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HOW TO CREATE AN IMAGE USING A TWIRL EFFECT

11/10/2018

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Start with any image.  In this tutorial I have chosen the image below.
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Step 1:  Using Photoshop go to Filter> Pixelate> Mezzotint> Medium Lines.  After you select Filter> Pixelate> Mezzotint you will see a popup box.  This is what you will see after selecting Medium Lines.  Click on the OK button.
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Step 2:  Again select Filter> Blur> Radial Blur.  From the popup, slide the slider to 100, blur method to Zoom and Zoom Quality to Best.  This is what the screen will look like.  Click on the OK button.
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Your image will look like this below which is pretty neat all on it's own.
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Step 3:  Repeat Step 2 anywhere from between another 3 to 5 times.  Then create a duplicate layer.
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Step 4:  Select the Background layer to make it active.  Then go to Filter> Distort> Twirl.  From the popup drag the Angle Slider to 200 or whatever you would like.  In my example I'll use 200.  Then click on the OK button. 
It will appear that nothing has happened on your screen because the Background copy layer has not been altered yet.  This is okay as we will make changes to that layer in the next step.
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Step 5:  Click on the Background copy layer to make that active.  Then go to Filter> Distort> Twirl.  From the popup drag the Angle Slider to -200 or whatever you would like.  In my example I'll use -200.  Then click on the OK button.
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Below is what this step will create.  Again it's pretty cool but we aren't done yet.
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Step 6:  Now to make the twirl appear change the Blend Mode on the Background copy to Lighten and the twirl will appear.
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You can then add any adjustment layers to make the colors more vibrant, etc.  Here is the end result after increasing the Hues and Saturation on the Blue, Cyan and Reds in an Adjustment Layer.  I also selected the Black and White Points in a Levels Adjustment Layer.
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OREGON AND WASHINGTON SURF GUIDES

1/13/2018

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There are a couple of epic spots on the Oregon and Washington coast lines that have some amazing waves.  I will hopefully one day get some amazing shots.  These are not the spectacular images as the waves were pretty wimpy. 

The image below is at Shore Acres in Southern Oregon.  The waves were not very big this day but for a first time viewer it was pretty awesome.
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Coos Bay Surf Report and Forecast

Another wonderful location is Cape Disappointment in Southwestern Washington.  Again the waves were just beginning to grow in size and then the sunset.
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https://magicseaweed.com/Long-Beach-Surf-Report/311/
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HOW TO CREATE AN ORB!

11/19/2016

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Not every image will make a good orb. Flowers make a great orb as they are colorful and their petals and stems make the orb interesting.

After you open the image in Photoshop crop it to a square.  See image below:

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After cropping click on Filter >Distort>Polar Coordinates. Making sure it is Polar to Rectangular. Then click Okay.

My image will look like this. Pretty weird, huh?

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Now click on Image>Image Rotation>Flip Canvas Vertical. There are no actual steadfast rules. You could always skip the flip if you like.   Now my images looks like this below.

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Now to get an orb. Click on Filter Distort Polar Coordinates. Do make sure you switch back to Rectangular to Polar. Then click Okay. Make any adjustments like adding Vibrance and sharpening. I also rotated mine clockwise as I didn't like it on it's side. See the image at the top of the Blog post for my finished image:

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Couple of things to keep in mind. If you didn't crop your picture to a square it won't be an orb. If you leave the image wider than it is tall it will be an oval. Remember as I said above there are no rules in this. Just play around and have fun.

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GoFundMe:  WesDotPhotography Bucket List Shoot--CLOSED

12/27/2015

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THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO HELPED ME TO ATTAIN THIS INCREDIBLE PHOTO SHOOT.  PLEASE TAKE SOME TIME TO LOOK AT THE WILDLIFE ALBUM FOR PHOTOS FROM THIS SHOOT.  IT WAS BEYOND MY WILDEST DREAMS.  AND THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING TO TO TAKE THIS ONE ITEM OFF MY BUCKET LIST!


In February of 2016 we are driving to Kalispell, Montana to a workshop to photograph a variety of wild animals in the snow.  This is something we've always wanted to do and will be making it happen this next year.

To help us fund this trip we've created the GoFundMe account and would appreciate any donation you can make.  In return for a donation of at least $50 you will receive a discount code that will give you 90% off our profits to purchase any of our images on Fine Art America.   You would be receiving whatever you order at only a fraction over what the printer charges us.   As an example an 8x12 print on archival matte paper would cost  approximately $26. 

Here is the link to visit the GoFundMe account page or you can click on the link that is also on our homepage.   

https://www.gofundme.com/b3gdymjs

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HIGH KEY LOOK ON FLOWER IMAGES

12/27/2015

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1) Select a RAW image of a flower with varying colors from light to vivid.   I had chosen this image of a lavender and white dahlia.  The original unedited images is below.  And here are the initial settings in Lightroom.

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2) Then using the Exposure Slider in Lightroom Develop slide it to the right to lighten the image.  Then export this image to Photoshop.

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3) Continue using the step (#2) above increasing the exposure in somewhat equal increments until you have at least 5 to 10 images exported to Adobe Bridge. The last image should be close to white.

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4) In Adobe Bridge you should now have all of these images that you exported from Lightroom. Select all of these images by clicking on the 1st image. While holding the shift button scroll to the last image and click on it (this is the method for a PC, sorry....I'm not sure what the method is for a MAC).

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5) Click on Tools, which will open up a drop down box. Click on Photoshop which will then open up a fly out box to the right. Click on Load files into Photoshop Layers. This will open all of the images as layers in Photoshop. Once there you will need to make sure the lightest image is at the bottom and the order will be incremental to the top with the darkest.
  1. 6) Add a mask to each layer. On each mask on a PC do a Ctrl I to invert the white mask to a black mask. Once there is a black mask on each layer your image will become transparent and your Photoshop screen will look like this below.

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  1. 7) Starting with the 2nd layer from the top right click on the layer mask and disable it. This will make the image reappear because the mask is no longer hiding the image. Using a soft small white brush at an opacity of about 30 begin brushing around the vibrant colors of the flower and any areas you want to expose.  Your layer pallet will look like this below.

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8) Right click the mask in Layer #2 to enable it. Then continue the steps from step #7 above until all the layers have been brushed to reveal the vibrant colors.
9) Flatten the layers and make any additional final edits.  I used the plugin OnOne to add a bit of clarity and white vignette that further whiten the edges.  Plus I played with the colors a bit in Photoshop CS5 using the Hues slider in the layer adjustment Hues and Saturation.

Hope this helps everyone and would love to see your results.

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QUICK & SIMPLE--HOW TO ADD TEXT LIKE THIS TO YOUR IMAGE

7/19/2015

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These are instructions are primarily for a PC but I did include the options for those MAC users.
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Using the Text Tool and using Edwardian Script add the text to your image. You can use any text or color you wish and once you have the text added use the Move tool to place it where you want.

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Now create a new blank layer either from the Layers drop down or from the Layers Pallet by selecting the Create Layer Icon. Then using the Rectangular Marquee Tool click and drag out a thin wide rectangle from side to side on the image over the top of the text. Press the letter D, then X to set your Foreground color to white and then press Alt-Back-Space (MAC: Option-Delete) to fill the selection with white. Press Ctrl-D (MAC: Command D) to Deselect.

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The text is not visible until you drag the Blank Layer with the white bar below the Text Layer.  Then the text will be visible because it is above the white layer. Your layers will now look like this below, lower the opacity of Layer 1 to your liking and you will have a finished product like the image at the top of this tutorial. 
Pretty simple, huh?


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Wild Horse Images

1/3/2015

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One of my favorite things to photograph are wild horses such as these two stallions.  You can see more of my wild horse images along with many others taken by other photographers by clicking on the link below.  My images will be on the third row from the top. 
Enjoy!
wild horse art

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WASHINGTON STATE HORSE EXPO IS COMING SOON!

2/9/2014

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PictureJupiter
In a very short couple of days this beautiful friesian along with the entire BlackPearl Friesian Dance Troupe will be performing and bringing joy to a great many people at the Washington State Horse Expo.  I do hope you are able to make it to the Clark County Fairgrounds at 17402 NE Delfel Rd. in Ridgefield, WA on any of the 3 days starting on the day of love, Feb. 14, 2014.  There will be many other great performers and beautiful horses at this event. 
For more information please check out their website:
http://www.wastatehorseexpo.com/

PictureGala
I have had the pleasure of knowing the wonderful people of BlackPearl Friesian Dance Troupe for several years. 
I've watched their evolution and growth and have luckily been allowed to photograph their journey.   
The one thing that has been a constant is the artistry and talent of both the riders and their horses. 
Make sure to catch one of their performances.  They are great!

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Tito
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OUR LIPIZZAN IMAGE FEATURED ON COVER OF USLF NEWS

11/16/2013

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I am very excited to have had one of my images featured on the cover of United States Lipizzan Federation Fall 2013 magazine.  This is Favory Toscana 18 which I had the honor to photograph in 2012 at White Horse Vale in Goldendale, Washington.   He is one glorious Lipizzan stallion. 
If you are an equine fan and especially a fan of this rare, beautiful breed take a few minutes to check out these websites: 

http://www.uslipizzan.org/ 
http://whv-lipizzans.com/
And if you notice the top banner of the USLF website you will see another of our photos featured.  This is Aramis, another wonderful lipizzan from White Horse Vale which I photographed at another shoot. 

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DISCOUNT SPECIAL BEGINS TODAY!

11/9/2013

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Fine Art America is the premier online marketplace for purchasing fine art originals and prints.  It is also the easiest way to discover new artists and art galleries and to stay connected to your local art scene!   Visit our gallery site at wes-and-dotty-weber.fineartamerica.com    

Looking for some early Christmas gifts?  Or just want a WesDotPhotography print on your wall?   Now is the time!

I know the shopping season can be very hectic so I'm starting my annual Christmas discount early so you can get a jump on things.  So starting today, November 9th, 2013 I am running my annual Christmas discount at our Fine Art America website.

By entering the code XZZUGV the first 30 buyers will receive a 20% discount off our markup.   The base materials e.g. frames, mats, stretched canvas, etc. will not be included in this discount offer.

If you would ever like to see many more of our images 'Like' our page on Facebook by following this link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/WesDotPhotography/183908382540

Thanks so much for your continued support.

Dotty & Wes  
wes-and-dotty-weber.fineartamerica.com   
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    Wes & Dotty Weber

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