Every now and then I get inspired to create a look that has caught my eye. I really liked Arthur Morris’ recently posted image that he named “Salt and Pepper Snow Storm.” The title really fit perfectly with the image and it made me take a closer look. I liked the sketchy look to his in-camera capture. I never look to copy an image but I like to take inspiration from them instead. I study the image and decide what it is about the image that appeals to me and then I create my own version that concentrates on the “feel” of the image more than the exact recreation. To begin with I duplicated my original image (shown below) several times so that I could layer them on top of each other to fill the frame with birds to create the chaotic look that I wanted for my final version. Make sure you reduce the opacity for each layer.
To make this image completely my own I have taken it a little further with my processing (shown below). I added several rounds of Topaz Simplify BuzSim, adjusting the opacity of the layers. Then to add some much needed texture and some dimension to the image I used the Lighting Effects filter in Photoshop, for those of you that have purchased my “Guide to Creative Filters and Effects” this technique is covered in depth there. I find it to be a useful tool in Photoshop that many do not use. You will need to change your bit mode to 8 bit then duplicate the image and go to Filter> Render> Lighting Effects. Adjust the opacity of the layer as needed.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO SEE A LARGER- SHARPER VERSION
Below is the original image I used to create both of these images. As you can see it was not special at all in fact it was a delete.
Denise,
I took a look at Arthur Morris’ image and while I liked it very much I do like your interpretation. There seems to be calm within the chaos in your image. I really like what you’ve done.
Thanks Edith, This image size doesn’t show the transparency of some of the wings or the snow very well.
Denise,
Very nice image! I love these type of images. Only wish we had large flocks like this around here.
I don’t think I would like a picture of the migration of the wildebeest in the Serengeti if I knew someone had simply added layers of a few animals to make it look like a lot of animals. The main focus of this image is the number of birds, so in this case I think doctoring the number of birds pushes the willingness to make “adjustments” a little too far, unless of course you use “Illustration” rather than “Photograph” when describing this image. Let’s wait until you find the number of birds you want, then do your modifications for creativity.
Richard, I think this is clearly a piece of art and no longer fits into the “reality” category. I have plenty of flocks of birds but my thoughts were to create a specific look which has nothing to do with a snapshot IMHO. I have completely disclosed everything I have done to this image and I am not trying to “fool” anyone. I do appreciate your comment but find it a little off. Are you suggesting that creating artwork from our images should be limited to minor adjustments?
This is definitely a work of art. I don’t think it has to conform to any rules. I don’t care if you started with one bird the outcome is still terrific.
Thank you Michael, I appreciate your thoughts.
Agree on the art. Before I read anything here I saw the image and thought, salt and pepper skimmers. You created something beautiful from an image that most folks would delete.
Thank you for commenting Atie, I’m glad that you saw the “salt and pepper” look that I was going for.