Friday, October 19, 2012

Does She or Doesn't She?


Thank you every one for your wonderful comments on my last post, you guys make my day, and for that I am forever grateful!

One of the comments from my last post was from my sweet friend Loi who you all may know from the fabulous blog and shop Tone on Tone.   He asked if the image of bluebirds was a single image, or if I had merged more than one image to incorporate the 2 birds.  It's a great question, and I'm so glad he asked it.

 
                        (same image as the first one but cropped and desaturated except for the bird)                        

Although I do post process nearly all of my images, I have to admit that I've not mastered the craft and real art form of merging different elements from several images without things looking "shopped."  Some photographers cringe at the thought of merging several images to create one finished image, but I don't subscribe to that theory...I'm just not handy enough to be able to do it well.  It is even thought that the renowned photographer Ansel Adams did this in order to get that perfect shot.

So none of the images I post either on my blog, or on my website have elements from one image overlayed into another image...but maybe one day!  Have you ever seen an amazing image with the perfect full moon...it may just be the combination of several images, and I think that's cool! 

Now, the artwork I create with Mary Beth is created using lots of layers....sometimes more than 100, but when it comes to cutting and pasting with more realistic imagery, well I'm a bit of a flop at it so I stick with basic textures and actions to create each picture.




But that's not to say that you can't do plenty with textures and actions, which in its own way is the baby step program into combining images.  As you can see in this post, taking a basic image and "playing" with it in PS or PSE can be very rewarding and it can give your images a whole new look.




So for now I will be content with creating images that rely on all of the elements being in the shot from the get go.  Am I confusing you, because I'm starting to be a little confused myself!

One day I hope to be skilled enough to take a bluebird from one shot, a flower from another, and the moon in another and pull them altogether into one amazing shot.  I just have to wait until I can create something that someone with even the keenest eye would say to themselves...."hmm, does she or doesn't she?!"  Don't hold your breath though, it will be a long time coming! :-)

I hope you all have a very Happy Weekend.  There are lots of cool flea markets in my neck of the woods this weekend so I might just get into a bit of trouble!

8 comments:

  1. I'm with you - I have no problem with photos being altered or layers of photos being applied. I do love that little bird's ruffled feather.

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  2. Your photos are beautiful...I love your bluebirds...and I especially love the one you sent me!
    Have a wonderful weekend at all those cool flea markets...wish I was there to get in trouble with you! :)

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  3. Absolutely gorgeous photos, Kat! Bluebirds are one my fav birds. It's always so exciting to see the scouts arrive in February. I then know that spring is right around the corner. :)

    xoxo laurie

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  4. Lovely photos, Kat! Hope you have some fun and good finds ant the flea markets!

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  5. love your work



    Weekend Aloha from Honolulu!
    Comfort Spiral

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  6. I'm mostly in the minimal post-processing camp, probably because of my journalistic background as I feel photos should reflect reality. I have no problems with people adding filters and textures to make artistic creations but I do have issues about taking elements from different photos to create a new image especially if there's no reference to the fact that it's photoshop art.
    I think the secret is getting it right in camera and just doing the basic tweaking afterwards. And ref your earlier post, I too have a soft spot for black and white or sepia. And your photos are so good they don't need hours of digital manipulation.

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  7. I adore both versions of that sweet birdie. The realistic photo is just breathtaking, but I am always drawn to the script/birdie combo! xo

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