Heard a Podcast on Photography.ca about the Orton effect.  Since I heard about it I’ve wanted to try a few samples to see what I think.   I found some suggested processes to create Ortons using Photoshop.  But needing multiple copies sounded like a perfect fit for Lightrooms  Virtual Copies.   Basically, I made 2 virtual copies.  Lightened the exposure on both copies.  On One copy I increase Clarify all the way to the right, increase contrast, and sharpened.  On the other copy I reduced Clarify all the way to the left, left contrast alone.  Then I Edited as layers in Photoshop.  Which is where I changed the blend mode to Multiply.

I’d heard that the effect works well with portraits and animals:

Normal – click to view

Orton – click to view

I thought that it would also be a good effect to use on old rustic buildings and ruins:

Normal – Clcik to view

Orton – click to view

Let me know what you think.