How to Create and Use the Orton Effect
The Orton Effect is a very popular technique among landscape photographers. When used correctly it creates a dreamy feel in photos whilst retaining important detail. In this tutorial we look at how you can create the Orton Effect in your photos. But importantly, we also look at how to apply it.
The Orton Effect gets its name from Michael Orton who developed and used it to great effect in the mid 1980’s. At the time he created the effect by blending multiple exposures shot on slide film. If you’ve ever tried this, it’s incredibly hard to do well. Fortunately, we now have lots of digital alternatives that make it much easier to create.
If you’re feeling a little unsure whether you’ve seen the Orton Effect or not, I can assure you that you have. It’s now used extensively by lots of landscape photographers, especially those shooting woodland and misty conditions.
Creating the Orton Effect
There are many ways to create the Orton Effect, each with its own look. Which is best for you depends on the editing tools you have available as well as your skill with these. To cover most possibilities, we are going to explore Photoshop first followed by a couple Plug-ins. If you are using Affinity Photo, you should be able to follow the Photoshop instructions.
The Orton Effect in Photoshop
Start by editing your photo until it looks the way you want it to but without the Orton Effect.
Next create a Stamp Layer to consolidate all the editing layers into a single new layer. You can do this by clicking the top layer in the Layers Window. This selects the layer after which press Shift + Option + Cmd + E on your keyboard. If you’re using a Windows PC press Shift + Alt + Ctrl + E. You should see the new consolidated Stamp Layer appear in the Layers Window.
Duplicate the new layer by selecting and pressing Cmd + J on your keyboard or Ctrl + J on a Windows PC. We will need both layers. One to create the blur or glowing effect and the other to sharpen detail.
Click the new duplicate layer that should be at the top of the Layers Window to select it. We are now going to blur the layer using the Gaussian Blur filter. Select the filter using “Filter | Blur | Gaussian blur…” in the Photoshop menu.
When the Gaussian Blur dialog displays, set the blur Radius. A good starting point to use is the megapixel count of the camera used.
Like this? Pin it!
Having blurred the layer, we need to increase the contrast using a Levels adjustment. We will apply this as a clipping mask layer so we can adjust later if needed.
In the Photoshop Adjustments window add a new Levels adjustment layer. Alternatively, you can do this from the Photoshop menu by selecting “Layer | New Adjustment Layer | Levels…”.
In the Properties window you can move the black and white levels inward to increase the contrast (as well as cause clipping). Optionally you can also adjust the midtone level.
Now we need to create a clipping mask using the Levels adjustment layer. To do this right click on the Levels layer in the Layers window. In the popup menu displayed, click the “Create Clipping Mask” option. This clips the Levels adjustment to the blurred layer immediately below it. Now the adjustment only affects that layer.
Click the blurred layer you created in the Layers window to select it. You can then set the Opacity of the layer to 15 in the Layers window.
Now we need to work with the other layer we created to bring back detail in the image. Click the to select it, then drag it to the top of the layers window. This hides the blurred layer and Levels adjustment you’ve been working with.
Apply a High Pass filter to the layer by selecting “Filter | Other | High Pass…” from the menu. This will make the image look odd but don’t worry.
Adjust the radius setting in the High Pass dialog so you can clearly see the fine outline of objects. A setting of between 2.5 and 3.5 is usually enough.
Apply the High Pass filter then change the blending mode from Normal to “Soft Light” in the Layers Window.
The glowing effect will now return but the detail in the image is stronger. You can now refine the strength of the effect.
There are several ways you can adjust the Orton Effect created with this method:
- Change the Opacity of the Soft Light Layer.
- Adjust the Opacity of the blurred layer.
- Click the Levels clipping layer and change the levels settings.
As I mentioned at the start of this tutorial, there are many ways to create the Orton effect. If you use Photoshop or Affinity Photo, an alternative way to create the Orton Effect is to use a Frequency Separation.
Orton Effect with Plug-ins
If you want an easier way to create the Orton Effect, it may be best to turn to a Photoshop “plug-in”. Although we call these plug-ins, many are standalone photo editors where you don’t need Photoshop. Two such editors are On1 Photo RAW (affiliate link) and Luminar from Skylum (affiliate link).
In the following video, I demonstrate the Orton Effect in both, testing them head to head to see which I think is best.
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel
You can also watch this video on my YouTube channel. I publish a new video every week, often based on subscribers’ requests and feedback. Subscribe to my YouTube channel now and be sure not to miss future videos.
Controlling the Orton Effect
Now you understand how to create the Orton Effect, we need to talk about how to use it. Be aware that the Orton Effect has become somewhat overused recently. Consequently, it’s getting a bad reputation, just like HDR did when that technique became popular. There are a few reasons for this:
- Because the Orton Effect can create great images, some photographers use it all the time. Don’t fall into the trap of applying it to every shot because it becomes boring. It also won’t improve a bad shot any more than HDR and Tone Mapping can.
- There’s a tendency amongst photographers to make the glowing effect too strong. It’s usually better to apply a subtle Orton Effect. The viewer then notices there’s something different about the shot but doesn’t know what.
- Shadows don’t glow so why add the effect to shadow areas. In my opinion, the best way to add the Orton Effect is by selectively painting it onto brighter areas using a mask.
The two photo editors (On1 Photo RAW and Luminar) mentioned above both include a masking feature to do this. If you’re editing in Photoshop you will need to work with Layer Masks.
Ideally, the best approach is to paint through a selection created using a Luminosity Masking tool. This is an advanced editing technique but there’s a free Photoshop Panel (Interactive Luminosity Mask) to help. You can watch me demonstrate the tool in the following video.
You can learn more about powerful Photoshop luminosity masking techniques in my video courses.
Get Essential Adobe Photoshop CC
The fastest way to learn Adobe Photoshop CC.
30 day, no questions money back guarantee
Buy now or learn more...
We’ve covered a lot of ground in this tutorial. If you’ve followed along, you should now be able to create and add the Orton Effect to your photography.
When using the Orton Effect, do keep in mind the advice that less is often more. You don’t want the effect to become obvious and recognisable. I would also encourage you to apply the effect selectively, ideally through a luminosity section. Target it onto the midtones and highlights for the best impact.
More Photoshop Tutorials
You’ll find more high quality, free tutorials on my Adobe Photoshop Tutorials page.
Subscriber Book Offer
Get your FREE copy of "6 Steps to Shooting Brilliant Landscape Photography" by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.
Follow the advice in this deceptively simple book to significantly improve your landscape photography. Organised into 6 simple lessons, this valuable and detailed guide provides information that’s often overlooked. In fact, lesson 3 is so obvious that most photographers ignore it completely.
If you want to improve your Landscape Photography fast, follow this book.
- Enter your details using the form on the right. I will then send you an initial email to confirm you’ve entered your email correctly.
- Follow the instruction in my email to confirm your subscription.
- After confirming your subscription I’ll send you a discount code to purchase my book for free. You’ll then be able to download it in your chosen format.
My Promise to You: I will never share or SPAM your email.