John Roach  


Eye of the Storm by John Roach

May 2020 - Eye of the Storm

May 2020 - John Roach

Original 1

May 2020 - John Roach

Original 2

About the Image(s)

I decided to take a little different route this month. One of my images that I took during COVID-19 Lockdown in April of the Dogwood Tree in my back yard became the source for some creativity jumpstarted by a camera club discussion via Zoom and subsequent Google research.

This abstract was created by taking the original dogwood blossom image into Photoshop and then manipulate the image with filters (Pixelate variations, radial blur effects and distortion twirl to taste). The original image as created with Nikon Df with 100mm Tokina f2.8 Macro, ISO 800 (Handheld), 1/640s, f36, Lightroom. I now have created many different images with these kind of effect both in color and monochrome. Sometimes it works well but sometimes the original image doesn't delight in this abstract way...it is all about the light, composition and color harmony of the original source image.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
14 comments posted




 
Super, dynamic appeal to me with both images. Yes, my first thought was a hurricane but then I saw the eye of an eagle. Perhaps I'd dodge the center a tad? I have also found these types of images lend themselves to a square format too.
I too am now making both creative and mono versions of many old pictures. My goal is to improve my monos while I continue to explore and learn unlimited potential of Topaz Studio 2.   Posted: 05/03/2020 19:12:19
John Roach   John Roach
I am not keen on the square for this even though I do it often with images. But, it is a legitimate option. I plan to print 13 x 19 and hang in a minimalist frame at home with another one of my abstracts done in a similar way. However, I am doing the color version which I like very much for the muted tones and the other image I will be doing is a very vivid abstract. Thanks for the comments.   Posted: 05/14/2020 12:37:06



Don York   Don York
Very interesting contours and curves. I love the creative effect you achieved.   Posted: 05/04/2020 13:22:32
John Roach   John Roach
Thanks, Don.   Posted: 05/14/2020 12:37:36



Jerry Snyder   Jerry Snyder
This is a very interesting image with a nice sense of depth and movement. You had me looking up the photoshop filters. I was not familiar with any of them. Nice job.   Posted: 05/04/2020 17:05:59
John Roach   John Roach
Thanks, Jerry.   Posted: 05/14/2020 12:37:52



Audrey Waitkus   Audrey Waitkus
(Group 25)
I see swirling galaxies, whirlpools, all from a simple flower. Hooray for your creative use of Photoshop. I like all three images. Our photo club just had a black and white challenge, and I think you would have walked away with the honors. Hope you are well -- I can see you are keeping productively busy.   Posted: 05/06/2020 11:59:51
John Roach   John Roach
So wonderful to hear from you Audrey. I hope all is well with you and Phil. I do stop by occasionally to your Study Group with much pleasure to your work and others. Thanks for the comments.   Posted: 05/06/2020 16:36:10



Stuart Ord   Stuart Ord
A fascinating photo. My initial impression was that it is an eye, but galaxies etc - yes, I can see that impression too. Or Doctor Who in transit! (Do you get that long-running BBC programme there?)There's so much to learn with these programs. Affinity is doing some creative tutorials at the moment although I've not looked at any yet.   Posted: 05/07/2020 15:44:04
John Roach   John Roach
It has been decades since I saw a Dr. Who episode, thanks for the reference. I don't use Affinity. So I can't speak to that. During our current COVID-19 experience, I find myself overwhelmed with various services want me to buy, look, watch, use, etc. I just stick to what I use and leave it at that. However, I love your comments. Stay well, Stuart.   Posted: 05/14/2020 12:40:34
Stuart Ord   Stuart Ord
Thanks, I'm trying to. No C-19 cases in my vicinity. Well, none that I know of. But it's not good in our cities either. We are still locked down by and large. Luckily we have a sizeable house and garden so never short of things to do or to photograph. I hope you are the same!

Well it's still on TV here, Doctor number umpteen. I think it has lost its way, it has been modernised, not-very-well-done special effects etc, and has lost its early charm. Still has a cult following, though.   Posted: 05/14/2020 14:18:54



Stan Bormann   Stan Bormann
This is an amazing image. The ridges which seem much stronger in the mono than the color make this unique and awesome. As a result, I consider the mono much better than the color version. Perhaps that could also be brought up in the color version, but I like the mono. This is inherently an elongated imgae and could not stand a square crop. It might be interesting to stretch it to a square however. Excellent just the way it is.   Posted: 05/08/2020 08:49:41
John Roach   John Roach
Thanks, Stan. I appreciate your comments. If you look at my comment response to Jerry Funk, you can see my inclinations on aspect ratio and what I plan to print. While I like the monochrome and feel I successfully created it, I still prefer the color abstract in this case. Thanks for you kind words and thought.   Posted: 05/14/2020 12:42:50



 
I have seen a lot of your work in this style in the past few weeks. Needless to say, each of the images are creative, impressive and beautiful. I think, this is the first monochrome I am seeing from the series. It comes out well in the monochrome with the depth, pattern and small details and overall presentation. You have done good use of light and shadow.   Posted: 05/27/2020 02:04:11