Your best / Favorite Photo-art creation

[DannyRaphael]

Here's your chance to post your own favorite photo-art creations.

Go ahead: Take a well-deserved bow.

~Danny~

[catia]

Okay,

Here is my favorite, Millenium Bridge. Since I posted it previously, I have to give you the link (site rules).

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/att...=&postid=63558

Catia

[DannyRaphael]

Okay... let's try this again. A little forum software bug to start the new year right = no attachments. I think we're okay now.

- - - - - - -

This was one of my first attempts of using Photoshop and Corel Painter. I was trying to get a more of painted look using Painter's brush effects that I believe are more convincing than what can be achieved in Photoshop. It was a step closer to a place where I hope to someday arrive.

[Xaran]

I guess my real favorite would have to be this collage of my 4 grandaughters.

Christine

[ahutton]

This is my personal favorite of everything I've done so far. Was taken from a black and white engraving done in the late 1800s.

AmyHutton

[DannyRaphael]

Let's revive this thread. There's been a lot of good stuff posted of late.

How to do it:
* Find your favorite attachment.
* Open it.
* Copy/paste the RetouchPRO URL## in a new post -or- upload a new, never been uploaded attachment.

No need to provide "how to" details.

## To avoid future broken links, no URLs to images hosted outside of RetouchPRO, please.

[glikster]

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/att...chmentid=17623
and http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/att...chmentid=17424
and http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/att...chmentid=16658

Cheers!

[kiska]

Here's one.
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/att...chmentid=13895

[DannyRaphael]

Here's one I just finished as a favor for a friend. For someone who can't draw or paint worth a lick, I was pleased that she liked it.

Photoshop, Impressionist plugin, Corel Painter (Grainy blender brushes and surface effects), Photoshop USM.

IMPORTANT:
Per original photographer request, this is not a Creative Portrait opportunity.

So, no further manipulations on this one, please.

[Janet Petty]

Danny, I wish you would QUIT saying you can't draw or paint a lick. Drat it anyhoo. You often put the rest of us to shame.

Thanks to the creative minds who found a way for those of us who "can't draw or paint a lick" to explore the creative side of our natures.

There now, that is my two cents worth. And this is from someone else who can't draw or paint a lick (without computer aided programs that is).

Keep 'em comin' Danny.

Janet

[Legacy~Art]

Yes Danny

I second what Janet said!

Next time you say it we shall "MAKE" you pay for our tickets and we shall give you a Mancunian KISS!

[DannyRaphael]

It's a fact that I'm truly challenged when it comes to drawing and painting. My children (now 8 and 6) have better developed skills than I do. My "stick figures" aren't even that good.

That's why it felt like a dream come true when I discovered a few years ago that one could digitally manipulate photos into "art." No paint, no supplies, no messy cleanup. Endless options, easy to change your mind (good for people who are undecided, like me) and easy to dispose of a creation if you don't like the result.

Your very kind words are humbling and truly appreciated, though.

~Danny~

[Legacy~Art]

My Favourite is this one...

[Titia]

I did this one once.

Took a detail out of the original, did a lot of embossing en layering and merging layers and added lightening from below.

Titia

[ahutton]

I Love It, Titia!

Amy

[DannyRaphael]

I just had another go at a Photo-art challenge I tried a couple years ago. Now that I'm getting the hang of Painter, I think this one looks "more painted" and "less filtered."

http://www.retouchpro.com/challenges...sort/1/cat/576

[Karyn]

I am quite new at photo-art, but here are two attempts I have made.

[Jeff L]

Here is one that I was pretty happy with. The only real item in this image is the fly.

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by Karyn

I am quite new at photo-art, but here are two attempts I have made.

Karyn:

Not to worry. All of us started the same place you did: At the beginning.

For a newbie, these are quite impressive and I can see why they are among your fav's. You've got many creative and fun days ahead.

- - - - - -

Jeff:

In a word: Exceptional.

These types of skills give us something to shoot for.

[Mal Firth]

This was done from a picture I took last summer of a young chap who occasionally comes walking with me.

[DannyRaphael]

No tablet yet, but one of these days...

Inspired of late by methods described by Jeremy Sutton and Marilyn Sholin, I've been experimenting -- trying to get more expressive (colorwise) in portrait paintings.

Original (courtesy of David Cole):
http://www.davidcolepictures.co.uk/L...ess%20jpeg.jpg

[Neve]

You achieved a marvellous result Danny. A grand mix of colourful bold brushstrokes. A brave effort and you can only improve, how exciting!

[zip022]

I got greedy, here's my favorites:

http://www.pbase.com/eehorse/image/40710008
http://www.pbase.com/eehorse/image/41459093
http://www.pbase.com/eehorse/image/40850820

[vidanse]

I love the portrait that you did Danny ala Jeremy Sutton style. I just recently purchased his latest dvd tutorials "Painter IX Simplified for Photographers"

This one I used the distorto brush in different sizes, modern art in a can brush and big wet lucious brush which he includes on his dvd. Then I took it into PhotoShop and increased the saturation.

I will try to include the before picture if possible. I have a hard time getting the photos the right size. In PhotoShop they say they are under 100k but when I try uploading them they are a different size. ???

Vicki

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by vidanse

I love the portrait that you did Danny ala Jeremy Sutton style. I just recently purchased his latest dvd tutorials "Painter IX Simplified for Photographers"

This one I used the distorto brush in different sizes, modern art in a can brush and big wet lucious brush which he includes on his dvd. Then I took it into PhotoShop and increased the saturation.

I will try to include the before picture if possible. I have a hard time getting the photos the right size. In PhotoShop they say they are under 100k but when I try uploading them they are a different size. ???

Vicki

WOW... that turned out great. I can see why this is one of your favs.

I really like Jeremy's books (I have 8 and 9) and his DVD set (I have the 7/8 edition). He's exceptionally talented and his books and DVDs are top notch.

re: File size struggles
You're probably using File > Save as... (.jpg). If so, Photoshop seems to add some size to the file.

Try using File > Save for Web, instead. The file size shown in that dialog is "what you get."

~Danny~

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by zip022

I got greedy, here's my favorites:

http://www.pbase.com/eehorse/image/40710008
http://www.pbase.com/eehorse/image/41459093
http://www.pbase.com/eehorse/image/40850820

No problem to have multiple favs. I do, too.

"Gus" (#3 above) is not only a very pretty kitty, this is an exceptional photo-art piece. I especially like this one.

[GillyH]

Hi, My name is Gilly

I only just found you today, and I'm having a fantastic time exploring and seeing what people are doing/have done. This is a fantastic resource for people with two left hands like me, so thanks!

I couldn't draw a stick if I tried, so I belong to the 'cheat' school of photo to art images. My current obsession is Janeway/Chakotay 'shippyness and I love
cheating at J/C art and fiddles or manips.

This is one of my latest, and a particular favourite of the pieces I've done.

http://www.jetclover.com/chakotayhs8x6f2.jpg (800 x 600 version)

http://www.jetclover.com/chakotayhs1024x768f2.jpg (1024x768 version)

I can't remember exactly how I did it (which is a bummer, cos I'd like to do the Janeway equivalent), but I'm trying to - and writing each step down this time. What I think I did was... first off in Photoshop 7,

http://www.jetclover.com/chakhs_scan.jpg (small version just for start image comparison)

1. Used the magic eraser to remove the background, then generally cleaned it up, fiddled with the brightness/contrast and noise etc.

2. Mike Finn's "Effie Basic" action. I tried the 'Delux' version, but I just couldn't get on with it. The free 'Effie basic' is much easier to use.

(http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~mikefinn/)

3. On the ansiotropic(sp?) layer I used the smudge and blur tools at size 5, opacity 100 to smooth out the wavy/swirly effect but try and keep the details of the face.

4. When I was happy with the blending I carefully erased any outside black edge/outline, then I saved as a *.psd file in case I wanted to go back at any point, then merged visible.

5. Next, I took the file into PSPro 7 to use the retouch tool set to 'soften' at 1 or 2 pixels and 100% opacity (cos I much prefer it for softening/blurring) and did some more delicate blending around his eyes.

6. Back in Photoshop, I put the pic on a new layer, then filled the background layer with solid white. Then I used Vasu Portrait Background Brush (free on Adobe exchange in the brushes section (http://share.studio.adobe.com/Default.asp - just register, then find/search over on the left for 'Vasu' once your in and you'll find it) to make a painterly looking background.

This is what I had

http://www.jetclover.com/chakhs8x6orig.jpg

Which was quite nice, but I wanted something more natural-looking and softer. I was lucky to find and buy LilFlame's action's pack from http://www.renderosity.com (http://market.renderosity.com/softgo...Softgood=22883) and there's an action in there called 'DeColor' - this got me half way to what I wanted

http://www.jetclover.com/chakhs8x6orig2.jpg

so I started fiddling about with the blend modes and the opacity on the action layer, merging if I liked it, then applying other actions like Glamour Photo or SoftnLight and then doing the same again - and that's where I got lost ::Sigh:: I can't remember how I got to the final version.

Finally, I used the blue tool on his eyebrows, and then the smudge tool set to 1 x pixel to gentle fluff out his eyebrows and his hair on the right side to try and make them look more believable.

Anywho, I'm so glad I found you! This is going to be fun for me

Gilly

[Janet Petty]

Welcome Gilly. I'm sure you have found a niche here and that you will enjoy it. We will enjoy your work as well, especially if what you have already posted it any indication. Great job.


And Vidanse, I love the belly dancer. WOW.

Janet

[DannyRaphael]

Gilly:

I'm glad you found us, too. By the way you write, your enthusiasm shows.

Thanks for sharing all the resource info, links, how-to steps, etc. That's especially helpful to those just getting into this hobby/addiction.

Welcome aboard. Nice to meet you and look forward to seeing more of your creativity.

~Danny~

[GillyH]

Thanks, and Thanks for the warm welcome, Janet and Danny

Gilly