The Classic

Sometimes the classic, simple effects are the best.  There are several ways to make a colored photo black and white and I don't recall exactly how I did this particular one.  I can imagine how wonderful it seemed when it became possible to do color photography.  But what goes around, comes around and it's still interesting to explore some black and white.

A Rainbow of Color

The Topaz filter on this flower added some vibrant color which I really liked.  The effect is called swirly strokes.  I don't see many swirls but I like it anyway.

Orange Indeed

This little beauty was transformed with a Topaz filter in the Impression collection called "Edward Hopper."  I'm not familiar with Mr. Hopper but I like his style and it worked nicely for this flower.

Succulent

This was a pretty big succulent.  I find succulents interesting and unique and they are good fodder for experimentation.  I applied a Chiaroscurol effect to this one which mellowed it out and added a nice texture.  Makes me think of the southwest for sure.

Chalked

This water lily was also at the Denver Botanical Garden.  Most of the color was natural but that didn't mean it couldn't be improved.  I applied a chalk pastel filter to it and got this soft effect.

Cezanne Technique

This group of yellow flowers certainly looked quite beautiful in their natural state but it was also interesting to try some of the painting techniques available in Topaz filters.  I settled on this effect by Cezanne.  He knew what he was doing.

Impasto In Pink

I'm not even sure what the impasto painting technique is but I didn't have to know for this piece because I just applied a Topaz filter from the Impressions collection to a photo of a zinnia (I believe) that was hanging upside down.  These painters are making me look good!

Misty In The Tropics

I took this photo in the Conservatory at the Denver Botanical Gardens just as a mist was being spread over the beautiful flowers.  I changed the coloring in Topaz Restyle and then put an Edward Hopper effect to it in Topaz Impressions.  I rather liked the end result.

Renoir

While at the Denver Botanical Garden in September I took not only photos of the Chihuly exhibit but I also shot some of the beautiful flowers.  I had a new Topaz filter called "Impressions" and I put that to work.  Shown to the right is the original photo and above is the photo with the filter Renoir filter applied.  What a nice way to make a painting.  I hope Renoir would be proud.

More Edward Hopper

This was a simple, single flower.  I enjoyed it's bright color and it was good fodder for play.  This time I used the Edward Hopper filter again and think the texture added to the overall effect.

Chihuly Comes To An End

Alas, the Chihuly exhibit came to an end.  These pieces were in the lobby of the Conservatory.  They were quite different from any of the other glass pieces and I especially admired those leaves.

I repeat, if you ever have a chance to see one of Chihuly's exhibits, by all means make an attempt to do so.  I hope I have done it justice with my photos.

So tomorrow we'll move on to a new subject.

Chihuly Inside

 There were even Chihuly displays inside the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory.  These were quite a bit harder to photograph because they were more tightly placed in the plants and lighting could be a problem.  But they were certainly no less beautiful than their counterparts that were outside.  This collection was titled, "Flores tropicales."  Couldn't linger too long to look because it was hot and humid! - but the glass seemed happy.

Renoir Style

While I was at the Denver Botanical Gardens in September I not only took photos of the Chihuly visit but also shot some of the beautiful flowers.  Then I had a new Topaz filter to play with called, "Impressions."  The original photo is shown to the left and the photo above is the result of applying a Renoir filter.  What a nice way to making a painting.  I hope Renoir would be proud.

Float Boat

The "Float Boat" was very colorful and certainly filled to capacity with floats.  However, it appears it was overfilled since some floats escaped to float directly on the water on the water.  I bet the kids loved the color in this display.  I know I did.

Chihuly Triple Play

This group of green beauties was also in the Monet Pool at the Denver Botanical Garden.  I don't know about you, but I'm thinking the garden is going to look a lot different when these pieces are removed.  I wonder if the garden will be able to buy one to keep permanently?  That would be nice.

Happy Halloween - Chihuly Style

Happy Halloween!  Chihuly really didn't have anything to do with Halloween--I just used his colorful orange tree for today's post.  It made me think of worms, too, which could be considered Halloweenish.  But really it's too pretty to even be thought of in conjunction with Halloween.

Chihuly Meets Monet

In the Monet Pool at the Denver Botanical Garden was this combination of Chihuly glass pieces (as well as some others).  The purple and green were a great combination and the lilies and water added to the effect.  Unfortunately a large, light-colored apartment building is a neighbor to the garden and it made a reflection on the water that didn't go so well with the exhibit so it was some tricky photography.  But the pool is big and there are other backgrounds so it worked out.

The Stream

A stream flowed down a short hill near the Japanese Garden and collections of glass balls were strategically placed in the flat areas of the stream.  I didn't note a name for this collection.  See that starburst on the balls?  Plain, old luck--but what a nice touch.

Float Boat

Along with the Walla Wallas was a whole boatload of glass which was named Float Boat.  Shades of blue and purple made a lovely combination.

Pagoda

There wasn't an area in the Denver Botanical Gardens that didn't have a display of Chihuly, though I'm still wondering how they decided what went where.  This was in the Japanese garden and the glass pieces are called "Walla Wallas" which I thought was clever since both the Walla Walla onions and the artist come from the state of WA.  The pieces must have been anchored because they didn't appear to be floating around.  Question of the day, would these pieces be displayed on the ground of a water element wasn't available? hmmmm