Not much of an sbs when there's no commentary and just a single gif step.

There are enough tutorials out there on how to achieve the effect, no need for another explanation. The basics I listed with the animation are common to almost ALL the tutorials, with each one dependent upon the photo selected for adjustment...And those ARE all the steps used. No fancy filtering or drawing overlays. about 4 layers total, mainly merge visible to leave prior layers for retouch if I didn't like the directions burn and dodge were taking...I thought you'd already checked out some tutorials. Surely you must have seen that much!

One thing Mr. Dragan insisted upon when he sold (not free gave) his tutorial to achieve his effect, was a "non-disclosure" of the exact steps. I've found over the years it encourages better experimentation.

This is a Dragan effect contest, not an SBS contest...

Wow, I've been away for a while but I see some artists have gotten nastier in defense of their work, instead of appreciating comments and questions. One thing I learned and appreciate about THIS site in particular: HOW you achieved your effects is almost as important as WHAT effects you achieved. Only a good SBS proves what you did. Smarmy remarks by artists against the importance of SBS may work on other sites, but not this one.

Now, for your entry. This nice effect on this beautiful woman's face would benefit from more vibrant eyes, as seen in many of Dragan's works.

Thank you for the un-asked for lecture, elemare...So glad you came back.

Thanks, it's nice to be back, LOL. And, yes, I thought giving one deserved getting one. Nice update, BTW.

Thanks, it's nice to be back, LOL. And, yes, I thought giving one deserved getting one. Nice update, BTW.

Quite generous of you, considering I wasn't replying to you, and was responding to a comment on MY entry...And BTW, there has been no update on my entry. Perhaps you took the time to notice what was originally posted, rather than creating unasked for responses to comments not directed at you...

Congrats, brilliant!!

Very nice!!

great work good luck Author

This is beautiful work, author, and a different way to achieve the effect. Kudos.

this image has a 3d feel to it.

I feel like he going to look out my computer.... good background choice

very nice concept ,,nicely done GL Author

thank you !
I want to say my opinion about Dragan effect. I saw the works on his site, each one is beautiful but on photoshop I think that each photo had a different treatment , on very accurate shots he worked on raw, then photoshop.So the "dragan effect" is a little over much said, is the HDR effect over a portrait .

great work, very well done effect

great work

great work
gl author

Great work! Best of luck!

cool and greaaaaaat..........!

very very nice work..GL!!

Congrats - great job!

Congrats

thank you !!

Congrats beautifully done

thank you all !!

Congratulation!

Felicitaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaari pentru locul I!!
Tine-o tot asa!

Conngrats on your First Place Win

Total wildness, author!

simple and effective

cannot but agree! great, author!

All the entries in this contest make me dizzy, but I think this is the top!! Good luck author!

its simple but very very effective...best of luck author

Classic

Interesting, but confusing (the text) and too green.

The weird "scratch marks" also show a seam line on the RH side where you flipped the layer.

vintage effect doesnt work!

very very interesting work...love the turned and falling cups idea...best of luck author

nicely done.., goo luck author

Congrats!!

congratulations...