Sparks Lane in the Rain

[Judy Howle]

I had already created this base image using a preset in Topaz B&W that desaturated it greatly and gave a soft foggy look with soft purple-pink colors. I opened a rad-looking inked texture from 2 Lil Owls that came with the large set I purchased. I plopped it over the image and it was no go, but I was determined to use it so I put it underneath the image with a white layer under it so I could lower the opacity and made the image smaller to create the "matte" effect. Then I later added another texture from 2 Lil Owls over that one under the image. I changed the blend mode of the image to soft light and duped it and set it to overlay. I lowered opacity on that layer. I masked the trees at about 50% opacity as they were too "spotted" and light. That's all I can remember!

[Mitch Carucci]

Beautifully done. The eye gets pulled right in and down the lane. The tone and textures are just right for this peaceful scene.

[Judy Howle]

Thanks Mitch!

[Anita Bower]

Wow! Unique. I like how the textures go from the image into the frame. I like the textures a lot, as well as the excellent image. It all works very nicely. What do you mean by " I put it underneath the image with a white layer under it so I could lower the opacity and made the image smaller to create the "matte" effect. ?"

[Judy Howle]

Thanks Anita. Your full message as came in the email notification of your reply asked what I meant about putting the texture underneath the image. I meant it literally that there is a white filled layer on the bottom, then the texture, then the image and duplicated image layers over that, one in soft light mode and one in overlay mode that let the texture show through.

[Anita Bower]

Thanks Anita. Your full message as came in the email notification of your reply asked what I meant about putting the texture underneath the image. I meant it literally that there is a white filled layer on the bottom, then the texture, then the image and duplicated image layers over that, one in soft light mode and one in overlay mode that let the texture show through.

Thanks for the explanation. I'm going to try it! You achieved stunning results.

[Judy Howle]

I was impressed with the technique too. I'll have to try it on other images. I don't have a lot of light ones though.

Thanks for the explanation. I'm going to try it! You achieved stunning results.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Judy, this is stunning! Thanks for your processing information. (I love the name "2 Lil Owls") This is very creative and very well-executed.

[Judy Howle]

Thanks a lot Cheryl. Every once in a while I really climb out of the box and it works!

[Diane Miller]

Your processing demonstrates that you are, indeed, a determined lady! Great results here -- with a very strong starting composition! Very! You get a lot of mileage out of that image!

[Dennis Bishop]

I like your base image, the duo-tone, and definitely the lines extending from the inner image into the mat. Very nice.