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How To Create Minimalistic Landscapes Using Blur Filters in Photoshop

 For at least 10 - 15 years I love creating abstract minimalistic landscapes such as beach and forest scenes in my post processing of photos using a range of Photoshop's blur filters.  Here's one of my latest images that features this (and other) techniques: The original photo was taken almost 15 years ago with a 7 megapixel Canon Camera, but I wanted to challenge myself and try to make more interesting image out of it.  Start I came across this image while browsing through my photo archive and kind of liked the scene with the woman enjoying standing in or close to the surf. Editing Steps 1. I expanded the image from its 4:3 ratio to a square format making the added part transparent. Then I selected the blue sky and erased it. As I knew I wanted to create an abstract image I searched for a cloudy sky and found a suitable photo in my library, that would make a more interesting sky than a bland blue one.   I positioned this sky a layer under the beach photo and go...
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Black and White Photos and texture use

Hello,
today I want to share some examples concerning the use of textures on b&w / monochrome photos. It is my impression, that textures are less used on monochrome and especially black and white photos. Often I find myself reluctant to use a texture after I converted a color shot into b&w.
There are really awesome photographeres who only shoot/show b&w photos and I really admire their work. And almost noone uses a texture with them.
I never shoot in b&w, all my works are conversions into B&W of colour shots that I did either in Lightroom or in Photoshop.

I think I approach texturizing a b&w shot more reluctant, because I became aware that textures can overwhelm a b&w shot more easily than a colour photo. Still I think it is worthwhile playing around with textures and monochrome shots as well. I think I generally tend to use them more subtle.


Pictures

This picture called for a more heavier use of texture. I first did the colored version, but thought the mood would be more intense with a conversion into b&w.

desolation


The picture the Chat started as a b&w picture. I liked the two guys sitting on the tracks having a conversation in the evening sun. I didn't like the hard contrasts of the b&w pic, so I began adding a texture. I used the texture Stone Grunge (from the Pick Your Own Pack) as an overlay, which added some haze to the shot. I also liked the idea of a light beam hitting the scenery. Some additional structure was added by a 2nd texture. For more information pls check the hard copy of the layers I added!
the Chat
   


Layers: The Chat



Here are some more pics that were originally shot in colour and afterwards converted into monochrome/ b&w. I hope these give you an impression how I process b&w pics with textures. 
Most of the time I use textures only to enhance negative space. That means adding structure to dark/black or white areas. 
I also convert the chosen textures into b&w using a clipping mask.(As shown in the above exampe)
I also erase parts, that would otherwise influence my whites or darker regions. It is also fun to invert textures to check its effect on your picture. As always there is a lot of playing around involved.

white peacock

Hafentempel Xanten
Contortions
Darkwood Conspiracy
Simplicity

All pictures have been processed with one or more of my textures from the various packs I offer. 
Please feel free to check them out.

Thanks & have a nice weekend!

Dirk


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