http://www.timshelbourne.com/mystical1.jpg

Hi All,
Having enthusiastically followed the Dragan thread since it began, I've been keen to take on some of the lessons learnt, but to use these to produce something with elements of The Masters' style, but steer away from simple imitation, as I feel that imitation for its own sake is fairly unconstructive. The attached image is the result so far, and although as yet unfinished, is heading in the direction I wanted to take. Just interested in some feedback/comments etc. For me, there were some great and very valid points made in one of the Dragan threads that this is more about having a sense of what makes a compelling image, than it does about the desire to obtain a "Dragan" action for Photoshop or Elements.
True to say, I write tutorials for a number of UK digital imaging/photography magazines, but I would hope that they inspire as much as they instruct. My ambition when writing tutorials is to give fellow image makers the tools they need to produce images via a similar technique, rather than present them with a single button press action for producing Carbon Copies of an image.
The attached image is not meant to be a "Dragan" clone, but I've learnt some incredibly useful techniques from the thread and from my own admiration for his work.
I have to say that I've been humbled by the gravity of talent which many of the forum members here seem to possess, it truly is a great place.
So, let me know what you all think. I'm not saying that the image is anything special in particular, but boy, have I learnt a lot along the way!
Looking forward to many happy hours here at DPReview!
Kind regards to all.
Tim Shelbourne.

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Visit my portfolio at: www.timshelbourne.com for Fine Art Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro and Painter.