by successfulbob | fine art photography, fine art portrait, people photography, photography creativity, photography education, tuesday painterly photo art
Tuesday Painterly Photo Art – Paul Tumason
It’s fun to find new art and artists (to me) once you start poking around. I’m happy to share Paul’s painterly photography work with you today on the Successful-Photographer blog.
Paul’s Thoughts on Painterly Portrait Art.
“A portrait describes what the subject looks like in a painting, a photograph or a sculpture.
Portraits might include other objects which help to explain the subjects, A portrait, like all art, is something to “read”.
Cristi & the Boys Painter Art – © Paul Tumason
Cristi & the Boys before – Notice that Paul is starting with a very nicely posed and lit image before he begins the painting process.
I enjoy being engaged with the story of the subjects. Of course, so much is left to our imaginations, but the artist gives us clues about what the subject is thinking, what they do, or the emotions held deep inside them, what they feel about themselves, and of course, what they look like.
Some of us just think of the likeness that shall be portrayed, But to me, it’s what the subject tells us in confidence about themselves that makes portraiture so interested to me. Yes, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
An extraction from and image and treated with a pastel feel – © Paul Tumason
Original ballet capture – © Paul Tumason
On the creating my “painted” images, I start with my photograph, not always a formal portrait, as I like the candid type of unaware subjects. Like every one of us, we have particular likes and dislikes, and preferences. We just like certain things. I find this hard to explain: but I’ll attribute it to human nature.
I try to make everything left in the image count for something.
The painting process for me is to soften some things, leave some sharp, lose some edges, define as little as possible while leaving as much as possible for the viewer’ imagination.
‘Ellie’ – © Paul Tumason
‘Ellie’ before – See how the artistic treatment in the after image simplifies the scene and brings the subject forward. © Paul Tumason
Much of my work is for my enjoyment. I like to print images, sometimes to study, but often to show to prospects, hoping that they would really like them and commission me to do a portrait for them in this style. In a way, it’s a method of marketing and separating myself from the competition.”
Paul has taught portraiture, including composition and lighting to photographers since the 1980’s including some Corel Painter classes here and there. He doesn’t work at this as a regular gig. If you are interested in Paul’s style, let him know if you’d like to have a class. He would love to schedule something for you. Otherwise, you are always welcome for a brief phone conversation to talk about our painterly art, or if you’d like to hire Paul as a tutor.
Learn more and view Paul’s work at www.tumasonpaintings.com
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
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by successfulbob | imaging competition, photography, photography creativity, photography education, tuesday painterly photo art
Tuesday Painterly Photo Art
Karen Nakamura – M.Photog.,M.Artist
Judging gets you exposed to a lot of imagery. You can be critically thinking and talking about thousands of photographs over the course of a year. What is interesting is that there are some artists whose work seems to jump out from the rest showing something different. Judging is blind as far as knowing who the maker may be during the competition. At a later date a maker’s work may be seen with a name attached and I really enjoy talking with the maker and Karen was one of those people.
That’s why I asked her to join us on Successful-Photographer in this post. Here’s Karen!
How Karen learned
“I’ve been creating art pretty much as far back as I can remember. I’ve taken art classes since the 3rd grade. I’m really lucky because my mom would give us art projects throughout the year when I was little. I’ve taken everything from painting, drawing, sculpting, 2 and 3-dimensional design, photography, photoshop and industrial arts.”
The Perfect Perch – I’ve been wanting to add birds to my floral images. I went to the San Diego zoo and photographed a beautiful White-necked Jacobin hummingbird. I then photographed the tulips to match the light on the bird and then photographed the vase.
The vase wasn’t exactly what I wanted so I decided to stretch it. The hummingbird was shot natural light at f13 1/160 800ISO Tulips and vase were shot with natural light with reflector. F11 1/60 160ISO
Words of wisdom on learning and/or thoughts on creating art
“Anyone can create art. Just follow your heart. Don’t compare yourself to others and don’t care what others think. Create art that makes you happy because that’s what it’s all about. The more you create, the better you will become. Eventully you will develop your own style.”
Orchid Bloom – I’ve had this orchid for about five years. The plant sits on my kitchen cabinet and when the window light hits the flowers, the colors are so striking. The orchid spray wasn’t perfect so I added one more flower to the stem. The leaves were taken from another orchid image to complete my piece.
The orchid spray was shot in a studio setting with one main light and one reflector. @ f16 1/125 100 ISO The orchid plant was natural window light with a reflector. F11 1/60 400ISO
“To be inspired look at other peoples art, look at art history books and go onto social media sites like pinterst and instagram. Follow artists that inspire you. To learn how to create art, watch videos on Youtube or watch videos on site like Creative Live. Hands on classes and workshops are one of the best ways to learn a techique.”
Delicate Beauty – The freesia is one of the first flowers I photographed back in 2012. I really didn’t like how it came out, so I set it aside until I went to the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles and photographed a Swallowtail hovering over flowers. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my butterfly images until I went back into my library of flowers and came across the freesias again. Visually the light matched so I decided to play around with the three subjects until I created this art piece.
The butterflies were shot in diffused sunlight f8 1/1600 800 ISO. The freesia was studio lit with one main light, one reflector and a backlight. f16 1/125 100ISO
Karen Nakamura Bio
PPA Master Photographer and Master Artist, Karen Nakamura, is widely acclaimed for her signature style images of flowers. She is gifted with a unique take on them that evolves with each new blossom she shoots. Some of her inspiration and creativity comes from an adoration of orchids, which she tended to as a hobby.
Karen also has a fine art background, attaining her Bachelor’s of Fine Art from Cal State Long Beach.
Karen has earned the Professional Photographers of America’s Photographer of the Year awards every year since she first entered the PPA International Photographic Competition back in 2010.
Professional Photographers of America honored Karen with its 2013 Diamond Photographer of the Year and 2014 Artist Diamond Photographer of the Year. Diamond Photographers of the Year had all four competition images accepted into the prestigious PPA Loan Collection. Karen has won the coveted Canon Par Excellence Award, representing the pinnacle of achievement at the Professional Photographers of America regional level. She is one of the first photographers to earn the California Masters Degree from Professional Photographers of California.
You can learn from Karen! Her PPA Super 1 Day Class
Floral Photography and Compositing Course Date: Thursday, October 6, 2016
PPA Super One Day Class
Check out more of Karen’s work – www.karennakamuraphotography.com
Hope you enjoyed Karen’s work!
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
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by successfulbob | Lumix Lounge, Lumix LX100, photography, photography creativity, photography gear, photography lighting resources
Using a Mini-Scrim for Better Photos
A very simple way to control light is through the use of a scrim. For small subjects and objects, a regular 42-inch round scrim or super size scrims of 60 inches or more can be a bit of overkill for just mucking about. Westcott makes a wonderfully portable sized, five-in-one that is only twenty inches and when folded in it’s carrying case is a tiny eight inches for about twenty bucks.
Here’s a quick example using a neighbor’s cactus that was showing some attractive color blossoms. Look carefully at the difference between photos and I think you’ll see that learning to use a scrim can help get you better lighting in your images.
This first image was captured with full sun as the light source. Colors are bright and you might think that this works. Look at the harsh, deep dark patches in the shadow with no detail. This is the same kind of look you will get if you use on-camera flash.
In order to tame the harsh shadows, I next captured the blooms in full shadow. This results in slightly less contrast and the color has become muted. I suppose the color could be pumped up in post-production but the shadow are still a bit blocked up.
Here a scrim was placed between the sun and subject. Even though the scrim is only twenty inches because of it’s close proximity to the flowers it is acting like a very large light source. Very nice overall light with soft shadows and color fidelity. All images were processed with the same settings straight out of the camera. (SOOC)
A quick grab of the scrim in action. In addition, the kit comes with four other surfaces to reflect or block light in various intensities and colors. Black, gold, silver and white can all also be used to bend light to your will.
You can take this same lesson and apply it to larger subject such as people by using a larger scrim. Practice with it and you will find the larger the scrim and the distance it is to your subject you will be able to control the shadow edge transitions and depth of the shadow on your subject. Moving it further away while still covering your subject will give you slightly stronger shadows. Conversely, the scrim closer will make the light softer.
Sometimes you just gotta play! NIK filters, Photoshop extraction’ Layers and the Transform Tool.
These photos were captured with the Lumix LX100 the camera I call the ‘Pro’s Point & Shoot.’ A solid little performer built on a magnesium frame for about $700.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
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by successfulbob | fine art photography, fine art portrait, people photography, photographer profile, photography, photography creativity, tuesday painterly photo art
Tuesday Painterly Photo Art
Angela Blankenship – M.Photog., CPP
Angela came to my attention as a recommendation* from a past featured artist, Heather Michelle Chinn. When I went to look at Angela’s work on her website I was immediately taken with more the painting techniques. Entranced by the pure emotion, I saw coming through in her work got me to get in touch with an invite to the blog.
‘Words of Painterly Wisdom’
The only words of wisdom I have is LEARN, LEARN, LEARN.
I love the movement and family connection portrayed in this portrait by © Angela Blankenship
Seek out someone, or couple people, whose work you appreciate and ask them to help you develop your own vision through the skills they have and can pass on to you. I spent time with some fabulous digital painters, Mona Sadler – Coastal Pet Portraits and Heather Chinn – Heather the Painter, who were gracious enough to help me begin and develop the skills needed to be able to create merited work. I had merited images at IPC within a year of learning to digitally paint.
Before/After ‘Such a Bright Child’ © Angela Blankenship
Nothing replaces one-on-one teaching. I also suggest bringing as many of your ideas and vision to the “teachers” so they can help YOU create YOUR OWN style and art pieces. Tear out images in magazines you love. Hang them on your wall and start to see the similarities in the work to which you are attracted. This can help you notice a style and assist the mentor to guide you in the skills needed.
Heirloom Petite Portrait Before/After ‘Dreamy’ © Angela Blankenship
Heirloom Petite Portrait Before/After ‘Protected’ © Angela Blankenship
I always knew I wanted to create portraits that went beyond a straight photograph. I don’t think I’m fully at my potential, but am thoroughly enjoying the process of getting there, thanks to the help of some giving teachers. I will be forever grateful to them. I remember I got teary-eyed with appreciation after my first lesson with Mona, who taught me basics to get started using Photoshop for digital painting. Heather helped me bring my vision of hand-tinted and styled headshots to life which has brought me clients that I would not otherwise have had along with some excellent sales. These images are sold and marketed under the banner Heirloom Petite Portrait www.HeirloomPetitePortrait.com
Walk in the Woods © Angela Blankenship
Don’t be afraid to ask that special artist to help you develop your work.
www.abphotography.info Angela’s main website
www.HeirloomPetitePortrait.com (my website for the Heirloom Petite Portraits)
Angela Blankenship
Bio…
Energetic and driven are words that describe Angela. With five kids, 20 years as a full-time psychology professor, Certified Professional Photographer and a Master Photographer degree which was earned in four years, Angela is definitely focused. Angela owns AB Photography, a portrait studio established in 2008. Currently located on the main street of quaint downtown Nashville, NC. She is dedicated to creating classic children’s portraiture.
Angela’s Mentor’s websites
www.heatherthepainter.com Heather Chinn website
www.coastalpetportraits.com Mona Sadler website
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
* Do you have a recommendation for an artist you believe would be appropriate for this Tuesday Feature? Let me know!
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by successfulbob | bird photography, black & white, fine art photography, imaging competition, photography, photography competition, photography creativity, wildlife photography
International Photographic Competition – Part 4
Change is in the air!
Due to a change in this year’s judging procedure, I can share my Loan Collection images from the International Photographic Competition (IPC) put on by Professional Photographers of America (PPA). The PPA Loan Collection is judged after a picture has earned a Merit, which is defined as an above average image by an above average photographer. Loan Collection images are considered among the ‘Best of the Best.’
And here we go. I’ll comment under each image for what I was trying to accomplish.
“Going Up” – A study in perspective. Trying to make an everyday object into an art piece. I do this in practice for my commercial and architectural clients.
“Dance of the Snowy Egret” – This was me on vacation. I was studying this snowy egret tracking down its meals in the marsh. I noticed some patterns as I watched its behavior. This image began to form in my head. The Master Artist category is judged on the final output. Also, the difficulty and expertise in applying the techniques is a major part of whether an image is accepted.
“Shape Form Tone” – Made in Atlanta while I was a PPA headquarters for a meeting. We were on break, and I had brought a camera with me and saw this view out the window. Again, working on perfecting my craft by creating depth and dimension in my work.
“Iris” – This was a design I created for a silk scarf. (my clothing designs are available at SHOP VIDA) Depth and dimension are critical to adding life to a two-dimensional surface. Shadows are essential in making that happen.
There you have it. My photographic and design work in the 2016 PPA Loan Collection as judged by Professional Photographers of America.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | fine art photography, imaging competition, photography, photography competition, photography creativity, photography education, wildlife photography
International Photographic Competition – Pt 3
Finally!
I can get some work done.
Like many photographers around the country, I have been watching the judging of the International Photographic Competition hosted by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
‘Hiding’ – General Collection Artist Category – This image of model and mask, performer, and artist Pash Gabalvy of Sedona was an effort to create a painterly feel to this capture. May have processed this one a bit too dark.
I submitted eight images. Four in the Photographic Open and four in the Artist category. Of the eight images presented, Three images were not accepted. One was accepted into the General Collection earning a Merit. Four were deemed to be ‘best of the best’ and accepted into the prestigious Loan Collection.
I can share the ‘less successful’ images that Merited or were not accepted, but not the Loan Collection images as there will be additional judging of those images for the Grand Imaging Awards which will be announced at the Imaging USA convention in San Antonio, TX in January.
‘Eagle’ – Was not accepted. The Artist Category is judged based on the final image but also the difficulty and execution of the artwork itself. I will rework this image and try again.
Notice I did not say, ‘unsuccessful’ I said, ‘less than successful.’ We always want our images to score well, but I believe I learn just as much, if not more, from those that don’t. Why? I have been experimenting with lots of new capture techniques, new painting techniques in creating art from my images and different ways of processing photos. I get feedback on why the treatments and processing didn’t work, and I can grow my skills with that information.
‘Nightwatch’ – Another Artist submission that fell short in the judge’s opinions. This was challenged, so I received feedback on what the judges found lacking. “No specular highlights on the beak. Some leaves the were a distraction behind the owl’s head. Not enough shape and form on the owl’s body.” I agree with all contentions and will be reworking this image again.
‘Secret Canyon’ – Not accepted n the Photographic Open Category
I did not receive feedback on this image yet. My guess is that it might be a little too artistic for the subject. Many pictures of slot canyons have been entered over the years.
That’s my story so far. I’ll follow up with the Loan Collection images after the GIA’s have been selected.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
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