Lotus Flower

[Judy Howle]

I cut out the lotus and put it on a texture background and then added 3 other textures, the last one over the flower too. I discovered that using Pixel Bender on a texture (3 of the PB filters used, not just oil paint) can make some interesting textures. I made three copies of the selected texture and flipped one vertically. I used the Circle Splash and Twirl on the texture and then Oil Paint on one of them.

Judy

[denise ippolito]

Judy, The flower is superb! Nice work with the textures and the colors. I like the leaf at the bottom and feel it adds interest to the image. The curved stem looks great but there are a couple of places that look "fixed" on it at the bend. Maybe something to do w/ the texture but worth the fix since this one is so fantastic!!!:)

[Judy Howle]

Thanks! I'll take a look at it. I think some is the filter but I did so much to it I'm not sure. It was not easy to cut the stem because of other green things behind it and I may not have done a good job on the stem :(

[denise ippolito]

Judy, I just love this one and I hope you can figure out what caused it. This is stunning!!! BTW Did I mention how much I love Lotus Flowers?

[Cheryl Slechta]

Judy, beautifully done! It looks like a medieval manuscript. Colors are gorgeous.

[Christopher Miller]

Awesome work, Judy! Love the textures. The colors and lighting are just gorgeous. Very well done!

[Judy Howle]

Thanks Christopher, Cheryl and Denise!

[Judy Howle]

I fixed the stem as best I could! Here's the repost.

[denise ippolito]

It looks great Judy!!!:)

[Judy Howle]

I had to use the clone tool to fix it and I hope it looks ok. It was my cutout cleanup at fault. I did the cutout and started the image with a bkg texture in April before CS5 came out with better refine edge although with the almost exact same colors and textures behind the stem it might have had trouble!

I have lots more lotus flowers. Two years ago I photographed them at least 3 different times and captured some beautiful blooms. My friend and I were really ticked off that they poisoned them last year when they were just starting to bloom but they had filled the whole inlet. There are some there now at the end but almost none where they can be photographed without going in the (snaky) water.

[Judy Howle]

Thanks for pointing it out. I'm glad it looks OK. I really don't see as well as I used to plus I am not very observant sometimes :(, so whenever you see something that needs fixing...

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Judy, very nice work and the repost looks much better. Excellent use of texture, color, and composition. It's a shame that the flowers have been removed from the site. One thing I have learned about photography is "if you see something you like - shoot it now!". :cool:

[Steve Adkins]

Judy, Thanks for all the process information. Fun to see what is possible. :) Amazing result!

[Judy Howle]

Thanks Kerry and Steve. I agree about "shoot it while you can" because there might not be a "later". I'm glad I got the shots I did 2 years ago.

[Glenda Simmons]

Really , lovely image!