Friday, December 9, 2011

Rosehips in Winter


Last winter while driving along scenic Highway 12 in Utah from Capitol Reef National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park, I saw these frozen rosehips at the side of the road. I thought it might make a good pre-Christmas image.

Usually I only use one texture when I alter photos, two at the most. For this one, though, I tried using three textures and also played with blending modes I usually tend to avoid.

These are all Bonnie's textures.

"Soft Swirls", blending mode overlay at 75%
"Dear John Letter", blending mode difference at 33%
hue/saturation adjustments
contrast adjustment
"Acrylic as Texture", blending mode color burn at 23%
Warming photo filter (LBA)
final levels adjustment

Most times I shy away from this kind of exaggerated color, but for this photo I wanted to achieve something like this and really had to step outside my comfort zone. In the end, I had a lot of fun and actually quite like the result.

I'm linking this to Bonnie's Photo Art Friday, one of my favorite photo challenges.


30 comments:

Julia Dunnit said...

This is just gorgeous Carola, are you going to use it for a Christmas card? Inspired IDE to use hteletterbehind the image,it really is gorgeous.

Anyes said...

Stepping out of your comfort zone, is giving a striking result. I love this, Carola.

A beautiful Christmas photograph :-)

Marilyn said...

Bravo! Great job. Very holiday looking.

Sally H said...

What a totally stunning picture! Wow! I love everything about it x

Pat said...

So pretty!

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Well worth the time and effort you put into it...this is beautiful.

patty said...

Carola, I LOVE the image (and also that highway!!) I have been playing with textures too. I like making my own but it's kind of a crap shoot. Lots of trial and error but every once in a while..... voila!!

suzanne carter said...

This is beautiful, it is so cool to see the different effects of textures.
Blessings Suzanne

Marianne said...

so beautiful

Kay L. Davies said...

I quite like the result as well. You've made subtle changes but the photo is still easily recognizable as frozen rosehips. Beautiful.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

Randy said...

That would make a beautiful Christmas card. Yes, the plaza is all lit up and looking wonderful.

kareninkenai said...

very beautiful for sure; i always love rosehip photos and especially with frost. thank you for sharing. karen (in kenai, alaska)... smiles; we do have lots of rosehips! Happy Holidays. (visiting from PAF)

foxysue said...

Hi Carola, I like this too, well worth the effort. The main Rosehips stand out beautifully, colours and background perfect!

Would make a lovely card-set

Sue x

Chantal said...

gorgeous work, makes a nice greeting card for Christmas

Kelly said...

Hi Carola,
I really love this! And I love the Dear John letter you included and the beefed up color. Just beautiful and it would make a great card!!

Nancy said...

A gorgeous capture of the frosty hips, Carola. xoxo

Linda Trine said...

So beautifully done! love the vintage feel!

EVA said...

Gorgeous image - and very creative how you've processed and enhanced it.

Rosie said...

Beautiful photo art!

Geckostone said...

Oh yes, this works great for a Christmas image, love the vibrant color! You were in my favorite state, Utah! Someday we want to move there, so much to hike and explore! Deb

Creatissimo said...

Beatiful, Carola! I like the colors; and playing with textures is my no.1 fun (besides photography, of course), too. Enjoy!

WrightStuff said...

This is wonderful - nature provides the goods then we add the icing!

Lisa Gordon said...

Carola, this is beautiful!

gina said...

What a magical image! The color and textures are beautiful!

Ginnie said...

This is totally stunning, Carola, and would look fabulous as a holiday card!

505whimsygirl said...

This is so beautiful. I've never tried to alter photographs but now that I finally have internet at my home I might play around with it. I read about Corel Painter (or something similar) and thought of trying it on some of my images.

Yes! I know what you mean about listening to coyotes. I just love it. My two little dogs sometime even stretch their heads to the heavens and join in. It's funny and magical; their inner wildness coming out!

Shoshi said...

Stunning image! I don't think you need to be afraid that you're overdoing the textures or the colour - the result is perfect. A lovely piece of work!

Thanks for your comment on my blog. I'm thrilled with this technique and as far as I know, nobody else has thought of putting glass bead gel medium on mirror card, but I'm ready to stand corrected! I gave one of the mirrors to a friend for her birthday the other day and she was thrilled with it.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Wonderful editing Carola. Love how you were able to conserve the ice crystals through the edits! Thank you for sharing with PAF in 2011!

Sandy said...

My first time visiting. And I find your photos very interesting. Especially this one-absolutely beautiful. =)

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Das ist traumhaft schön geworden mit der Textue. Richitg gute Arbeit.
Viele Grüße Synnöve