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Yes. Instead of first doing the Gaussian blur and then changing the blending mode, if you first change the bending mode, you get to play with different values for the Gaussian blur and get the visual feedback at the same time, until you're happy with the effect.

Try this with flowers:
Open the image
Ctrl + J -- Make a copy layer of the backgrond, call it 'A'
Again Ctrl + J -- Make another copy, call it 'B'
Select B (topmost) and select the blending to Screen
Let B merge to A, call it C
Make a copy of C, call it D
select the blending mode to Overlay
Select D layer, Gaussian blur it until you're happy with the effect
Merge it to C, you can adjust the opacity to reduce too much of an Orton effect now, may be now you can flatten everything if you want.

Clevermax,

Thanks a lot for that tutorial. Will give that try tonight and post the results here. :)

BTW, is there a site that you follow to learn these techniques? I follow DPS, how about you?

@deky
Cool Panorama there!

A couple of portraits of 2 very interesting faces.



Regards,
TG.

Couple of pics from my recent trip from my puny 5MP camera.

I don't follow any particular site, I browse and learn from wherever possible. plus I try to discover my own ways of doing things - that gives more pleasure ;-) In fact, I had done blurred layer overlay even before I knew it is called Orton effect.

I don't know what is DPS? What is it? please:


@TG: Really nice portraits. Haven't seen you in here for a while...

These photos were taken on 13th June in Manali.

I spotted this lily from a considerable distance. Zoomed my 18~135 to the fullest and shot:



On the Mall Road, Manali this young boy was performing with elan:



These two young urchins were intently watching the above performance, when I focussed on them. Just as I was about to press the trigger the boy turned and looked at me:



C&C, knives, accolades etc.. are awaited..:)

These photos are only cropped and not PPed, as I prefer as it is.

@HellwratH:

I have found that it is better to provide Multiply blending mode the second time instead of Overlay, in what I described. Here's a sample... Picture taken from the garden of my friend's house.

Clevermax,

DPS is Digital photography school. An awesome site. Check it out
Digital Photography Tips: Digital Photography School

And their forums,
Digital Photography School - Photography Forums


Hmm, I don't go with overlay every time actually. I just start with overlay, if I don't like it I undo it and try soft light and so on. I have realized soft light works well in 95% of the portrait shots.

TG; you know some beautiful people:D

ram.west: where is this?

GD: run !

clevermax: Flower Show at TRV; hope you know

The photo was take from Kothayar Dam, Tirunelveli. There are quite a couple of dams around it. Its all part of the Kalakad - MundanthuraiTiger Reserve Forest.

To where & why? Am I missing something?

:) was pulling your leg

That kid reminds me of you:D

ram; that is a new info to me. Never ever thought Tirunelveni to have dams!

Aha, must check my geneology. A case of missing siblings in Kumbh ka mela, a la manmohan desai..?

BTW, what does that kid remind you 'bout me?

And here comes one (three of the same type) of the flowers from Lalbagh flower show. I only had my nifty fifty and this is what came out of it. I love this flower, because of the shades and the kind of dreamy look it portrays.

@HW: Very nice processing there. How did you manage to get the three flowers in focus?