October Graphically Challenged

[Robyn Gough]

Are you ready for the next Graphically Challenged? :yahoo: :yippee:

For the October Graphically Challenged I thought we might make the challenge ....

'SELECTIVE BLUR'

The challenge is to practise your photo editing skills to give your photo a selective blur. I have prepared a photoshop tutorial (http://robyngough.com/Tutorials/LensBlurTutorialbyRobynGough.pdf) which you can view to help you create the effect. Alternatively you can follow the tutorial invert your selection and use gaussian blur to create your blur effect.

For this challenge I want you to create a SINGLE PHOTO LAYOUT with a LENS BLUR or PARTIAL/SELECTIVE BLUR effect applied to your photo.

Good luck with the challenge, I can't wait to see what you all come up with!!


The Rules

You must use a DSP product (or lots and lots of products :D) in your layout. This can be store purchased, freebies, etc.
You must have your layout in the Graphically Challenged with Robyn (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showgallery.php?cat=6698) gallery by midnight on the 30th of November in order to be eligible for the drawing.
You must link back in this thread, so that I can grab a random winner from this thread.

What can you win?
One person will be randomly chosen at the end of the month and will receive a $3.99 store coupon! :drumroll:

Looking forward to seeing what you all come up with! Lets get blending!! You can get your Graphically Challenged Flair Here (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36564)!

[yvspeck]

Funny this should be this months challenge. I just read an article on using F-stops along with lens zoom to create good background blur and there was a big debate over camera created and photoshop created... Lots of fun to read... Looking forward to trying this.

[stitchmich]

great idea, Robyn!

[Muma]

PSP XI has something very similar ... Depth of field ..... you can choose a shape or freehand draw around the subject. Not really played with it yet but this will be fun

[happybeingamom]

Great great challenge, this tip really enhances photos and scrap pages.

Off to read your tutorial.

[Robyn Gough]

Funny this should be this months challenge. I just read an article on using F-stops along with lens zoom to create good background blur and there was a big debate over camera created and photoshop created... Lots of fun to read... Looking forward to trying this.

I have always loved experimenting with in camera depth of field, but this version of blur is a little different. I love how you can select the area you want sharp more precisely and therefore draw the eye towards the subject more. (particularly when there are other distracting elements than the background.)

I have some more photos using this technique but didn't have time to dig them out, I will see if I can find them when I have a few spare minutes.

Ooh, and I just remembered the name of the lens that they used to do a similar effect with! It is a camera with a tilt and shift lens. (usually 5x6 format camera or similar)

Here is some more info on the original pre-photoshop technique.
http://www.pdngearguide.com/gearguide/content_display/features/e3i6ce16e4967a316709425a922d0a51c71

Here is a cool sample of the technique
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/82652293/Stone?axd=DetailPaging.Generic%7C1&axs=0%7C82652293%7C0 (not something you can do with standard depth of field.)

Here is another one.
http://vladimirlongauer.photography.artlimited.net/image/Murder-In-The-Red-Barn-by-Biserko-Fercek-158789-en.html

And another (I find this one a bit too strong a blur, but everything in art is subjective!)
http://vladimirlongauer.photography.artlimited.net/image/Untitled-by-Jaume-Ventura-156786-en.html

Anyway, hope this helps give you the idea a little more. I will add to my article as soon as I get a chance to include the name of the lens. I couldn't think of it when I was writing it early this morning!

[Penny M]

I tried the tutorial for this photo, but it's hard to tell. I'll have to try again on another layout.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6775/thumbs/April-Dusty-Hues.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=336705)
Together (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=336705)

[dagwood]

thanks for the links....I can only dream about being able to take photos like these...I will have to stick to doing a selective blur in PS!

[Muma]

Great examples but I agree with the last image ... instead of enhancing the blur keeps distracting me from the clear image in the center.

[evergreen100]

Throwing my hat into the ring again for this one....

[TalyQ]

Ooh, I'd love to try this - will read through the tutorials.

[Roberta T]

I did a layout tonight, I was very eager to try this challenge. It was fun to learn about blurs, and I wanted to get a sense of movement. I was quite happy with my first attempt.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/blur.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=336738&cat=all&limit=last7)
Megan (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=336738&cat=all&limit=last7)

[dagwood]

and I have done one too.....my used the selective blur technique to blur out the jungle behind my niece and ape!
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/5293/thumbs/bridget-and-the-ape.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=336754&ppuser=27233)

[Sammimagoo]

I'll read up and give this a go

[Ging101]

is this due oct 30 or nov 30?

[Sammimagoo]

I have done mine, thanks for the challenge Robyn I had such a giggle doing this one :), I will move it into your gallery a bit later

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/994/thumbs/With-a-bottle-of-wine-125.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=337545)
With a bottle of wine (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=337545)

[Tusele]

This is a great effect...I'm off browsing my photo materials!

[Ging101]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com...p?photo=337759 (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=337759)
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Jerzy_-Sydney_-Josh-Christm.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=337759)

[wndyeliza]

Ok, Ms. Robyn....gonna try to get this one done. I've been thinking about this technique for sometime, but just haven't gotten off my butt to do it.

[Ineke]

Here is my layout using this great tutorial - thanks Robyn!

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/duck5.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=338036)
Quack Quack (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=338036)

[GrandmaCrys]

Robyn, I just loved this technique for getting rid of those pesky things in the BG! :D

Here's mine:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/2645/thumbs/GrandmaCrys_s-5-31-09-Carousel.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=338172)
Carousel (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=338172)

[lmilgram]

I used the technique in the tutorial and I think it worked great...then I cropped the photo so close, you can hardly tell...hope it still counts :D

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/500/thumbs/200910-12_EMJ_Believe.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=338244&ppuser=20717)

[ahmil29]

Just bumping around to see what else is going on at DSP and read the posts here. I am not a photographer but just a user :tup: of my hubby and daughter's photos. So selective blur is for me! :p

I blurred out everything except for my daughter and the goat. Unfortunately I don't know what else to do to complete this LO. :worried:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/500/thumbs/Staci_Goat_v1_1997_web.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335801&ppuser=155763)
Staci and the Goat (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335801&ppuser=155763)

[smatt644]

Here is mine, I used the radical blur filter on the background of the photo:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/sunny-dracatula_web.JPG (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=338426)

Count DraCATula

[evergreen100]

I dont have "lens blur" in my Paint Shop Pro version 8 options...is there a workaround? Is gaussian blur a suitable alternative?

[LovedinQuebec]

Here you go:) I THINK I got the challenge figured out:)

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Autumn-Squirrel-in-Quebec.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339144&nocache=1)

[Scrapping4Him]

I had to try this tutorial - it looks soooo cool. I chose a couple of different blur filters for my photos and totally love the results! Thanks so much Robyn!!!

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Aug09_NYC_39Steps_a.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339185&ppuser=5602)
The 39 Steps Play - left page (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339185&cat=500&ppuser=5602)

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Aug09_NYC_39Steps_b.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339181&ppuser=5602)
The 39 Steps Play - right page (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339181&cat=500&ppuser=5602)

[moog25]

I used the selective blur in my layout for Carole's current challenge. It really helped blend my photo with the creepy fog in the kit. I will definitely be using this effect in the future:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339424

[Scrapping4Him]

I had to do another - this time using Zoom blur, which in my CS3 is an option under the radial blur.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/7192/thumbs/Aug09_NYC_RooftopGarden.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339547&ppuser=5602)
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Aug09_NYC_RooftopGarden.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339547&ppuser=5602)
A Quiet Solitude (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339547&cat=500&ppuser=5602)

[luv2stamp82]

Here's mine, great challenge Robyn!!

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/A_GG-Grandmom.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339829)
Great-Great Grandmothe... (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339829)

[happybeingamom]

I am always at the last minute with this challenge.

Well here is mine

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/graphaclychallengedoct09.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339999)
Graphically Challenged.. (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339999)

[PQ FRAN]

I am getting in under the wire!

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6697/thumbs/shannon-1996-with-tara-sue.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339998)
Shannon 1996 (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=339998) User: PQ FRAN (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/member.php?uid=51256)

[tape]

Here's mine! :)
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/5293/thumbs/duck_tape.jpg
Moments Like This (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=340003)

[Robyn Gough]

I haven't finished commenting yet but will post the random winner soon. Loving what I have seen so far! Great work ladies!!!

Stay tuned for the November Challenge!!!

[Robyn Gough]

Sorry Ladies! Just realised I hadn't posted the random winner yet! My brain is not behaving itself of late and I forgot. Oops! :o

Anyway... wait for it.....

The random winner for October Graphically Challenged is....


:drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll:

smatt644

CONGRATS! Just send me a pm with your name and email address and I will organise for a store gift voucher to be sent to you. :tup: :witch: