Be Creative Week #35

[lisabee]

Hi everyone,

Let’s BE CREATIVE.

Thanks to everyone who took part last week, fantastic images as always.

The small print for the challenge is ……
Everyone reading the forum is invited to participate.
Please join in, share your images, ideas, imagination and inspiration.

Please post your images (as many as you like) below in this thread.

If you would like to comment or have a question, please post here (http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?p=392254#post392254).

Above all, have fun!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Be Creative Week #35

This week we’re going to try a soft focus, dreamy look, here’s the link

http://www.secondpicture.com/tutorials/digital_image_processing/soft_focus_with_photoshop.html (http://www.secondpicture.com/tutorials/digital_image_processing/soft_focus_with_photoshop.html)

I’d recommend that you do your ‘general’ edits (levels, hue/sat, crop etc) before you start.

I duplicated the background twice to keep my original background.
I found I needed a high (30+) Gaussian blur but you will need to experiment, I also used a mask (on the blur layer) at the end to bring back some sharpness in parts of the image or you could try adjusting the opacity of that layer for a more global effect.


Please try it out, have fun, and as always I look forward to seeing your images. :D

[lisabee]

:D

http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/files/1/2/6/4/2/bc-35-bears_thumb.jpg (http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=5924&c=5)

added a vignette too

Lisa

[Aussie Nan]

Wow Lisa, your bears are just so gorgeous it almost put me off posting my attempt:). But you've given me something to work towards.......
Toni

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1NoUFLzWs67GbT7Ijs4VCshD78PNjL1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1NoUFLzWs67GbT7Ijs4VCshD78PNjL1)

[Aussie Nan]

I had to try again. I think I prefer this one, it seems softer.
Toni

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1vnr5h2wgpHmfhMSIkeG9Kxct2lKSb_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1vnr5h2wgpHmfhMSIkeG9Kxct2lKSb)

[TonyW]

Always wondered what I'd do with this image because it was way too sharp. This tutorial helped quite a bit. Did some masking and a bit of vignetting in addition to the basic method.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/11IzOEvb2f4SyXBuLMOTQNdVtvA41_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=11IzOEvb2f4SyXBuLMOTQNdVtvA41)

Tony

[Bamagirl]

This is about as addictive as the oil painting. Thanks, Lisa for a great lesson.


http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/13VOaEa15Z2GsGdkVSILVhUrDD1A_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=13VOaEa15Z2GsGdkVSILVhUrDD1A)

[Diana]

I love that photo, Tony. It looks almost like it has a story behind it.

Diana

[Joe M]

Thanks for the tutorial Lisa.

Here is an image I took yesterday of Marley during his weekly bath.

In addition to the tutorial I used vignetting and levels to darken the image. I placed a mask on Marley so he didn't darken.


http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1dXIsveBsY17dQljrSIy366NL62fpY1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1dXIsveBsY17dQljrSIy366NL62fpY1)

[Fish]

Thanks, Lisa. Once again, another great tutorial. I like how it works with black & White and a little vignetting.

-Fish

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1qGU9ZRD5lMZbaLaf5jUq4idVkzZE0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1qGU9ZRD5lMZbaLaf5jUq4idVkzZE0)

[JulieM]

This is a nifty effect and easy to do. Thanks, Lisa!

[/URL][URL="http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1KtN6Be7oG7bIqCDEUbjE90hzAs10"]http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1KtN6Be7oG7bIqCDEUbjE90hzAs10_thumb.jpg (http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/%5BURL=http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1KtN6Be7oG7bIqCDEUbjE90hzAs10%5D% 5BIMG%5Dhttp://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1KtN6Be7oG7bIqCDEUbjE90hzAs10_thumb.jpg%5B/IMG%5D%5B/URL%5D)

[billz]

Thanks Lisa for another great excercise. Lots of really fine entries already this week!!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1nA3JPRI3dAFvcw1VsZFCsjYDH8mhF1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1nA3JPRI3dAFvcw1VsZFCsjYDH8mhF1)

Bill

[Deborah]

Here's mine, I added a little diffuse glow to the first layer.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1sHCBix4K3HhWnXWz7GzS0Ntoi40_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1sHCBix4K3HhWnXWz7GzS0Ntoi40)

[Deborah]

Hope it's ok to add another one


http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Z688tOG4SlqpDSXLsNkkmIWiFzXfz0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Z688tOG4SlqpDSXLsNkkmIWiFzXfz0)

[Martha]

Another really nice tutorial! Thanks, Lisa.
Martha
http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/files/8/3/4/0/be-creative-week-35_emma_26_thumb.jpg (http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=5943&c=5)

[mljrbg]

Another great tut Lisa. Thanks. It seems to work really well on flowers...and on Bill's car!!

Mary Lou

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/10Sm4Lp4q9owrXGZJ0NDb3JqCDqa0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=10Sm4Lp4q9owrXGZJ0NDb3JqCDqa0)

[Bamagirl]

This is such a quick and fun way to make an image stand out.


http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1B9E488EY2OSGrW2LENp7zp8Ie_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1B9E488EY2OSGrW2LENp7zp8Ie)

[kim2900]

After several attempts and some assistance from a friend.... I finally got it.
er....I did, right? :o

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ZdN2YXgKPZrTwIymtGRKEh9AjU_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ZdN2YXgKPZrTwIymtGRKEh9AjU)

[Ellen]

Thanks Lisa once again!
Call me a dreamer but I just love this look- Kim- you got it!
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1kryxBqYi8dGxVhuYvpauFt2uCC5O1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1kryxBqYi8dGxVhuYvpauFt2uCC5O1)
This is/was a rotten shot in the fog of the replica of the Nina (ie 1492) The boat is surprisingly small and lucky to have such a shallow draft, it was one of the lowest tides of the year.

[Sepiana]

Thanks, Lisa. Once again, a simple but interesting technique. I followed the tut and added an inner glow.

[des_enzano]

Thanks for the tut, I enjoyed applying it to this photo:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1RfpLp4c4knzy689nUH2qFlw872pql0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1RfpLp4c4knzy689nUH2qFlw872pql0)

George

[Aussie Nan]

I just had to have another try. I like this one better than my other ones, the image lends itself more to the effect.
Toni

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1zycoW9D8s1pWh783MO8rhxq0PKFia1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1zycoW9D8s1pWh783MO8rhxq0PKFia1)

[swalkr]

For some reason, I just don't get it! I've tried it on several photos at different resolutions, and it never looks as good as every one else's. I'll try again and see what I come up with. :mad:

[lisabee]

For some reason, I just don't get it! I've tried it on several photos at different resolutions, and it never looks as good as every one else's. I'll try again and see what I come up with. :mad:

I'm not sure what the problem might be, but you may need to experiment with the numbers/setting for the Gaussian blur - ie don't be afraid to try high ones - to see a result.

Lisa

[swalkr]

I tried high numbers on the blur. I just didn't get the effect you-all did. Love all the previous ones posted here. Maybe I just haven't picked the right subject.

[swalkr]

I'm still not sure this is the effect I'm after. Almost looks like I had fog on my camera lens. If I change the saturation, you can't see the horse. But then if I change the lighting the horse shows, but it blows out the sky and his hat. Again, maybe not the right picture. Advise welcome any time.

Before:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1N4uB8av4b2NfBlk86wrjHTlFImWPo_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1N4uB8av4b2NfBlk86wrjHTlFImWPo)

After:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1iMqCQnZ7YhbXrx6eCKkV5Y2GGebWO1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1iMqCQnZ7YhbXrx6eCKkV5Y2GGebWO1)

[billz]

Hi Suzanne -

It looks a bit like you might be applying the gaussian blur to the background layer.

What I did was copy your background onto a new layer (layer 1) and then change ' layer 1's ' blend mode to soft light, and apply the filter>blur>gaussian blur to 'layer 1' as well. I used a blur of about 10 on this one.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1QM3cUxRgbLBv7oL66Dir2HGgSVtuA_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1QM3cUxRgbLBv7oL66Dir2HGgSVtuA)

Hope that helps.

Bill

[lisabee]

Suzanne,
I had a go as well :), (and don't type/post as fast as Bill ;))

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ouRhH0aURaUkKbWqNMrKdVFfXHB5V_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ouRhH0aURaUkKbWqNMrKdVFfXHB5V)

I duplicated the background layer and applied shadows/highlight to that to bring out the detail of the foreground and define the hat better, I used fairly high settings.
Then I duplicated that layer twice, the top layer set to soft light, the one below Gaussian blur of about 35.

hth,
Lisa

[swalkr]

Bill, that is exactly what I did - applied the blur to the background layer, because this is what the directions in the tut said, and I quote:

"Gaussian Blur. Next blur the original image (Background) by using Gaussian blur filter:


Click in the menu: Filter > Blur > Gaussian blur...
Find the right value by trying. The right value depends on the effect you want.)"

I'm really "good" at following directions exactly. I guess that is why I'm not very creative as far as changing things. Your rendition looks good. I'll do this again with your directions.

Hi Suzanne -

It looks a bit like you might be applying the gaussian blur to the background layer.

What I did was copy your background onto a new layer (layer 1) and then change ' layer 1's ' blend mode to soft light, and apply the filter>blur>gaussian blur to 'layer 1' as well. I used a blur of about 10 on this one.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1QM3cUxRgbLBv7oL66Dir2HGgSVtuA_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1QM3cUxRgbLBv7oL66Dir2HGgSVtuA)

Hope that helps.

Bill

[swalkr]

Lisa, yours look good too. I'll try both yours and Billz's instructions to see what I come up with.

Suzanne,
I had a go as well :), (and don't type/post as fast as Bill ;))

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ouRhH0aURaUkKbWqNMrKdVFfXHB5V_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ouRhH0aURaUkKbWqNMrKdVFfXHB5V)

I duplicated the background layer and applied shadows/highlight to that to bring out the detail of the foreground and define the hat better, I used fairly high settings.
Then I duplicated that layer twice, the top layer set to soft light, the one below Gaussian blur of about 35.

hth,
Lisa

[billz]

Suzanne - You did in fact follow the directions. I went back to re-read them, and you had done exactly what they said to do.

I guess it's a matter of taste, but I prefer the blur on the blended layer. Hope you have good luck.

Bill

[Sepiana]

I just can't resist, Lisa. This is so much fun. Here I go again. I followed the tut and added a vignette.

[swalkr]

Lisa, your instructions worked perfectly. That's the look I was after. Thank you so much. Thanks to you also Bill - any and all help is always appreciated.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1hlaSOHHYOE6zF7wqwb4DAdGINnzZ_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1hlaSOHHYOE6zF7wqwb4DAdGINnzZ)

[Red Sky]

Playing R-E-S-P-E-C-T.:)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1N8fJOZNH7wXQcy4QvYGJyOtPpLRl1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1N8fJOZNH7wXQcy4QvYGJyOtPpLRl1)

[Martha]

Great use for a slightly blurry photo.
Thanks, Lisa
Martha
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1136aCK5q90EMI0ChXfXXla7YQi2n1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1136aCK5q90EMI0ChXfXXla7YQi2n1)

[mljrbg]

Another try...

Mary Lou

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1FZRjim7OWdnOeHLdDDbOWgvCFpOBw_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1FZRjim7OWdnOeHLdDDbOWgvCFpOBw)

[Zeria]

Thanks Lisa :)
Here's my attempt

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1P7navroSpFBHV1Zsfs3HcDmajQS_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1P7navroSpFBHV1Zsfs3HcDmajQS)

[MassBud]

Been reading and finally registered and wanted to try one of the challenges so here my try. I followed the tutorial and used a mask to accent the watermelon. I also used a dry brush filter on the masked layer.

[Elle~MN]

Thanks for another fun challenge, Lisa! I like the look of this one and might have to try it on a few more pictures. I think I might need to figure out how to bring back sharpness in certain areas though... Lots of really nice pictures posted so far, it's fun to look at them and get inspired!

http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/files/1/9/1/2/5/100_0081-ps-softlight_thumb.jpg (http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=6063&c=member&imageuser=19125)

http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/files/1/9/1/2/5/100_0107-ps-softlight_thumb.jpg (http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=6064&c=member&imageuser=19125)

[Bayla]

Here's my oldest granddaughter taken at last week's wedding of my son.

Not sure if I overdid the Gaussian Blur on this one. I added a layer mask & painted back in the eyes, mouth and nose and left the rest soft focus. The frame is from OnOne Essentials.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1gRIxoiw1zrhXiCrGnZNlKS1qoUdLS_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1gRIxoiw1zrhXiCrGnZNlKS1qoUdLS)

Bayla

[victry1]

Hi Lisa,

Was looking at some of the challenges I've done and some of them I really do like :D Thanks for all the work you and others put in. So, it prompted a return late tonight to see what's been going on. Couldn't access the recent arty one, so I did this one......Now, if I could only get it to load on Pixentral......

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1bYJJwhe8SGZD7eGtRQnt3TKg8Qb_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1bYJJwhe8SGZD7eGtRQnt3TKg8Qb)