Fun with filters!

This weeks assignment was to fix a photo using Dodge and Burn, as well as apply filters to two different photos.

                      Here is the photo I burned. (Both the original, and my edit) I tried to make the background darker, and also bring out the red on the mushrooms in order to make it a cooler contrast.

                                 (The original, before I used Burn)

                                        (The Final burned photo)


Next I experimented with different filters. The first image I edited was fairly simple, because I was new to filters, and couldn't seem to get anything I really liked out of the photo. So I added a supernova filter, which would probably make the mushroom look like this if you ate one of them.

                                                  (The Original)

                                          (The Supernova filter)

Finally I played around with a combination of filters in Gimp, and Picasa edits. This particular edit is my pride and joy. First I used Burn to darken the shadows of the stones and trees inside the cemetery. Then I added three layers of the fog filter in various degrees of intensity. After I did this, I did some more with the burn tool.
Next I opened the photo in Picasa, added a gradual tint to make the cemetery look darker, and then I slapped a black and white filter on it. I was very happy with the resulting "Creepy" Cemetery.

                                                     (The Original)

                                              (The Filtered Photo)

That's all! I really enjoyed using filters, and am going to play around with them more.

This week we edited our pictures using Gimp.
Although I have gotten the cropping down pretty well, I am still struggling with color edits. All I was able to do was change the pictures to black and white or sepia, and mess with the highlights a little.
I plan on working more with GIMP this week, and I will try to remember to repost these pictures when  I am able to do a little more with the color. Here are the originals, followed by my edits

GIMP photos

             This week I digitally altered images using GIMP.
When I started, I had no idea how to use the program. After watching many hours of video tutorials, I started to get the hang of it slightly, and I think with more practice and studying I might actually get good at it.(We're talking weeks of video tutorials!)

I do not feel that my digitally altered photos came out very well, and after hours of frustration I decided enough was enough, and took the two I liked the best to post here.
This weeks assignment was very hard for me, but I feel like it was an important assignment. I feel like GIMP could be a very useful tool once it's mastered.
Here are the photos I made:


The first one is actually three photos. Two were of Masonic grave stones I found, and the third was a field of tiger lilies. I decided I might be able to "Create my own graveyard" using the lilies as a backdrop.

 

 

The second photo was of the Lamoille river, which I spliced with a sunset photo I took earlier in the week. I think this would have come out better if it wasn't for the trees at the top. It took me many hours to try to use the selection tool to highlight background areas to make transparent. Finally I gave up in frustration, when I thought the photo looked semi-normal.

 

 

Landscape

Landscape is a picture of natural scenery seen by one view.
When taking photographs, the beauty seen with the naked eye does not always translate into the perfect photograph. As you stare at the mountains, sometimes you see a different view than you can capture in a single photo.
The real trick with Landscape photography is sharing the beauty you see with the viewer by choosing the perfect angle for a shot.
When photographing Landscapes it's also important to look for patterns, and than find abnormalities in the patterns that hold your attention, by doing this, you're forced to look at things in a different manner. 
This week I took advantage to my trip to New Hampshire to capture some pictures of the White Mountains, as well as capture some other landscape shots during my Vermont travels. Although we were told to post 4 of our favorite photos, I had trouble picking just four.

South Woodbury Vermont

 

 

 

 

Driftwood on the banks of the Lamoille River

 

 The Banks of the Lamoille 

 

                     
                        Sunset Over the Green Mountains, Johnson, VT

 
                                                            Franconia Notch, NH

Cliff Face, Franconia Notch, NH

 

An Old Milk house, Woodbury, VT