Since I have hundreds of thousands of backed up pictures, I decided to choose one of them for this month. I don’t remember where I took this image. It seemed very plain to me, but had promise, so I decided to start playing with it.
1. I applied a Selective Color adjustment layer and darkened the blacks and then stamped up.
2. I tried for a long time to recall what I did in the next step, but could not duplicate it. I had marked that was a step using Filter > Stylize > Oil Paint, but when I tried to duplicate that step, it didn’t work!
3. Duplicate layer and applied Filter > Filter Gallery > Photocopy. That layer is done with a Linear Burn blending over the layers below.
4. I wanted to darken it a bit, so I added a dark blue solid color adjustment layer at 50% opacity, and then merged up again. (Original 2)
5. The image looked to top heavy to me, so I decided to add a butterfly to the top layer, at the bottom of the image to balance it out.
3 comments posted
Mary Hinsen
Kia ora Georgianne - I think your addition of the butterfly was inspired. It balances the image and the patterns on the butterfly's wings emulate the patterns in the leaves, which you have accentuated with your processing. To give more focus to the butterfly, I would remove the white area that is very prominent just above the mid leaf on the right hand side. A lovely, bright and interesting image. Posted: 03/11/2025 20:14:34
Jan Handman
Your edits certainly livened up the color palette Georgianne. I'm not sure it's as obvious that these are leaves now, but that doesn't really matter since the end result is more of an abstract. I like your reasoning in adding the butterfly; I think it just needs to be a bit larger. I tweaked it a bit and also added a vignette to bring the viewer's eye into the center area to highlight the most dramatic leaves and butterfly. These look like hydrangea leaves; am I right? Posted: 03/13/2025 17:12:40
Denise McKay
Bright, bold abstract Georgianne. The addition of the butterfly was a great idea. It gives your eye a place to rest within all of the bold colors. I also wanted to see the butterfly bigger, so I like the edits Jan suggested as well.
