Artsy Bug

Are ya gonna tell us how you did this? Neat lookin' bug.

#1 - crop & sharpen

#2 - duplicate layer and filter/find edges

#3 - adjust contrast somewhat

#4 - layers menu - "linear burn"

#5 - flatten layer

#6 - duplicate layer and filter/gaussian blur on 40.0

#7 - layers menu - "soft lighting" - adjust opacity

#8 - flatten layer and fine-tune small details with PS tools

 

There you go - you have my secret! :)

Thanks Kim...I'll have to file this one back...

I like doing this because it looks like a painted effect. The original wasn't bad - I just felt like playing.

Cool bug . . . and I don't generally like bug shots.

stunning macro and effects, Kim!! You have a very impressive portfolio!!

Thanks, guys! Rakesh, you have some great portraits in your portfolio!

When you play,you create something original,Kim.

You guys probably would like to see the original, so here you go...

Playing around with a plain shot. Comments?

Excellent artsy bug! Very cool shot and very kind of you to share your secret!

Your how-to sounds like a recipe for perfection. I don't remember anything I do in these editing programs. I do not have PS so my head was spinning a bit.

excellents

Great job Kim! I like the colors and composition here. Good work in PS.

Best regards, Peter.

I don't normally remember, either, Julie, but I've done this technique a few times now. Thanks for visiting, everyone. Let me know if you try this and how it works for you.

Do you write this stuff down? I always find I can't re-create something because I waded too deeply into a particular process. Even when I record my actions, I find I still deviate and move to much different settings than the original manipulation must have had. Nothing ever seems to repeat itself exactly in my little PhotoShop world. Kudos to you for maintaining some degree of control relative to your manipulations. I find your methodology laudible and notable that you are able to recall it again! I'm still trying to figure out how you did those distorted flowers!

Most times I CAN'T recreate it because I've done so many layers, I can't keep up. This one is a fairly simple process so I could remember and went back to do it again to make sure. I SHOULD write steps down as I go, but I have so many "un-do's" that it wouldn't be practical!

Your effects produced some interesting results. For one, it darkened the eye and enhanced the detail on the legs. It kind of looks like a photo in an old magazine. It's cool!

Thanks, Kim. This seems to work best on lighter shots because it does darken it quite a bit.

You've made this bug, special Kim. Very artistic.

You are so right, he is very "Artsy" looking. But, because he seems to be "looking" at me, it does give me the willies. While I abhor these creepy crawly things, you've made it possible for me to see it in a beautiful light. You've given it personality. :)

 

Until we moved to KY, some 18 years ago, I gave these characters little thought. Only saw them outside in the grass. But I soon learned they love KY. Especially ones they call "cave crickets". They are white/grey & usually jump in your direction, not away from you. They are very bold. I don't think they can harm you, but they sure are scary. They love moist, dark places. Once I was replacing the panels in the dropped ceiling of my old studio, pushed one panel up & all I saw was what seemed like a thousand eyes staring at me. I almost feel off the ladder :) I stopped, locked up the studio, called the "Bug guy" on my cell phone & did not return until the little critters where annihilated:)

 

Even then, I refused to replace that particular piece of ceiling tile, I made my husband do it :) I'm such a girl when it comes to bugs & crawly things. It gives me shivers just thinking about them :)

 

The only ones I'd be able to photograph would be those smashed by my shoe or nailed to a board with a tack pin :) I admire your courage!

For some reason, I'm very brave with a camera between me and the bug. But sometimes, afterwards, I have a hard time editing the photos of bugs I've taken. Grasshoppers or crickets don't bother me, so this one was fine. Spiders are the ones I have a hard time with. The lizard shot I took with the giant spider still gives me the creeps when I look at it.