How did you do those effects?

Thanks for asking noelle67. Did you enjoy them? Do they say anything to you?
It's likely I'll use them for background pages or as a border or some such thing on a web page - perhaps for a poem or story...
I have a photo-editing/graphics software program called Photoshop Elements. With a fair bit of time spent cropping, enhancing and then tweaking the shots I came up with a few I thought were expressive enough to share. The slide show was built using Google's Picassa Web Album  - and what's very cool about it; as I experiment with more shots I can upload them to the slide  show album and the updated slide show will display automatically wherever  it's displayed. I've been having fun playing with them all!

The shot where you made the swirl effect speaks to me of the circularity of the universe and of renewal each day. Each day is a fresh start, a time to begin again. Hope. For me the sun is the center of the universe, heat and light radiating form within as well. I know some people are moon people- but not me, I worship the sun.

The reverse shot is extraordinary. I love how the sun is emanating flames, it shows how life comes from within even objects that appear to be inanimate.

The last shot, the one you call posterized... it sums up the whole universe don't you think?

I don't think I have Photoshop Elements but I think it's not so much about the program as it about your excellent eye. Please continue to do more!

I really appreciate that you took the time to give your impressions. Thank You so much, sincerely!
I may play with a few other ideas yet plus add other projects I've already done featuring the sun, to give the show more depth!
A common thread that comes up when people describe what they like in one of my shots or the digital art I play with;  the piece showing or capturing somehow - The Life Within.
I'm beginning to enjoy how these come about too - usually stemming from a whim or hunch or some synchronistic happening - or even a suggestion from my partner John!