Remote covered bridge a' la Orton

From vacation a couple of weeks ago....

Ned, your processing is great, I personally would like to see just a bit more of the covered bridge...

how do you do this Orton thing anyway.....its similar to soft focus but I can't find anything like that in CS3

I like it Ned! It's different from the usual covered bridge image. The Orton effect provides a little touch of mystery... what waits within that dark covered area?...

The processing is sweet as usual, but those signs kill the image. I'd clone them out since you've already turned this into photo art.

Darren...
1. Create a copy of the original layer
2. increase exposure between 1.5 to 2.5 stops
3. apply a gaussian blur of approx 25ish pixels
4. change the opacity of the played with layer to your liking...usually around 15-40%

Now that is Cool, thanks Rick!!!!!

I"d get rid of that sign, and I think you need better light or less bush, more bridge or something, I sorta like it but it's not falling together for me.

Thanks, Guys! Geoff - good to hear from you!

Darren, if you've worked your photo a bit and have a few layers, you'll need to make a composite layer to so that all your layers are included in the Orton. See the Geek Night handout for instructions.

I did mine a little different - it was all automated using PhotoKit. I did an overall fog or diffusion, (can't remember which), then a center clear blur - something devised for portraits to emulate a diffusion filter with a clear, unaffected circle in the center. Then I played around with the opacity and fill of each layer.. same effect as Rick's procedure..

I am working an image right now that I took today....a very very small covered foot bridge...lots of greens around it....Ill post it as soon as my 24 hrs is up and you master geeks can let me know how I am doing!

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I really like this, Ned (aside from the road sign). I could also imagine a little kid with overalls and a slingshot in his back pocket walking towards the bridge or someone on an old-style velocipede (I think that's what they used to call them back in the day) riding through the frame.

Yep - I guess I should clone out the obtrusive signs... It's just a fun photograph captured for a special person in my life...

What about leaving the signs in but not with the orton effect? I don't know, just a thought. I do like the overall comp. Good eye!