canvas texture with Photoshop texturizer.

Kiska -- very nice!!

bk

This is an awesome photo except composition maybe isn't the best, so I started by cropping out the L side of the image. Then I did another variant of my oil mimic getting back some detail with a HighPass layer in luminosity mode, 50% opacity as a new trick. Ended with Enhanced:AutoColorCorrection in Elements2 on the merged final layer which not only improved colors a bit, but restored contrast too.

For the big twist, I used this as a clone source in Painter8. Cloner>WetOils10 variant. I used the default size 10 brush for a 1st pass with TracingPaper on and then size 5 for a 2nd pass with TracingPaper off. I refered back to the clone source often while painting details on the cabins. Finished by added canvas texture in Elements2. I'm really happy with this result and feel maybe I am learning how to control Painter some.

If Neve sees this: I'm not sure if being "chuffed" is a good or bad thing, but I'm happy joining you as a Painter newbie with lots to learn and couragous enough to post my newbie (who can't paint or draw in real life) efforts. :D

...I'm happy joining [Neve] as a Painter newbie with lots to learn and couragous enough to post my newbie (who can't paint or draw in real life) efforts. :D
Well done, Mark! You and Neve can lead the class in a new dimension.

In my brief dealings with Painter I've found it difficult to be "patient" sometimes. Individual brush strokes take TIME to apply. I guess I gotta stop and smell the roses, enjoy the ride and not be in such a rush.

Janet P's right behind you. She just installed Painter 8. It will be fun to watch all of you grow and I'm anxious to learn from your various experiences!

~Danny~

well, when i first saw this pic the first thing i noticed was the good framing of the path, and even though the rocking chair if the focal point, sorry, it had to go.

Removed the chair
Took a selection a good plank and pasted and resized it back into the shot to replace where planks were affected by the removal of the chair.
Repeated the process of cloning and healing for the cabin and painted in what i believed the cabin entrance would look like.
Adjusted the colour and curves of the 'new' path the blend in with the rest
Flattened image and made a selection of the top half of the image, copied and flipped vertically, then placed into position for the water, erased the rest so that a bare reflection was in place then added a slight ripple and adjusted the opacity so you can see a very small amount of ground through the water for a depth effect.
Created some bushes and copied, flipped vertically, adjusted opacity and added a slight ripples to blend with existing water
Added a cool filter and adjusted curves for an atmospheric feel.

Enjoy !

I thought I'd jump in and try my hand at some of these mini challenges. Here's my first one, I did three variations 'cos I liked it so much :D

1. Cropped image to suit my taste better. Added two rendered cloud layers, and used Buzz Pro Simplifier 3. Added smart blur, edge only, inverted layer and set blend mode multiply with reduced opacity.

2. As above but applied Virtual Photographer moonlight filter before smart blur layer.

3. As above but applied Impressionist bright chalk on black filter, (25%, 76%, 147) before smart blur layer.

Axle:

Another amazing transformation. The water/reflection effects are especially impressive.

- - - - - -

Pam:

I'm glad you're getting into the spirit so quickly and leaping right into the pool. Isn't Impressionist fun! :)

Some fabulous results with a great pic...!

99% done in Painter using Fine Round Gouache 10. A little dash of Impasto on trees and grass, a little grainy water on the background. Darkened some areas in Paint Shop Pro. Added a faded border and frame. Did have texture, but changed my mind for posting here, it's a hit and miss affair with textures when then having to compress the images. I love this picture...thank you for posting the original.

Hi Danny,

Here's my attempt:

I created a line drawing effect by duplicating and then off setting the layer by one pixel. I then used Blend modes for the original colors to come through.

Once I got the basics right I added a blue Color Fill Layer and painted that into the background by way of a mask. I did the same to the foreground using a warm tone.

I combined everything into one Layer and Duplicated that bluring the top Layer andby applying a mask blured the background to create some more depth.

To finish off the image I created a Curves Layer to darken down the whole image and applied a Radial Gradient to concentrate the eye on the centre of the photo.

Hope you like it.

Regards

Con

There's almost zero renditions I haven't liked Con. Keep up the great work!!!

Dave

Very nice indeed, you retained the "mood" exceptionally well...!

Con -- wonderfully well done! A beautiful glowing tone.

Con:

Lovely job on this one. You really captured the mood.

~Danny~

Ah.. retirement, rocking chair, Social Security, deep south. I could relate to this photo. :wink:

PhotoShop CS

Did a sketch type action on the entire photo and set the blend mode to overlay. Ran a Lighting effects with texture on the blue and red channels and added bark texture to both of them (also set these layers to Overlay blend mode) I then added a mask to both lighting layers and painted the effects in on the trees, and background except in the misty area and the rocking chair and foreground walk way. I added a Levels AL to darken the misty fog area and painted this in on all the fog areas except the top and right side of the roof and sky above it, the building in the far background's highlights and the stronger sunlight under the roof of the porch. I also darkend up the boardwalk from the house up to the underside and left of the chair. I felt that by darkening the fog area the chair would pop.

A fun project!

Axle

I appreciate the amount of time your submission must have taken, the water reflections and cloning out the chair then replacing the walk is tedious work. Absolutly beautiful work. I'm new to RetouchPRO, but already feel you are a pixel pushing MASTER! :-)

Oh yes....great result Swampy :nod:

Such a wonderful image, and so many excellent renditions! Swampy -- your's is another beauty added to the list!

I worked a bit with Luminesence layers from different channels, but the main ingredient was a tritone created from a sketch layer -- added color layers back on and layer masks to try to control the lighting...

C.J.

I love the choices of color. Very effective. I love luminosity as a selection tool. Good job.

Excellent CJ - the lighting is marvellous as are the colours! :bow:

I changed to sepia, darkened some areas, added more mist.
Impressionist gouache ?
Some USM, canvas texture.

Good job everyone. A warm welcome to Swampy.
Here's my contribution, rather carelessly done, i'm afraid.

Neve, nice job, I like the textures. As with others, I wish I had thought to crop the picture.

Jaykita, thank you for the welcome! :) Pretty colors and I like the addition of flower beds. Good job on the dog's shadow too!

Woof woof Jaykita! That's terrific, rich and colourful.

What happened to the hound dog that was supposed to be lying there?

Peter

Here's my attempt.

I love old rockers, especially when they rock and nobody is in them.......

This photo is absolutely gorgeous and has a Thomas Kincaid feel to it
but went along with the flow and messed with colour the second one is virtual photographers "spooky " setting changed the atmosphere quite a bit i think

Palms

That is one gorgeous photo!

I added only a little Lucis Art, but was reluctant to do even that.

Steve C.