Behind the veil
The unclear is often more exciting then the clear.

“I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it.” – Harry Emerson Fosdick

The photo subject was a group of small vines resembling a section of woven wire fence. Throw in a few bright green, yellow and reddish/orange leaves along with backlighting — nice, but not visually exciting.

How to give something slightly mundane more appeal?

I started with two versions of this image. One with a slight left to right motion blur and the other a still shot. With each image in its own Photoshop layer, the motion blur image on top, I did some slight image alignment and then selected a “darken” blending mode. A little contrast and tonal adjustment in NIK Color Efex Pro gave this result.

To me, it’s like viewing the original scene through a very sheer silk veil — implying a sense of mystery and greater appeal.

21 Comments
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Alan M. Collopy
13 years ago

Hi Earl,

I really like this photo, and how the wire fence frames the subjects. I like the color and mood of the shot, and pleasing blur of the background. Very nice.

Alan

Alan M. Collopy
13 years ago
Reply to  Earl

Earl,

Vine? Even better. Very nice image Earl.

Alan

Don
Don
13 years ago

You’re special processing has paid off handsomely. A very attractive image is the result. Well done.

pj
pj
13 years ago

It worked beautifully Earl. Your post-processing is subtle but striking. Nice.

Ken Bello
13 years ago

I like this very much, Earl. The motion blur is very subtle but gives it a nice, almost mysterious, effect.

Anita Jesse
13 years ago

Striking and rich with that smoky taste of mystery. The colors are beautiful and that veil seems to intensify the lighting. I keep coming back to lose myself in this.

This is a joy, having the opportunity to see the results of your playing with the Photoshop tools. Aren’t layering and adjustment layers the cat’s pajamas? I am especially grateful for Smart Objects. Layers and masks have always been great tools, but the Smart Objects makes those tools more fun than ever.

David Leland Hyde
13 years ago

This is a wonderful example of how Photoshop can help in making incredible art. This result is stunning. Great image.

Steve Skinner
13 years ago

The soft blurring in the background is great!

Journey Photographic
13 years ago

This is great – a wonderful example of how photoshop can make a picture shine and express your vision, without being heavy-handed and obvious.

Monte Stevens
13 years ago

I enjoy the colors in this image, causes the spark of excitement to rise within me. Another one of those images where the imagination was at play in both shooting and processing. You are playing with software I do not have and getting some wonderful results.

Mark
13 years ago

This is pretty cool Earl, and does have some of the mystery that is fitting for the quote. I wouldn’t know there was a fence in this until you pointed it out. It is a very pleasing abstract. You might be pushing your luck with that Photoshop cop though.