Embracing The Dark Side
Feb 7, 2019 17:23:38 #
kenievans
Loc: Dallas
I have found that when I am creating I like working with bold, vibrant, dark colors. I enjoy pastels but they don't inspire me in the same way. I came across a photo I had taken of some pansies in my garden. I masked and created layers of different individual pansies in the photo and arranged them on a textured background, using Pin Light to blend each layer. I loaded to Topaz for a little glow and pop then back to PS where I added just a little spherical distortion to give it some depth.
Feb 7, 2019 17:47:32 #
I think this is very successful, and for me the reasons are that you changed the shapes somewhat and the blend mode you used allow some sections to be transparent and overlap. Pansies are bold and confident flowers and your treatment is appropriate and highly engaging. Love it (if you can't tell 
)!
)!Feb 7, 2019 18:13:21 #
Cany143
Loc: SE Utah
This may be one of your more effective images, keni (subjectively speaking, anyway). Admittedly, I'd have liked to see a little more 'crispness' in your edges and transitions, but I wholeheartedly agree with your use of bold, vibrant, and, yes, darkish coloration too, moreso when secondary colors are heightened by primaries.
For the record, I do not agree with the concept of 'playful' post-processing. What is done is done for a purpose, whether one is aware of that purpose or not. What is seen is seen not for a purpose, but because one had no other choice but to see.
For the record, I do not agree with the concept of 'playful' post-processing. What is done is done for a purpose, whether one is aware of that purpose or not. What is seen is seen not for a purpose, but because one had no other choice but to see.
Feb 7, 2019 18:36:46 #
kenievans
Loc: Dallas
Linda From Maine wrote:
I think this is very successful, and for me the reasons are that you changed the shapes somewhat and the blend mode you used allow some sections to be transparent and overlap. Pansies are bold and confident flowers and your treatment is appropriate and highly engaging. Love it (if you can't tell )!
)!Thank you Linda. I think I am beginning to finding my voice in my art. The tools in PS just give me a freedom to experiment and create. It's addictive when you finish something and those endorphins are rushing around.
Feb 7, 2019 18:59:15 #
kenievans
Loc: Dallas
Cany143 wrote:
This may be one of your more effective images, ken... (show quote)
Cany I very much appreciate you comments. I agree about the crispness in the edges. I lost it trying to darken the edges of the background. I couldn't get the color layer to accept a vignette in PS so I manually painted it. There was probably another way to do it but I lost patience.
I don't have an issue with the term playful processing but I agree with you that it is much more than that. I start with the germ of an idea, maybe triggered by something else I saw or a technique I learned and I start creating. I don't always know how the finished piece will look when I start out but as I try things I know what works and what doesn't. I get in a zone in my head and I have tunnel vision until all of the sudden it's finished and my heart is pounding. It is such a rush. It's like when you play music with other musicians and you hit that wave where you are all connected and the energy flows.
It doesn't happen like that every time but the ones I am happiest with are like that. Enough soul baring for now.
Feb 7, 2019 20:38:40 #
I always like your "visions" of the final product, and your PP skills are growing faster than a patch of kudzu. Well done, Keni!
Andy
Andy
Feb 7, 2019 22:18:10 #
kenievans wrote:
It's like when you play music with other musicians and you hit that wave where you are all connected and the energy flows.
What instrument ?
Feb 7, 2019 22:41:30 #
Feb 7, 2019 22:59:17 #
Feb 7, 2019 22:59:34 #
Feb 8, 2019 08:52:22 #
I like this very much. It sounds like a similar process to the one you used with the cat tails.
Feb 8, 2019 09:24:46 #
I may be in the minority, but it strikes me as being a bit harsh. For flowers. A softened effect would appeal to me more.
Feb 8, 2019 10:20:39 #
kenievans
Loc: Dallas
AndyH wrote:
I always like your "visions" of the final product, and your PP skills are growing faster than a patch of kudzu. Well done, Keni!
Andy
Andy
Thank you so much Andy. I gotta have something to do to fill up these winter days when I can't get out and shoot as much.
Feb 8, 2019 10:21:38 #
kenievans
Loc: Dallas
DaveC1 wrote:
I like this very much. It sounds like a similar process to the one you used with the cat tails.
Thanks Dave. It is very much like the cat tails. That is what sparked the idea to try it with the flowers.
Feb 8, 2019 10:24:18 #
kenievans
Loc: Dallas
fergmark wrote:
I may be in the minority, but it strikes me as being a bit harsh. For flowers. A softened effect would appeal to me more.
Thanks for taking the time to rework it. I can see the appeal of a softer look as well.
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