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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Fun With Fractalius
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 10/19/2009 02:09:43 AM · #1
As a registered owner of an earlier version of their program, I not too long ago received an email that they had updated their product. I haden't used it in a little while and forgot how fun it can be to use so I worked on some new images with it. Certainly not allowable in any of the challenges (is it?) but you can get some interesting effects. It is a photoshop plugin and I think they have one for Lightroom now too. I usually make a duplicate layer of the original and use layer masks so I can bring back in some of the original- like the eyes of an animal or a surfer in the first couple. It has helped save some otherwise uninteresting photos. The jaguar was too blury and probably would have been deleted and the contrast was extremely low in the surfing photos but now are much more interesting in my opinion. Seems to work best with fairly simple subjects. You can do more graphic (line drawing) sorts of effects, but I tend to like more of a glow to mine. Just thought some people may be interested in trying it out too. No I am not involved with them in any way which is why I am not providing any link although after reading this post it does sound like a spam post trying to sell it.


10/19/2009 03:59:50 AM · #2
Nawp... That is SO not-legal in any DPC ruleset, including (I believe) the "expert" ruleset, though I could be wrong on that. Crazy stuff, though :-)

R.
 10/19/2009 04:13:17 AM · #3
Not legal for normal challenges - true - but GREAT for the occasional side challenge...



to me, fractalius is like the lensbaby - fun to pull out and go to town on a few images or for a series, but it can quickly lose it's appeal after seeing too many images that it was used on.

Jeff - the images you posted are terrific and a good use of the filter for exactly what you said - helping some otherwise uninteresting photos.
 10/19/2009 07:50:56 AM · #4
I have some scattered throughout my portfolio too. Here's one...
10/19/2009 08:21:57 AM · #5
Originally posted by JeffryZ:


This is gorgeous!
 10/19/2009 11:04:57 AM · #6
Do they make it for PSP?
 10/19/2009 11:18:14 AM · #7
Very cool on from _DaveA_ DQed
10/19/2009 12:09:21 PM · #8
Originally posted by KarenNfld:
Do they make it for PSP?


It's on the list... //www.redfieldplugins.com/index.htm
 10/20/2009 06:57:19 AM · #9
Trouble is it ain't available for Mac OS.................!
 10/20/2009 07:43:41 AM · #10
I'm not sure what he changed in the "new" version but it doesn't seem to behave the same as the previous. I haven't used it much since the change so maybe I just need to play around with it more. One thing to keep in mind is that it's nearly impossible to use on a large image unless you're willing to wait a lonnnng time. Unfortunately it's only 8 bit and when I inquired I was told there were no plans to make a 16 bit version.

As far as legality in advanced challenges, I'd say that it depends on what you use it for. The examples posted here probably wouldn't fly, but if you use a touch of it in other layer modes besides "normal" you may be ok. Of course, check with SC just to make sure.

A few of my faves:


These two also had a touch of it, not sure if they would be legal or not in advanced:


10/20/2009 01:22:15 PM · #11
The new version seem a bit faster but you are right, it is still pretty slow. I usually only use it on photos already resized for web use (700- 800 pixels long side). There are a couple more presets on it too (which I have not cared to use so far).
10/20/2009 01:29:07 PM · #12
Originally posted by Ken:

As far as legality in advanced challenges, I'd say that it depends on what you use it for.


I know it was allowed in a challenge before because I asked about an image that used it and SC said it was okay because it wasn't strong enough to be seen as adding new elements. That was probably a year ago and I don't remember the photo or the challenge.
 10/20/2009 02:42:56 PM · #13
Originally posted by JeffryZ:
As a registered owner of an earlier version of their program, I not too long ago received an email that they had updated their product. I haden't used it in a little while and forgot how fun it can be to use so I worked on some new images with it. Certainly not allowable in any of the challenges (is it?) but you can get some interesting effects. It is a photoshop plugin and I think they have one for Lightroom now too. I usually make a duplicate layer of the original and use layer masks so I can bring back in some of the original- like the eyes of an animal or a surfer in the first couple. It has helped save some otherwise uninteresting photos. The jaguar was too blury and probably would have been deleted and the contrast was extremely low in the surfing photos but now are much more interesting in my opinion. Seems to work best with fairly simple subjects. You can do more graphic (line drawing) sorts of effects, but I tend to like more of a glow to mine. Just thought some people may be interested in trying it out too. No I am not involved with them in any way which is why I am not providing any link although after reading this post it does sound like a spam post trying to sell it.



Great examples! Never heard of this plugin before, gonna have to check it out. My favs are the jaguar and the first surfer.
 10/20/2009 04:53:40 PM · #14
Originally posted by KarenNfld:
Originally posted by Ken:

As far as legality in advanced challenges, I'd say that it depends on what you use it for.


I know it was allowed in a challenge before because I asked about an image that used it and SC said it was okay because it wasn't strong enough to be seen as adding new elements. That was probably a year ago and I don't remember the photo or the challenge.


I remember not too long ago somebody obviously used it in an advanced challenge but it wasn't dq'd, although maybe nobody challenged it.
 10/21/2009 02:16:02 PM · #15
I came across it when I saw a zebra picture on the Kodak Picture of the Day and thought it was pretty cool.
10/21/2009 06:23:11 PM · #16
Originally posted by JeffryZ:
I came across it when I saw a zebra picture on the Kodak Picture of the Day and thought it was pretty cool.

Yes, it is pretty cool and I just tried it for the first time.
While it takes forever and ten days to work its magic, it does produce some nice work.
Thanks for mentioning it.

10/21/2009 06:35:55 PM · #17
Been along time since I used Fractalius, but here are a few of mine..



I really love what the OP did with it... makes me wish I had more "play" time..
 10/21/2009 07:28:20 PM · #18
Originally posted by sfalice:
Originally posted by JeffryZ:
I came across it when I saw a zebra picture on the Kodak Picture of the Day and thought it was pretty cool.

Yes, it is pretty cool and I just tried it for the first time.
While it takes forever and ten days to work its magic, it does produce some nice work.
Thanks for mentioning it.

Yeah, it does take a long time on a full sized image which is why I usually use it on smaller ones. It is hard to make finer adjustments too since you have to wait a while for it to process each adjustment you make. Lots of nice examples in the thread!
10/22/2009 01:08:16 AM · #19
I made a new one based on a recent challenge entry (topical for the end of the month!)

10/22/2009 09:20:01 AM · #20
Originally posted by JeffryZ:
Originally posted by sfalice:
Originally posted by JeffryZ:
I came across it when I saw a zebra picture on the Kodak Picture of the Day and thought it was pretty cool.

Yes, it is pretty cool and I just tried it for the first time.
While it takes forever and ten days to work its magic, it does produce some nice work.
Thanks for mentioning it.

Yeah, it does take a long time on a full sized image which is why I usually use it on smaller ones. It is hard to make finer adjustments too since you have to wait a while for it to process each adjustment you make. Lots of nice examples in the thread!

If you run it on a sized-down image, so your adjustments run faster, can you then record those adjustments and run them on the full-sized image and get the same result?

I ask because I'm a huge tweaker. It looks pretty neat, but I wouldn't bother with it unless I could have nearly real-time feedback due to my A.D.D.

Message edited by author 2009-10-22 09:21:10.
 10/22/2009 09:32:22 AM · #21
I've been goofing with this plug-in while processing a TON of pics from last weekend. I have one I'm totally in love with, but can't share it yet because it's original file is in a challenge right now. :(

Still fun thing to play with, but easy to do a horrible job with it too.
10/22/2009 10:13:06 AM · #22
A couple more of my faves:

10/22/2009 10:14:32 AM · #23
I just edited this one (from last week). Only used fractalius to give some sparkle to the background - not at all on the subject.


10/22/2009 10:34:46 AM · #24
Hmmm... I have a feeling $40 US is going to be leaving my pocket soon. Then I can work as a felt blanket designer.



Message edited by author 2009-10-22 10:35:27.
 10/22/2009 10:48:55 AM · #25

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