The girl with the black umbrella

[Sheila Smart]

I took this shot with my Canon 135 f/2 of a young woman and her dog (partner out of frame) at Narrabeen. I converted the image using an "impressionist" filter. It was one of my first attempts at using the filter and I really have not got the hang of it




I like this image but ... and there's always a but .. the shot I missed (while "chimping") was about five seconds later when the boyfriend came up to her and bent over to kiss her. That's the shot I missed

Still, life's like that - full of missed opportunities!
Cheers
Sheila

[pippin88]

Sheila, the filter doesn't do much for me (filters rarely do), but I'd like to see the original, as it looks to be a great image.

[xerubus]

I don't usually go for paint/cartoon/etc filters... but this one works very nicely with the image. I like this a lot, and if I took the shot i'd have it on my wall. Do you mind sharing where the filter is from?

cheers

[myarhidia]

Don't like the filter at all. As pippin suggested, post the original as it looks like a great image.

Chimping is one way to miss opportunities, the other is when shooting RAW & waiting for the buffer to clear

[sirhc55]

This is a superb image - notice I do not say photograph!

The application of this filter has created an entirely new and appealing feel to a photo, hence my calling it an image.

My only comment other than being very positive, is to remove the distracting dark blobs in the sand.

Excellent use of a filter.

[stubbsy]

Sheila

I like the image, but not the filter. I think your concept is right, but the execution is lacking. Photoshop filters are a real challenge. I recently wanted to turn a flower shot into what looked like an impressionist painting. I spent about 10 times longer doing that than I did on the rest of the PP. While I was ultimately happy with what I got (image is here for the curious) I'm not convinced it was worth the effort. That said I'd encourage you to revisit this since you are heading in the right direction. The reason it doesn't work for me is there is too regular a pattern overlaying the image and it's a very obvious pattern.

[Alpha_7]

I love the image, and the while I haven't mastered or even attempted filters this really reminds me of a few Australian artists...

It's almost like the camera and computer turn you into a painter (which is kind of cool).

Really like this, the pose, the colours, its lovely I would be interested on seeing the original, but I think this is fine piece of art.

[Sheila Smart]

Here's the original



One thing I neglected to do was to clone out the reflection in the sand of her boyfriend who did not add to the image

The "impressionist" filter was sent to me by a wonderfully eccentric American (Neovolatile) on PBase. If anyone is interested, just email me and I will send you the filter. Its 5MB so you need broadband and a server which accepts this size. But don't ask me how to use it. Its all hit and miss really but can be a great deal of fun! It was originally a Microsoft download but is no longer available apparently.

Cheers
Sheila

[sirhc55]

Sheila - the filter version has turned your original photo into a masterpiece image (with blobs removed )

[stubbsy]

Sheila

Looking at the original I'm even more convinced you're on a winner with this. The filtered version (despite my "dislike") is much more effective than the original. As is often the case this demonstrates the credo of go with your instincts.

[Matt. K]

Sheila
I think the image has further potential and whilst your first attempt got close I think Peter hit it on the head with his observation that the uniform pattern through the image weakened it.

[myarhidia]

I liked the colours of the filtered version but not the filter itself. In comparison, the original looks a bit flat to me.

[Killakoala]

I love it, it's brilliant. It's just what i like.

The sand looks like it has been turned into varnished wood and the rest painted on.

It's a filter i would play with.

[Alex]

I can only see a red cross

Alex

[Alex]

Excellent image, Sheila. I prefer the original.
Alex

[blacknstormy]

Sheila - I love the effect which has been beautifully done!! - to me, it has brought an 'all-right' photo to life ! If the offer is still on, I'll be emailing you shortly to beg for the filter
Rel

[moggy]

Nice image Sheila, works for me.

Bob.

.

[Steffen]

I do like the impressionist version. I think, though, that the colour of the water, which looks pefectly natural in the original shot, doesn't quite work with the painting. It looks like burnt down ashes and makes the whole image look a bit like fire/heat/volcano. Maybe you could go totally impressionist and tint the water a bit more blueish? It would go well with the ocker of the sand, too. And it would restore the beach mood for me. Just my humble opinion...

Cheers
Steffen.

[Poon]

Shaila,
Like an antique French oil painting in 18th century.
Well done.
-------------
Regards
Poon

[Collingwood]

Is the original now in it's "final" state? ie you have finished PP it?
Just curious.