Filters

Filters are a favorite because they are fun to just play with and see what type of effects you can do to a photo, of course always work with a copy so as not to ruin the original.
This first picture I went with the glowing edges and adjusted the edge width and smoothness then covered it with plastic wrap and adjusted highlight strength and detail.

the original

In this pic I solarized it then added a diffused glow.

the original

This next shot I used dodge & burn to change the shadows .

the original

for a little extra fun I used the liquid filter on my woodpecker photo

My niece with glowing edges and plastic wrap

I like how you can adjust brightness and colors in just a selected area instead of having to adjust the whole picture at once.
This picture I decided to just have a little fum I first brightened the trees on the left then darkened the rest of the tree line, next I darkened the sky a little. When I got to the snow I played with brightness levels and curves and adjusted color balance and hue.

Here is the original.

This picture I selected an area and adjusted the color balance, and hue.

The original.

An extra one

magic crops

This first image is a woodpecker that was out the other day I start wit the simple crop.

this is the original

here is the same shot with some lasso and copy work.

this next pic is some magic wanding ( this tool is renamed in Photoshop CS5 as the quick selection tool ).

here is the original.

following are for fun extras first is more fun with magic wand.

original,

Toasted,

original toast,

Goose Step,

original goose,

Landscaped

Back out into the cold and wind we go. I know finding the "right" landscape can be a difficult task until you remember that anything outside the house is technically a landscape. I did however, add a few shots that are not recent just for color.
shot one is my poor snow covered raspberry patch and the trees behind.

Next is Whiteface Mt.

the rest are just to add color,

Champlain valley from NY side,

I still miss my bridge to Vt.

the road home,