"Lazy Spring Days"

I normally don't manipulate my images too much other than tweaking with every tool I know to bring out color, detail and luminosity. So, I do spend a fair amount of time at the computer because I feel it's necessary if you want your images to represent your impressions of the actual scene at the time of capture. To that end, I would define manipulation not as computer work per se, but more so as introducing an effect to enhance the perspective. In this case, while I think the worked up file was worthy, I couldn't help adding a slight Orton glow. It's necessary to view the Larger version in order to appreciate the effect. Thanks for any discussions!!

Mark,  This image has wonderful motion, even the angle of the trees and leaves complements the flow of the water - nicely done.  What is an Orton glow? I am eager to learn about this.  Thanks for posting this image.   Larry

Thanks Larry! The Orton effect, the one I am familiar with, is executed in Photoshop. Any version that enables layers should work. Once the file has been processed, you will make a duplicate layer. With the duplicate layer, you click IMAGE and then APPLY IMAGE. At this point the dup layer will get noticeably darker. Look for the BLENDING drop down and change it from MULTIPLY to SCREEN, which will cause the image to become much brighter. Click OK. Still on the dup layer, go to FILTERS and then BLUR, drop down to GAUSSIAN BLUR. Add anywhere from 8 or 9 all the way up to 20 or 30, depending on how much glow you might want. I used something like 8 for this image because I just wanted a hint. Now your dup layer will be bright and blurry. Simply change the blend mode of the dup layer to MULTIPLY, and the sharpness will return and the image will darken. From here, you can then adjust the opacity to taste or you can apply a layer mask and paint away the effect locally or whatever flips your switch. When I use it on wedding images, I will paint away the effect on the faces and I will also use a low opacity brush to bring back some shadow detail if desired. It's something you have to experiment with to get the results you will come to expect. Let me know how it goes or if you have any problems making it work. If you google it, you will probably get several tutorials and some may vary from my application. Cheers!!

Just beautiful, and thanks for the explanation of how you achieved this look.  I'm wondering how the image would have looked without the Orton effect.......but only using a slow shutter speed for the movement of the water.  Theoretically, if the wind was very still to prevent the dogwood (?) tree leaves from moving, and you used a slow shutter speed to allow the blur of the water, wouldn't you achieve a similar effect?  In my quest to learn, I'm just wondering how the 2 approaches would differ.....in other words, exactly how the Orton effect makes the image look different.  :-)