PHOTO ART: Mini-challenge #39 – Jazz Guitar

[DannyRaphael]

FIRST MINI-CHALLENGE?
See below for "Information and Guidelines."

Here’s another “mini-challenge” to play with in the Photo-based Art category until the next offical challenge is posted here.

- - - - - - - - - - -
PHOTO ART: Mini-challenge# 39 – Jazz Guitar

Jack Zucker, a frequent participant in the DPReview Retouching forum, graciously granted permission to use this provocative photo. Jack, of course, retains the copyright © and unauthorized distribution or use without his permission is prohibited. Check out his personal gallery at http://www.jackzucker.com/.

Let the music begin. Good luck and have fun.

~DannyR~

- - - - - - - - - - -
INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

Unlike “official challenges” for this forum which can be found here, this one will be self-contained within this thread. It is intended as an opportunity to engage in this artform until the next official challenge is posted.

The rules are more-or-less the same:
* It’s a challenge, not a contest -- intended to provide opportunities to experiment, share methods and/or techniques and, most importantly, have FUN.
* Everyone who participates is a winner.
* There’s no expiration date.

GUIDELINES:
1. Use any method, application(s), style(s) you like:
. * Convert to sketch, grayscale, abstract, watercolor, oil painting, pen-and-ink, Conte crayon, impasto, van Gogh or any style of your choosing
. * Add elements from other images (collage) or replace the background
. * Hand painting? Tracing? Freehand? You bet. Always appreciate entries of this nature.
. * Apply filters from your favorite application(s) or tweak it with 3rd party plug-ins
. * Feeling animated? Some automated strummin'?
. * Any or all of the above

Bottom line:
How you create this masterpiece makes no difference. Whatever floats your boat as long as you follow guideline #4 in the process.

2. When done, reply to this thread and attach your work (don’t forget the 100kb size limit).

Note: Multiple entries OK if you’re so inspired.

3. By all means include some verbiage on how you achieved your masterpiece so others will benefit from your skills and experience. Make it as descriptive as you like. Grammar and spelling will not be graded. Priority given to content, not how it is written.

4. Have fun.

[pstewart]

I wanted to give it an old country look as well as add some vibration lines, which I did with KPT fiber optix filter.

Phyllis

[DannyRaphael]

Phyllis:

Really like the effect of this filter. Which KPT collection does it live in?

~Danny~

[JLC]

Nice job, Phyllis.

[JLC]

I thought I would try this as an abstract. Is it abstract enough?

Jennifer

[Andrew B.]

I'm beginning to see the value of KPT filters. Nice approach.

Originally posted by pstewart
I wanted to give it an old country look as well as add some vibration lines, which I did with KPT fiber optix filter.

Phyllis

[CJ Swartz]

Thought I'd just warm it up in the afternoon sun...

[d_kendal]

experimenting with filters again..

- David

[pstewart]

Jennifer, you did a fantastic job on the abstract interpretation! It's "just right!" What program and what brushes and techniques did you use?

CJ, that's beautiful...rustic yet bright. Love the textures and the sun's glare on the metal! I see you also used some wavy lines...what program or filter did you use to get the lines?

Now I hate to have to report you two to Chief Raphael, but you both know we're supposed to explain at least a little about how we get our results, so FESS UP!

Phyllis

[pstewart]

Originally posted by DannyRaphael
Phyllis:

Really like the effect of this filter. Which KPT collection does it live in?

~Danny~

It's in KPT5.

Go to www.andromeda.com and see the special package offer that I bought last week. As it says on the page:

"Andromeda Techtures, AutoFX's DreamSuite Series Two &_the entire KPT product line for_$199 (a $750 value)._You get 60 plug-ins in a once-in-a-lifetime bundle deal from Andromeda, Auto FX & Procreate."

This really is a great deal! I got KPT 3 and 5 on one CD, KPT6 on another, and KPT Effects on a third. Plus they include an overpriced Dreamsuite CD (which runs slowly and is a pain, though some of its effects are nice) and another disk of features from Andromeda which I haven't even installed yet! They are not kidding about the full price value of these, since I have shopped online for pieces of this package and the individual prices really do come to over $700!

I mainly wanted the KPT disks, since I have got so much use from my old KPT2.1 (which is no longer available).

This offer is only good for another couple of weeks, so if you want it, better order it now!

I have started a forum in Software to announce this offer to folks who might be interested.

Phyllis

[Toad]

With the accent on Jazz for this challenge, I expect that most people will be taking either a "modern" or an artistic approach to this challenge.

I thought that I would try something more traditional for my effort.

[d_kendal]

WOW!! how did you do that?! it's great.

- David

[CJ Swartz]

I thought that I would try something more traditional for my effort.

-- Toad

Ummm, just what world did that tradition come from?

I think I like it. (I've got to sit down for a while to get over my initial dizzy spell)

Phyllis, thanks. I used PShop Artistic->Rough Pastels for texture, and then used the Distort->Twirl at about 50 on the masked guitar surfaces.

[JLC]

Oops, sorry Phyllis. The abstract interpretation was done in PS6 with the art history brush (I like the art history brush ). I used three different types:
Texture size 60 Dab style
Charcoal size ~60 Loose long style
Stipple size ~30 Tight medium style

I just experimented around with each one until I came up with something that I liked!

The last thing I did was change the blending mode to Luminosity set at 100% opacity.

Jennifer

[Toad]

Thanks David.

It was dead simple really...

- Cutout (8, 0, 3) on the original
- "Old World Color" action by Randall Smith.
- Underpainting - faded back to about 38%
- Filter->Render->Lens flare to create white circle at back of photo
- Filter->Blur->Glass (Tiny lens texture) - fade to 17%
- Levels to contract dynamic range
- Curves to taste
- Filter->Distort->Polar (polar to rectangular) - Difference mode - faded against original to 42%
- Plastic Wrap - fade to 21%

I was quite happy with it, although I think most will not like it. Thanks for the "wow".

[JLC]

Toad- I think it's great! I love all the colors. It's something I could see hanging in my office.

Jennifer

[Toad]

Why thank you very much, JLC. Do you work in a fun house?

[JLC]

You could call it that!

[DannyRaphael]

Rob:

RE: "Dead simple"?
I'd say exceptionally creative, myself. Really appreciate the detailed how-to.

This is a stand out (in the good sense) image.

~Danny~

[CJ Swartz]

T Paul -- oooooooooooo, pretty!!

[T Paul]

I decided to try out Trimoon's sketching technique adding a little linear burn and color.

~T

[d_kendal]

nice, T! I think that could look really good as a B&W too.

- David

[pstewart]

This one was easy...lots of luck involved initially, just needed some tweaking. I used Flaming Pear's ornament filter to twist it, and KPT6's Equalize filter to adjust individual areas of focus and add depth. I'm really happy with the result.

Phyllis

[T Paul]

Thanks David and CJ. I really like the sketch technique and plan on experimenting with it more.


~T

[T Paul]

Phyllis,
I really like the filter you used on your first image. The results are really quite arty. It’s almost like you dry brushed black paint over the image. I like the feel to it…lots of movement. Great job!

Jennifer,
Nice job on the abstract guitar. It has a nice painterly feel to it.

C.J.
I really like the warmth you added to the guitar and the added flare. Nicely done!

David,
I like the new colors on the guitar and the paper texture. Filters are so much fun to experiment with. Sometimes you just get the most amazing results…results you would have never expected.

Toad,
WOW! This could be a poster advertising some music festival or artist. Outstanding work! I love the bright colors and the abstract nature of it.

~T

[d_kendal]

thanks T! very true about the filters.

- David

[clare]

Love the posts that have already been posted. there is some really feeling here - the musical vibes have been flowing well.

Heres mine,

Just had fun with the levels and filters. Text overlay with the liquify tool - My kind of jazz - experimental

Clare

Phyllis, I love your first image - You can just feel the wood and the tune comes flowing out of your fingers

[T Paul]

Clare,

Well done! It looks like your jazz experiment was a success! I love the bold, vibrant colors against the stark black background. This one could be a poster for a jazz festival or artist as well. Perhaps even a CD cover.

~T

[CJ Swartz]

Clare -- love it! I can feel and SEE the music!

[Trimoon]

I’m work on a good Water Color technique and this is a start.