Another tight crop...original image was shot with the 180mm w/1.4X TC attached; f/32@1/200. RAW image processed in LR; once I brought the file into PS I used Topaz Simplify on one layer, Topaz Clean on another layer, adjusted opacity on both and then merged. Then created another layer, brought it into Fractalius, tweaked the sliders from one of the defaults, then, after the filter was applied, again adjusted the opacity a bit. All comments and suggestions welcome!
08-20-2011, 01:56 PM
Kerry Perkins
Hi John, love the colors and your composition. I like the sense that light is coming from within the flower, very cool! I might tone down the white areas on the right or even paint them with that nice golden color.
08-20-2011, 09:03 PM
Jay Sheinfield
Hey John, pretty wild! Cool colors and effect. You are really getting the feel of those filters...........:S3:
08-21-2011, 08:28 AM
John Storjohann
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Kerry and Jay, thank you for your comments and suggestions. Kerry, I re-opened the image and tweaked several things a bit...toned down the whites, brought back in a little bit of texture and detail...I'll be interested in hearing what you think. Jay, I know you're enjoying Colorado!...I look forward to seeing your images and shooting with you again when you're back.
08-21-2011, 01:10 PM
denise ippolito
John, Lovely colors and glow. You did a great job with the filter, the difference in the repost is subtle.:S3:
08-21-2011, 06:56 PM
John Storjohann
Thank you, Denise..and welcome back!
08-22-2011, 03:29 PM
Susan Candelario
Really nice colors and effect, John. Looks like it's on fire! Nice job!
08-22-2011, 07:49 PM
Arthur Morris
I love both of them with a nod to the repost. I love the bold colors and the look. I do feel that the image might be stronger if originally composed with the flower center more offset either to the upper left or the upper right.
08-22-2011, 08:35 PM
John Storjohann
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Susan and Artie, thank you for the comments and suggestions. Artie, I agree with you...the OP was full frame, so I don't know if this repost is too tight now or not, but I definitely feel like crop strengthened the image..thank you for the suggestion!
08-22-2011, 08:44 PM
Arthur Morris
Way better for my tastes. I would experiment with taking a bit more off the left....
08-22-2011, 09:33 PM
Yves Guillot
I just love the final result here! Congrats! and thanks for sharing the process! ...Even if I do not know what is Topaz simplify or clean...
08-23-2011, 05:31 AM
John Storjohann
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Artie, I think I see where you're suggesting I go with this...took a bit more off the left...a sliver from the top and bottom...then extended the canvas a bit to the right for balance. Thank you for your suggestions!
Yves, Topaz Simplify and Clean are part of a suite of filter plug-ins for PS...you can read more about them here: http://www.topazlabs.com/. IMHO, a great value for the money, particularly if you buy the suite...and they are good about updates for their plug-ins.