Stargazer with Orton
Uploaded: August 07, 2007
Taken in 2006. Used Orton effect with 4 layers and "Darken" in
Blended Option. Canon 100mm Macro lens.
Christopher Jamison August 08, 2007
absolutely gorgeous. the colors are vibrant. the focus and clarity are spot on. I love the glowing effect as well. Very nicely done!(ps...thank you for the comment on my photo!!) #709318
Michelle L. Frick August 08, 2007
Absolutely beautiful Steven! You're good with the Orton - I've yet to figure this out to my satisfaction. I love the colors and comp on this flower!! #4618529Steven E. Ray August 08, 2007
Thanks Christopher and Michelle! Orton sounds complex, but it is really simple. Based on using Photoshop, open photo normally. Make sure the color correction and sharpness is where you want it. Open your layers palette so you can see it. Choose Select > All and Paste Twice so that you always have your original in the background. Name your new layers "detail" and "blur". Make sure your "blur" layer is on the top layer. Lighten your "detail" layer a little bit overall. I choose Image > Adjustments . Levels and move the middle slider to 1.40. Now go to your "blur" layer and apply a Gaussian Blur, enough to knock it out of focus some, like looking through a thick piece of hazed plastic. This next step is the vital step. Right-click your blur layer in your layers palette. Select "Blending Options..." Under "General Blending" in the "Blend Mode" drop down, choose "Darken" or "Multiply". Many say "Multiply" but I find "Darken" to work better. Now you should see the Orton effect in your main window. From here you might want to lighten your "detail" layer more. You always have your "background" layer to fetch if you need to redo a layer. Play with the blur amount, lighten up the detail layer more and sometimes a person may want to manually knockout backgrounds or use the Dodge tool to restore the highlights. It's pretty much custom and manual after the Blending setting. #4619443Jennifer L. Alder August 08, 2007
Wow, Steven---this is just GORGEOUS--Especially for someone who claims "not" to do flowers, LOL! Beautiful color, angle, detail and effects! :) #4621839Arlene Krassner August 09, 2007
Steven this is way way stunning. I have been using the Orton Effect for several months now but not the way you laid out. And I am eager to give it a try using darken instead of multiply. #4625316Arlene Krassner August 09, 2007
Steven today was the second occasion that your email rejected mine. I wanted to let you know that I did try your method and it worked so much better than the steps I was taking. So thank you for sharing. #4625691Sherry L. Davis August 11, 2007
Gorgeous, Steven! Great colors, detail, effects! Great work! #4634695Melissa McCabe October 22, 2007
very gorgeous and thank you for explaining Orton!! Can't wait to try it out! -mm #4964182Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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