A Few Effects

I'm not usually into filter effects at all, usually aiming for the true-to-life where possible, but I was exploring some options in Sagelight 4.0, and the results had such an impact that I really want to share them ...

I am making a video project of a visit to Bocketts Childrens Farm recently, with Ms McG and one little McG - I made different versions of a series of shots, with the intention of using them in the video sort of merging and morphing into each other. I know this sort of stuff is probably cliched and hackneyed, but I was genuinely struck by the high quality and sheer impact of the effects. You get an auto starting point but there are many ways to customize the filters and fine tune things.

All with the K7 & DA 18-55WR:

Heres a couple from the entrance to the farm, firstly with the 'straight' shots .....









Now here's the shot with the 'Vintage' look ....







And the 'Painting' ....








Here's another shot at the front ...






And covered in Plastic! ....







And seen through a window ....







As you can see from this next one when I'm not out catching the first blooms of spring, my life is filled with endless extreme sports action....






Ok, so thats not so great - lets not start a debate about the K7s AF tracking, or my wife's camera technique .... but what about the plastic look! ....






or the cartoonish drawing ....





I think they're both an improvement!


Here's a big tractor ....







And the Mosaic look ....






and covered in plastic again ....







and the painting style again...






I enjoyed all this so much that I took a few of my recent spring flower shots, and tried a few effects on those ....

































Well, I was amazed at the power lurking under the hood there of this software, which I use mainly as a front-end RAW converter, which it is brilliant at as well. What do you all think?

I LOVE these Nigel
I think the effects are horrible, but I love the fact it's you Nigel that's using and enjoying them.
After reading countless threads where your sole aim always seems to be clinical perfection this is fantastic.
Keep experimenting. And keep going to that fun farm, it's done you good.

All the best.....jim.

Interesting, but just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be done.

Yes, I should think you've probably got this out of your system now, Nigel.

Awful. There are much better effects which should be used sparingly, and when they are apt.

Keep trying though.

Love the Plastic effect

Despite what some people say I think it’s horses for courses. I like the painting for the Farm Entrance and Crocus; and the plastic for the Daffs (which I think is the best rendition). To me the rest of the effects don’t seem to match the subject. But hey what fun and thanks for sharing them

Its a new direction its funny you mention quality though - actually, I think part of the appeal to me is that the effects have completely wiped out any technical defects - there's no noise, moire, the smoothness and colours all great! It seems as if the final result doesn't actually show the photo at all - its as if the programme has completely started from scratch and created entirely new textures and shapes, just using the base photos as a guide ... and it is very perfect in doing that



Me too ! Its certainly made a big improvement on my complexion, much better than all the noise reduction I've ever tried



No, not at all, its only just starting


You're right, of course, there are better effects I should have tried - does anyone know of software that can do a clingfilm look ? or tin-foil? brown paper bag look? christmas wrapping?

They are entirely apt though - the presentation here is for some fun, but I'm using them in an animated video title sequence - there are 2 photo frames on screen moving around independently, and the shots sort of morph and transition from the straight to the 'effects' with an animated skaking fade transition between them, so when each new effect emerges from behind the previous one it comes as a surprise. The shots are working really well for this purpose.

Thanks to everyone so far for having a look and a laugh

I first tried plastic wrap about 20 years ago in photoshop.
Useful then for illustration, but I wouldn't dream if using it on a photo, unless the brief explicitly called for it.

I don't like the effects at all, Well maybe the plastic

But isn't this what our hobby or any hobby for that matter is all about, trying something new, different and fun, if we never did, it I think it would become quite boring rather quickly.

Come on Guys - you are quite happy to do lots in PP to change the actuality of a shot, but when it comes to off the wall stuff you get all precious What do people think about what David Hockney created

I can see the merits of using filters like this to morph images in a video, but not so much for individual photos. Unless there is a brief to produce images like this, or a creative reason that makes it valid, there's no compelling reason to do it.

Where this differs from images manipulated by the likes of Autumnlight for example is that these are done just for the sake of it without any serious attempt to match a particular filter or processing technique to the a desired look for the final image. Maria's (Autumnlight) images are the opposite of this, the processing always complements the original image and makes it into something special that it may not have been originally. That is what I call artistry, these are not.

I don't criticise Nigel for doing it and posting them though, each to their own and at least it prompts some discussion and opinion.

Regards
David

I think your greens are oversaturated in #9 Nigel

Yes - that plastic effect is great!

I was hoping no-one would spot that Alan, but I guess it just needs some more work - however I'm especially pleased that you didn't find any significant colour noise and that the shadow detail is all intact!