Trying to improve an image.

[CaroleHayes]

That's gorgeous!! I liked the original pic, but I LOVE that edit!! (I like both of your samples, too!)

I JUST heard about this technique for the first time a couple of days ago, and I'm DYING to play with it but I'm spending all my time setting up my new computer, so I can't play yet. Now I want to play even more!

[susangilbertphotographer]

well thank you. goodness such praise and i was just trying to help out someone. LOL thank you all very much. I am humbled

[Bennie]

Hi Susan,
You did a great job on the photos.

The only thing I would add, is don't erase. Make a layer mask on the texture, and then "paint away". That way if you mess up, you don't have to travel back in the history.....you simply just "paint it back in".
Make sense?
Anyoo, wonderful edit.

[bands321]

LOVE Flickr for textures.

check out this group....tons and tons :)

http://www.flickr.com/groups/texturewhores/

[trac76002]

Originally Posted by PhotoDude79

I personally like the space on the left, gives a better sense of composition.

I agree with PhotoDude, I like the composition of the original.

[T. Adam Martin]

Originally Posted by Bennie

Hi Susan,
You did a great job on the photos.

The only thing I would add, is don't erase. Make a layer mask on the texture, and then "paint away". That way if you mess up, you don't have to travel back in the history.....you simply just "paint it back in".
Make sense?
Anyoo, wonderful edit.

+1 This.

Complete as much non-destructive editing as you can and layer adjustments are a beautiful thing.

Also, use your info panel and curves panel to identify the diffuse highlight point so you don't blow out the details in your highlights. If you set your diffuse highlight around ~95% you can make sure you get that glowing effect but you don't lose any of the details.