(Click on the thumbnail for the bigger, better version)
A couple of posts with untextured photos and I am feeling a bit lightheaded. Fortunately, I had one from a trip to Arvin that I had worked on a couple of weeks ago. Phew! That was close.
As I grow more capable of getting outside to take new photos, my dedication to texturing may wane slightly. The process, for me, can be time-consuming. I don't always reach for the best texture. Furthermore, I usually spend some time experimenting with different layer combinations, tweaking color, adjusting blending choices, and painting masks before I am content with the results. Frequently, there is considerable stumbling around in the dark. Sometimes, it's a snap. I never know ahead of time.
I suspect that it will come down simply to a matter of being in the mood some days and not others. As much as I enjoy exploring a file in Photoshop to see what I can find, some days I am eager to move on to the next project and skip the intensive job that texturing is for me. On the other hand, I may get better at streamlining the process. Learning to more effectively predict what will work would help a great deal. Time will tell.
Ah, the mood thing. I know what it's like not to be in the mood. Well, I hope you do find way to streamline the process as I enjoy them and sure don't want you being any more light headed than you already are. :-)
ReplyDeleteMonte - Doggone. I thought I was hiding how lightheaded I usually am. Oh, well you can fool some of the people, but you can not fool Monte. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your encouragement and thanks for letting me know that you enjoy the texture treatment. I am not even close to giving it up. Just not quite so obsessed.
As you are with textures, I am with burned corners and borders. This is a very nice treatment for this image. Kind of dark and moody with a touch of mystery. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou may be able to shorten the process by recording some actions in PS. Not that hard to do as it just replicates your keystrokes. There is a way to pause the action for user input to vary the texture then will resume the process. May be a pain to learn, but once done it is a time saver.
Good stuff and be well now, ya hear!
I've grown to regard projects as continuous exercises so that I can always return to them. And you know what they say, "a change is as good as a rest"! This is a great image too, did you make a print?
ReplyDeleteSteve - Thanks, I thought about saving this for Halloween, but lacked the discipline. I am delighted that it pleases you.
ReplyDeleteGood advice. I should do just that. I have a rather complex action set up for my basic processing that includes several adjustment layers. It helps considerably.
I could do the same for texturing. Even if it knocks off only a minute or two, it might help me to stay focused on the real work and less on mechanics.
There is so much trial and error involved in the selection of textures that I just hadn't considered what a basic action set might accomplish. Combining actions with smart objects in Photoshop cuts out a lot of the really boring work in processing. Thanks for the push in that direction.
Colin - Change does wonders for me and is at least as good as rest. I do see this texturing business as something I will continue to at least dabble in for some time to come.
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't printed this one. I should do that, thanks. I appreciate all your thoughts and it is lovely knowing that you like this one.
If it offers any comfort, I am much the same way with my textures. It is rare that I know which one will work best right off the bat, or which blend mode to use, what to show, what to hide, etc, etc. It is a process of experimentation for sure.
ReplyDeleteI think this one turned out quite nice. The textures are a nice compliment to the strong shapes of the trees, and not overpowering.
Mark - I am glad you like this one. Thanks for you thoughts on it. I also appreciate your comfort (yes, it is)) regarding the trial and error process of applying texture layers. I still have the ones that I just can never get to work. In that case there is nothing to do but give it a rest.
ReplyDeleteI just love your "painting style" textured images! Absolutely fascinating.
ReplyDeleteAnil -I am pleased to know that you are enjoying these pieces. The technique feels quite right for me and I am enjoying the exploration. I frequently hear the observation that this work looks painterly and, while I am not a painter, the process feels somewhat the way I imagine it might feel to paint. Curious to me.
ReplyDeleteWell, Anita, I am enjoying your textures and imagine how lovely this photo would look on a stretched canvas frame. Simply wonderful!
ReplyDeletePaul - It pleases me that this work is bringing you joy.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about canvas for this one. I am gearing up to do some more printing and framing as soon as my hand is ready for the "test". Perhaps I will spring for the extra money to try canvas on this.
The only thing holding me back is that I have several other pricey projects on the to-do list. Even if I don't get the canvas done this round, you have planted an idea that isn't going to fade away. Thanks.