Lillies - Two variations

Just a shot of some lillies from our garden a couple of years back.

The first one is an artistic take on the original photo. The second one is the original (with some processing applied)!

Extreme Photo Makeover - Church in Uhzgorod, Ukraine.

All photographers have found themselves in this situation one time or another.  You have a subject you want to photograph, but one or more things just aren't right.  Sometimes it's just weather related and if you come back in an hour or a day, you may be able to get the photo you want.  And sometimes you have to get the photo as you see it, because you may not be able to come  back in an hour or a day.  Or, you may be faced with a situation like this.  No matter how many times you return to the scene, the issues will not correct themselves.  Let's face it, if trees or power lines are blocking your view, those same obstacles will likely be there every time you return.  So you get what you can when you can.  

The first photo is the "after" photo.  The second is the "before" photo.  

So, what was done here?  Obviously, power lines were removed, mostly using the Spot Healing Brush Tool.  An antenna was removed.  Blue fringing on the right side of the photo was removed, and the reddish tone in the peoples faces were lessened.  The photo was brightened using Curves adjustment.  Then some final sharpening was added.  

As an example of an Extreme Photo Makeover, this is a relatively mild example.  There will be more serious photo makeovers coming!  

Autumn Leaves as Art (1) and (2)

Started with some images gathered at a local park here in KIev. From there, I just played around with them a bit to see what I could come up with.

Sunrise, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Sharm El Sheikh is a beautiful resort town near the southern end of the Sinai peninsula in Egypt.  It's also considered one of the best diving and snorkeling destinations in the world.  Sadly, events have caused a severe downturn in tourist visits to Sharm and other Egyptian resorts.  Only now is it returning to normal.

Beauty with Butterfly Wings

A composite image from 3 different images.  Images are either purchased or free downloads.

Scene at Sharm El Sheikh

Palm tree in front of one of the residential buildings at the Sonesta resort, Sharm El Sheikh Egypt.

A basic HDR image. Starting with 1 original, I created 2 additional exposures, then blended them using Photomatix. Plus being awake early enough to capture this image.

Interesting tidbit. When you think of Egypt, you think of Africa. But the Sinai peninsula, where Sharm El Sheikh is located, is actually a part of Asia. So I have yet to make it to Africa. Soon. Soon.

Beam Up My Lighthouse Scotty

Just having a bit of fun with my photo of the Chincoteague LIghthouse in VA, USA. Secured a Photoshop Action that, while technically not a "beam me up" effect, when used in a certain way would certainly look like something right out of Star Trek.

Oh Photoshop, is there anything you can't do?

Okhotnyy Ryad Blvd, Moscow

Moscow, Russia. Red Building, center left is the State Historical Museum. On the right is the Kremlin complex. 

 This was taken on my Galaxy Note 4, since it's low light performance blows my Canon 400D out of the water. Not surprising. The Canon is a 2006 model, the Galaxy is a 2014 model.