One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge-August 2022

Join the One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge to have some creative fun with photos.

The purpose of the One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge is to play. These days we have so many different ways to process a photo: from phone apps to Photoshop. And these different software options make it accessible for anyone to get fun and beautiful effects. Whether you have a lot of time or a little.

I’ve been spending a lot of my pandemic playing with photo processing. Because it is a relaxing indoor activity that I can do for free (I mostly use open-source programs and old versions of paid programs). And I thought it might be fun to share what I’ve been doing and see what other folks are trying out.

No complicated rules, just:

1. Pick a photo you want to play with.
2. Process it using three different methods.
3. After that create a blog post with the original and your creative products. Alternatively, if it is easier for you, you could post a gallery on Instagram with #tsc_1to3.
4. If you can, please include a description of your methods. So others can give them a whirl.
5. Then add a comment below containing the link to your post (pingbacks don’t work). So we can all see your creations.
6. Check out what other folks are doing for new ideas.

I can hardly wait to see what you create.

July creations:

• The Inkwell
• This, that and the other
• Xingfu Mama Blog
• Pictures Imperfect Blog
• Bend Branches

Here’s my one-to-three contribution for this month:

Directions for my methods:

For the first two of this month’s three, I experimented within the GIMP and the G’mic plugin. For information about the GIMP and G’mic check out my GIMP Articles and Tutorials page.

The original for this month is an out of camera JPG. I used some simple techniques in the GIMP to enhance the image. I used layer blending with masks. To enhance the sky I used the multiply blend mode, and to enhance the foreground I used the addition blend mode (with a reduced opacity).

After enhancing the photo I used the G’mic plugin’s Artistic filters.

The first variation is the G’mic Illustration Look.

And the second used two filters: Brushify to get a painterly effect and Simple Noise Canvas.

For my third take I used Topaz Studio 2. I applied a bunch of different filters and effects. I include a screen shot below showing the filters. The sun rays were added with the texture filter. I’d not used the filter that way before but I really liked how it made the sky look less blown out and the way it lit up the elephants.