Thursday, October 30, 2014

Painting with Photographs

There's a number of programs out there that will give your photos that "painted" look. One that I've been trying out recently is called Topaz Impressions [http://www.topazlabs.com/impression]. It's not cheap ($100), but the good news is they have a generous 30-day free trial.  I'm about 10 days into my trial period, and thought I would share a few photos I've edited using this program.
Old Car - Original photo
Old Car "Painting" - Topaz Impression
Framed by Joshua Trees - Original photo
Framed by Joshua Trees - Charcoal "sketch" using Topaz Impression
Running in the Park - Original Photo
Running in the Park "Painting" - Topaz Impression
Joshua Trees & Moon - Original photos
Joshua Trees & Moon "Painting" - Topaz Impressions
Let me know what you think. Do you like the edits? Linking with Skywatch Friday. Thanks for stopping by!
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39 comments:

  1. StephanieOctober 30, 2014 at 7:39 PM

    I saw that Impressions by Topaz but did not know that there is a 30 day trial. Thanks for posting that. I will give it a try on the weekend. I really like the old car edit the best. Great post!

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  2. CloudiaOctober 30, 2014 at 9:04 PM

    These are Art! Thank you for sharing them.

    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^= . <3

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  3. AnonymousOctober 30, 2014 at 10:57 PM

    Wonderful shots - I really like the Topaz effect.

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  4. IndraniOctober 30, 2014 at 11:50 PM

    Good results indeed.
    Happy SWF!

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  5. Billy Blue EyesOctober 31, 2014 at 12:40 AM

    Nice idea but nor someting I would pay out for as I doubt I'd use it. Like the first one best

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  6. Icy BCOctober 31, 2014 at 1:27 AM

    These are very pretty!

    I used Photoscape, Pixlr express, and PicMonkey, all free, when I want to play around with my photos.

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  7. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"October 31, 2014 at 1:58 AM

    Some nice effects but the original photos are splendid without. In the early days of photography people like Julia Margaret Cameron went to a lot of trouble to make their photographs look like paintings, then most photographers moved in the opposite direction. Now we have the choice without having to go to too much trouble.

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  8. eileeninmdOctober 31, 2014 at 2:17 AM

    Wow, they are all wonderful.. I love the sky shot.. Have a happy weekend!

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  9. From The HeartOctober 31, 2014 at 2:42 AM

    All are great...before and after. I like the oldtruck.

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  10. s.cOctober 31, 2014 at 3:57 AM

    It really does its work. Running in the park is for me the nicest one. Thanks for showing.

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  11. Light and VoicesOctober 31, 2014 at 5:24 AM

    You are having a lot of fun with this Topaz effect. My favorite photograph of the series is running in the park.
    JM, Illinois

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  12. LaloofahOctober 31, 2014 at 7:43 AM

    Oh wow, these are uncanny! Turns you from an Ansel Adams into a Renoir, just like that. :-) My favorite is the first one - such a great subject for what I'd swear is a painting! Beautiful! I'll have to stay tuned (as if I wouldn't anyway) to see if you end up springing for Topaz after your free trial is up. In the meantime, have fun with it, and Happy Halloween!

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  13. Nanda kumarOctober 31, 2014 at 8:49 AM

    beautiful series

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  14. HeatherOctober 31, 2014 at 11:47 AM

    Cool program. I don't like the second one so much, but love the way the others turned out.

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  15. AnonymousOctober 31, 2014 at 12:21 PM

    Lovely, they resemble paintings. You have turned your images into great works of art.

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  16. JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes)October 31, 2014 at 12:42 PM

    Looks like a lot of fun. I love finding out about new programs. Especially love the charcoal painting.

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  17. SusanOctober 31, 2014 at 3:32 PM

    Those are awesome, makes them look like paintings!

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  18. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiOctober 31, 2014 at 9:58 PM

    I like the first photo edit the best,, and I think the last photo looks better left normal as it is so beautiful. If you enjoy it then it's worth the money!

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  19. EricaStaOctober 31, 2014 at 10:45 PM

    Thank you for your tip ..... Your results looking greatful. I take a Software called Akvis. It's a Plug-in for adobe photoshop. My favorite is the old Car.
    Heidrun

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  20. GattinaNovember 1, 2014 at 3:14 AM

    The result is very good on all pictures !

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  21. Minoru SaitoNovember 1, 2014 at 3:25 AM

    Hi! I like 3rd and 4th photos edit. Your original photos are very beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

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  22. MridulaNovember 1, 2014 at 6:02 AM

    Such a lovely collection!

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  23. MerisiNovember 1, 2014 at 6:19 AM

    Truly amazing what these programs can do with the right originals!
    Suddenly, my pictures feel unfinished. ;-)

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  24. Share my GardenNovember 1, 2014 at 8:03 AM

    I actually much prefer your original photographs to the altered images. Why? Because your photos are so much crisper and also the edited work looks like paintings taken from photos, if you know what I mean! Perhaps I'm a bit sensitive on this topic as I used to earn my living as an illustrator before computer programmes like these turned everyone into 'artists'!

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  25. Thomas LeeNovember 1, 2014 at 8:52 AM

    Wow! Amazing art work

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  26. Kenneth Cole SchneiderNovember 1, 2014 at 11:06 AM

    I love the painting effects. Of course what really makes them pop is the fact that they stat with excellent and artfully composed photos.

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  27. colleenNovember 1, 2014 at 11:53 AM

    It gives a surreal feeling. I love the truck (both shots). Hope it never takes the place of hand painting with paint.

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  28. ValerieNovember 1, 2014 at 1:22 PM

    I like the treatment given the truck photo best. Isn't it amazing what these software programs can do?! (Thanks for dropping by my blog too - happy weekend)

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  29. AnonymousNovember 2, 2014 at 6:19 AM

    Those are wonderful effects. I specially love the 'painting' "Running in the park".

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  30. AlNovember 2, 2014 at 6:40 AM

    I do like them, but that's a pretty expensive program.

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  31. Yogi♪♪♪November 2, 2014 at 7:19 AM

    I have another Topaz program (forget which) and although expensive it does really well. It seems that I got mine on some sort of special for about $60 or so as an add on to Corel Draw. I'll have to check it out. This looks fun.

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  32. Sallie (FullTime-Life)November 2, 2014 at 8:07 AM

    Your photos are so good it doesn't seem like they need edits, but I guess it's like cooking, you have to start with the best ingredients before you play around! And it does look like fun. I think the old truck maybe looks better with the edit ...seems even more poignant .

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  33. Gail DixonNovember 3, 2014 at 5:37 PM

    Wow, the edits are really amazing. Love the results. I've heard of this program but didn't realize it was so pricey.

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  34. Yogi♪♪♪November 5, 2014 at 4:26 AM

    I've been experimenting with Impressions and really like it. It is hard to find discounts on it though. I'm going to continue with the free trial period and decide what to do later.

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  35. Pat TillettNovember 5, 2014 at 10:21 PM

    I do like them! It's a bit pricey, but the trail period might induce me to check it out.

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  36. cedarmerefarmNovember 5, 2014 at 10:31 PM

    That is a great program. I do like the "paintings" particularly the Old Car. But, the "paintings" would not have
    been any good if the photos weren't good. I like your photos.

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  37. DougPhoto2009November 8, 2014 at 9:51 AM

    Old car impressive. Thanks for sharing.

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  38. Nathalie H.D.November 22, 2014 at 4:50 AM

    Your original photos were wonderful so you were off to a good start but I have to say the software looks fantastic. The first image works particularly well for me. Are you going to buy the program?

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  39. KorynDecember 6, 2014 at 7:35 PM

    I'm a fan of Topaz Labs too! Aside from the Topaz Adjust, I like the Topaz DeNoise. Helps with all those pesky low light noise haha.

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