Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Originally I took 113 images around the circle but ended up only using about 40 of them. The different blend modes that I used were Dark Color, Lighten, Hard Light and Soft Light.

The first image is what I ended up with. The second image was enhanced using the Impressionistic Filter in Topaz Studio.

Third image is one of the original images I took.

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Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Good stuff, '12.

This PVEfx business is sort of addicting, isn't it....

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Thank you. It can be given the right subject matter. The only drawback to it is it's pretty labor intensive in post editing.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

You and Jim are getting pretty peppy!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Beautifully done

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Thank You.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Here I think the filter is working. The second image is my favorite and I'm amazed by this technique. I should give it a try.
Erich

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

A lot of work... I bought a turn table [lazy Susan] and took photos, but being kind to myself, have not processed them. Fstop you deserve a Merritt badge for this and once this Everest has been climbed, you never climb it again!!!

Thought: Could a PS Action be made to do the basic process?

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

It’s a very pleasing result Fstop. Did you have to remove the unwanted conifers and sign 40 times or did they disappear along with the other stuff as you spun your way through the process?

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Other than using the "Load Files Into Stack" from the Scripts menu I'm not sure an action could be created to expedite this process, BUT, you gave me an idea! First the thought process:

Given the right foreground subject matter, I really like shooting Startrails. Without going into too much detail, shooting startrails involves capturing the earth's movement in timed sequential images from a stationary camera. Usually a 3 hour plus project that results in several hundred images. The Pep Ventosa technique is similar but the Photographer uses his feet to create the different images. The post processing for both styles is also similar in that it requires the "Blending" of images.

Post Processing
1. Using Photoshop, Go to File>Scripts> "Load files into Stack". From the window, Browse you computer and find the files you want to load then hit Okay.
2. In Photoshop all of your images should now be stacked in different layers.
3. Click on the top layer and make it active, Then hold down the SHIFT Key and go to the bottom of the layer
and click that layer. All of your layers should now be selected.
4. Now go the blend modes and Choose: " Lighten" in you are doing Startrails, or "Darken" if you are doing the
Ventosa effect. ** See image below. While this approach did create a interesting image it's probably not the
best approach to achieve the best Ventosa look. It is worth investigating however if you aren't willing to put
in the time to do it the tedious way.

dpullum, Thank you so much for giving me an Ah ha moment.

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Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Thankfully they just magically disappeared. Removing them by masking would have added additional time to the already lengthly process.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Great results (both) and fascinating conversation/information about workflow. Thanks so much!

PlymouthWoodworker Loc: Plymouth, MA

Great work! I like #1 better than #2, but both are excellent. I haven't tried this technique yet, but keep looking for the right subject. I may need to wait until spring when leaves return to the trees. It's hard to find an isolated tree with an interesting background. You found a perfect subject. Bravo!