Sue and Bailey (using highlight bloom and photo illustration edit technique)

I've been on some photography forums reading about a technique known as Highlight Bloom and Photo illustration Look

I followed a script to create this subtle image of Sue and Bailey, who were taking part in Nottingham Pride back in the summer.

I was conservative with the buttons and sliders to try and retain a real look. It does have a bit of a HDR look to it and I really like the shot.

The technique was applied in GIMP following the tutorial shown below

Worth a view large on black and I would be interested to know your thoughts on the edit

https://pixls.us/articles/highlight-bloom-and-photoillustration-look/

[Maggiemae]

Nice direct look from Sue and Bailey knows he is special too!

[Keren]

Wow this is such a fun and cool photo also like the result you got with the photo program. cool

[Jacqui Jay]

Smashing picture, Phil, and the Highlight Bloom technique seems to have really made it pop (although it's a bit hard to know without seeing the original). I was going to give it a go because I really like this effect, but I don't have Gimp and I think my computer will roll over and turn up its toes if I load any more stuff on to it.

[Granagringa]

Great portrait! Ditto to Maggiemae's comment, the direct look with the others looking off. thanks for the link; I'll have to look at it later (with a bit of more time).

[Alison Hewitt Bailey]

Fab capture. For my taste your light touch with the sliders has produced a pleasing effect and works well to separate Sue from her surroundings, athough we can still appreciate that she is part of a scene.

[Phil Howcroft]

@irisr @dulciknit jacqui / alison thanks for your really lovely comments and nice critiques :) ...the before and after images can be seen on the discussion thread related to the original post ....
https://discuss.pixls.us/t/highlight-bloom-and-photoillustration-look/2509/35

[Phil Howcroft]

@granagringa @maggiemae thanks maggie and granagringa :) . the direct look is because i was having a chat with Sue about Bailey :)

@kerenmcsweeney karen thank you for your really nice comment

[Hazel]

I like the edit and I like the little dog who reminds me of Jinks!

[Phil Howcroft]

@quietpurplehaze yes i see the Jinks similarity Haze :)

[Ivan]

Amazing hair! Super image, Phil.

[Jacqui Jay]

Just revisited this one .... had a look at the original ... it really did make a huge difference, but - at the same time - it doesn't look over-worked.

[Sylvia du Toit]

Wow and I thought I had "hair"problems! Thanks for sharing.