Creative interpretations: Rocky Morning

[DannyRaphael]

A terrific photo by lesec GaÃtan.

[LQQKER]

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.

[catia]

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

[Xaran]

Love the effects Catia and LQQKER.

Heres my attempt using Mystical TTC and PS Ink Outlines.

Christine

[catia]

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

Catia

[DannyRaphael]

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~

[DannyRaphael]

Layers palette snapshot attached...

[Cheryl H]

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.

[Cheryl H]

hopefully with the pic this time.

[DannyRaphael]

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

Happy 2004!

[jch71566]

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

[catia]

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



Catia

[jch71566]

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

[TwinbNJ]

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.

[Duv]

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

[Duv]

Here's the second pic.

Cheers
Duv

[Jeff L]

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

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by Duv

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~

[Duv]

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

[jch71566]

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

-Jeff

[Duv]

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

Cheers
Duv

[jch71566]

Duv,

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

-Jeff

[DannyRaphael]

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~

[jch71566]

Originally Posted by DannyRaphael

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

[ahutton]

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

[jaykita]

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

[DavidC]

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

David

[DannyRaphael]

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

~Danny~

[jaykita]

For this one i used the impressionX software.

[kiska]

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