by successfulbob | art books, fine art photography, inspiration, photography, photography creativity, tuesday painterly photo art
Tuesday Painterly Photo Art
Julieanne Kost – Adobe Photoshop Evangelist – Part One
One of my heroes, Kost, has been an inspiration from the first time I saw her give a presentation on Photoshop.
Knowledgeable, talented, giving, humble, and funny she is. I highly recommend that anytime she is giving a program near you, just go. You will be entertained as you learn tips and tricks in processing images with an incredibly powerful software program.
Let’s turn this over to Ms. Kost and start with her artist statement featuring her personal artistic work. In the future, we’ll revisit Kost featuring other facets of her work.
“In my work, I combine a passion for photography, a mastery of digital imaging techniques and knowledge gained from a degree in psychology, to construct a world similar enough to appear familiar, yet obviously, an interpretation of the physical reality that surrounds us.
Image ‘Untitled’ – © Julieanne Kost
Although the images are highly personal representations of my dreams and personal reality, they are abstract enough to allow individual interpretation (based on each individual’s history and life experiences). I hope to engage the viewer with the image to allow them to leave the reality that they hold true and explore, even if only for an instant, and venture into the visual placeholder of my thoughts and dreams.
Over the past 20 years I have created libraries of individual elements ranging from photographs of textures and landscapes, to scans of found objects, to encaustic paintings and charcoal drawings. Although these ingredients are not an end in and of themselves, they are waiting to take their position as a component of a larger message. The common thread is that each individual element must evoke an emotional response. What that response might be (positive or negative, comforting or confrontational) is not important at the creation stage, because how the image will be used at that point is not clear. I draw from these libraries to build images and communicate my message.
Image ‘Two Birds’ – © Julieanne Kost
Because the components are created at different times in different locations, I find that my work falls somewhere between the more traditional photographic practice of capturing a single decisive moment and the time compression techniques used to tell a story in cinematography. In my images, I create imaginary scenes layering elements together that are unconstrained by linear time and physical location. By choosing elements that work together to form a cohesive message, I am able to create a composite image more powerful than it’s individual parts.
Image ‘Waiting’ – © Julieanne Kost
The interactive process of selecting and assembling images is one of the most challenging and thought provoking parts of my creative exploration. Although overall, the images may appear serene and calm, the act of creation is anything but passive. I begin with a concept in mind, yet I may not know exactly how the pieces will fit together at the end. As the image takes on its own life, I often allow myself to explore additional directions, sometimes finding that the final image only faintly resembles the one first imagined.
Image ‘Perception’ – © Julieanne Kost
From a technical standpoint, I feel that a computer is not merely a shortcut for what is possible with a camera, but instead it allows me to discover what is possible in no other medium. However, with the digital realm being so forgiving and offering so many options for exploration, that discipline becomes part of the challenge. The paint is never dry, the exposure is never fixed, and the print is never final -all components can be done differently at any point. Here the art form is knowing when to stop and realizing when you’ve said what you set out to say.”
If you would like to learn more about compositing from Julieanne she has video classes available.
https://www.lynda.com/Photoshop-tutorials/Introduction-Photo-Compositing/191608-2.html
https://www.lynda.com/Photoshop-tutorials/Art-Photoshop-Compositing/147534-2.html
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
Kost’s bio below.
Named one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business,” Julieanne Kost is a Principal Evangelist at Adobe Systems, responsible for fostering relationships with customers through meaningful and inspirational Photoshop and Lightroom instruction. As a highly sought-after speaker for the industry-standard Digital Imaging franchise, she devises and presents motivating and educational training sessions, sharing original techniques and tutorials worldwide — via live events, Adobe.com, her own website (jkost.com) and blog (blogs.adobe.com/jkost). She is also the author of “Passenger Seat—Creating a photographic project from conception through execution in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom” and “Window Seat — The Art of Digital Photography and Creative Thinking”, (I have an autographed copy: Ed) an accomplished photographer and fine artist, and creator and host of the popular Photoshop CC Essential Training, Adobe Camera Raw Essential Training, and the Art of Photoshop Compositing for Lynda.com.
Kost is well-known for her unique approach to instruction, infusing practical tips and tricks with an equal amount of humor and creativity that keeps audiences entertained and engaged. She often serves as a guest lecturer at distinguished photography workshops, industry events, and leading educational institutions around the world. She’s a contributing columnist and author for a variety of print and online publications and has created over 500 instructional videos as the host of Adobe’s “The Complete Picture” featuring Lightroom and Photoshop, serves as producer and instructor of the “Lightroom Getting Started” and “What’s New in Lightroom,” training courses, as well as the “Revitalize your Workflow with Lightroom” seminar on CreativeLive.
Kost has been recognized for her outstanding service and contributions to the professional photographic industry, winning the Gerhard Bakker Award from the Professional Photographers of America, the Honorary Educational Associate Award from the American Society of Photographers and was inducted to the Photoshop Hall of Fame by the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.
The combination of her passion for photography, mastery of digital imaging techniques and her degree in psychology, makes her photographic and fine artwork familiar, yet surreal with inventive and mysterious worlds where things are not quite as they seem. Her work has been exhibited numerous times and featured on Behance.net, PetaPixel.com, thisiscolossal.com, photographyserved.com, and Photoshop.com.
Kost holds an AA in Fine Art Photography and a BS in Psychology.
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by successfulbob | inspiration, photography
Marco Polo on Netflix*
Lighting.
We talk of lighting on a regular basis as photographers. I wish to reinforce the suggestion I have heard over the years that we study cinematic films to learn and see lighting scenarios and patterns. This lighting magic happens with people moving through scenes not just still images.
Marco Polo Poster – Netflix
If you are a PPA member and participate in imaging competition you know how difficult it can be to create a single Merit Image. And even more difficult to have an image selected for the PPA Loan Collection. I challenge you to watch this series and see how many Merit images appear during each episode. Go one step further and decide based on composition and lighting how many images are created during each episode that would be judged into the PPA Loan Collection. It is a fabulous exercise in moving your imagery to the next level.
If you would like to take this study to the next level you can turn the sound off and pay close attention to just the visual information coming your way. View and absorb. See if you can figure out how the lighting effects were achieved. Take some note. Gather ideas.
Let me know how you make out.
Have any suggestions for other films to study? Sare them here,
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
* There is nudity and some sexual content in this production
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by successfulbob | inspiration, people photography, photography, photography - art quote, photography creativity
Sunday Photo/Art Quote – Paul Caponigro
Funny how things work.
In looking for the Art quote for this week’s post, I came across these words.
“It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to create a portrait of who the are.” Paul Caponigro
But, strangely enough, this quote came from a photographer who is best known for landscape work that is imbued with mystical qualities.
Making portraits that capture personality and emotion is an art. No doubt about it. Paul’s quote got me to thinking about photographers who were able to tell deeply personal stories with their imagery in a single image. My name would not be on this list partly because I haven’t deeply worked at creating portraiture. Yes, I made photos of people for business and captured weddings and families over the years but not profound portraits. I think that’s because I don’t wish to share me with the world on too deep a level.
“What the heck are you talking about Bob??”
I believe that a great portrait is a combination of a photographer with deep empathy who is a passionate individual and not afraid to share that makes a great portrait photographer. A great portrait captures the subject but, I believe, is also a reflection of the photographer. And I just ain’t that deep. Still have some exploring to do on that front.
Anyway, I digress. Here are some of the names that came to mind. Yousef Karsch, Parker J Pfister, Tim Kelly, Richard Avedon, Mary Ellen Mark, Diane Arbus, Oscar Lazoya and Steve McCurry among many others.
© Tim Kelly – An exquisite portrait showing the love of a father & son. Emotion personified.
You may notice that all the portraitists I mentioned have varied styles. Apparently there’s more than one way to skin a cat! Maybe you can share some of your favorite portrait artists here. Be it those that are well known or unknown to the rest of the world. I’m curious to see the names on your list.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – Are you creating portraits of your subjects? Or are you just taking pictures?
by successfulbob | art books, book review, fine art photography, fine art portrait, inspiration, photography books, photography creativity
Photography Book Review
After the Camera, by Thom Rouse
Digital Transformations for Conceptual Nude & Portrait Photography
Way more than a How-to, After the Camera, is a peek into the mind of a wonderfully creative artist. You can’t help but view Thom’s images and find your story wrapped in and around his multi-layered imagery. His images have the depth and dimension of fine art from the master painters through the ages. This is no surprise if you know Thom. He is a student of the great artists and borrows an idea here, a color palette there, and a look from over there. By combining his art knowledge with his photography, experimenting with the capabilities of our digital age, he transcends visual boundaries, taking us to a new world.
Isis – Many of the elements were created from the manipulation of a single leaf. This includes the background, parts of her dress, and the hairpiece.
Text in this book reads as if Thom is talking directly to you. He shares his inspiration, along with trials and tribulations, during the shoot and post-processing. While this is not a book to teach you techniques in Adobe Photoshop where he does most of his processing, there are many important concepts shared. I’ve found a number of ideas that I can’t wait to try out in my work.
Urban Mermaids – Concept inspired by a regular model.
Is this book for everyone? Heck no. But most books are not. This is for photographers pushing their work to new realms of art. This is for photographers looking for inspiration. This is for photographers who understand that the nude has been part of the fine art landscape over the millennia. It’s for those who want a peek into the mind of a creative person who has studied fine art painters and can share concepts behind the why of an image.
Dance Within – One of the few images where Rouse used Corel Panter to help finish the look of the piece.
I can see this book becoming a dog-eared staple on my bookshelf as I plan to go back and review this on a regular basis.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – Thom was featured a couple of weeks ago in a Tuesday Photo/Art post. You can read it here.
Rouse’s book ‘After the Camera’ is available on Amazon.
by successfulbob | fine art photography, inspiration, photography creativity, photography education, tuesday painterly photo art
Tuesday Photo Art – Michelle Parsley – M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr., CPP
Another country heard from.
Michelle does a lot more painting of elements by hand than other artists that have been featured in this space. This shows that there is more than one way to skin a cat when creating art from photography.
Painted image by Michelle
Here is the base image for the painting above.
Michelle explains.
“I’m not the best beginner Painter teacher because I create so much of my images by painting freehand. However, Heather the Painter is one of the best beginner Painter teachers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. If your readers really wanting to delve deep into learning to paint with Corel, they can find her online tutorials at heatherthepainter.com.”
A finished image. Note the attention to detail in the lighting patterns & color temperatures in various areas of the painting
Base images for the painting above. Center image © Patty Hallman – Michelle used with permission.
Michelle suggests, “If you like the painted look but don’t really want to spend several hours on a single image, Heather and I teamed up to create a wonderful tutorial set that can allow you to go from a simple photograph to a painted look in roughly ten minutes. Combining Heather’s hand painted backgrounds with a few simple and affordable plugins, a painted look can be achieved in no time flat. You can find my tutorial called “Create a Painting n 10 Minutes or Less!” on my site at elevateyourart.com. Use the code $10OFF to save $10. Inside the tutorial is a discount code for Heather’s backgrounds, Alien Skin Snap Art, and Topaz Labs. This technique can also be used to reduce the amount of time needed to create an image in Corel by simply using Corel to refine the features a bit at the end. it is a very speedy workflow for those of us that create painted portraits regularly!”
See more of Michelle’s art here. https://parsleyfineart.com
Yours in Creative Photogrphy, Bob
by successfulbob | inspiration, photography - art quote, photography education
Sunday Photo/Art Quote – Robert Genn
Canadian Painter Robert Genn wrote a blog called The Painter’s Keys for many years before he moved on to the next world. I count myself lucky to have been a follower for some years. I learned many great ideas about painting, art, color and other tidbits that transfer over from painting to photography. Sometimes the correlation is not immediately obvious, but I must say I believe my photography has improved quite a bit once I started studying art and artists.
Robert may be gone, but The Painters Keys lives on through his daughter Sara, who reprises some of the ‘best-of’ letters from her dad and supplements them with letters and ideas of her own continuing the tradition. I think the art world is the better for it.
Today’s quote is a simple one from Robert, but one I believe needs to be seen on a regular basis lest we forget.
“The more you practice what you know, the more you know what to practice.” Robert Genn
We can all get into a groove that is comfortable when we work and even when we play. You may have heard the expression, if you spend too much time inside a groove you turn it into a rut.
Do your work. Don’t forget those personal projects that help you explore and practice new ideas. Find what works. Push it to the next level. Make some mistakes. Try again.
Practice more so you know what to practice!
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – Check out The Painter’s Keys. Take a look at some of the letters and sign up for notifications of new letters. They come out about twice-weekly. You’ll be glad you did I think you’ll be surprised how much we photographers have in common with painters and other artists.
