Photoshop Filter Effects

Thanks to someone who gave me a gift certificate, I bought a book called Photoshop Filter Effects Encyclopedia by Roger Pring. I've used Photoshop filters many times and they are some of my favorite toys. The book starts off with the Palette Knife filter and shows how to adjust it and then add a directional lighting effect to achieve a painterly effect. I used it to turn a disappointing photo into this rather pretty image:

Crape Myrtle flowers at Weatherall Creek