While I have enjoyed a certain genre of post processing photos, I’ve avoided doing it too much myself. I know myself too well, and the last thing I need these days is another activity to suck up my time. But, at last, I could not avoid it any more – I am hooked on using texture layers in my photos.
I know, I have muddled around with them a little in the past couple months, [like here, here and here] but in the last week, I have really started concentrating on what you can do with this technique. The transformation you can acheive with a texture is just unreal.
In this shot, I wanted the center of the daisy to be really sharp, and the rest of it getting absorbed into the depth of field, but it was a windy day and try as I might, the lens just wasn’t fast enough to catch what I wanted.
But when I applied a texture that I threw together called “Floral Bark”, I was able to get closer to what I’d had in mind at the start. I selected and sharpened the center first, cloned out the annoying little bug I could have sworn I shooed away before taking the shot, and then applied the texture layer, set to “hard light” at about 45%. I then just brushed the most of the texture off the center, which now looks a lot sharper in comparision to the rest of the photo.
I should probably mention that I use Paint Shop Pro X2 Ultimate for my photo edits. I’ve used PSP for years – it is far less expensive that Photoshop, and with each upgrade, it improves to an incredible degree. Not having used Photoshop much, I can’t really do a side by side comparison, but for about $100, PSPX2 is far better than Photoshop Elements which runs right around the same price.
Lets look at another one. Straight out of the camera:
A Trolius in the shade garden, in the very later afternoon. I actually liked this series of shots really well, but I knew that with all of that negative space, it would look great with the right texture.
This is another of my own textures, called “Rusty Paint”, and I didn’t note the steps I took with it. I am pretty sure the layer was applied set to “multiply” mode, and at a fairly high opacity. I just brushed it back off the one little section that I loved the silky look of.
I sent a couple textures over to Kate at Chronicles of a Country Girl, and asked her to give them a try, because I love the work she has done with textures. She used a far gentler hand with this texture and the result was very nice – check those out here and here. Thanks Kate!
I’m sure this isn’t the last you’ve hear from me about textures, but right now I have to go and put in a couple hours in the garden before I have to go to work. And guess what? Today is mine and Larry’s 33rd Wedding Anniversary! There some nice photos about that on my post a year ago – here. Don’t tell him, but I am making homemade fudge ripple ice cream for dessert tonight. Nothing says Happy Anniversary like a a nice fudgey ripple, don’t you think?
Happy Anniversary!!! As you know its ours as well but we are only at 24 years so far.
The textures are so cool. I wish I had time to fool with those but right now I gotta go exercise a couple rambunctious cattle dog girls.
Dont work too hard!
Happy Anniversary! I love photos-and these are gorgeous!
Happy Anniversary! And I can think of nothing better than fudgy ripple;)
Beautiful pics.
Happy Anniversary too.
I tried to leave a comment earlier, but it didn’t work for some reason. I wanted to wish you and your husband a very Happy Anniversary. Not a lot of people our age have been married that long these days. I also wanted to say how lovely these photos ares. The detail on the trolius is very nice. I love trolius, but they stop blooming way too soon!
OMG! I love all of these techniques. Happy Happy anniversary!
These photos are absolutely gorgeous! You have quite the talent!
p.s. In case you didn’t know, I moved.
My new blog url is http://www.imagesbyashleigh.blogspot.com.
:)
I love playing with textures too. great job
Happy Anniversary my dear friend. I wish I lived closer. I would mooch some of that ice cream off of you. On the pretext of celebrating of course.
Happy Anniversary!!
I’m with Ruth Ann about the mooching. Wishing I lived closer too.
Happy Anniversary. Yum to the home made ice cream!!!!!
Happy Anniversary! Thanks for the linkback.
It’s addicting, isn’t it? Have fun with it! I can’t believe you can make your own. I cannot do that.
These rock!
Happy Anniversary! Mr O and I recently celebrated our 32nd:)
I’ve been dying to try Photoshop and some textures but have hesitated for exactly the reason you mention…The big Time Suck! I’m really tempted after seeing your beautiful photos!
Beautiful flowers!
Happy Anni!! you’re catching us up
Happy Anniversary! I hope he appreaciates the “ripple”!
Wishing you and your hubby a very Happy Anniversary!!!
I love your pictures. I have tryed playing around with textures but can’t seem to get them right. I’ll keep trying, you guys inspire me!!
Go back to my blog I found the video for Daisy A Day and posted it as well.
Cool! I love what you did with those filters… Gorgeous!