We finally had a beautiful sunny morning and as I was sitting at my desk drinking coffee, I noticed how striking the white dogwood blossoms were against the bright cloudless sky. I used the lens baby to selectively focus on the one branch and add a nice blur to the others. And then I began to texturize it. Using Kim Klassen’s “Sweettreat” and “Silence” for the Texture Tuesday challenge as well as Karen Burn’s “Clouds.” I was starting to get a little frustrated — something just wasn’t coming out like I wanted. And then, playing around, I tried the spotlight filter on the red channel (just experimenting, I really couldn’t tell you why or what the red channel had to do with spotlight filter!). But once it rendered and I saw the output — oh my! It was one of those breathtaking moments — the tones of the whole picture changed to that lovely turquoise blue that you see now. So my tip is to always play — even with the filters that you have no clue about! You never know what you’ll get and I think that is the greatest thing about photoshop.
Click on the picture for a large and easier to read version. I’ve labeled the layers with their blend mode and opacity this week. If it doesn’t list a mode then it was normal.
Turned out so gorgeous! Love it! Interesting technique 🙂
So pretty, love the colors in this image and the use of texture is perfect.
Your experimenting paid off…the colors are beautiful!
This image is amazing ~ perfect in every way. I love playing – it’s amazing what happens before your eyes. 🙂 Thank you for sharing! ~ Rebecca
It’s a beauty!
postcard perfect.
Beautiful! I will have to see what my elements has–as far as filters–I am waiting for spring…we had a return of winter this week–but the birds sing on:)
Just saw this on Flickr, and had to stop by to tell you once again just how much I love what you did with this. Truly beautiful work!!
Breathtaking. I love it.
OH Jessica this is stunning! I love how this came out! I too was struggling for contrast when working with these two textures on my magnolia, and finally brought in a third screened photo at 12% for my top layer. It seems in order to allow for the beautiful textures to show against white, they become harder to control. I’m going to have to remember to play with spotlight filters! What a great idea!!
love,
Sherilyn at http://www.ClearCrickCottage.blogspot.com
PS -Thank you for your kind comment on my blog! I too am feeling nostalgic over this wedding – I’m only a little younger then Princess Diana, and clearly remember swooning over her wedding. WHAT a day that was! sigh!
love,
Sherilyn
Stunning, totally. It’s so beautiful…very well done!
An experiment in beautiful! Don’t you love that moment when it all comes together? And sometimes you don’t even know why – it just does! A stunning result.
Spotlight filter–haven’t tried that! Thanks for the tip. This is really lovely! I do love the blue with white flowers!
I really like the shallow dof, and how that draws the eye in on the lovely dogwood blossoms!- I love the color too, and the edge treatment. A beautiful image! Thank you for sharing your happy surprise with the red channel and spotlight filter, and for the reminder/encouragement to just experiment!
I still have a lot to try i see !! like the effect !!
aenee Lily