Orton Method & Lensbaby 3G Combination

[Michael Brown]

Okay, … sometimes I will sneak in a landscape type shot while out shooting, and since receiving the Lensbaby 3G, I think that I will be trying it a bit more often. This is a shot that I took yesterday over at the Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Gardens, and I decided to apply the Orton Method to get a bit more rich/dreamy look to it. Oh well, … at least I gave it a go!
You can see some more "how to" information on the use of the “Orton Method” by visiting this link/post.
"Using The Orton Method For Artistic Blending" (http://macroartinnature.wordpress.com/2006/04/12/using-the-orton-method-for-artistic-blending/)

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/5693224-lg.jpg

A crop was applied to the left side of this image to get rid of a tree that was showing.
Desaturated about 25% in Photoshop.

Thanks for looking everyone!

[pkd14u]

I love the colors in this photo. I think one thing that may help this image come alive would be if the flowers in the foreground were in sharp focus. My eyes just don't know quite where to go as the photo is.

pkd14u

[Saralonde]

I like how the "zigzag" leads your eye back into the shot and the softness that was applied to the harder edges. Very nice.

[justnisdead]

i want a lensbaby :(

[Michael Brown]

Thanks guys!

Yes, I tried to get the flowers up front to have a bit more detail within, but then the background was a bit to blurred.
I could have easily achieved some more detail up front, ... but I had the wrong aperture ring on the Lensbaby, which only allowed a certain amount of "sweet spot" for details.

Still, ... it helps to give me some ideas for using the Lensbaby, especially when I go to Charleston in a few weeks! :)

[DanielM]

Would you mind posting a copy of this picture without the “Orton Method” applied? I'm curious to see how much blur was present in the original shot and how much was added in post.

Thanks,
Daniel

[Simon]

this photo just hurts my eyes.