[kaeae]

hey syd, i tried out my own version, see if this gives you ideas.

(i used photoshop tho, but i avoided using filters, hopefully gimp has equivalent commands.)



- the background and subject are on separate layers
- background: i used the smudge at 50% tool to create the swirl effect
- subject: again, smudge at 50% using a finer brush (i used soft edge brush for both)

i also added additional layers in between the background/subject. a layer for the black coloured swirl and white coloured flash. both were made by dropping a large, soft brush and using smudge to refine the edges. in hindsight i couldve used a purple colour for the black swirl, and i think there should be some effects around the outer edge of the spiral but i cant put my finger on it.