Filter Fun

[shutterbugmom]

Well, I've just begun to play around a little with filters.  I haven't really done that before.  I have started an "Artistic Gallery" on my website to include these and some others that I was happy with.  I used a photo that I took last April on my trip to California.  The first photo I did in a black and white and the other is kind of turned into a cartoon effect.  So, let me know what you all think of my tree...

[Al Moak]

Kathleen, these are definitely different.  They're effect is quite surreal - and comical.

[Summicron]

Your black and white one is more scary, whilst the second being in colour, is more comical. Where these faces carved an painted on the tree?

[larryboy07]

I agree with Al, the B&W is more scarey....I just pray that tree's bark is not as bad as it's bite!  I love special effects....you rock!
         LarryBoy

[shutterbugmom]

Thanks for the comments.   Sorry I'm slow to respond. 

Yep, I think the black and white is scary, too.  The face is just 4 individual pieces that you push into the tree.  I'm not sure what their made of...maybe a plastic or something.  Obviously something weather proof. 

[larryboy07]

Hey You might also try a polerizer for sky and water scenics, and a star for low light shots of bright light sources, these do wanders, they are my two favorite along with soft blur filters that are home made by using a clear filter with nail polish applied in a circular motion (keep the center clear though)..... different colors can also be used in place of photoshop app's....

[shutterbugmom]

Yes, I've used all of the filters you've mentioned, in the field.  Even the blurring, only I applied vasaline to my uv filter and left the portion clean that I wanted to remain sharp for my subject.  And, since I shoot mainly outdoors, I have a circular polorizer on my lens more often than not. 

I guess I should've been more specific in my topic title.  Perhaps it should read, "Post-Processing Filter Fun."  That's the type of experimenting I'm talking about here with my tree and others in my artistic gallery...filters in PS2, not filters on my lens. 

I do recommend people try polarizers and Graduated ND's and other filters on their lenses, too.  They can take your images to the next level.

Thanks for the tip, larryboy!