If you like abstract photography, you’ll LOVE this twirl effect in photoshop! It’s fast and easy – SO easy you could create an action for it and make it even faster if you want to!
Here’s how it’s done:
Twirl Effect in Photoshop
Start with any photo in 8 bit. This is the original:
Filter -> Pixelate -> Mezzotint -> Medium Lines
Filter -> Blur -> Radial Blur (slider = 100, blur method = zoom, quality = best)
Repeat step 3 up to 5 times as desired. I just did it once in this example.
Duplicate Layer.
Remain on original layer. Filter -> Distort -> Twirl (angle value +80 or as desired).
Select new layer. Filter -> Distort -> Twirl (angle value = opposite of step 6, ie -80).
Alter new layer’s blending mode = lighten.
Merge layers. Fin.
There you have it – the twirl effect in photoshop! Play around with it and have fun!