Creative Efforts + Lexie

 

I have long admired the painterly effect that results when a photograph of a flower is combined with a layer of texture.  I researched how to do it myself, and found a few available textures online, but I never liked the idea of using a texture created by someone else.  Is it still my photograph if half the end product was created by another?  Technically, probably yes, but it still didn't sit well with me.  Then serendipity stepped in.

Quite by accident, I saw my favorite glove through the lens of my iPhone and immediately realized  I could use it as a texture overlay.  I saved the intentionally blurred photo, and in the iPhone app, Blender,  combined it with an amaryllis blooming in my room.

 

Cool, huh?

That was so much fun, I looked around my house for more textures, specifically something red that would go well with another amaryllis bloom.

 

Can you guess what I used to create this final photo?

Click on it to see a larger image.

I am happy to claim the entire photo as my own creative endeavor.  I even grew the amaryllis! Interesting textures are everywhere and my iPhone is always with me, so now I have a whole album of potential overlays.  I am inspired to try this with photos taken with my Nikon.  Stay tuned.

P.S.

Lexie and I have been together 31 days already.  She is still shy and easily spooked, but also funny and affectionate when she comes out hiding.  Here she is relaxed on my couch.

Lexie

Happy 2013.  For me this will be the Year of the Cat.  I adopted Lexie from Town Cats (a rescue group) in Morgan Hill.  I love her marbled color and the splash of black on her face.  I think we will get along very well.  What's new in your world?