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Mystical Illusion (Japanese Inspired)

© Tammy L. Newcomb

Mystical Illusion (Japanese Inspired)

Uploaded: April 20, 2008

Description

Today were really bad storms approaching. I decided to take pictures of the sky through the trees, and the house accross the street was visible. I started playing around with many layers, fills, gradients, patterns, enhancements etc. This was the end result. My daughter fell completely in love with this picture. She seems to think it has a Japanese feel to this creation.

Exif: F Number: 4.8, Exposure Bias Value: -1.00, ExposureTime: 10/60 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 100, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 38.00 mm, Model: NIKON D40X

Comments

Stan Kwasniowski April 20, 2008

Tammy, wow, this could be a winner #905058

Tammy L. Newcomb April 20, 2008

Awh.... That is very sweet of you to say that. I am happy you liked it that much. My daughter really went crazy when she seen it and wants me to print a copy to hang on her wall.

I have personally looked at the photo so long I have lost interest but I spent atleast two hours or more on this picture. If you seen the original you would be in disbelief.

Tammy #5813301

Tammy L. Newcomb April 21, 2008

This was the original that I started with before enhancements. #5815140

Stan Kwasniowski April 21, 2008

Tammy, your quite artistic #5816729

Tammy L. Newcomb April 21, 2008

Thank you Stan!!! I always think my creative side is a bit to much for most people...LOL #5817073

Aimee C. Eisaman April 21, 2008

A wonderful work of art Tammy! I love it! It has a very asian feel.....inspiring! #5817614

April 21, 2008

When I looked at this photo I immeadiately saw a Japanese inspired theme. Love the combination of layering and effects...great job! #5819337

Joan E. Hoffman April 21, 2008

Love it too Tammy, Great, great work! WTG #5820819

Tammy L. Newcomb April 22, 2008

Amiee:

Thank you very much and yes it does seem to have that Asian feel with a twist...LOL....

Did you notice the small detail of the house below? #5822975

Tammy L. Newcomb April 22, 2008

Faith:

Thank you so very much and there were so many layers to this I can't even remember which ones I used. What I loved was how the layering gave a mountain look to the background. #5822989

Tammy L. Newcomb April 22, 2008

Joan: TYVM-- and I am excited that you like it; I worked very hard on this one. I hope it's at least EP worthy if nothing else....

Tammy #5823003

Aimee C. Eisaman April 22, 2008

And yes I did see the house....noticed it right away actually! #5823288

Tammy L. Newcomb April 23, 2008

I was wondering if anyone noticed that tiny detail.... #5829038

April 23, 2008

You need to definitely submit this into a contest. I think it would be a winner. :-) I can't help but keep coming back for a look. #5829903

Tammy L. Newcomb April 23, 2008

Faith L.

Thank you so much for having faith in my work....
I have to say this was the best PS creation that I have done so far and I am just playing around not having any idea what I am doing...I am learning by trial and error since I can't really afford classes at this time.

Anytime I have money saved up something goes wrong and to give you an example, my transmisson went out in my Grand Dodge Caravan SE yesterday about an hour away from home and I had it put in the shop the same day. It was ready this morning and I had to shell out $1,400.00. It's always something...LOl..

Again thanks for commenting...

Tammy #5830613

April 23, 2008

Tammy, I can totally relate with the $$ issue. We always seem to be having car trouble or something that goes wrong with a home remodeling project...we usually end up getting into a bigger mess then we estimate...lol Or medical bills...my son had a horrible reaction to cashews about two months ago and had to go to the ER...well I found out our insurance doesn't cover allergist appointments because it's classified under a "specialist"...errr!!!

Anyway...if all your "trial & error" led up to this result..keep it up! That is how I learned all my work. Honestly I took a Photoshop 8.0 class my senior year of high school. Then took a Photoshop CS class in college. They didn't really teach me much past the basics. Pretty much everything I've learned from this site and reading TONS of stuff online...and of course practice, trial and error as well. :-) So honestly if you're already doing this fantastic work I wouldn't even bother with a class. Maybe purchase some type of instructional DVD on Photoshop...that may be a cheaper route if you really want some professional instruction.

Oops...sorry this is so long! Didn't mean to write a book! haha #5832292

Tammy L. Newcomb April 24, 2008

Faith:

Yes, my work is 100% trial and error. I have never read a book, internet site or taken even one class in regards to PS-Elements. I learned most of my knowledge from "Photo Studio" and when I switched over to Elements it was like a whole new world to re-learn with only a few similarites.... I am finally starting to understand layers and feel I still have a whole lot to learn which I will figure out completely on my own even if it takes me a year or more.
The only thig about instructional DVDs is that I would watch and forget the techniques by the time I was able to impliment what was taught to me...LOL...

Again, thanks for commenting...

Tammy #5834671

Tammy L. Newcomb April 24, 2008

Faith:

Yes, my work is 100% trial and error. I have never read a book, internet site or taken even one class in regards to PS-Elements. I learned most of my knowledge from "Photo Studio" and when I switched over to Elements it was like a whole new world to re-learn with only a few similarites.... I am finally starting to understand layers and feel I still have a whole lot to learn which I will figure out completely on my own even if it takes me a year or more.
The only thig about instructional DVDs is that I would watch and forget the techniques by the time I was able to impliment what was taught to me...LOL...

Again, thanks for commenting...

Tammy #5834675

Tammy L. Newcomb April 25, 2008

Wow, maybe this one is will do good!!!! I have my fingers crossed... #5839322

Joyce Wycoff April 26, 2008

Tammy ... this is a winner ... your daughter is right to catch the Japanese feeling and to fall in love with it. I can't believe you only spent two hours on it. You must be a very fast learner. #5844978

Vladan D. Djordjevic April 26, 2008

Fantastic photo, I love your creativity! fantastic red elements, dramatic atmosphere and great composition. :) #5846412

Tammy L. Newcomb April 28, 2008

Joyce...

Your "Winter Nite" is also just as good as this shot and I immediately fell in love with your photo... Thanks for your nice comments and I hope your right....LOL... but there are way to many creative shots in DD and it will be hard to even get a finalist in my opinion. #5851912

Tammy L. Newcomb April 28, 2008

Vladan D. Djordjevic:

TYVM for commenting and I am happy you liked the photo... My goal is to make finalist and that will make my day if that happpens....

Tammy

#5851919

Donna La Mattino Pagakis April 28, 2008

This is really creative Tammy, great mood and design elements!! #5853202

Sharon F. Morris April 28, 2008

Very creative and beautiful Tammy. I agree with your daughter it does have a Japanese feel to it. Looks like a winner in my book. :-) #5853728

Tammy L. Newcomb April 29, 2008

TYSM Donna P & Sharon M.

I hope everyone is right about this photo...Gosh I wish you guys and gals were the BP judges...LOL... That would mean I would finally place in the contest...LOL....

Wishful thinking!!! My fingers are still crossed!!! #5857307

Sarah Lamb April 29, 2008

Ok - I agree with everyone - I'd put my money on this being your first finalist or better! Good Luck - this is just beautiful! #5859764

Tammy L. Newcomb April 30, 2008

I would like to make finalist but if I don't that will just make me more competetive with a mission towards finalist if I don't get burnt out first from trying so hard...

Thanks so much for your kind words... #5862554

Charlene Taylor May 03, 2008

Hi Tammy,
A wonderful dramatic scene! A fabulous work of art. #5877106

Rajeev 270293 Kashyap May 03, 2008

This is really creative Tammy! Well done & Great Job!

Rgds Rajeev #5878728

Tammy L. Newcomb May 04, 2008

Charlene T and Rajeev:

Thank you both for your support and nice comments. I am very proud of my creation and hope this will get my first finalist.... If not I will keep at it...

Again, thanks so much for visiting my gallery. #5881330

Jim Baines level-classic May 04, 2008

Congratulations on a well-deserved EP, Tammy! #5883041

Tammy L. Newcomb May 04, 2008

Hi Jim and thank you so much for such a nice comment...

I got your e-mail and your so funny; you took a picture of the package your gonna send me.... Atleast that is proof your really gonna mail it.... I believed you anyway rather ya sent a picture or not...

You are so very sweet and I can't wait to try out that program.....

Tammy #5883164

Dawn M. Schneider May 05, 2008

what an amazing creation, the colors really make it stand out for me #5886345

Tammy L. Newcomb May 07, 2008

Thank you so much for the comment. I did not realize that you have a BetterPhoto Group.... I was checking it out today...

Tammy #5896139

Graham Robards May 13, 2008

Wonderful Tammy, very creative! Congratulations on your EP, there is an EP group too if you aren't already on it.~Pat #5919913

Tammy L. Newcomb May 15, 2008

Thanks so much for the wonderful comment and yes I know about the EP watch and I am currently watching the countdown thread....

Tammy #5927105

Wendy Moghadam May 15, 2008

Awesome a real work of art #5928895

Tammy L. Newcomb May 18, 2008

Wendy:

Thank you so much for your sweet comment!! #5937049

Nikki McDonald level-classic May 18, 2008

Saw this in the countdown thread, Tammy, and decided to come over for a closer look. You did amazing digital work on this and the result is indeed artistically striking. Good luck with it. #5937629

Corinne M. Thompson May 19, 2008

Very unique and well done! #5942146

Tammy L. Newcomb May 19, 2008

Nikki M. Thank you so much for deciding to come over for that closer look since a thumbnail does not give this creation the detail needed to appreciate it. I am happy that you liked my creation and luck is indeed what I'll need to place as a finalist among all the talent here.

Tammy #5946335

Tammy L. Newcomb May 19, 2008

Corinne T.

Thanks you for such a nice comment. #5946381

Tammy L. Newcomb June 04, 2008

I am so sad!!! I have lost this image forever. I had a whole file of pictures on my SD card and with out my knowledge the entire fill has diminished into thin air. Maybe some error that occured on this card. The only copy I have now is a thumbnail on this BP site. I also lost some pictures I did not even get to upload that were very beautiful that will never be recovered....Grrrrrr #6017234

David Van Camp June 06, 2008

Tammy, Congrats on a well deserved EFP. Very interesting and unique creation!

There are a number of software products that claim to be able to retrieve images from corrupted SD cards... check amazon or a good photo-specialist retailer (or post a q on a BP forum for advice.) JUST DON'T DO ANYTHING WITH THE CARD UNTIL YOU TRY TO RECOVER! Reformatting, taking more pics, etc, *may* wipe recoverable images forever.

Anyway, my daughter also has Autism & ADHD... and she's the best daddy's girl a father could want :) Best wishes, dvc. #6024705

Tammy L. Newcomb June 10, 2008

Hi David and thanks for the comment and I did take your advice to recover the pictures but most programs want fifty dollars or more to recover and it does not show a preview of each photo that is being recovered. I can just re-take the photos another day and time and perhaps I will do the over and better time; the only thing is that my clemitis' are not in bloom as they once were and may have to wait until next year to re-do. #6043571

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