Portrait of a fly
by aliqui

Comment:
Great detail, especially the head, the colour version looks better imho

outtake.jpg
by aliqui

Comment:
This is quite cool, I like the tones but I prefer the colour version you entered :)

The Horrifying 'Vanishing Beer' Incident
by TrollMan

Comment:
from me in Posthumous Ribbons

Can you see?
by jpverkamp

Comment:
from me in Posthumous Ribbons

Bottle Abstract
by luvmyaussie

Comment:
from me in Posthumous Ribbons

F l y i n g L e s s o n s
by JimiRose

Comment:
from me in Posthumous Ribbons

Far and Away
by iyadrally

Comment:
from me in Posthumous Ribbons

Three Graces
by Alicia

Comment:
from me in Posthumous Ribbons

Tricycle
by choltmeier

Comment:
> I duplicated the background, used a Gaussian Blur on it and reduced opacity to 51%. If I can use Gaussian Blur, do I have to use it on the background layer?

Yes, that is the issue. You can't duplicate the background layer in basic, you can only use layers with no image data, eg a curves or levels layer and only applied in normal mode. So you can only use Gaussian Blur on the background layer in basic (and therefore no option to change opacity). Hope that makes sense, if not pm me ....

Fine to duplicate background layers in advanced and do what you did or apply layers in duplicate or soft light mode etc.

It's still a great image and a shame about the DQ

A Fire and SUGAR!
by SandyP

Comment:
Yum Yum!