Mandarin Orange Monday No. 14

On the way to the beach at Manly there are two striking and unusual sights as you walk down Ashburner Ave. One is the colourful house and the other is the "fish garden" as I named it for my grandson.

The entire front garden, from fence to house, is a fish pond. A boardwalk connects the front gate to the front door. It is a complete wonderland. Not only are their many brightly coloured fish, but also sculptures. The main sculpture is a seated mermaid. It is made child safe by a metal grill just under the water level but the fish can swim freely between both levels.

The fish are Koi and there is a little sign explaining some facts about this very colourful species. One very sad fact is that in 2009 someone poisoned all the fish, both koi and comet,  that lived in this pond. The owner, Roger Springer and his neighbours tried to save them but unfortunately none survived.

He has since restocked his pond with the help of the local community. A surveillance camera has also been installed. I was pleased to be able to show my grandson this sight - and to photograph the fish. 

In the early years of the settlement at Sydney (in the 1790's) there was a channel where Ashburner Ave is now, which connected the harbour to the sea. All that remains these days is a narrow pipe running underground. It  is said that even today fish congregate in the harbour near the pipe hoping to be able to travel through to the sea as they did 200 years ago. 

Oil Paint Filter, Selective Colour, Equalise, Posterise, Poster Edges.
 Increased Vibrance and Saturation.

Poster Edges Filter, Sepia Photo Filter.

Desaturation-all colours except red and yellow.

Filter  Ink Outlines. Magic Wand selection - desaturation
background,  fill background (cyan/blue).
Fade fill (Linear Dodge). Filter Ink Outlines,

Magic Wand - Clear selected area and Fill (Cyan)

Add New Layer. Fill turquoise and Fade Fill (Colour Dodge).
Merge with  fish layer.

As I progressed with these images, I got move involved in what I was doing and less disciplined about writing down what I did. The last two images are a combination of the processes I used in the previous ones. I think I applied Accented Edges Filter as well.

Of course, it is much better to just "let yourself go" when editing and then be surprised (and at times pleased) by the results. When I first started editing photographs I would never have believed that it was possible to be spontaneous or intuitive  using this medium.

LorikArtCAT Blogtoberfest giveaway.
The winner can choose any item from LorikArtCat Etsy shop valued under $15.

Day 14 of Blogtoberfest!

Linking to Paint Party Friday, Artists in Blogland,  Weekly  Top Shot (Happy One Year Anniversary ), Favourite Photo Monday. The fourth image is linked to Mellow Yellow Monday.