One of my favorite effects — certainly the one I use most often — is the oil painting filter. It softens the focus slightly and adds a texture to the surface. It’s subtle and a bit other-worldly. Very flattering for portraits, too, especially if your subject is older or has less than perfect skin. Or your focus was less than perfect!
As you can see, it’s a broadly useful tool. It’s one of the native Photoshop filters. Give it a try. You may be surprised at how versatile it is — unless (of course) you’ve already discovered it.
Please check out other floral posts through Cee’s Flower of the Day!
Share this:
Categories: #Photography, Arts
SERENDIPITY: SEEKING INTELLIGENT LIFE ON EARTH 
The one of Kaity looks incredibly good ! Even the water and flowers are equally good. I use the camera in-built special effects now a days to give different feel to pictures.
LikeLike
I’ve just started to use built-in effects, especially when I want black and white. This is nice because you can apply it when the picture seems to call for it. It won’t save a bad picture, but it can improve one that just needs “something” 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice effects.
I use Corel Draw and Corel Photopaint.
Strangely, I started out with Adobe, but the first job I got, the guy had Corel Draw. (Figures) How or why he tolerated me, I’ll never know because It took me 3 years before I felt I was competent. I find it more intuitive than Adobe Illustrator though.
I’m still no master, but I’ve got a lot of it figured out.
LikeLike
It IS more intuitive, but it causes more distortion to the files. Before I got my own license for Adobe (a parting piece of reparations from my final employer), I used Corel. It’s easier and it has a ton of features at a very affordable price. But it does add a lot of noise.
LikeLike
These are so stunning Marilyn. I must have a play with different affects too. You should print the one of Kaity and present it to her.
LikeLike
She is getting a whole video from Garry for her birthday. He got a video guy to shoot the whole thing. Now they are editing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very cool.
LikeLike
Marilyn your flowers and other photos are outstanding and oh so beautiful. 😀
LikeLike
Thanks Cee 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying your vacation!
LikeLike
Nice touch.
Leslie
LikeLike
Thanks. It isn’t oil painting, but it is a pleasant effect. And a useful one.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You can see the effect. It softens things.
Leslie
LikeLike
It fudged the faces of the kayakers, which was what I wanted it to do. Sometimes, I want to obscure detail.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We often don’t realize that a lot of things, in art, are fuzzed in.
Leslie
LikeLike
It’s part of what makes it art rather than photography.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this! Especially the one of Kaity.
LikeLike
Thank you kindly, sir.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing this useful information. Beautiful pictures with soft and subtle effects!
LikeLike
I like it on flowers and portraits, but sometimes when I want to soften details and give a dreamy look, it’s good for that, too.
LikeLike
It seems to be great for both purposes. I’ll give it a go. I’ve tried using Picasa for softening effects.
LikeLike
I like this one because it’s an overlay. It doesn’t change the base layer, so if you don’t like it, you can just back out of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lot like Brshstroke App. I really like the way the water looks.
LikeLike
I don’t know that app, but I’m guessing it’s for Mac?
LikeLike