Photoshop Elements >

Orton Effect

The Orton Effect was first devise by Michael Orton using slide film.

He combined an out-of-focus slide with an in-focus slide of the same scene.

The resulting image has a glow.

Original

Orton-ized

You can can recreate the Orton effect with Photoshop Elements.

You'll:

• Duplicate the Background copy layer.

• Overexpose the new layer.

• Blur it.

• Adjust the opacity of the layer. 

Be sure to check off as you go along.

Preparation

1) Preserve your original file.

If you haven't already done so, go to Preserve Your Original File.

2) Create a Background copy layer.

If you haven't already done so, go to Create a Background Copy Layer.

Blur

3) Make sure the Background copy layer is active (highlighted).

4) Press Ctrl + j to copy the Background copy layer.

Background copy 2

Background copy

Background

5) Rename the Background copy 2 layer to Blur / Multiply / Opacity.

Blur / Multiply / Opacity

Background copy

Background

6) Make sure the Blur / Multiply / Opacity layer is active (highlighted).

7) Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, and enter a Radius value of 20 pixels or more.

8) Change the blending mode of the  Blur / Multiply / Opacity layer from Normal to Multiply.

Blending mode?

At the top of the layers stack, look for the unlabeled Blending Mode box.

It's to the left of the Opacity box.

If you're new to blending modes, go to Blending Modes.

9) Adjust the opacity of the Blur / Multiply / Opacity layer.

The Opacity box is at the top of the layers stack, to the right of the Blending Mode box.

It probably has 100% inside.

Alternative Blending Modes

You can also set the blending mode of the:

• Blur / Multiply / Opacity layer to Screen.

• Background copy layer to Multiply.

Then adjust the opacity of the Blur / Multiply / Opacity layer.

Brightness/Contrast

Adjustment Layer

Instead of using the Screen blending mode to overexpose the layer, you can use a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer.

You can readjust the brightness at any time.

Do the following.

1) Make sure the Background copy layer is active (highlighted).

2) Press Ctrl + j to copy the Background copy layer.

3) Rename the Background copy 2 layer to Blur.

4) Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, and enter a Radius value of 20 pixels or more.

5) Create a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer above the Background copy 2 layer.

6) Press Ctrl + g to group the Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer with the Background copy 2 layer.

7) Use the Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer to increase the brightness of the Blur layer.

↓ Brightness/Contrast

Blur

Background copy

Background

Saving the Photograph

If you haven't already done so, go to Saving Files.