I found an amazing blog the other day which, among many other interesting things, had a tutorial that explained how to achieve this fascinating effect with PS. I’ve been playing around with some of my photos for a week, and these are my favorite results. Enjoy!
artismysanity 
November 16, 2011 at 2:29 am
These are so awesome and pretty looking. I love it!
November 21, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Thanks, Martina :). Glad you like them!
November 16, 2011 at 3:58 am
Stunning and vibrant.
November 21, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Thanks, Bob! I love the colors 🙂
November 16, 2011 at 4:09 am
Loving your work, my favorite are of course number 2, 5 and 6. Kudos. Luc
November 21, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Thanks, Luc! It’s nice to read that :).
November 16, 2011 at 7:30 am
Now thats pretty cool..:-)
November 21, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Thanks, Ed! That’s what I thought when I first saw one of these 🙂
November 16, 2011 at 7:38 am
Whoa! Cool!!
November 21, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Thank you!!
November 16, 2011 at 9:48 am
How fun!!! I have a few minutes before my daughter wakes up and I am going to try it right now. Who needs to get ready for the day? I’d rather do this.
November 21, 2011 at 8:24 pm
It’s a lot of fun, isn’t it? I just love playing around in PS, the amount of awesome things you can do is amazing 😀
November 16, 2011 at 11:17 am
These are just way cool ! Great job Belen
November 21, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Thank you!! I had a lot of fun creating them 🙂
November 16, 2011 at 11:23 am
Beautiful abstract designs and lovely colors.
November 21, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Thanks! Glad you like them 🙂
November 16, 2011 at 11:49 am
Precioso! Me encantan los fractales. De qué eran las fotos que usaste?
November 21, 2011 at 8:27 pm
Gracias Nat!! Me alegro de que te hayan gustado :). Eran fotos de flores y atardeceres, busqué que tuvieran colores vibrantes e intensos.
November 16, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Awesome!! 😉 Thx for link to blog and directions. You go Creatrix!!
November 21, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Thanks! Glad you like these, and have fun creating some of your own 🙂
November 16, 2011 at 4:06 pm
I’ve no idea how you did this, Photoshop – is something I’ve never touched and to be honest, scares me – especially when I see people creating wonderful things like this! 🙂 I will leave Photoshop to the people who know what they are doing, like you, for me, it’s something to be very afraid of lol.
November 21, 2011 at 8:32 pm
It’s such a simple process, Sam! And life is too short and bumpy to let fear stop you from doing cool and crazy stuff, I should know. A year ago I didn’t know a thing about PS, I just found a bunch of great tutorials and tried my hand at it, and I sure had a lot of fun learning :).
November 16, 2011 at 6:02 pm
Those are just gorgeous!!! Fantastic job! I’m off to check that blog out!
November 21, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Thanks! Glad you like them :). I’m definitely going back to the blog to try my hand at some other amazing tutorial as soon as I can. Have fun!
November 16, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Just beautiful. Amazing.
November 21, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Thanks! Glad you like them!
November 16, 2011 at 8:14 pm
I would love to see what the original photos looked like.
November 21, 2011 at 8:41 pm
I’ve posted some of them here before, Bonnie. Some were of flowers, other were of sunsets, I went through my archives looking for pictures with bright colors, and I’m pretty happy that they look good even when they’re nothing like the original 🙂
November 17, 2011 at 1:57 am
Very cool images; it’s amazing to me what we can create, using all the digital tools at our disposal today. Cheers!
November 21, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Thanks, Steve! I’m in love with the digital darkroom and all the fascinating things I can do in there. And it’s so easy to learn how to use PS or any other software for free, that I know I’ll never have a moment of boredom :).
November 17, 2011 at 2:27 pm
I’m with smileonlife. For my birthday, I had the choice between Photoshop and Corel, and I chose Corel because it seems more user-friendly to me. Technology and I have a love-hate relationship, so I can appreciate what you were able to do here!
Mel
massachusetts-is-wicked-awesome.com
November 18, 2011 at 10:15 am
If you have any tips and tricks on using Corel why not cotribute to Digital Darkroom Techniques, go here to check out the blog:
http://definitelynotsooc.wordpress.com/
Adrian
November 21, 2011 at 8:47 pm
I’ve never used Corel, so I don’t know what it’s like. I was utterly lost inside PS the first time I opened it, but I took it slowly and browsed a gazillion tutorials online, and in less than a year I feel very comfortable in there. Anyway, it’s great that there are so many choices out there, since the point is to have fun :).
November 17, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Really cool, might have to try that out myself!
November 21, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Glad you like them, Kieran! Have fun if you do 🙂
November 17, 2011 at 9:55 pm
That is so cool! I can’t wait to try it. What were the original pictures of?
November 21, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Thanks, Maggie. They were photos of flowers and sunsets, I looked for colors, since these are basically colors with shapes. Have fun if you give it a try 🙂
November 17, 2011 at 11:23 pm
So cool!
November 23, 2011 at 12:46 am
Thanks, Melissa! Glad you like them 🙂
November 18, 2011 at 4:15 am
Wow, this is so cool and beautiful- great work 🙂
November 21, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Thank you, Carola! Glad you like these 🙂
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November 18, 2011 at 10:11 am
Beautiful work Belen, thanks for checking out the community blog Digital darkroom Techniques pass on the word!
November 21, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Thanks, Adrian! The blog is awesome, I’ll definitely try some other tutorial when I have some time 🙂
November 18, 2011 at 11:12 am
Awesome work!
November 21, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Thank you!
November 18, 2011 at 11:54 am
Fantastic… Amazing Abstract,,, LOVELY…!!!
November 21, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Thanks, Didex! Glad you like these!
November 18, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Oh wow! These are really beautiful 🙂 It looks like you had a lot of fun. I LOVE the blue and purple one! 🙂
November 21, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Thanks, Alli! I’m glad you like them :). I did have lots and lots of fun, I love playing around with my photos 🙂
November 18, 2011 at 7:54 pm
wow, these are so creative and absolutely beautiful!!!! 😀 Well done!
November 21, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Thanks, Kristina! Glad you like them so much 🙂
November 19, 2011 at 3:59 am
Wow – so vibrant and gorgeous!
November 21, 2011 at 9:11 pm
They are really pretty, aren’t they Lady Fi? 🙂
November 19, 2011 at 6:12 am
Very interesting effect! I’ll have to give it a go sometime!! 🙂 Thanks for swinging by and checking out my 50mm Experiment!
November 21, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Matt! Have fun if you do give the tutorial a try :).
November 19, 2011 at 11:06 am
really neat images you have produced! 😀
November 21, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Thanks, Sheila!
November 20, 2011 at 8:32 am
these are super cool–I have to check out that tutorial. nice work.
November 21, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Thank you! Glad you like these, and have fun 🙂
November 21, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Fantastic 🙂
November 21, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Thanks, Nandini! Glad you like these 🙂
November 21, 2011 at 6:10 pm
I really like these, Belen. They’re awesome! I’m going to have to give this a try. Thank you! 🙂
November 21, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Thanks, Robin! Glad you like them, and have fun 🙂
November 22, 2011 at 3:23 pm
These are so cool! Love the colors and abstract shapes. Me too, I think I’ll give this one a try. Thanks for sharing.
November 23, 2011 at 12:40 am
Thank you, Gracie! Glad you like these, and have fun playing around with your photos 🙂
November 22, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Gorgeous PS abstracts!
November 23, 2011 at 12:41 am
Thanks, Katie! Glad you like them 🙂
November 22, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Hey I just added you to my blogroll sorry it took so long! Thanks for adding me. You should have told me that you did. Could have returned the favour!
Keep up the brilliant photography.
November 23, 2011 at 12:45 am
Thank you for adding me to your blogroll! I didn’t tell you that I added your blog to mine because I don’t see it as an obligation, to me it’s just a list of my the blogs I enjoy visiting. Glad you enjoy mine, too, and thanks for the compliment and encouragement 🙂
November 23, 2011 at 7:12 am
Fabulous! Aperture user myself, so these are out of my range. They are beautiful, nice work.
November 23, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting my blog! I’m glad you like my work 🙂
November 23, 2011 at 11:10 am
Robin sent me, a first-time visitor … and I will thank her for doing so … well done.
November 23, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Thank you for visiting! I’m glad you like what you found here, and come back whenever you want 🙂
November 23, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Great job! Beautiful abstracts 🙂
November 23, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Thanks, Eden! Glad you like them 🙂
November 24, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Excellent work and thanks for the link! I just made it into an action, I’m lazy like that 🙂
November 25, 2011 at 2:18 am
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed my work, and I should have thought about turning the process into an action sooner!
November 25, 2011 at 3:42 am
Amazing stuff…. Very nice…
November 25, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed these 🙂
November 26, 2011 at 7:08 am
I’ve got to admit I’m not normally a fan of Photoshop filters, not that I think it’s cheating, just that they produce a result which might look like art but in fact we could all do it.
Having said that, I really like what you’ve done here, there is an originality about the images, and while I guess we could all go off and do something similar, we haven’t, but you have, and that’s what makes you a true artist – and you’ve come up with some beautiful images. These would look great as posters.
One thing I’d like to see, me being nosey, is what the original image looked like, any chance you could post an example?
Keep experimenting!
November 27, 2011 at 2:01 am
I have lots of fun playing around in PS, trying new tutorials and improving my photos, but in the end, I was the one who took the original picture, and that’s something no one else could have done, because everyone’s work is unique and original. All these abstracts were done from pictures that I took, so no one else could have the same ones. To me, art is about pouring myself and my soul into what I do, not about using processing software or not, so there’s no way anyone else could do the exact same work I do. Just my opinion on the matter, but different opinions are always welcome here :).
Glad you like these, it flatters me since it’s not something you would usually like. I’ve actually posted some of the pictures these were done from, the last one was one of the pansies in “Spring beauties”, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th were sunset shots I haven’t posted yet but will post soon, and the first one was a rose, but the original shot wasn’t very good.
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment, Malcolm! 🙂
November 26, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Oh, these are beautiful! You should print and fill a wall with them!
November 27, 2011 at 2:02 am
Thanks! I’m not sure I have enough money to print them all, but maybe I’ll give it a thought and print at least one :). Glad you like them so much!
November 26, 2011 at 6:12 pm
One word to describe your photos, Beautiful.
November 27, 2011 at 2:03 am
Thank you for the nice comment and for stopping by! I’m always glad when people enjoy my work :).
November 28, 2011 at 5:08 am
Thanks for the post… sorry a little late just stumbled upon your blog. Love the abstracts and keep experimenting.
November 28, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for stopping by, Mike!
November 29, 2011 at 7:00 am
great colors and the softness is superb.
December 3, 2011 at 3:11 am
Thanks! Glad you like these abstracts :).
November 29, 2011 at 10:55 am
wow., really amazing
November 29, 2011 at 10:57 am
Colorful., loved it:)
December 3, 2011 at 3:12 am
Thank you for the comments! Glad you like these :).
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December 3, 2011 at 4:47 pm
I simply MUST try this. I love the color and the softness you have achieved with these.
December 3, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Hmmm…. the tutorial is for Elements so I will have to modify it for Photoshop. Not out of the realm of possibility!
December 3, 2011 at 8:31 pm
I have no idea what the difference is. I have PS CS5 extended, and it worked. Good luck with the tutorial, but most important, have fun! And thanks for stopping by!
December 3, 2011 at 8:44 pm
I also use CS5 extended – And I did a baker’s dozen almost immediately! So easy and everyone is oohing and ahhing over my “pure genius!” My nephew uses Elements and there are some differences – I prefer my Ps to his Elements and vice versa – it is all what one is used to…
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December 7, 2011 at 12:18 am
Pretty!
December 7, 2011 at 1:36 am
Thank you! Glad you like them, and thanks for stopping by, too!
December 9, 2011 at 11:03 am
Thank you for the comments about my “Sunset Cliffs” photos.
Love the twirls!
December 10, 2011 at 6:54 am
Thank you for stopping by! I’m glad you liked the abstracts :).
December 10, 2011 at 10:21 pm
Oh wow these are amazing!
December 11, 2011 at 4:00 am
Thank you! I’m glad you like them, and thanks for stopping by, too. I really liked your blog :).
December 13, 2011 at 6:59 am
Fantastic! might try that…
December 14, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Thank you! Have fun trying the tutorial :).
December 13, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Pretty indeed they are. Not surprisingly, some of them remind me of flowers.
Steve Schwartzman
http://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com
December 14, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Thank you, Steve! Some of the were originally flowers, others were sunsets, I looked for my most colorful photos. Glad you like them :).
December 15, 2011 at 7:10 pm
So very cool!
December 16, 2011 at 2:23 am
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment! Glad you like these abstracts :).
December 16, 2011 at 11:02 am
Wow—a new thing to play with. Those are beautiful—thanks for sharing!
December 17, 2011 at 6:38 am
Thank you, Cindy! I’m glad you like these abstracts, and have fun trying out the tutorial :).
December 19, 2011 at 4:20 am
Amazing!!
December 19, 2011 at 11:49 pm
Thanks, Sophie!
December 30, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Breathtaking photos. Just beautiful. How do you do it?!
December 30, 2011 at 11:06 pm
These were originally photos, I turned them into abstracts following the tutorial that you can find clicking on the link at the top of this post (on the word “blog”.) Have fun!
December 31, 2011 at 3:25 am
amazing and fun art you created from your images! Light filled, painting with pixels. I will have to check that out for fun…
I am just trying to figure out all this stuff, uploading my first gallery of sorts… so much to learn and so many choices to make! Most of my work has been posted on Flickr (starlisa) or facebook and this is a new experience. Thanks for liking my post!
December 31, 2011 at 4:34 am
Have fun trying the tutorial out! As you can see, the results can be very beautiful.
Welcome to WordPress! In the almost year I’ve had this blog, I’ve discovered it’s by far the best hosting site I’ve ever tried. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them here or e-mail me. Good luck with your blog :).
January 3, 2012 at 6:55 pm
These are very cool, love your creativity with them. Awesome work!
January 3, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Thank you, Andrew! I’m glad you enjoyed these, I had a lot of fun making them :).
January 4, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Keep playing! Very cool!
January 4, 2012 at 6:22 pm
Thank you, Timm!
January 6, 2012 at 8:56 am
WOW.
January 6, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Thanks, Nikki! Glad you like these abstracts :).
January 6, 2012 at 9:39 pm
beautiful!
January 6, 2012 at 11:23 pm
Thank you, Donna!
January 11, 2012 at 12:42 am
these are so beautiful! The colours are incredible x
January 11, 2012 at 4:36 am
Thank you! I’m glad you like them, and thanks for visiting, too!
January 22, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Wow! These are amazing! 🙂
January 22, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Thank you for the visit and the comment, Katy!
January 25, 2012 at 2:12 am
Awesome! Thanks for the link.