Fauve Fine Art Effect

Fauvism…

If you’re not familiar with “Fauve Fine Art,” then perhaps this description from Wikipedia can be of some help:

“Fauvism is the style of les Fauves (French for “the wild beasts”), a loose group of early twentieth-century Modern artists whose works emphasized painterly qualities and strong color over the representational or realistic values retained by Impressionism. While Fauvism as a style began around 1900 and continued beyond 1910, the movement as such lasted only a few years, 1904–1908, and had three exhibitions. The leaders of the movement were Henri Matisse and André Derain.”

Family Influence

My grandfather was a wonderfully talented artist. He excelled as a painter in both watercolor and oils. I always loved his work, especially his watercolors. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized (through reading the Photoshop Fine Art Effects Cookbook) that his watercolors very much incorporated a Fauve Effect. It’s no surprise then why I was instantly drawn to this Photoshop Fine Art Effect.

Since I didn’t inherit my grandfather’s painting gene, I was very excited to learn that I could apply a Fauve Effect to my photography in post production. It was just a matter of learning the steps, which I’m happy to outline for you here.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Once you’ve selected the image you’d like to transform, the Photoshop steps are pretty straightforward. Note: For this image, I used Photoshop CS4. The filters and blending modes discussed below all come with Photoshop right out of the box.

So let’s get started. Here’s what I did, step-by-step, to create the Fauve Fine Art Effect shown above.

1. Open your image in Photoshop and duplicate the image layer. Name the layer “Find Edges.”
2. Convert the Find Edges layer to a line drawing by selecting Filter>Artistic>Poster Edges from the Filter Menu at the top of the screen.
3. In the Layers palette, click on the “Create new fill or adjustment layer” icon (the half black/half white circle) and select Threshold from the menu that opens. Drag the slider until all of the color disappears and the line drawing looks how you wish it to be.
4. Once the line drawing is to your liking, duplicate the original layer and then drag the new layer to the top of the layer stack and rename it “Multiply.” Now switch that new layer’s blending mode to Multiply, and slightly reduce the opacity. The image should now look like a line drawing that has been colored in.
5. Now apply the Median filter to the Multiply layer by selecting Filter>Noise>Median. The purpose of the Median filter is to blend nearby pixels, therefore select a radius that is high enough to significantly distort the image in Preview. Note: For this image I used a radius of 20 pixels.
6. With the Multiply layer still selected, activate the Move tool by clicking on it. Now hold down the Shift Key and use one of the arrow keys to gently shift the Multiply layer a few pixels in one direction. The goal is to produce a slight mismatch between the color and black lines so that it appears the image is slightly out of registration.

So if you have the artistic heart of the great masters, but not their innate painting skills, don’t give up on your fine art dreams. Photoshop just might help you create a few digital masterpieces of your own.

Note: Prints of this image are available at my gallery on Fine Art America.

The Original

And in case you are wondering, here is what my original image looked like before its artistic transformation back in time.

I must say that while I’ll never be a great painter like my grandfather, somewhere I do believe he is smiling.

~ Liz Mackney

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Flower Photography Cheat Sheet

Now that Spring is officially here, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about ways to improve your flower photography. My gardens are already beginning to sprout here in New England, and it won’t be long before flowers are blooming and vibrant colors are swaying in the gentle summer breeze.

Summer color loves diffused light

I’m often asked how it is that I get the flower shots that I do. What is it that I look for and what does my creative eye see? I’m happy to share that information with you and offer some helpful tips on how to improve your flower photography. First, however, let’s look at where you might be going wrong.

Common Mistakes

There are several mistakes that new photographers often make when shooting flowers:

• Shooting down on a flower from a standard viewing distance produces a typical “snapshot” image.
• Shooting at high noon in bright sun produces harsh lighting and washes out color.
• Not removing distractions, such as dead leaves or stray twigs.
• Always shooting from the same angle or perspective.
• Not thinking through the overall composition.
• Cropping too tightly in camera.
• Shooting too close with the lens you are using and thus being unable to focus.

Answer This Question…

12 Helpful Tips

If you want to be in control of the images you capture in the garden, but aren’t quite sure on how to do that, perhaps the following tips will be of some help.

Tip #1 — The 360 Rule

Really evaluate your shooting perspective. Basically check out the flower from every angle, including above and below, as well as by circling its circumference. Light, shadow and background all change as you move around the flower, as do the intricate details of the flower itself.

The back of a flower often has interesting detail all its own

Tip # 2 — Composition

When you see a group of flowers, study them collectively as well as individually. How flowers are positioned and grow in relation to each other can often be the foundation of a nice composition.

A flower's position in the garden can influence composition

Tip #3 — Selective Focus

Decide what element you want as the primary point focus. With a tight group of flowers, you might want to draw the viewer’s eye to a specific flower. I chose to do just that with this image, by creating a shallow depth of field for the background, and soft focus for the surrounding outside flowers.

Keeping one flower in sharp focus draws the viewer's eye

Tip #4 — Depth of Field

Controlling the depth of field (that which remains in sharp focus) makes all the difference in the world to flower photography. Therefore it’s important to remember these four factors that affect depth of field:

1. Your f-stop number (The smaller the number, the less that is in focus; the larger the number, the more that is in focus.)
2. The focal length of your lens. (When you’re zoomed in, you’ll have less depth of field. When you’re zoomed out, you’ll have more depth of field.)
3. Your distance to the subject. (The closer you are to the subject, the less that is in focus; the farther away you are from the subject, the more that is in focus.)
4. The subject’s distance to the background. (The further away the subject is from the background, the less that is in focus; the closer the subject is to the background, the more that is in focus.)

A shallow depth of field showcases the flower and blurs the background

Tip #5  — Close-Up & Macro

Flowers feature very intricate details. What better way to showcase these details than with a close-up or macro shot. It’s important to note that while a macro lens can really up your shooting game, you don’t need a dedicated macro lens to get a close-up or macro image. You can always crop an image afterwards to create a close-up or macro perspective.

The details of small flowers are not always seen by the naked eye

Tip #6 — Welcome The Rain

Don’t be too disappointed when the rain comes to spoil a sunny day. On the contrary it may be exactly what you need for a special shot. Sometimes you don’t need a steady rain. I’ve found that a quick passing shower can really enhance things.

Sometimes a spring shower can be your creative friend

Tip #7 — Spot Focus

What to focus on when shooting flowers is only limited by your imagination. You can shoot an overall garden scene, a group of flowers, a single flower with a shallow depth of field, or you can really call attention to the finer details by spot focusing on a single point to draw the viewer’s eye. That was my thought for this image, as the colors of the flower were the perfect frame to showcase the texture of the stigma.

Spot focus can draw the eye to a specific detail

Tip #8 — Fill The Frame

Certain images deserve to fill the frame during composition. Such was the case when I saw this large sunflower. I loved everything about it — the color, the texture, the background, the curve of the petals. I chose a square crop to showcase this pristine, symmetrical flower. It proved to be a good call, as I later had this image made into a large ceramic tile. The dimensions were perfect.

Fill the frame with the most important elements

Tip #9 — Flower Stages

Flowers grow in stages. That makes for multiple photo opportunities. I like to continually check my gardens to see what stage a particular flower is at. Do you have any idea what this emerging bud later turned out to be? If you guessed sunflower, you’d be right!

Different stages offer multiple shooting opportunities

Tip #10 — Top Down Perspective

As previously mentioned, shooting down on a flower from a typical viewing distance can produce bland, boring images. However, getting close to the flower (either physically or by zooming in) can totally change the composition and make for an interesting photo. The striped, curved petals on this variegated crocus guide the viewer’s eye to the central point of focus.

Shoot top down to showcase pattern and detail

Tip #11 — Soft Focus

In the garden certain flowers by their very design are a perfect match for soft focus. The shallow depth of field in this image again helped to showcase the flower, but it was soft focus that complemented the natural softness of the delicate petals. Everything working together is what makes this image interesting.

Certain details are meant for soft focus

Tip #12 — Incorporate Garden Visitors

We are not the only ones who wait for the gardens to bloom. Some winged friends become the perfect accent to a colorful flower. Dragonflies are some of my favorite visitors to capture. I actually think they enjoy my company, for they follow me around the garden all summer long.

Garden visitors love the flowers too

Practice Time

It’s early in the season, so you have plenty of time to practice these tips. You can even get a jump on things by picking up a potted plant such as tulips, positioning it in the garden, and experimenting. Best of all, you can then transplant the tulips as a colorful addition to your garden.

Bonus Tip! Keep practicing and don’t get discouraged. Every photo teaches you something. What better classroom to practice in than the garden on a nice, warm day. Sounds good to me!

Happy shooting!

~ Liz Mackney

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The Full Worm Moon bathes Motif #1 in moonlight

The Full Worm Moon Beckons

Yesterday’s moon was known as the “Full Worm Moon.” According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac: ”The Full Worm Moon was given its name by the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. At the time of this spring Moon, the ground begins to soften and earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of robins. This is also known as the Sap Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins.”

Ahhh… Hello Spring!

The Moon… The Sun… The Tide…

People usually notice a full moon on the rise while driving home from work, or sometimes through a window in the evening while watching television. When you’re a photographer, however, a full moon is an event. It beckons us. It’s pull is magical. We plan for it.

The Moon Doesn’t Just Rise

What many people don’t realize, however, is that moonset is just as exciting as moonrise. The deal breaker for some people is simply the time of day that moonset occurs. That time varies from day-to-day.

This year’s Full Worm Moon had me out the door at 5:00 a.m. I wanted to make sure I had allowed for travel time, parking time, walking time and setup time. The moon has its own schedule. It waits for no one. Better to be too early than too late when photographing it.

Rockport Harbor and The Headlands

This year in Rockport, Massachusetts, the Full Worm Moon was scheduled to set at 6:21 a.m. A quick check of The Photographer’s Ephemeris program showed me that the moon would set over the town behind Rockport Harbor and appear directly between the harbor’s two wharfs when viewed nearby from The Headlands.

Two Shoots In One

Sunrise was scheduled for 6:33 a.m. Again, a quick check of The Photographer’s Ephemeris program showed me that the sun would rise behind Straitsmouth Lighthouse when viewing from the opposite side of The Headlands. All I would need to do was be fast on my feet and get to the other side in time to set up for my shot. As you can see, the hustle was well worth it. The colors were breathtaking.

The blue hour of sunrise provides a beautiful backdrop to Straightsmouth Lighthouse

Know The Tide

The tide is also an important thing to check when shooting along the coast. High tide versus low tide can greatly affect such things as shooting perspective and reflections. Getting down low in a tidal pool at low tide will garner a shot much different from one taken from the top of a rocky cliff. Which is better? That’s up to you! I say try them both. Step outside of your typical shooting zone and see what new perspectives you can personally witness and capture.

Preparation — An Important Thing To Remember

When checking the times for moonset or sunrise, remember the horizon and surrounding terrain. Setting times refer to when the sun or the moon is no longer visible on the horizon. Rising times refer to when the sun or moon first becomes visible on the horizon.

To shoot the last of the Full Worm Moon here in Rockport, I knew that I had to be ready long before the moon actually set. I needed to be in position before the moon disappeared behind the elevated tree line in the distance.

Moonset is perfectly aligned between the harbor's two wharfs

My iPhone Apps

While some of the reference programs I used for this shoot (such as The Photographer’s Ephemeris) are readily available on computer, I like to have them with me at all times. That’s where my iPhone comes in handy. Here are the links to the specific apps I used to plan this shoot.

• The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE)
• MoonPhase
• TideGraph

In Case You’re Wondering…

The next full moon is April 25th and it’s called the Full Pink Moon. If you’re in the Rockport area, moonset is 5:26 a.m., sunrise is 5:45 a.m., and low tide is 5:09 a.m.

And Don’t Forget…

Conversely, don’t forget to consider the times of a full moonrise and sunset. When both of these events occur close together, the shooting possibilities are again only limited by your imagination and perhaps the speed of your feet.

Warm weather is coming! No more cold weather excuses. Get out there and capture the celestial magic!

~ Liz Mackney

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The Cape Ann Tool Company overlooks Pigeon Cove Harbor in Rockport, Massachusetts. Long abandoned and decaying since 1987, this highly controversial structure is seen as an eyesore by some, and as an object of fascination by others. As both a Rockport resident and a photographer, I can appreciate each side of the argument. On this day, my photographer’s eye simply saw this site as an abandoned treasure waiting to be captured by my lens.

The Cape Ann Tool Company tower stands tall.

A Bit of History

The Cape Ann Tool Company came to life in the late 1800s. Originally it produced tools for the many local rock quarries, all thanks to its 100-ton drop forge. In later years the company evolved into making tools and parts for a variety of different industries, including automobile and aerospace. The company was eventually liquidated in 1987. I can’t help but wonder how many workers walked across this very same courtyard over the years.

A view of the furnace building from across the courtyard.

Light, Shadow & Texture

The reason I wanted to shoot the Cape Ann Tool Company remains in the morning hours was because of the angle of the sun. I knew the right mixture of light and shadow would filter through the cracked windows and open roofs. Once I arrived and saw the lay of the land, I thought these elements could possibly make for some good HDR (High Dynamic Range) shots. That’s what I created for the first four shots in this article. Note: All shots were handheld. No tripod used. Not recommended for HDR, but doable if you have a very steady hand.

The rusted metals and peeling paint throughout the building were a continuous source of great texture and color, particularly when highlighted by the sun. Occasionally, I found diverse shapes and textures all together in one small area, such as around the mighty furnace chamber.

Doors to the furnace chamber left wide open.

Roof Details

In the sections of the roof that still remain, I found the shapes, colors and patterns interesting subjects in themselves. The way the morning light reflected off of things naturally drew my attention. It was the contrast of colors, lines and circles when looking towards the sky that caught my eye here.

Still intact roof vents

The Inner Sanctum

The interior of any abandoned building has a sense of mystery about it. After all, if you’ve never been there before, you don’t know what’s around the next corner. Then again, if you have been there before, you don’t know if anything has changed — particularly when a building is in decay for nearly a quarter century.

Entrance to the Boiler Room

What I found interesting about this location were the subtle reminders of past inhabitants. Like the handwritten date of 2/7/78 on the wall to the left, and the red Emergency Switch right outside the Boiler Room door. Even the beer can on the floor communicated someone had been here before me, and maybe not all that long ago.

Note: No HDR for this shot. I did, however, use a flash and then applied a slight tonal contrast adjustment using Nik Color Efex Pro to bring out the detail in this very dark and spooky corner. It wasn’t a place where I wanted to linger.

Every Picture Tells A Story…

If every picture tells a story, then what tale do you suppose the artist was trying to tell when he/she painted this mural?

Every picture tells a story...

When I first stumbled upon it, I was struck by the sudden splash of vibrant color. I then studied the image for quite a while, trying to grasp its message. Several thoughts came to mind, but I won’t tip my hand here. Leave a comment and tell me what you think this painted image was meant to communicate.

So there you have it. An inside peek at the Cape Ann Tool Company. Love it or hate, it will continue to be an interesting and controversial place for as long as it stands.

~ Liz Mackney

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As a resident of Rockport, Massachusetts, I love living in this quaint coastal town. As a photographer, I simply adore it!

Rockport Harbor

Rockport is located approximately 25 miles north of Boston at the tip of the Cape Ann peninsula. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on three sides, Rockport is an ideal location for a scenic drive along the coastline. I’m happy to share with you my favorite route and to offer suggestions of things to see and places to visit.

Drive the coastline!

Let’s Get Started…

Most visitors come to Rockport via Route 128 and take it to the very end, which is the town of Gloucester, Massachusetts. From there, continue going straight to the second traffic light and then make a left onto Route 127A.

Important! The southern half of your drive will be on what’s known as Route 127A. The northern half, however, will be on Route 127. It’s important to note that these are two distinctly different route numbers right from the start.

Okay, once you make that first left onto Route 127A, you are on your way. At this point you are still in Gloucester, but in no time will be crossing over the town line into the southern end of Rockport.

Welcome to Rockport!

While traveling from south to north (Route 127A to Route 127), there are the places I think every visitor should see for themselves. Here are some suggestions…

While Traveling North Along Route 127A…

• Cape Hedge Beach - Turn right at the Cape Hedge Inn and then follow South Street to the very end. The beach will be right in front of you.
• Loblolly Cove/Thacher Island/Twin Lighthouses – Located off of Penzance Road, which is also off of South Street but immediately after the Cape Hedge Inn. You can see Thacher Island’s Twin Lighthouses from Loblolly Cove.
• Downtown Rockport – Park the car and take a stroll. The entire downtown area is walkable. Things to see include numerous shops, art galleries, restaurants, T-Wharf, Motif #1, Lula’s Pantry Viewing Deck, Rockport Harbor, Bearskin Neck, Straitsmouth Lighthouse, and the state-of-the-art Shalin Liu Performance Center.

Thacher Island at dawn from Loblolly Cove

 

Iconic Motif #1 in downtown Rockport

Mini Detour…

• Front Beach – Sea glass hunters, beach lovers and sun worshippers flock to this convenient in-town beach.
• Back Beach – A very popular location for scuba divers. Though rocky along the shoreline, as the tide goes out, more and more beach is revealed.

Sailboat Sunrise

Okay, Now North Onto Route 127…

At the end of Beach Street, make a right onto Route 127. The scenic drive north continues…

• Granite Pier – Turn right onto Wharf Road and follow the paved road down the winding hill and then up onto the dirt and gravel road of the pier for a great view of the town coastline.
• Pigeon Cove Harbor – Look for boats in the small harbor and the building with the lobster on it!
• Emerson Inn By The Sea & Cathedral Ledge – Turn right onto Phillips Ave. and follow the road down to the water. Sometimes off of Cathedral Ledge you can spot memorable waterfowl such as Mergansers, Eiders and Harlequin ducks.
• Halibut Point State Park – Hiking trails, a historic granite quarry, scenic vistas, a birders’ paradise and more!
• Lobster Pool Restaurant – End the day with a tasty lobster and enjoy a beautiful sunset at the northern end of town.

Harlequin Ducks

There you have it. An easy, straightforward drive featuring a beautiful scenic route with lots of things to see and do along the way. Makes for a perfect day trip in my book.

As for you photographers, I can tell you first hand there are photo ops everywhere you turn.

Motif #1 at midday as seen from the viewing deck at Lula's Pantry

Hope to see you around town!

~ Liz Mackney

Website

Editor’s Pick Gallery

New England Photography Guild Gallery