Here we are , Step II of December OneFourChallenge. My Week 2 is looking very different from my Week 1, but I promise you both came from the same image. That’s why I chose it, I hoped it would give me the chance to really step out and away from the usual stuff.
My first step was to crop the image and it took me some time to come up with the composition that works. I needed one special ornament that I would make stand out and that Santa was just what I was looking for. Then I clicked on that pesky Orton effect. I don’t know if my infatuation with Orton will ever end, but it seems every time I use it, works perfectly for that image.
I used Focal Soften and adjusted the radius to cover only that ornament, so everything else would be a little bit blurred. After adjusting exposure and saturation, I applied a soft vignette, just enough to add a little bit of magic and bring those glowing ornaments step closer.
The post-processing was done in PicMonkey and a little bit of healing in PixlrExpress. I like how this image turned out, all the steps I took gave me that soft glowing feeling, like the ornaments were lighted from the inside. I really can’t wait to show you the original, it will be interesting to read your comments.
I hope you’ll continue to follow the adventures of all participants in this fun challenge. All you have to do is search for the tag – OneFourChallenge. And if you’d like to join the crazy ride, just check all the details on Robyn’s blog Captivate Me.
Ah this is beautiful. Such a wonderful Christmassy feel. Orton definitely works for me here and I love the softness and then the focal point of the one lovely ornament 😃 Still feels magical too and I like your composition. Fantastical!!!
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Thank you! I have so much fun with this challenge and I think it shows. 🙂
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It definitely shows! Youre doing such wonderful things 😃
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wow- this is perfect!!
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Thnak you, much appreciated.
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Oh that’s really interesting! Like the blur a lot, And the way you’ve cropped in brings much more structure to the composition. Good work! Where to next?
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I have ideas and I have no idea, if you know what I mean. Saturday morning is my starting point to panic. Glad you liked it, thank you.
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I agree with all the above comments, it is great! I like that soft blur and the focal point on one beautiful ornament. The image holds together well, nice job!
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Thank you so much!
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Oooo that’s neat! Wow I really like this version! I keep looking at last week’s photo and don’t seem to be able to find this part of the image… the original must be much bigger. I’ve never heard of the Orton Effect, but it sure is cool! Looking forward to what you do next week.
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You are right, both are just a small part of the original. Thank you, I really appreciate your kind words.
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Christmas magic indeed!
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Yes, indeed. Thank you!
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The blur works really well in making the one ball our focus. Great stuff.
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Thank you!
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I like this version! The blur works brilliantly to focus our attention on that one ball….and it really glows 😀
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I am very happy with the image I picked up for this month, so many possibilites. Thank you, I am very happy you like it.
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I agree, Orton goes well here. Great choice for the in-focus ornament! Ho ho ho! 😀
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😀 Thank you!
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Love your work and the focus on the single ball.
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I think you were right when you said that I wouldn’t be a fan of the image this week. I understand the idea and appreciate the way you have done it but the focus for me feels forced, as there are other elements in the same focal plane what should also be in focus.
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Oh, Ben…don’t you worry, I realized some time ago that our taste in photography clashes. And that is ok, I like your honest feedback.
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Although at times our taste clashes I still like seeing what you do as there are always elements I like and take from them.
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I’m so impressed with the array of techniques everyone is displaying! This is so cool!
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Thank you. I agree with you, it is so nice to see the world from another perspective.
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