Lens-Artists Challenge #15, Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
“Change comes like a little wind that ruffles the curtains at dawn; like the stealthy perfume of wildflowers hidden in the grass.”
John Steinbeck
Amy’s challenge this week speaks to those of us who enjoy working with some of the many tools available for editing images. Simple edits in programs like Lightroom or Google Photos, or Apps like Snapseed or Diptic give even beginning photographers the ability to morph their photos into something a bit more artistic.
“In every change, in every falling leaf there is some pain, some beauty; that’s the way new leaves grow.”
Amit Ray
Editing resources become even more accessible with the abundance of tutorials and videos available on the web. With a few clicks one can find “How-to’s” on just about any product – from the simplest to the most complex. For those who prefer learning the old-fashioned way there are books both in hard copy and online to foster self-teaching. Sadly from the moment they’re published it seems the products they address have been changed or updated and further study is required.
“Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world usually do.”
Steve Jobs
As a former user of Apple’s Aperture software I’ve experienced the pain of transitioning from one product to another. As such I try to use only tools offered by companies whose editing products are their primary business. While there is no guarantee, my hope is that companies like Adobe (providers of Lightroom and Photoshop) or Topaz Labs can be trusted to continue evolving their products as time goes on. Of course those of us who use and love the Nik products have learned that such is not always the case.
“Change is not a four letter word…but often your reaction to it is.”
Jeffrey Gitomer
For this week’s images, I used Lightroom to make a few minor edits, followed by Topaz Impressions and Topaz Texture Effects to create a more painterly effect. Those who follow me know I am a fan of impressionist painting and I’ve included some images in the past using textures and impressions to create an image quite different from the one with which I started. All of the Topaz tools used in today’s post are part of their “Studio” product which is available at no charge for the basic package.
“A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves.”
Marcel Proust
As I’ve mentioned previously, autumn here on Kiawah does not deliver the glorious colors of the northeastern US. Using software tools on the two previous images I’ve turned summer-day images into something a bit more like our fall. I added some reds to the grasses and trees, some gold and brown to the marsh and some color to the skies. While nothing like the reds and golds of a Vermont mountain scene in October, to me they speak to the changes we will soon see here in the southeast.
“No one can change a person, but a person can be the reason someone changes.”
Shannon L. Alder
Finally, my personal favorite – an image of my nephew and his son, my great-nephew. I just loved the way they are in lock-step with each other. The little one is the image of his dad, making it really fun to watch him grow into the person he will some day be. As Shannon Alder says in the quote above, my nephew’s wife and son are a big part of the reason he has grown into the loving, responsible, mature man he has become.
Sincere thanks to Amy for giving us the opportunity to “paint” outside the box. For the purists among us, I promise to return to realistic SOOC or slightly tweaked images next week. Also, for those who are interested, I’ve included the original images in their unaltered state below.
Be sure to check out Amy’s post here. Should you decide to join us, remember to tag your post Lens-Artists to have it appear in our reader section for the week.
From one impressionist to another – Bravo. Look forward to seeing your images from Israel. Warm wishes
Thanks Andrew. Looks like your trip was amazing. Enjoyed your posts very muck
Thanks Tina.
Lovely Tina! They all look like paintings!
Thanks Nicole
How much did I like this post? So much that the window/tab stayed open for 9 days until there was time to comment!!!! Ah, seeing this makes me wonder, “Why paint?” as this is true art and amazing creative license! All well done and very soothing!
High praise from an artist like you Zee, thank you so much! Great to see your name pop up!
Ja.. I am in a little hotel and hoped to have all evening for internet – but instead accepted an invitation from the curator of the museum events to go to dinner – then to a new park .. this city of Portoviejo is doing a great earthquake recovery, refreshing to experience. Alas, in another week I’ll have cyber time at another hotel!!! Then in another week, the solo show opens… all great, yet I’m having trouble keeping up with my favorite bloggers, esp ones who share images and narratives as lovely as yours!
Ha indeed! We are traveling in Israel. So glad to touch base. Good luck w the show!!!
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Great response thanks Terri
Hi T – not sure if my other comment made it ! But the like father like
Son is a top picture here – oh wow is that a nice shot – reminds me
Of a book cover
Seems the favorite this week Yvette—thanks so much. BTW his mom loved it 😊
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oh that is great that the mom loved it – and hate to say this next comment – but it needs to be framed
Beautiful, as always!
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http://www.areweadultsyet.com
Thanks!
Your work is beautiful Tina!!
Thanks Nora
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WOW…gorgeous transformations!! I love the comparisons…and the education!! GREAT eye!!
Thanks April, it’s a fun exercise for me!
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Love all of your images and your interpretation of them. The edits are magnificent. My favorite is also of your nephew and great-nephew. I always find it interesting, a good story, to photograph people without showing their faces. It leaves so much to the imagination for the viewer. Great photos as always!
Thanks very much DD, glad you enjoyed these. The nephew shot is the runaway favorite this week!
Very nice painterly effects, TIna. I love your nephew and child. I admit, my heart lies with your originals but the effects are a fun change.
Thanks Jane. I’d have guessed as much 😊
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I never get tired of these artsy photos!
I like using filters when I want to post people photos. They protect the identity of my family and friends, but let me portray an idea.
Excellent point. Worked for my nephew too 😊
Love the ‘artist at work’ one, it’s so painterly. It’s interesting to see the before and after, and the comments. I ended up splitting my blog in two as there were several who seemed to disapprove of ‘artistic’ interpretation in a travel blog, and it’s so much fun I couldn’t stop!
Thanks so much Elizabeth. Glad you related to this one
When it comes to the editing tools a purist like me is dumbfounded, so thanks I know you included the originals especially for me 🙂 🙂
Please continue with creative editing hue’s, I’ll still like you despite it 🙂
Father and son is special in any medium
😊👍thanks Abrie, especially re father/son
These are nice Tina. As you know, I love seeing the before and after, so as Tish also said, thank you for sharing the original photos.
Very nice Tina…great shot of your nephew and his son. I’m usually more on the purist side but I really like the painting effect you added on these shots. Well done!
Thanks Andy. Knowing them made that one more special for me
Loved your choice of effects, especially the first one. It almost looked like a snow storm on the beach. I just recently started exploring this area of digital art. Quite the learning curve. 🙂
Thanks Olga—I was going for a stormy scene so glad you picked up on that!
I love “messing around” with images too. My favourite is the Father-Son in step!
Thanks Michael, my personal fav 😊
Loving all of these images Tina. I really enjoy seeing your edits. The painterly ‘Impressionist’ effects are excellent, and the final one of your family is a classic! Funny how some of us go such a long time between playing around and how rewarding we find it when we do.
So true Jude. We had a refresher class on this last week so it was definitely at the top of my mind!
Beautiful painterly effect images, Tina. I don’t follow Apple’s Aperture software but it does sound frustrating if you have to change software. I use Photoshop Elements and Picasa for the last few years…simple and minimal 🙂
p/s Nephew and son such a great shot.
Thanks Mabel. Although Aperture was an editor, more importantly it was a photo filing system that many of us loved. It was a major effort to relocate important photos and learn a new system when the old one was so intuitive. Hence my focus on major software companies for photography products!
Wonderful afters and befores. 🙂 The painterly effects are perfect.
Thanks very much marie
These are wonderful TIna, for me the effects work best on the people and birds 🙂
Thanks Gilly, one definitely needs the right photo to start with!
Wow, Tina, I couldn’t tell between real paintings and your photo editing. You did a fantastic job in your editing. That’s something I would like to do eventually – you inspire me! 🙂
Thanks Miriam. You should give it a try. Its actually a fun process!
I like all the effects seen by yours and a few others’ photos. Do I subscribe Adobe and get the other applications?
You can get Topaz Studio for free from topaz labs. It comes with the sub-systems like impressions and Texture Effects. Adobe is a separate system that’s a bit more complex and is not needed for the impressionist effects. It’s more for editing or more complex manipulation.
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Thank you, Tina, for the information. I’ll look into it in a couple weeks.
Beautifully artistic interpretations Tina and I like that you have shown us the before and after
Thanks Pauline, happy you enjoyed this one
OMG, these are excellent edits. Are any if the tools you mentioned free? I would like to try it only if there is no cost involved.
Thanks Perpetua. Yes the Topaz Studio product is free and comes with Impressions and Texture Effects as well as others. Those are the 2 products I used and only in the free versions.
Awesome! Thank you, Tina.
I tried to download it and my computer is incompatible with the product. Oh well. Thank you, Tina.
Bummer, sorry about that oerpetua
Your technique could put the paint brush and its artist out of business. Unbelievable. Just unbelievably effective! Love them all!
Thanks so much Miss Linda, so glad you loved them !
These turned out so beautifully, Tina! Your way of photography naturally lends itself well to the Impressionist style and they look so much like paintings. The changes definitely bring out the textures in delightful ways. I also love the image of your nephew and son, stunning! Funny, my Sunday Stills feature for next week is called “photo-editing” so this would fit the theme again 🙂 I’ve been using the Painnt app to adjust some of my photos, and you have been such an inspiration! Perhaps next summer when I supposedly have some time I can learn Topaz…looks a little complicated at this point!
Not at all Terri, easy and lots of videos online. Thanks for the lovely compliment! I Look forward to next week’s post
Amazing! Loved seeing the before and after.
Thanks laurel 😊
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Wonderful, Tina. Great quotes, and I agree with the other commenters here in everything. I very much enjoyed both originals and changed originals – and you know I am impressionist fan too. You never disappoint! The father and son shot is a real treat.
Thanks Ann-Christine – it’s so much fun to capture beloved family members in a new way
I love the images you have created.
Thanks MM, glad these caught your eye!
I like both your original images, and your edits. The shot of your nephew and great-nephew is particularly lovely.
Thank Su. His mom loved that one!
Tina, engaging painterly images with solid quotes to accompany them.
Thanks Sally, glad these captured your imagination
Great collection of artistic interpretations! I did something similar in that I changed my selection to monochrome. In keeping with my schedule, though, the post will happen on Thursday.
Thanks very much John. Will be watching for it!
Without looking past the title, yet, David Bowie, but not Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars, unless it was.
I love your photos, effects, and quotes. I enjoyed Steve Jobs’ biography by Walter Isaacson. Love your ‘impressionisms’, and the originals are captivating too!
Many thanks John!
All lovely, but I especially like the marsh scenes; they just seem to take to that artistic editing quiet naturally!
Thanks Lex, I agree
Love the photo and the quote for Like Father Like Son ❤️
Why am I not surprised that’s your fav?! 😊
Beautiful impressionist interpretations, Tina. I also enjoyed seeing the originals. Great idea!
Many thanks Susan. I always like before/after on other blogs so thought it might be interesting
Amazing what can be done with editing tools…quite lovely, as are the originals!
Thanks Sandy, always a fun exercise
Yes, the choices are endless.
A great response to the challenge Tina and I love seeing both the originals and the edited versions :o) xxx
Thanks Xenia, glad you appreciated that!
I like the “Artist at Work” image, Tina. The effect is very delicate and realistic. Posting the original photos is a nice touch, a bit of the before-and-after.
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Thanks Allan, I always like to see that from others as well
wonderful!
Thanks Jim!
I am wordless….except BEAUTIFUL!
That’s a great word, thanks!!
Thanks Amy — I loved being able to use some of my favorite textures in response to your challenge this week!
These images are so beautifully done, artistic and poetic.
I have always enjoyed your Topaz Impressionism effects, these are exceptional.
Thank you for sharing, Tina! 🙂
Excellent – love to see some of your results Jackie
You’ve inspired me! It’s been quite a while since I played around with these features.
I also find there is a long time between my doing artistic editing but I always enjoy it when I do play around
Am enjoying seeing both the actual shots and the painterly edits, Tina. Lovely work as ever.
Thanks Tish, I enjoyed this one 🙂