Working with new Spektrel Art Software .. Fellow Hogger sab2101 turned onto me to this new software called Spektrel Art by JixiPix, that I'm using in conjunction with Photoshop CC...

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

Fellow Hogger sab2101 turned onto me to this new software called Spektrel Art by JixiPix, that I'm using in conjunction with Photoshop CC 2015.5. I thought I'd give it a try and see how it works with people. This is a shoot I had with country music legend Larry Gatlin. I'd appreciate any thoughts or comments on the style.

(Download)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Personally, I'm not much for these "push button" special effects plug-ins/add-ons/etc. I prefer photography. The only time I resort to this sort of approach is if a client specifically requests it as part of a project. Otherwise, it's standard photographic practices, good exposure, burning/dodging, etc. As stated, it's just my personal preference.
--Bob

donolea wrote:

Fellow Hogger sab2101 turned onto me to this new software called Spektrel Art by JixiPix, that I'm using in conjunction with Photoshop CC 2015.5. I thought I'd give it a try and see how it works with people. This is a shoot I had with country music legend Larry Gatlin. I'd appreciate any thoughts or comments on the style.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

For this particular shot I don't care for it because the pp has become the star. Since there is soooo much going on, I barely see your subject.

If I imagine with less in-your-face effects, I find a super-interesting perspective of an appealing character in a pretty setting.

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

rmalarz wrote:

Personally, I'm not much for these "push button" special effects plug-ins/add-ons/etc. I prefer photography. The only time I resort to this sort of approach is if a client specifically requests it as part of a project. Otherwise, it's standard photographic practices, good exposure, burning/dodging, etc. As stated, it's just my personal preference.
--Bob

Thanks for the input, Bob. I appreciate your standard photographic practices. I'm more of an artistic individual with a background in drawing and painting, so I'm always looking to play with any of my photos to see if there is another creative way to work with my images. Not sure I'm sold on the process, but I'm going to keep playing with it as it has a lot of creative options.

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

Linda From Maine wrote:

For this particular shot I don't care for it because the pp has become the star. Since there is soooo much going on, I barely see your subject.

If I imagine with less in-your-face effects, I find a super-interesting perspective of an appealing character in a pretty setting.

Thanks for your input Linda. This is the first image I've worked with, and the program offers much that I think I will like once I figure it all out. If I was more of an 'art-speak' kind of guy, I might even be able to better explain why I like this image. ;-)

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

I've used Spektrel several times, using its Dark Mode to highlight the grain in polished wood. I usually change the Opacity level to around 23% and used a Mask to limit how much of the image was "painted" in Spektrel. I find it to be quite useful, although I've never used the Light glow presets. Please follow this link for an example: http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2016/7/11/328343-cimer_handsofthemaster_uhh.jpg

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

I have mixed feelings.. about the image itself, I really like the fore shortening. I like the super-real aspect it has on the person, however, as mentioned by Linda, the background is competing with the subject too much. If you could figure out a way to separate the man from his background better, it would be a stronger image. And the yellow of the street light doesn't fit (my opinion anyway..)

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

Bob Yankle wrote:

I've used Spektrel several times, using its Dark Mode to highlight the grain in polished wood. I usually change the Opacity level to around 23% and used a Mask to limit how much of the image was "painted" in Spektrel. I find it to be quite useful, although I've never used the Light glow presets. Please follow this link for an example: http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2016/7/11/328343-cimer_handsofthemaster_uhh.jpg

That's very cool and adds just the right touch. I can see how it will have some unique uses and the ability to use multiple layer masks to create some interesting pieces.

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

pfrancke wrote:

I have mixed feelings.. about the image itself, I really like the fore shortening. I like the super-real aspect it has on the person, however, as mentioned by Linda, the background is competing with the subject too much. If you could figure out a way to separate the man from his background better, it would be a stronger image. And the yellow of the street light doesn't fit (my opinion anyway..)

Thanks for stopping by and adding to the critique. The software offers many opportunities within the program to create a faux layered look by painting away certain ares and controlling the opacity as you paint away unwanted ares. I still have a bit of a learning curve to figure out how best it fits into my style.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

donolea wrote:

Thanks for stopping by and adding to the critique. The software offers many opportunities within the program to create a faux layered look by painting away certain ares and controlling the opacity as you paint away unwanted ares. I still have a bit of a learning curve to figure out how best it fits into my style.

If you are like me, if it can be used as a PS plugin, just have it be it's own layer and use PS to do the masking!! LOL, no need to learn those things you already know how to do in a more comfortable fashion in a better place.

But yeah, so many effects are out there. How to use them in a compelling and selective fashion is where you will find the gold. When and under what circumstances...

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

pfrancke wrote:

If you are like me, if it can be used as a PS plugin, just have it be it's own layer and use PS to do the masking!! LOL, no need to learn those things you already know how to do in a more comfortable fashion in a better place.

But yeah, so many effects are out there. How to use them in a compelling and selective fashion is where you will find the gold. When and under what circumstances...

I use PS CC 2015.5 and I think I may ultimately end up using a combination of both techniques just to try and push the software to its limits.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Makes it look like a finely detailed painting, which is something I like.
But the special effects in the leaves goes a bit too far from reality for me.
Can't decide if I would prefer the colors subdued a bit or not. For something like a poster the bright colors work well, if it is meant as a portrait then tone them down a little. Each time I look at it I change my mind.

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

robertjerl wrote:

Makes it look like a finely detailed painting, which is something I like.
But the special effects in the leaves goes a bit too far from reality for me.
Can't decide if I would prefer the colors subdued a bit or not. For something like a poster the bright colors work well, if it is meant as a portrait then tone them down a little. Each time I look at it I change my mind.

Thanks for your thoughts Robert! I think I have all of the same feelings you do. This is certainly not meant as a work in reality, just to get a feel for what others think and to see if the technique works on people. I think the answer is yes ... and no. It just depends on the original pic and one's personal taste.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

donolea wrote:

Thanks for your thoughts Robert! I think I have all of the same feelings you do. This is certainly not meant as a work in reality, just to get a feel for what others think and to see if the technique works on people. I think the answer is yes ... and no. It just depends on the original pic and one's personal taste.

As the patch my wife once had on her bell bottom jeans (tells you how long ago it was) read: The answer is a definite maybe.

kubota king Loc: NW , Pa.

like everything else , I'm sure it would appeal to a lot of people if it was hanging in the right art gallery . I can see the potential . Tommy