trying to figure out this Orton thing

[Bambi]

okay, I really like this effect but am not sure if I'm doing the effect correctly or picking the wrong photos to try it with. But at least I am occupying myself while I battle the flu

Therefore I decided to garner some constructive criticism.

thanks in advance everyone.

the first is the original and the second the attempt using the GIMP plug in (thanks to Iquanasan)

[Iguanasan]

Hey, Bambi.

Sorry, I almost missed this thread!

First off, it looks like a very good photograph. I'm not sure Orton is the right treatment for this one, though. I think an in focus reflection is much more appealing. I'd really like to see your original as I think this is a good capture.

I don't know what kind of shot makes a good Orton image but I've been going with foresty kind of images. Lots of trees and grass which, when made a bit fuzzy, have a bit of a dreamlike appearance. I haven't really tried it with any other type of image yet.

Hope this helps!

[Bambi]

Thanks Iggy, I tend to agree. I will try some foresty type images. or maybe flowers.

the first shot is the original with the orton below.

[AcadieLibre]

I would love to see you do it with a forest scene, I do like the photo but you are right it is the wrong one for this treatment. Looking forward to see what it looks like with the right photo.

[Iguanasan]

Thanks Iggy, I tend to agree. I will try some foresty type images. or maybe flowers.

the first shot is the original with the orton below.

Ahh, I missed that. I thought you meant the first was done manually and the second with GIMP. Now that I actually take a closer look at the first I can see it - Doh! The lines and reflection is nice.

I hope you are feeling better! Also, I know everyone has different tastes and I hope you don't mind but I took yours and did a couple of little adjustments. Here's what I see...



In Picasa I did the following:

1) Crop to remove branches - distracting to me
2) Saturation boost to make the colours pop a bit
3) Add a little sharpening
4) Just a touch of Shadow

[Bambi]

Ahh, I missed that. I thought you meant the first was done manually and the second with GIMP. Now that I actually take a closer look at the first I can see it - Doh! The lines and reflection is nice.

I hope you are feeling better! Also, I know everyone has different tastes and I hope you don't mind but I took yours and did a couple of little adjustments. Here's what I see...



In Picasa I did the following:

1) Crop to remove branches - distracting to me
2) Saturation boost to make the colours pop a bit
3) Add a little sharpening
4) Just a touch of Shadow

I love it!
I had done all of those but not enough. I am careful with the saturation as I'm not always sure with this monitor if it's the right about

[Bambi]

okay how about these ones?

[Iguanasan]

Much better candidates and nicer results. I'm a little curious though, how big were these before you uploaded them? They look like they have a lot of detail and are pretty large physically so I'm thinking you broke the 250KB limit and the board may have resized them. Do you have some place you can post the originals that the board won't compress them too much. Flickr or PicasaWeb or something?

[jlabel]

I am still trying to find something in the photo, or I didnt see it or something is really missing: a subject.

[Marko]

If you start with brighter images that have LESS intense shadows (softer light) you'll be way more successful with your Ortons. If the shadows are dark to begin with they'll get even darker. Traditionally Ortons are busting with light not shadow.

Also, choosing simpler less busy scenes will help.

Just in case new people see this, we did an Orton podcast 3 months ago with Michael Orton the creator of this technique and Darwin Wiggett who has mastered this technique digitally. There are good links and shownotes as well as the podcast on Orton Imagery below.

http://www.photography.ca/blog/?p=383