Posted by Scott Bean on October 7, 2009 at 11:49 AM
I love the way the leaves on cottonwood trees rustle in the wind, my wife always says they are winking at us. I've tried to capture this in photographs, but have never felt like I was successful. After playing around with the Orton effect on some images (thanks again Bill for the link!) I wondered if this would give the feel to cottonwood shots I was looking for. I'm not sure if the results are really what I had in mind, but I like the effect. Does the Orton effect work for you in this shot?
I think you will find that Orton (or what I've called the "double-exposure-blur-technique for 30 years) can help rescue images that might not otherwise be very good (especially ones with harsh lighting). It can be easily overdone though, and it is best to do it on a layer so you can tone it down, and also be able to apply selectively to certain parts to the image. There is an entire community of orton users, in fact a group on yahoo or someplace like that. I know some photographers who use it for every image - perhaps a bit much. It think it works great for some images, especially selected use. 'Tis another tool in the bucket.
Posted by Brad Mangas on October 7, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Well done Scott,
I learned the Orton effect a while back from one of the articles here on NPN, I believe it was written by Darwin Wigget. I have always really like the look it gives certain images. I try it on many and find it works on only a few, at least for me. Like Tim mentioned I always apply it on a layer and then play around with the Orton (Gaussian blur) layer and with the screened (lightened) layer it is blended with. It can sure make a ho-hum shot look special. Glad to see you expanding your wonderful abilities.
Posted by Barry Southon on October 7, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Scott
The Orton technique is way over my head. I find this image just little over cooked on blur effect or maybe that's what you wanted. Or maybe a fuz is a better description could be my monitor.
I like it Scott. Kind of funny that I took one of a cypress today with the intention of using this effect.
Posted by Tim Ferrell on October 7, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Scott, I think you have improved the photo but cant decide if I like it. It seems bright at the bottom. I generally like the Orton effect. The way we get there now isn't really Michael Orton's technique. His technique was to make slide sandwiches from an inventory of photos. Anyone who has learned to use this effect by anything other than reading his book is missing out on some great other techniques and effects.
Discussion
8 repliesThanks in advance.
I think you will find that Orton (or what I've called the "double-exposure-blur-technique for 30 years) can help rescue images that might not otherwise be very good (especially ones with harsh lighting). It can be easily overdone though, and it is best to do it on a layer so you can tone it down, and also be able to apply selectively to certain parts to the image. There is an entire community of orton users, in fact a group on yahoo or someplace like that. I know some photographers who use it for every image - perhaps a bit much. It think it works great for some images, especially selected use. 'Tis another tool in the bucket.
I learned the Orton effect a while back from one of the articles here on NPN, I believe it was written by Darwin Wigget. I have always really like the look it gives certain images. I try it on many and find it works on only a few, at least for me. Like Tim mentioned I always apply it on a layer and then play around with the Orton (Gaussian blur) layer and with the screened (lightened) layer it is blended with. It can sure make a ho-hum shot look special. Glad to see you expanding your wonderful abilities.
The Orton technique is way over my head. I find this image just little over cooked on blur effect or maybe that's what you wanted. Or maybe a fuz is a better description could be my monitor.
http://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Creative-Landscapes-Artistic-Creativity/dp/1584280484