Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

UHH user tbell7D posted a series called, "Hung out to dry." I was enthralled by his images and asked if I could play with one of them :)

He graciously and generously allowed me to post it here. Your comments and advice will be appreciated!

His original topic:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-356728-1.html

Monday's Washing Caught in the Rain

(Download)

Tom's original shot

(Download)

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

In all honesty its a doodle in Photoshop but thats OK its not unpleasant. Not sure it would get wall space in Billyspad either lol
Because you have simplified it the fact its a little out of kilter in the frame jars the eyes. Not important in the original as it has subject matter and looks natural. Yours would benefit from perspective adjustment to square it in the frame.
You know Im pretty sure you could actually produce abstract work rather than doodles. You have the PP skills. One needs an idea a concept and an idea of how to get what you wish to say across in an original manner. Might involve multi layering lots of brush work merging etc but is a lot more satisfying to bring an original idea to life than a simple doodle type play. Not everyone can do it but I have an idea you could.
Merry Xmas from the South Seas 8am blue sky and 28C degeees

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

It looks like stained glass or Christmas candy.

What was he shooting through with the grate-type thing?

I can see why you were enthralled with the images, because I am a clothesline freak and will stop and take pictures of any clothesline I find full of stuff. I have them from everywhere I've been (the best are in Newfoundland) I've never tried to do anything creative with them, and have never shared one but I have quite a collection. I'll have to try to think differently about them.

Thanks for sharing this. (thank tbell for us too!)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Five layers, including opacity and blending mode adjustments (PSE and Topaz) - a good learning experience + a satisfying outcome for moi, at least while I'm still in the infancy of this particular outlet of artistic expression. Thanks for your visit, Billy!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks so much for your visit, Minnie. I'm surprised you have a collection of clothes lines photos as it seems hardly anyone uses them anymore - lol. I'll have to keep an eye out for photo ops, and would love to see some of yours!

Here's what Tom wrote in his topic for explanation:

"The house where we stayed during our time in El Salvador has a small atrium or courtyard which is covered by a mesh made of steel rebar. The clotheslines are situated above this mesh, making it necessary for one to stand on the mesh while hanging things up to dry."

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity!

Oh, yes, MANY clotheslines. Maybe we could start a thread after New Years. Perhaps there are others with this odd photo-fetish.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

:thumbup: :thumbup:

If I find any here before then, they will be frozen-solid clothes :)

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

OK Billy is all prepared. Just taken some shots of Mrs Billys rather small size frilliest smalls on the line. Will post as soon as min gives go ahead.
Will satisfy the washing line fetish folks and give the ladies underwear thrill seekers a little blood pressure lift maybe.
Must go my best boxers are about to be pegged out. What a shot huh. Billy's Union Jack shreddies blowing in the breeze.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Please get them ready! It'll be a great New Year's opportunity.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Ah I recognize a young Billy here. So long ago he probably had hair!
A stolen copy of Photoshop 7 and my friend Topaz. Doodling like crazy showing all my buddies what I had "created" and even posting them on websites. I even gave these creations artistic sounding names lol.
Then quite by chance I discovered conceptual imagery. This was proper stuff. Created with a purpose without needing to hide behind the reason of it being only fun. Conceptual imagery is the mental representation of concepts in the conscious mind. You read a passage in a book see something whilst out and the desire to represent that visually leads down the path of true creativity. It can be based in realism right through to total abstraction.
I hit the sweet spot of understanding and when you do the doodles make you cringe or mine did at least. I destroyed them all one afternoon and luckily the web sites I used to exhibit the horrors all closed down so no earthly trace of this body of work can ever resurface.
Now it comes in fits and starts and its not something I can just turn on.
Re workflow 50 layers plus is more the norm than 5, it always starts with an idea and a blank canvas and avoid Topaz like the plague! Its the doodlers fall back filter when nothing else works. There is no artistry in doodling you will find once you step over the threshold and discover whats hiding in your head.
Not everyone can release it but you can.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks for your clarification, Billy, regarding true abstract art. I'll probably just stick with the "fun" aspects for now, and in plain sight :)

(I'm afraid my computer would blow up if I tried 50 layers!).

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

I like both the original and what you did with it, Linda. Yours is almost ribbon candy, or at least reminiscent of it. I like the softening and color, too. Nice work, and keep it up!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you kindly, Randy. Just so people know, you are the one responsible for my going down this particular path of self expression :)

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

No complaints or fussing about your art work from me, Linda. I like what you've done with the photo. Keep playing away.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks, John! Who knows, maybe eventually I'll learn something worthwhile :)