Posts for: stavros
Dec 28, 2023 08:55:05 #
Has anyone else noticed a significant drop in participation on this forum since they stopped the Daily Digest? I wish they would bring it back.
Dec 12, 2023 15:43:39 #
Dec 12, 2023 09:01:34 #
Dec 11, 2023 17:57:19 #
MosheR wrote:
He certainly did a great job with those.
Thanks
Dec 11, 2023 17:33:38 #
I have gotten some beautiful pictures of a conservatory I visit, and this looks like a duplicate of it - almost! But these painter effects have taken such shots to a whole otherworldly level of spectacle and brilliance, I am just absolutely blown away 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈Dec 11, 2023 17:20:37 #
On our drive home from our Destin, Florida vacation in October Annette and I decided to stop in Birmingham, Alabama to visit their botanical gardens.
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is 67.5 acres of botanical gardens located adjacent to Lane Park at the southern foot of Red Mountain in Birmingham, Alabama. The gardens are home to over 12,000 different types of plants, 25 unique gardens, more than 30 works of original outdoor sculpture, and several miles of walking paths. With more than 350,000 annual visitors, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens qualify as one of Alabama's top free-admittance tourist attractions. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is also a part of the American Public Gardens Association.
The gardens include a garden center that has a library (the largest public horticulture library in the U.S.), auditorium, Linn-Henley Lecture Hall, Blount Education Center, Gerlach Plant Information Center, Alabama Cooperative Extension System office, Arrington Children's Plant Adventure Zone, and a restaurant.
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens began as an idea prior to 1960. The Birmingham mayor of that time, James W. Morgan led an effort to establish the gardens on a 69-acre portion of unused city property east of the Birmingham Zoo on the side of Red Mountain. The garden officially opened in 1963. The Birmingham Botanical Society, now known as the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, was established in 1964 with the mission of helping the city to support and improve the garden.
Not only does the Birmingham Botanical Garden boast a wide variety of flora, it also hosts a library with over 14,000 books, audiobooks, DVDs, and more. These items include books on gardening for children or adults, horticulture magazines, and even teaching resources with lesson plan materials. The library also contains an Archives and Rare Book Room that was created in partnership with, “Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the City of Birmingham, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, plant groups, garden clubs, and societies.”. The archive contains many different manuscripts, photographs, catalogs, and even plant fossils.
Another interesting and unique aspect of the BBG library is that it hosts a seed exchange program to foster a time-honored tradition that helps connect those in the community. This exchange encourages the community to plant native flora and provides an opportunity for the community to bond through sharing both seeds and information. The exchange requires the patron to donate a package of fresh seeds (non-GMO) or make a $10 donation before choosing a packet to take home.
These photos with Topaz and Dynamic Auto Painter Pro effects were taken in October. I shot in RAW with my Nikon D750 camera and used Corel AfterShot Pro to convert the files. Then I used Topaz Denoise, Corel PaintShop Pro, and Luminar AI to further adjust and enhance the files in post processing. Finally, I used Dynamic Auto Painter Pro to add the Neo Raphaelites painterly effects. I hope you enjoy!
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is 67.5 acres of botanical gardens located adjacent to Lane Park at the southern foot of Red Mountain in Birmingham, Alabama. The gardens are home to over 12,000 different types of plants, 25 unique gardens, more than 30 works of original outdoor sculpture, and several miles of walking paths. With more than 350,000 annual visitors, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens qualify as one of Alabama's top free-admittance tourist attractions. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is also a part of the American Public Gardens Association.
The gardens include a garden center that has a library (the largest public horticulture library in the U.S.), auditorium, Linn-Henley Lecture Hall, Blount Education Center, Gerlach Plant Information Center, Alabama Cooperative Extension System office, Arrington Children's Plant Adventure Zone, and a restaurant.
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens began as an idea prior to 1960. The Birmingham mayor of that time, James W. Morgan led an effort to establish the gardens on a 69-acre portion of unused city property east of the Birmingham Zoo on the side of Red Mountain. The garden officially opened in 1963. The Birmingham Botanical Society, now known as the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, was established in 1964 with the mission of helping the city to support and improve the garden.
Not only does the Birmingham Botanical Garden boast a wide variety of flora, it also hosts a library with over 14,000 books, audiobooks, DVDs, and more. These items include books on gardening for children or adults, horticulture magazines, and even teaching resources with lesson plan materials. The library also contains an Archives and Rare Book Room that was created in partnership with, “Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the City of Birmingham, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, plant groups, garden clubs, and societies.”. The archive contains many different manuscripts, photographs, catalogs, and even plant fossils.
Another interesting and unique aspect of the BBG library is that it hosts a seed exchange program to foster a time-honored tradition that helps connect those in the community. This exchange encourages the community to plant native flora and provides an opportunity for the community to bond through sharing both seeds and information. The exchange requires the patron to donate a package of fresh seeds (non-GMO) or make a $10 donation before choosing a packet to take home.
These photos with Topaz and Dynamic Auto Painter Pro effects were taken in October. I shot in RAW with my Nikon D750 camera and used Corel AfterShot Pro to convert the files. Then I used Topaz Denoise, Corel PaintShop Pro, and Luminar AI to further adjust and enhance the files in post processing. Finally, I used Dynamic Auto Painter Pro to add the Neo Raphaelites painterly effects. I hope you enjoy!
Dec 1, 2023 16:29:35 #
Nov 30, 2023 09:05:41 #
kpsk_sony wrote:
Eeeps! All those colors confuse my ancient eyes. Looks like most of the pictures would look good without so much manipulation
Digital artistry. My goal was to transform the photos into impressionistic like paintings. Thanks for sharing your opinion!
Nov 30, 2023 08:36:59 #
Reuss Griffiths wrote:
I like the look and the creativity behind these images. Sounds like it was a lot of work but I think it was worth the effort. Not for everyone's point of view, but I could see these on walls in a lot of places. Nice job.
Thank you!
Nov 29, 2023 14:38:07 #
KillroyII wrote:
Love your art and love that area. Lived there 81 to 84 and hated to leave.
Thanks!
Nov 29, 2023 09:25:12 #
ronschulze wrote:
These would make images to put on the wall. Love the bright and vibrant colors!
Thank you!
Nov 29, 2023 08:20:27 #
Nov 29, 2023 08:20:12 #
Nov 28, 2023 17:24:19 #
Nov 28, 2023 17:24:04 #
jaymatt wrote:
I am not usually a fan of these kinds of conversions, but they work well here. 
Thank You!