Big Walnut Creek, McCloud Nature Park, Hendricks County, Indiana

I shot this last winter while hiking in McCloud Nature Park but didn't process it until yesterday. At the time I took this image, I had not yet learned about AutoPainter. I love the clarity that the Benson filter adds when blended with the original image. To me, this is one of the best painterly effects I've achieved.

Apps and Process

1. I used BracketMode to capture 30 images (15 pairs of light and dark).
2. Then I used Autostitch to combine the images and manage the HDR.
3. Next, I use PhotoForge 1's unsharpen mask, Water Color, and Oil Paint (each at about 30%).
4. Then I used AutoPainter to apply the Benson filter to the original.
5. And then, Iris to blend the AutoPaint version with original.
6. I used FilterStorm curves to brighten the image.
7. And Impression for the signature.