Have I learned anything?

[Bambi]

I can't even bring myself to use the 'O' word but am hoping that I have learned something!

[Iguanasan]

To me this is much better than your first attempt so you are definitely learning something. How do you feel about it? I'll leave the "O" word for someone better than I to critique since I think I over-process mine but I like them like that.

My only quibble with this one is that I would have liked to see you chop off a little on the left hand side. That birch is not so much a frame for this shot but a distraction.

Great work!

[Mad Aussie]

I haven't commented on your Orton efforts before Bambi because I don't use the effect myself. Some of my shots may look like it but I wouldn't know the first step in Orton to be honest.

However, after seeing so many Orton's here at ph.ca I think you are being too subtle. I think you need to be more aggressive with it.
I think you've learned that the best photos that suit Orton are the ones with lots of busy elements in them. Leaves obviously are well suited.
I think this one looks a bit too bright to me also.

[Bambi]

okay thanks guys! I don't why I am obsessed with figuring this out but hey, it keeps me off the streets.

how about now: the birch tree is gone, boost the shadows a bit and became more aggressive with effect

[Mad Aussie]

I'm thinking you need to go take some more basic photos to practice this on. Something with less dynamic range but plenty of busy elements perhaps.

Perhaps I should stop giving advice/ideas on something I know jack all about too!

[Bambi]

I'm thinking you need to go take some more basic photos to practice this on. Something with less dynamic range but plenty of busy elements perhaps.

Perhaps I should stop giving advice/ideas on something I know jack all about too!

no no this is good advice. I will try that. Part of it is that I always want to run before I walk and part of it is that I see these lovely orton photos and get over excited

back to basics I go...

[Mad Aussie]

Do a search for Dwayne's photos here at Ph.ca

He almost exclusively uses this technique and definitely had led the way here in terms of forest style landscape Orton photos. Have a look at the type of subject he uses.

He does have an annoying habit of deleting his photos after awhile which robs us of opportunities like this sometimes but keep digging there will be many of his masterpieces still here.

[Bambi]

great idea.

[Iguanasan]

If you want to see Dwayne's work you can find him here: Zenfolio | Dwayne Oakes

I always loved the softness of Dwayne's photos but I didn't realize that it was Orton that did it. Cool!

[Barefoot]

What method do you use to get the effect? In other words, do you build each image yourself or have you found one of the many PS Actions that do most of the work for you but allow for some input in terms of shadow and highlight adjustment?

What I've found works best for me is to duplicate the background in a new layer and then apply the Orton effect to the new layer. This allows me to adjust the opacity of the top layer to suite the image. Sometimes I adjust it so that it's hardly noticeable(10% or less).

Don't forget to flatten the image.(Layers>Flatten Image)