So about a month ago, I found myself up late at night with nothing to do, so naturally, I headed over to Twitter to find other people suffering from insomnia still awake. I happened to see a tweet from Totally Rad Actions asking people to submit their best stripper names for a chance to Beta test a new texturing program called Dirty Pictures. The late night creative juices were flowing, and the perfect name popped in to my head: Roxie Glitterhips. Well, at least I thought it was perfect. And, turns out Chenin Boutwell liked it too, and I was one of the lucky winners.
Enough back story- let’s get to the good part. First, I can’t even tell you how cool it was to get to Beta test this. I know you other photographers can relate to my school-girlish euphoria, because not only was I CC’d on a email by Jessica Claire, but the man genius himself, Doug Boutwell, called me personally to walk me through the program. (And I somehow managed to start talking to him about my kid’s diapers. Who does that?!)
Anyway, the program is AWESOME! I have honestly never been too in to textures before because I found them a little time consuming. I would try one, and then think, but maybe another would look better. So, back to the drawing board. But with Dirty Pictures, you can preview what the entire set of textures will look like on your image, tweek the opacity, and change the blending mode all with a click. And did I mention it automatically adjusts itself to the size and orientation of your image? Sa-weet!
The textures themselves are incredibly versatile, and lend themselves to a variety of different images, from newborns to weddings. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Check out the before and after’s below from talented friends across the country. (Mouse over for the before version.)
This texture is called Booty LaRue, and I love the way it enhances this image from Susan Berman of Whimsical Photo & Design in Olympia, WA.
Johnny Thunderpants is the perfect compliment to this image from Nicole Fields, a fabulous lifestyle photographer in Sacramento, CA.
This image from Bernadette Uzcategui, an awesome Philadelphia based photographer, looks great with Gemini Dolce added to it.
I love the dreamy, sort of water-color feel that Foxy Laurinda gives to this image by Ashley Turner, a Columbia, MO based wedding photographer. (And am I the only one who thinks the bride looks like Evangeline Lilly? Gorgeous!)
Lola Lovespell gives a hazy, sunny feel to this image by Spokane, WA based photographer Jaidean Baker.
Mercedes Diamond gives a vintage feel to this stunning maternity image by Washington D.C. based photographer Kelly Moffat Saeed of KelPhoto.
Here, Lola Lovespell give subtle depth to this image by San Deigo Lifestyle Photographer Brianne Brose.
Ginger Savannah looks perfect on this bright and colorful image from Cincinnati, OH based photographer Jessica Wright.
Doesn’t Starla Fontaine look yummy on this image from Boston, MA based photographer Kristina Young?
This is Sapphire Velvet on this super fun image from Philadelphia based photographer April Ziegler
This image by Birmingham, Alabama based photographer Stephanie Fisher is enhanced with Dixie Mimosa.
Check out the subtlety of Montana Sunfire on this portrait by Southern California photographer Rachel Rhien Tucker of Rachel Clare Photography.
And in contrast, the not so subtle use of Bubba Wildcat on Boston based Helen Makadia’s photo.
Another example of subtle use, I love the warm glow Johnny Thunderpants adds to this image by Rhode Island photographer Amy Rogalski of Amy Ro Photography.
Keri Doolittle is a fab Phoenix, AZ based wedding photographer, and her image gets some added impact from Cinnamon Windsor.
Connecticut based photographer Crista Acosta’s image gets a little boost from Destiny Starr.
Here is an example of how Destiny Starr can look on an indoor image. I love the way it looks on this image from Pittsburgh, PA based Seedling’s Photography.
Check out Ginger Savannah on Baltimore based Ashley Layfield’s image!
Booty LaRue isn’t just for adults, I love the way it looks on this darling image from Portland, OR based photographer Laura Renee.
I am loving the way Maxi Mercer looks on this fab maternity image from Boise, ID based Diana Palmer of Yan Photo.
And of course, my personal favorite, Roxie Glitterhips adds just a little something to this image by award-winning Austin based photographer Lyndsay Stradtner of Life in Motion Photography. This image is extra special because it is of the gorgeous Brandi Head, who made this post possible with her amazing coding skills. Thanks again, Brandi!
Like what you see? Of course you do! I am telling you- this is going to be THE texturing program to have. You can even add your own favorites to the library. It will be worth every penny of it’s $149 pricetag, and you can sign up here with Totally Rad to find out when it is released to the public. If you want a sneak peek of the program in action, check it out here!
Update: From 9/23- 9/30 you can get $25 off the program when you enter the code “andrearoberts” at checkout!
Signature for me, can’t turn down that Salty Caramel!
yum!
kim schmidt (8 comments.) posted the following on August 29, 2009 at 8:43 pm.
that is too funny that he always starts it with “so”. and what an adorable photo you got! have fun in iowa city.