We’re all looking for ways to express our creativity and make our outdoor photographs stand out from the crowd, and this quick post-processing tutorial from Amanda Newell reveals how easy this can be by imbuing images with a soft, painterly look that captures a dreamy mood.

Newell is a successful British photographer with a passion for visual artistry, and her new YouTube channel shares her favorite shooting techniques and post-processing methods. She’s also a proponent of intentional camera movement (ICM) that gives some of her imagery a time-bending appearance.

The five-minute video below demonstrates one of her creative methods, and it doesn’t rely upon purchasing and employing pre-made textures. As she says, “You can use today’s simple workflow to capture a viewer’s imagination by creating impressionistic images out of traditional photographs.”

Newell introduces the episode like this: “You can very quickly create quite a lot of effects in your edits simply by using a brush while thinking about color and texture as you soften an image.” One of her favorite brushes in the paint box is called Supreme Spatter and Texture, and she explains her preference for white paint at 100% opacity and flow—with the mode set to Normal.

She sets the brush to a large size and works on a blank layer so that the enhancements she makes are “non-destructive”—leaving open the possibility of a redo if necessary. This approach facilitates using a mask to seamlessly blend the effect with the original shot.

The resulting enhancement can be as strong or mild as you desire, and Newell says, “I don’t want a massively intense effect because I’ve learned from experience that this rarely works.” Once she’s satisfied with the amount of spatter, Newell demonstrates how to use Photoshop’s Soft Blend mode to apply her painterly effect to the blooming bluebell blossoms in the foreground of her pretty landscape image.

A few more straightforward enhancements are required to complete the desired transformation, and Newell walks you through the step-by-stop process. So follow Newell’s advice and create some photo artistry of your own. Then check out her YouTube channel for more tips and techniques for personalizing your imagery.

And be sure not to miss the tutorial we featured earlier with another image-editing expert who demonstrates how to use Photoshop’s versatile Eyedropper tool to enhance photographs with simple adjustments and a surprising trick.

You don’t have to be an experienced wildlife photographer with exotic gear to capture memorable photos of our feathered friends. Nor is it necessary to travel far from home, because there are numerous opportunities at local parks, a nearby nature reserve, or even in the comfort of your backyard.

This basic primer comes to us from the India-based Adventure with Lens YouTube channel—a great gateway into the untamed world of wildlife where every how-to video takes you closer to the heart of nature and travel photography. They also discuss important issues regarding conservation and the environment.

Our unnamed instructor introduces today’s seven-minute episode like this: “In this beginner-friendly guide I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from the best camera settings to simple field tips for getting stunning bird shots—whether you’re shooting in your backyard or at a sanctuary.”

Your outing begins by understanding how to make the most of your location and the best times of day to shoot, depending upon the species you expect to encounter. Proper equipment is also part of the discussion, and you’ll learn the best camera and lens options for those on a tight budget.

Next on the agenda is configuring the camera with correct settingafor stationary subjects, fast-moving birds, or those on the wing. A bit of stealth is also essential, and our instructor has some interesting advice for approaching cautious birdswithout disturbing them—especially if you’re shooting without an ultra-long lens.

Once you’re all set up and ready to go, the last task is thoughtful, creative composition that accentuates your subject, guides the viewer’s eyes through the frame, and enables you to tell a compelling visual story. These skills can make the difference between a decent shot and one that’s spectacular.

The Adventure with Lens YouTube channel is a great resource for all types of wildlife photography techniques whether your subjects are adorned with features or fur.

And on a related note, check out an earlier tutorial we featured with another bird photography expert who demonstrates when, why, and how to use your camera’s different Shutter modes for optimum results when photographing animals in various situations.