Native Cherry Branch with Flowers

[Anita Bower]

I used this image to experiment with Lighting Effects Filter (>Filter >Render >Lighting Effects) as well as using a graphic texture. This is part of the Photoshop Grunge course I'm taking. I'm having fun learning new filters and techniques.
Since the image is of spring leaves and flowers, I wish I'd made the whole light lighter instead of darker. I've had this problem before.

[Dennis Bishop]

I can see your point about Spring and a lighter image, but this is a great image. The lighting, with the shadows and the transition in intensity, is very effective. Wonderful colors, too. I realize the background isn't tree rings, but it's close enough, so it runs rings around anything else.

[Anita Bower]

Thanks, Dennis, for you comments. I hadn't thought about the bg looking like tree rings, but, it is a good point. I'm not that thoughtful in my work. I'm working on a lighter version.

[Nancy Bell]

The lighting effects turned out well. I think what is puzzling me about this image is that I cannot make a connection between the cherry branch and the background of a map. I do like the tree ring idea. Also the composition of how the branch enters the image.

[Anita Bower]

The lighting effects turned out well. I think what is puzzling me about this image is that I cannot make a connection between the cherry branch and the background of a map. I do like the tree ring idea. Also the composition of how the branch enters the image.

Good point about the map-like texture. I'm working on a more spring-like version.

[Judy Howle]

I like it Anita, even though it has "technical" subject relationship issues, it looks very cool!!

I am taking that course too but just barely started. I need to make time to concentrate on it. I bought it months ago when it was on sale for $99 or 97. Procrastinate is my middle name as some of you must have already observed!

[Anita Bower]

I like it Anita, even though it has "technical" subject relationship issues, it looks very cool!!

I am taking that course too but just barely started. I need to make time to concentrate on it. I bought it months ago when it was on sale for $99 or 97. Procrastinate is my middle name as some of you must have already observed!

Oh, good, re. the course. I do it one video at a time. I'm also taking my time with it. It's fun to learn new techniques, at least, new to me.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Anita, I started with your second version as I was working my way down from the top but before commenting on it I wanted to see this one first. I like this one - it looks like a botanical shot on top of a globe and the darkness gives it a rich, old world feel. I prefer this one with the reduced blur on that lower leaf.
It's funny - but I think I'm taking the same Photoshop course although I'm taking the Black and White one. I forget so much of what I've learned and there are so many ways of doing things in PS that I find the course very instructive. I'm moving at my own pace (which is slow!).

[Anita Bower]

Hi, Anita, I started with your second version as I was working my way down from the top but before commenting on it I wanted to see this one first. I like this one - it looks like a botanical shot on top of a globe and the darkness gives it a rich, old world feel. I prefer this one with the reduced blur on that lower leaf.
It's funny - but I think I'm taking the same Photoshop course although I'm taking the Black and White one. I forget so much of what I've learned and there are so many ways of doing things in PS that I find the course very instructive. I'm moving at my own pace (which is slow!).

Thanks for your comments. Always appreciated!
I didn't know there was a B&W version. I agree re. many ways to do the same thing in PS!