Softening and Dramatizing a Butterfly

Original Image

Create a duplicate layer on top and desaturate that top layer.

Invert top layer colors.

Blur the top layer: Gaussian blur / pixels = 5% of image width

Set top layer mode to "Grain Extract" & set opacity as desired.
(Mouseover to see the original image.)

Using your favorite method, if desired, convert image to grayscale.

Experiment:

• Increase or decrease the contrast (using the "curves" tool) of the top layer before you blur it.
• Change the radius of the Gaussian Blur. Increasing the blur radius actually decreases the strength of the dramatizing effect.
• See variations of this method here: Chiaroscuro Effects

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Some examples (mouseover to see the original image).