JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I saw the post about this forum from Linda from Maine in the Main Photography section, and while my own work is usually heavily processed, I had never subscribed to this forum. So I thought I would post about a series of flower composites I have been working on for many years. My intention is a balance between photographic realism and abstraction.

The first image, which I use for my avatar, is actually a multiple exposure of 4 dahlias on color film. I tried to shoot them from as close to the same angle as possible. A print from the negative looks very washed out and low contrast, but scanning it I was able to boost the contrast and saturation in Photoshop.

The other three images are composites of 2-3 digital captures in Photoshop. I found that combining them in "Lighten" mode worked best, allowing the lightest parts of each layer to come forward. Then I tweek it by lightening and darkening parts of each layer I want to come forward or recede. And again, I obviously like saturated colors. I think I am able to pack more "floweriness" into these than I can in a single image.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Welcome John! #1 is my favorite, but all are engaging. Colorful, full of energy - perfect for those folks still enduring late winter doldrums. And how fun to know it's a marriage of film and digital pp.

Thank you for providing details of how you created the others. Did you see the main forum topic on layer masks? I was contemplating doing a simple how-to on layers and masks, but Rongnongo said he was going to write a tutorial (in this follow-up topic: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-583578-1.html)

Appreciate your posting to PP Forum!

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Congratulations, your techniques "lie" about what we flatly see, bringing out a deep and consistent beauty, confirming the old adage, "All Art lies."

You achieve your goal of blending real and abstract--often clumsily or superficially done. Your techniques avoid the overly-saturated resulted of other techniques often used to simply intensify saturation or vibrance.

Your eye for composition and center of interest contribute also.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

John thank for sharing. I am always amazed at the infinite number of ways post processing can be used to create beautiful artwork like you have done. I am really looking to seeing more of your posts and learning new techniques.

nanaval Loc: Cornwall

Very good, I do like no 1..

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

Obviously very colorful. Nicely done. I particularly like your first one. Multiple exposure is still an option in this digital world we live in.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Nice set John - especially #1.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Thanks to all who commented. I'm working on another post on post processing faux color infrared photographs.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Your composites have a very good depth to them John. And boy, they are colourful!