This may be a real dumb question, but what the ....?
I've recently started playing with the Orton technique Darwin described in his earlier article. I love the technique and the effects, but can't figure out why it enhances the color of trees, water, etc. but kills the sky color much of the time, but not always. Anybody know the reason for this, and is there a way around it? I've tried using Levels and Multiplying the sky but neither seemed to have much of an effect.
I'm guessing it's not specifically the sky but anything light-colored since it starts by applying the image onto itself in screen mode (making all colors brighter, except for pure black and pure white). If you have light-colored detailed areas, they are very likely to be blown at this stage. Later the blurred image is applied in multiply mode which restores some of the color but not the detail.
After the Orton technique is completed, try applying the original image as another layer and adjust the opacity... this basically gives you an "Orton adjustment" which re-introduces lost detail.
Discussion
2 repliesI've recently started playing with the Orton technique Darwin described in his earlier article. I love the technique and the effects, but can't figure out why it enhances the color of trees, water, etc. but kills the sky color much of the time, but not always. Anybody know the reason for this, and is there a way around it? I've tried using Levels and Multiplying the sky but neither seemed to have much of an effect.
I'm guessing it's not specifically the sky but anything light-colored since it starts by applying the image onto itself in screen mode (making all colors brighter, except for pure black and pure white). If you have light-colored detailed areas, they are very likely to be blown at this stage. Later the blurred image is applied in multiply mode which restores some of the color but not the detail.
Guy