Peggy Nugent
October 2025 - Forest Elf
Original
Original 2
Original 3
About the Image(s)
This is a variation on last month's image. I really liked an in-process version, so I went from there and added the elf to that full-color version. Here was my procedure prior to adding the elf, who was added in Difference mode at 40% opacity.
From last month:
I cloned out distractions and used transform=>perspective followed by free transform to correct the shortening effect of perspective. I added a warming filter. I added the pink flower in Color mode, masking out the tree trunks. I applied Topaz Glow to the green flower to accentuate the petals, resized and slightly warped it in several layers for the tree tops, masking overlapping sections.
6 comments posted
Peggy, I love the Elf! Thank you for giving away the secret of creating fairy dust! The luminous blend of the pastel colors is lovely. I think that the Elf has just stepped from the mists of fairyland to the border and stopped to watch at something, a little wary. His body language leads one into the story. - Where did you find such a perfect character? Posted: 10/16/2025 05:04:28
Thanks, Kirsti! Posted: 10/17/2025 17:46:10
The elf is very additive to the scene, and very pleasingly so! The colors here evoke the fantasy as do the scale of the trees. As before, adding the flowering tops to the trees is very effective. The added grain works well, though perhaps a bit less on the elf and trees closer to the front to provide some separation.
You have once again created a super fun image! Posted: 10/16/2025 18:35:13
You have once again created a super fun image! Posted: 10/16/2025 18:35:13
Thanks, Matt!
I'm going to give some thought to your suggestion about varying the grain effect with distance. I have several other sand pictures I want to composite and that's something worth keeping in mind. Thanks! Posted: 10/17/2025 17:52:16
I'm going to give some thought to your suggestion about varying the grain effect with distance. I have several other sand pictures I want to composite and that's something worth keeping in mind. Thanks! Posted: 10/17/2025 17:52:16
What an imaginative exploration you've embarked on with this and the other image. I love how you capitalize on shapes that suggest trees in the sand patterns. I'm a big fan of pareidolia and exploiting it in photoshop. The magical work you do to create the texture and colors is inspiring. I have no suggestions to improve this one. Posted: 10/19/2025 22:21:31
Hi Peggy,
I really like this month's image! The colourful trees create a joyful feeling, and the inclusion of the little elf complements the scene so well. I also love how you used the flowers to create a canopy over the trees. Posted: 10/21/2025 13:09:46
I really like this month's image! The colourful trees create a joyful feeling, and the inclusion of the little elf complements the scene so well. I also love how you used the flowers to create a canopy over the trees. Posted: 10/21/2025 13:09:46