Doing the Orton.

[TimIngmire]

Seatreker has posted some great photos which used the "Orton" technique to fab effect.

I'd never heard of it before but after a quick search I found out a really simple description of how to do it so couldn't resist playing with some of my existing images.

What do you think? I've added the original wrasee shot for you to compare

[Cussy]

Interesting.

I also googled it (and after the sarcasm earlier I even checked Flickr!!). It's one of those techniques that it's not immediately obvious what it will work on. It obviously works well in photos of extreme contrast, so bright sunrays may look pretty good. It also seems to work well in images with high saturation, often giving a similar result to HDR images.

Personally I prefer the original wrasse, but that's mainly because we strive for sharpness and that's lost in the processed image (unless I've got the order the wrong way round!).
Rob

[Cussy]

Just been messing around with this. I'm finding it doesn't do a great deal in photos that I have processed in Lightroom. However, it "rescues" over-exposed images brilliantly!
Rob

[Mike W]

Nice technique, been looking for something like this for a while. Lots of playing to do before I'm really sorted with the technique, but here's one of mine that I think suits the process beautifully:



Before, left, after, right.

And here's the address of a how-to page:

The Orton Effect - Digital Photography Tip of the Week at PCIN.net Update

[Seatreker]

For me the effect works well when used with caution................adding too much spoils an otherwise good shot............i dont think it works that well with underwater, as cussy says, we strive for sharpness.........unless i also have it all wrong. I prefer your sharp Wrasse...........
But............thats what forums are for, learning and experimenting.........photography is not an exact science, it is open to interpretation...........there is no good or bad............yes there are "fundamental" rules........... but the "God's" of photography do not become "Gods" by sticking to the existing rules...............they have broken them and in doing so, make new ones.
So............ just because i or you may not like a shot.............or it does'nt win a photo competition does not make it poor, or bad............it simply means that those viewing it dont like it.............still, there' no accounting for taste eh.............

[Seatreker]

Some topside shots that have been Ortonized......................












Mandarins......."Ortonized"......... spoils the shot i think......



What do you all think ??

[Mike W]

I think you like your fisheye

Like all effects, this suits some subjects but not all, and it would get repetitive and iritating quite quickly, mostly because of the contrast boost/posterisation of the colours.

Thanks for posting the technique.

[Seatreker]

I agree Mike............its like most new toys..............
But it definately does suit some situations............i dont think macro is one of them thogh,
I would like to see some w/a wreck shots use the effect just to see what you can achieve..............sadly i dont do wreck diving, not since i had my camera anyway..........

[Cussy]

I've been doing a lot of playing on this, just to see what its like.

I agree that it's not for macro, unless you are trying to make some sort of "dreamy" effect. Tim's shot of the Jewel anemone may be a time where it could work.

I also tend to process my images with high contrast, or at least enhanced contrast. Doing the Orton is then a bit detrimental to the image. However, if I use the original image I end up with something that isn't far off the effect I end up with in Lightroom.

Where it seems to work best is where you might consider HDR, so landscapes seem to benefit. Photos with strong colours also benefit from the saturation enhancement.

David, the woodland photo is where I can see it works best - strong contrast and bright colours. The blurring effect makes it look like movement in the branches. Your original shot you posted is cracking and bright sunlight and light effect shots seem to benefit from the Orton technique.
Rob

[Seatreker]

The "Red & Green" shot is lovely i think, it works well on that, it is a Canal actually, the green on the floor is the surface of the Canal.......... its as you leave or enter Stroud in Gloscester (have i spelt that right ?)