Having seen what Jane @jgpittenger and Marnie @golftragic do with textures, I really want to learn to use them. I downloaded Topaz's Textures plug-in which talks to Lightroom (and I assume Photoshop) and this is my first attempt. It's quite intuitive for low-level work but there's a ton to learn about how to really work with it. It seems pretty powerful. I have no clue yet how to create textures or layer, but can use the presets and sliders after just an hour (or so...where did the day go???). My camera is going into the shop on Monday...weird markings are showing up on my photos so it's time for a sensor clean, I suspect. Hope that's all it needs! Have a good weekend everyone!
Update: Thank you so much for getting my snowflake to TT! Very exciting to see it there!
I just sent my camera and my telephoto lens in for cleaning and repair, so I'm down to point and shoots and my iPhone. Interesting texture on the temple.
yeah, the hours click by like seconds...make it stop will 'ya? but i am sure you enjoyed learning. LOVE textures. do you like it better than Nik Collection? I have traditionally done all mine in photoshop the manual way. haha.
@moreyoulessme I know Color Efex more than this, of course, but it does seem like textures is a bit more sensitive and provides more in the way of creativity (especially compared to one like Snap Art which I've also used). But, I feel like I'm only using 10% of the plug-in, so am really not the best one to ask. I need to learn PS as in the end, I suspect that's the most powerful. But this works as a PS plug-in, which should be good for the future.
Really liking the effect you have crested here Taffy! I will download the App tomorrow and then try to learn how to use it. I really need to get to grips with PS! I feel like I am loosing the battle at the moment!
I'm with you Taffy on the textures. I play around with them sometimes and I even have Topaz textures but I need to read the directions. Lol! That would probably have a huge improvement on my texture technique. I need to take a class from Louise. And Fav !
Nice experiment! I have only used textures in PS, not so much even there, so good for you to give this a try. This has a nice sort of mystical feel to it. Lots to learn... that is what makes this exercise so much fun.
FAV again for this Baha'i Temple version! Love how the texture makes it look like a painting on fabric. I'm so glad you learned how to use it so I can get the quick tutorial :)
Damn good first attempt! I hope you're not paying too much for that sensor cleaning - something that's very easy to do yourself. I equate it to paying someone to clean your windshield. Looks like we might have another Topaz convert!
@stray_shooter I've used Topaz adjust and clarity (a little), but this is the first time with textures. Very fun! But lots to learn. Yep...paying for someone to clean my camera windshield, but it seems something more is wrong. There was a rather large circle that suddenly appeared. Looks not like dust but more like the old oil spots when I had the D600. I do need to learn to clean it though, as I change lenses a lot so it needs it rather often and it gets costly.
@taffy Gotcha. I still have my D600, but consider myself very lucky as I never developed to oil spot problem. Then again, I didn't get the free upgrade to the D610 either.
@stray_shooter I liked the 600 and the 610 really isn't any different, but I had one of the super problem ones -- sent in a few times, oil would reappear, it was bad. But now I'm totally sensitized to dusty sensors! Was it hard to learn to clean it? How did you learn? Did you take a course or do a video? OR?
@taffy I was fortunate enough to have a gentleman at a local camera store demonstrate it to me, but there are enough YouTube videos out there to show you exactly how to do it. The supplies to do it are easily available at any good camera store - or on line too! You can do it. ;-)
Love the way you've done this Taffy. I love some of the work I've seen done with textures but have not had the confidence to try. This is a great result. Fav
Fantastic result with the plug in. I have to have my sensor cleaned too, it is really filthy at the moment. And congratulations on making the TT (again :), it really is an amazing shot and certainly belongs there.
@vignouse What I've learned in just the 24 hours I've had it is that many photos do not lend themselves to textures -- in fact most don't. AND, that those who use this effectively are creating their own layers and manipulating them with a prior concept in mind. I now believe I was VERY lucky with this one! Haven't had a single one worthy of posting since!
beautifully done! haven't read the previous comments so no clue if anyone else has commented about textures... i don't work with them much so when i do work with them i never do anything sophisticated, but what i do seems relatively easy to me... i generally make my own textures... photograph a piece of bark, tiles with textures, the corroded bottom of a pan... process in high contrast (i do black and white)... layer in PS and play around with opacity and blend modes... possibly use a layer mask to remove or reduce the texture from portions of the image that i don't want to be too muddled...
Congratulations on the TT with your snowflake shot. It is brilliant.
@snaggy