Layers at the Louvre
I was going through my images from Paris and Italy in the hopes of creating a coffee table book of the best images when I realized a couple of things.
First….there are still images I haven’t processed 😦 I really need to do that. Second there are still quite a few images I haven’s shared with all of you.
This image was taken at the Louvre but can I let you in on a little secret. At the end of this corridor was a courtyard. I thought it would be more interesting if the repeating patterns just continued so I made it do just that by duplicating the image twice then resizing the 2 layers to create the endless corridor.
Click on the image to see a high resolution version (it really does look better) or to Purchase a Print.
Topaz Glow
To say that I’m excited by the release of Topaz Labs newest plug-in would be a huge understatement. This week Topaz Glow was released and what a great addition to Topaz’s arsenal of great tools.
Topaz Glow can be used as a stand-alone or a plugin (for PC & MAC) to transform your photos from dull to dazzling. Containing more than 70 unconventional and quirky filters, you can infuse your images with neon, graphic, liquid and other electrifying effects. Glow reveals hidden textures in your photos that aren’t visible to the naked eye. While you may not want to apply Glow on every image, you can take your creativity to the next level with this awesome plug-in.
Glow comes packed with 70 filters which you can use as is or you have complete artistic control to customize, combine and tweak to make your vision come to life.
Topaz Glow is regularly priced at $69.99 but until December 31, 2014 you can pick up Glow for $49.99 using the coupon code INTROGLOW.
Here are a few of my images processed with Topaz Glow. Click on each image to see a larger version.
Chocolat
Oh que c’est bon! You know when they say you’re like a kid in a candy store? That was me when I came across this chocolate shop in St. Germain des Pres. And yes it smelled as good as it looked. The owner was very kind when I asked her (in broken French) if I could take pictures.
Click on the image to see a high resolution version (it really does look better) or to Purchase a Print.
Tourists at the Louvre
I thought I would take a break from Italy today and take you back to Paris. As I was biding my time and waiting for the sunset I wandered around the grounds of the Louvre to see what else I could discover.
The museum had already closed for the day but that didn’t stop people from walking around and admiring the incredible archutecture.
Topaz Impression
Last week Topaz Labs announced the release of their newest plug-in, Topaz Impression. I had the pleasure of taking Impression for a test run this weekend and to say the least…I’m impressed by Impression.
As with all of the Topaz products this new plug-in is intuitive and easy to use. Impression comes loaded with 47 pre-sets that are designed to help you realize your vision by transforming your photos into realistic-looking studio art. You can use the pre-sets as they are (which is excellent) or use them as a jump off point to create your own unique piece.
The Preset Panel
Once you’ve selected your preferred pre-set you can click on it to go to the editing panel. There you can adjust the brush strokes, its width and length, opacity, brightness, contrast, texture strength and many more adjustments that allow you total control over your artistic creation. Impression also gives you total control over your colour palette.
The Editing Panel
Here are a couple of images that I created using Topaz Impression.
I liken this plug-in to a very cool app but its oh so much more. If you’ve always wanted to create beautiful digital art then Topaz Impression will enable you to do so. As with all of the Topaz Labs products you can download a free trial and try it for yourself. Click here to down load the free trial or to purchase Topaz Impression which is 25% off until September 30 by using this coupon code: SEPIMPRESSION.
Un Tableau Vivant – Patisserie
I’m sure that you can tell by some of the pictures that I’m posting that I’m attracted to these type of scenes when I travel. This is another one from Paris and I love capturing a scene of everyday happenings in a place that I’m visiting. I was visiting Andy’s LensScaper blog the other day where he posted some images taken from a train. Someone made a comment that described one of the images as a Tableau Vivant and then it hit me….those are the scenes that draw me in.
A Tableau Vivant is a “living picture”, an image that forces the viewer to stand back and take in all the details of the tableau. This type of photographic art draws you in to the picture and holds you’re attention as you studying the individuals at the tables. I know it makes me ask certain questions or make certain assumptions. The gentleman in the forefront is checking his mobile phone. Is he on a break from work? Who is he chatting with? What are the two ladies in the far left talking about? Look at the body language of the man and the woman in front of the restaurant. Did they just have an argument?
Question for you….does the image elicit the same types of questions from you?
Click on the image to see a high resolution version (it really does look better) or to Purchase a Print.
Edith Levy Photography 