Stargazer with Orton

© Steven E. Ray

Stargazer with Orton

Uploaded: August 07, 2007

Description


Taken in 2006. Used Orton effect with 4 layers and "Darken" in
Blended Option. Canon 100mm Macro lens.

Comments

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!! #4618529

Steven 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. #4619443

Jennifer 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! :) #4621839

Arlene 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. #4625316

Arlene 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. #4625691

Sherry L. Davis August 11, 2007

Gorgeous, Steven! Great colors, detail, effects! Great work! #4634695

Melissa McCabe October 22, 2007

very gorgeous and thank you for explaining Orton!! Can't wait to try it out! -mm #4964182

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