After a long while of fiddling on photoshop, I decided that the other ideas I had for a series of edited photos wasn't going ot work and that what I had already done would work.

Problem is I couldn't then remember what I had done!! The history wouldn't go back as far which left me scratching my head to what I'd done. What I do know is that I don't think this filter is in the filter gallery (using CS2), and vaguely remember a large-screen window with options (Could be a blur)

I've posted the guilty layer. Anyone recognise this effect? Or could point me in the right direction? (It's not liquify either, although it does have that kinda feel.

Original on left, filtered on right

I would guess you used the 'dust and scratches' filter. And maybe twice. Hope this helps, Hoof

Nope, sorry - that's not it.

It has a kind of fluid effect, noticed more in the leaves (driving me nuts!)

What plugin filters do you have?  I mean the group title, not every individual one.  Example:  Flaming Pear, AutoFX, Filter Forge, etc.  That might help narrow the field.  If it is not in the CS2 filter gallery, you must have some other plugin that you used.  With the abundance of plugin filters available, your input is needed.

Now, don't laugh, but I always have to ask.  When you say the original is on the left, do you mean my left as I view the screen, or the left side of the monitor screen?  I have to figure out if the darkening or lightening is the original.  Can you see where my thought is going?

Maybe it isn't a filter, but rather a new adjustment layer, or contrast adjustment of some kind on what you call the filtered image, because the original appears to be the actual filtered image to me.

Hehe, the left as you look at it (the speckled one)

I have no plug-ins - its a clean install.

I'm still thinking some kind of blur was involved - I do remember a full-screen pop up window for adjustments (ie. a filter from the drop down toolbar which doesn't appear in the gallery option, eg - blur, render etc)

sigh

Here's a larger version to make the detail a bit more clear www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php

I've saved the image and I will play with it to see if I can duplicate the effect.  Thank heavens you have no other plugins.  That narrows the field considerably.  Will let you know if I find a match.

Excellent - thanks.

I've been going round in circles

Aha! - Breakthrough!

I finally found it. It's Filter -> Stylise -> Diffuse (Anisotropic)

Thanks for looking, and it goes to show how many filters aren't used in the filters gallery, its a nice addition but kinda annoying when it doesn't show them all

I started off with the suggestion that Hoofdcommissaris made.  I tried Gaussian blur and got some good results.  I suggest you try that yourself.

I then tried thresholdl & equalize & burn in various combinations.  Not as successful as G Blur.  Experiment with these to, you may be able to duplicate the effect using combinations.  Also try others that I haven't mentioned. 

I'm sorry, but I don't have any more time to go further for you.  Hope you find what you need.
Also, others may come up with a solution for you.

Best Wishes,
Suzanne

Great News!

I went into Stylize but didn't try Diffuse.  Thanks for coming back and sharing your solution to the problem.

Have fun!

Just as an experiment, try duplicating the layer, apply gaussian blur, set on about 5, go to layers style, blending options. Try using lighten first, but do experiment. I find I get some very nice nice effects with this method. Using lighten and adjusting the transparency can give you a little Mapplethorpe glow in the picture. I probably use the blending options more than any of the filters in Photoshop.