Summer of Color and Abstract Photo "Sunset"

Summer of Color Challenge: We are given a color scheme and asked to create something with that scheme. This week the color scheme is aqua blue, yellow and hot pink.

NF Photography prompt: Abstract Photo
 

This is my creation for Summer of Color using this week's
color scheme and also for NF photography to create an abstract
from a photo. Below, find the abstracted image I
originally created and the photo that inspired both.
Although I didn't intend to do it, the aqua reminds me of
water in a Japanese woodcut print.

"SUNSET"

Original photo taken in April 2009
at Moraine State Park in PA.
I never liked this photo much but knew
I could do something with it.

Photoshop Tutorial: using embossing or bas relief filters 

If you've ever tried "embossing" or "bas relief" filters in Photoshop, you ended up with an ugly gray layer and may have wondered for what you could ever use those filters.

Try this:
After you have finalized your photo, enhanced the way you want, duplicate the layer. Make sure all layers are merged so that the filter will be applied to the entire image, unless you want to apply it to only one layer. I like to keep all the layers on my file saved in Photoshop, so I don't like to merge them.
(continued below photos)


I usually save my image as a Photoshop file so all layers are saved, then again as a jpg to merge all the layers. Then I open the jpg file, duplicate the layer and apply one of these filters to it, then add "embossed" or "bas relief" to the file name so I retain copies of my enhanced image before & after these filters are applied.

On the duplicate layer, change the mode (above the layers) from "normal" to "overlay."
Use either the Emboss filter (under Sketch) or the Bas relief (Filter Gallery under Stylize). Move the sliders up or down as desired.

If you choose Bas relief, set colors to black foreground and white background, unless you want to change the color of your image somewhat. On Bas relief, you will not be able to tell exactly how the image will look until after you hit OK. But you can always "undo" (or delete the Bas Relief layer) and try again.

If you choose to Emboss, make sure you have "Preview" checked so you can view what is happening to your image when you move the sliders ---you will be able to see what the finished photo will look like. When satisfied, hit OK.

(Note that with Emboss, the layer turns gray, but usually has bits of color in it.  When the layer is set at overlay, the image on the layer below it will show through after hitting OK.  Sometimes those bits of color look great, but sometimes they don't.  If you don't like them, make sure you are on the Emboss overlay layer, go to Color Saturation and move the Saturation slider all the way to the left.)

If you think the filter effect you achieved is too much on either Emboss or Bas Relief, change the opacity of the overlay layer until you find just the right amount for your image or go back and try again with different settings.

After you've completed your Embossed or Bas Relief layer, if you still want to make changes to your image with levels, color saturations, etc. You need to make them on the layer below the overlay layer.