Photo Art Friday... and Grow Your Blog Party!
Because I've been up to my ears, nose and eyes in having stuff done to the house, plus sick cats, sick husband plus taking photos, I almost forgot the Grow Your Blog Party! I'm rubbish... Anyway, it's being hosted by the wonderful Vicki over at her beautiful blog 2 Bags Full...
A little about me, well I'm Barbara, I live in the UK, I have an MA in literature and am slave to three cats who constantly thwart any efforts I make to keep them out of this page. I'm seriously addicted to photography and books; and here you'll find evidence of both (although the photography has tended to take over just a tad. You can tell how this blog has changed direction from its title!). I've just started dabbling into giving tips and hints about photography hence the rest of this post. I have got to know such great people through blogging - I just love it. So if this is your first visit here, please take a look around, then put your feet up and grab a cat... (three very friendly ones available, although Charlie can be a tad unpredictable). The only rules are no mention of liquorice, aniseed or Marmite, all of which are the foods of Satan. Tea aficionados especially welcome... :O)
And now for the pics...
The theme for this week over at Photo Art Friday was Entrances/Exits, so I've decided to use the entrance to Cropston Reservoir for my link-up.
I took the shots at Cropston the same day I was at Bradgate Park (see previous post) and it was a beautifully cold and icy day, but I thought how gorgeous it would look if there was only a brilliant sunset in the offing. I was unwilling to hang around for a few hours to find out if it was going to happen, so decided to create one in Lightroom and Elements. I'd seen the technique used for portraits but thought it might work just as well for landscapes.
First I did basic adjustments in Lightroom, then exported to Elements where I:
1. Added a Lens Flare filter set to 105mm Prime lens type. This was a stand-in for the sun so I just dragged it around until I was happy with its position.
2. I added a Gradient layer set to Linear choosing a nice warm orange colour. I changed the blend mode to Colour. I then used a layer mask to brush away some of the colour on the foreground detail.
3. Then I saved the changes and went back to Lightroom to use Curves to boost the contrast and add a vignette.
This is the before and after...
37 comments:
stunning - both the before and after - such fabulous lines and graphic composition
Such beautiful reflections! I am not sure which edit I like the most, they are both very pretty!
the orange version is my favorite. very dramatic!
Fantastic result - great done.
Well done. I must say the first piece is so calming and serene.
Love how you turned the same scene into a sunset version that's equally lovely.
I like the yellow picture very much.
Both are beautiful!! Thank you for sharing your editing process so that we can all learn new techniques.
Beautiful work!
Amazing ! I told myself I have to learn photoshop this year :-)
Like ice-cream for the eyes! Oh my, so lovely.
just gorgeous!! I honestly don't understand all that you did, but I love that you could DO it and that you are so generous in sharing HOW. mayBE one day I will understand and until that day comes, I will BE happily fascinated by possibilities!!
Thanks all, I'm no expert at Photoshop by any means... I prefer the speed of Lightroom, but layers do have their uses!
I echo Currie about not understanding most of what you explained you did, but I love the effect. Seems like a lot of work - or is it? How long did it take you, do you reckon?
I like them both, you did an amazing job creating a dawn or dusk look in that golden-hued one. But I think my favorite is the original - I'm in a wintery frame of mind and that one definitely looks serene and wintery. :-)
Thanks :O) Most of my pics seem to have a blue tone at the moment so it was nice to try something a bit different. It didn't take long to edit actually, say about 10-15 mins and that's because I was faffing around with it.
Absolutely gorgeous! Love the colors and the defined shapes. Very, very nice. So nice to meet you here through the Grow Your Blog party.
Stunning... I have so much to learn. I've been concentrating on getting the right shot so I don't have to spend much time editing. But then if I had better editing skills... so nice to "meet" you!
You have a lovely blog, thank you for sharing. I am a new follower and 'Grow Your Blog' participant. Have fun at the party!
Evalina, This and that...
So glad you're party of the Grow Your Blog Party. I'm always looking for new things to learn on Photoshop. I'm just beyond a beginner. I especially love the macro shots you did. I'll be back to visit and learn something new!
Karen
Photography is a mystery to me - you certainly have 'an eye for it' and I will visit again. Betty
just beautiful - I love the calm waters
Gorgeous! Don't you just love Photoshop-Elements etc? When I started taking pics again and learning about all the software it was like a beam from heaven was shining down on me. Seriously...I think I could even hear angels singing....lol. Your pics are wonderful. I look forward to checking back often.
Lori
Absolutely stunning shots.......what a skill to have. I have never ever grasped the F this that and the other on cameras but so admire those amongst us that have!
Stunning shot ~ amazing what look you can create from it ~ Wow!
(A Creative Harbor) ^_^
Your photos are amazing!! So beautiful, where in the UK is this?? I live down on the South coast :)
Thank you for visiting my blog, it's nice to meet you! I'm following you (and becoming a fan girl of your photography!)
Outstanding subject and perspective... love it! I'm so glad you came by to share on Weekly Top Shot #66!
A beautiful and peaceful place! Love both photos. Just lovely. xx
Nicely done and thanks for sharing you post-processing technique!
Both are stunning!
Hi Barbara. Thank you for stopping by Bird Lady Blog. I'm always looking for photography tips, so I will be following your blog!
Love the before and after photo. I'd love to learn more photoshop skills. I have elements, but not lightroom.
- Sherrie (Bird Lady)
http://birdladyblog.blogspot.com
Thanks and hello! Sherrie - I tend to always use Lightroom for basic adjustments and quick fixes, but Elements for more detailed adjustments and edits so will be including that too, as well as general photography stuff. Thanks for following!
We share a last name, and a love of literature! I am happy to meet you through the blog hop!
Hi Laurie, thanks for stopping by :O)
Hello Barbara
How lovely to meet you via our dear friend Vicki's Grow Your Blog Party!
What a magical blog to visit - you are blessed with a wonderful artistic talent - WOW what photography!
I've tried all summer to take some good bird photos, mainly seagulls but not one is yet good enough to show on my blog!!!
Any of your tips will be most welcome!
I’m also a tea afficiando!
I’m your newest follower!
I would love you to pop over and see me too and enter my GYB Giveaway!
Enjoy the party
Hugs
Shane ♥
http://roseslaceandbrocante.blogspot.co.nz/
Hi Shane, thanks for your lovely comment. Will nip over now.
Meant to say - yay! Fellow tea fan! Just had a very nice mug of green tea with apple and pear.
Visiting via Vicki's Party - but, absolutely adore Bonnie and PAF, also. So, it was/is a pleasure to find you through this method. Please stop by if you haven't already and sign up for my giveaway. (I'm tardy because my motherboard died and went to the grave!) But, I have a replacement now! Hugs from Alaska. Karen
www.alaskabluemoose.blogspot.com
Awesome photos and cats! I have three (er, cats, not photos...) myself, so yes, they are hard to resist. I couldn't believe that post about poor Charlie being shot! Awful! So glad he is okay now though.
Glad to have found you via Vicki's party! Off to add myself to your Followers list now and I shall also be adding you to my blog links so I can return!
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