Learning The Art Side of Photoshop

Hi all

Although I have been using Photoshop for many years and am familiar with the technical side of Photoshop, I am looking to learn more about the artistic side of Photoshop. Of course I understand that people spend many years at College and University studying such a subject (and also many have a background in traditional art), so as a hobbyist I am not expecting overnight results, however it is a subject that I find really interesting so would like to know where to start learning this side of things.

The type of Photoshop art I am looking at is photography based. Here is an example:
http://i28.tinypic.com/efq80k.jpg

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start learning about the art side of Photoshop for photography. For example, good book recommendations, etc.

Cheers

On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:54:46 +0100, "Ali" wrote:

Hi all

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start learning about the art side of Photoshop for photography. For example, good book recommendations, etc.

Cheers

Photoshop Creative

http://www.imagine-publishing.co.uk/

http://www.isubscribe.co.uk/title_info.cfm?prodID=8534

Dave

Hi Ali,

Ron Bigelow is a master of fine arts photography and has many very helpful articles.
Michael Harmon is a master of the stylized photography and can be contacted on his website.
Both are highly skilled technically but also excellent and successful artists. If you doubt it just look at their work.

http://ronbigelow.com/
http://www.pixelkat.com/

Hi Ali,
You may want to become familiar with the 3D programs too for that kind of imagery.

"Ali" wrote in message

Hi all

Although I have been using Photoshop for many years and am familiar with the technical side of Photoshop, I am looking to learn more about the artistic side of Photoshop. Of course I understand that people spend many years at College and University studying such a subject (and also many have a background in traditional art), so as a hobbyist I am not expecting overnight results, however it is a subject that I find really interesting so would like to know where to start learning this side of things.
The type of Photoshop art I am looking at is photography based. Here is an example:
http://i28.tinypic.com/efq80k.jpg

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start learning about the art side of Photoshop for photography. For example, good book recommendations, etc.

Cheers

If you learn all the tools and filters, making good selections, how to use adjustment layers and masks for fixing photos you can use the same tools with imagination to get those artistic results.

Best way to learn is open a picture>>> in PS and try stuff then cut out part of it by using a mask.... load another shot under it apply different filters and adjustments to parts of it

Hi Tiz Me

I must admit, it looks like CG, but this particular photo isn't done with 3D software.

Good point though, I have been tempted to also learn something like 3DS MAX, Lightwave or Softimage for quite a while and GC is more common than ever now-a-days, especially with automotive photography. Still, even knowing how to use 3D software, you still need to know the principles of art, which is what I am looking to learn more about at the moment. Maybe learning software like 3DS MAX will come later.

"Tiz Me" wrote in message

Hi Ali,
You may want to become familiar with the 3D programs too for that kind of imagery.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start learning about the art side of Photoshop for photography. For example, good book recommendations, etc.

Nobody and no books can do that. They can analyse ( cut in pieces, reverse ingeneering the masters works), they can express their own reactions. But no one will give you talent. One do not own his talent, it is not a gif. It is a natural thing like breathing.

Inquiring, observing, asking question is a better way.

You can read Robert Henri on art. He was a painter but you can paint with photoshop and what he says appy to any art. You can read Nimon Nichola

Hi Ali,
Jean is right saying 'Inquire' and 'observe' or as I would say research and observe and try out everything then research and observe and try again - practice, parctice, parctice.

My background is in traditional art and the digital side is fairly recent. I do like to use Photoshop to paint more free-hand with just the paintbrush and a Wacom tablet, like I do with traditional oil paintings and the brush but the Adobe programs can do much more than that. Like KatWoman says 'try stuff'. Play with a Photo and go for it. Experiment with every tool you can including filters. If you are not sure how to use a tool spend some time looking up just that and play some more. It is a lot of fun and can be quite rewarding. I am still learning all the wonderful possibilities of PS and Illustrator. Enjoy!

"Tiz Me" wrote in message

Hi Ali,
Jean is right saying 'Inquire' and 'observe' or as I would say research and observe and try out everything then research and observe and try again - practice, parctice, parctice.

My background is in traditional art and the digital side is fairly recent. I do like to use Photoshop to paint more free-hand with just the paintbrush and a Wacom tablet, like I do with traditional oil paintings and the brush but the Adobe programs can do much more than that. Like KatWoman says 'try stuff'. Play with a Photo and go for it. Experiment with every tool you can including filters. If you are not sure how to use a tool spend some time looking up just that and play some more. It is a lot of fun and can be quite rewarding. I am still learning all the wonderful possibilities of PS and Illustrator. Enjoy!

yes you can learn things from books and studying art
I am not advocating not learning art history or techniques composition rules etc
I have studied art all my life
have a degree in fine arts BTW
and a teaching certification in art (unused so far)

but you can only learn so much about riding a bike or playing a guitar from a book
at some point you have to JUST DO IT and then practice practice practice and painting drawing and computer skills are no different

On Apr 27, 2:12 pm, "KatWoman" wrote:

"Tiz Me" wrote in message

Hi Ali,
Jean is right saying 'Inquire' and 'observe' or as I would say research and observe and try out everything then research and observe and try again - practice, parctice, parctice.

My background is in traditional art and the digital side is fairly recent. I do like to use Photoshop to paint more free-hand with just the paintbrush and a Wacom tablet, like I do with traditional oil paintings and the brush but the Adobe programs can do much more than that. Like KatWoman says 'try stuff'. Play with a Photo and go for it. Experiment with every tool you can including filters. If you are not sure how to use a tool spend some time looking up just that and play some more. It is a lot of fun and can be quite rewarding. I am still learning all the wonderful possibilities of PS and Illustrator. Enjoy!

yes you can learn things from books and studying art
I am not advocating not learning art history or techniques composition rules etc
I have studied art all my life
have a degree in fine arts BTW
and a teaching certification in art (unused so far)

but you can only learn so much about riding a bike or playing a guitar from a book
at some point you have to JUST DO IT and then practice practice practice and painting drawing and computer skills are no different

IMO, artists have something they want to say and have the creativity and skill to say it. There are a lot more technicians, even creative technicians, than there are artists. There are a lot of fulfilled people working in the pipeline of a feature film that are applying creative solutions to the problem of brining the directors artistic vision to life. I think there are two kinds of artists. The ones gifted with superior intellect, able to see life in unique ways. And the ones through life experiences have been beaten into freaks. If you are not one of those, you may be better off taking your place in the pipeline as a rigger or a modeler- or maybe a wedding photographer.

Ron

Interesting thread :o)

I like this reply and it makes a lot of sense to me.

Of course, I think that it's very realistic that every artist will be inspired by other artists and in the early days will start off looking at peoples work and techniques. Then they will develop their own style.

"KatWoman" wrote in message

but you can only learn so much about riding a bike or playing a guitar from a book
at some point you have to JUST DO IT and then practice practice practice and painting drawing and computer skills are no different

Good reply, but the question I would like to know is where did you start? Everyone starts somewhere.

"Jean Pierre Daviau" wrote in message

Nobody and no books can do that. They can analyse ( cut in pieces, reverse ingeneering the masters works), they can express their own reactions. But no one will give you talent. One do not own his talent, it is not a gif. It is a natural thing like breathing.

Inquiring, observing, asking question is a better way.

You can read Robert Henri on art. He was a painter but you can paint with photoshop and what he says appy to any art. You can read Nimon Nichola¨îdes. Arthur Koestler as a deep thinking on art. Poets.
Very few people are really interested in art.

Peter Mondrian ( a searcher) is now copied (cloned) in many day to day show. Even the academy awards a few years ago copied his style. I call it vulgarisation of art as there is scientific vulgarisation. Picasso on abstraction and intuition.

Picasso for sure would work with photoshop. Dali would not I think (it is only my opinion).

I dont know if your question is serious but my answer is.
:-)

May the peace of creativity be with you.

"Ali" wrote in message

Good reply, but the question I would like to know is where did you start? Everyone starts somewhere.

"Jean Pierre Daviau" wrote in message

Nobody and no books can do that. They can analyse ( cut in pieces, reverse ingeneering the masters works), they can express their own reactions. But no one will give you talent. One do not own his talent, it is not a gif. It is a natural thing like breathing.

Inquiring, observing, asking question is a better way.

You have been given some pretty good advice. My own thoughts are to wander aimlessly through some art museums and galleries. See what you like. Experiment with the different effects in PS. Then try to imitate what you see, only as a starter. Don't feel you have to do exact reproductions, but take a little of what you like from each. Eventually, if you are any good you will develop your own style. You might also what to play with some of the brushes and effects available in Corel PainterX. (Free trial version available on the Corel website.)

Play and have fun

--
Peter

Very, very close to me. In fact, it seems the more you get know the more closer you must get to yourself.
If you think about work or getting a job. Why dont you make free birthday cards for your friends and family?

My father said to me: "Discover the world if you want, but never let your stomach got further than the carrots."

It is to say for the moment that I talked too much ;-)

On Apr 25, 1:54 pm, "Ali" wrote:

Hi all

Although I have been using Photoshop for many years and am familiar with the technical side of Photoshop, I am looking to learn more about the artistic side of Photoshop. Of course I understand that people spend many years at College and University studying such a subject (and also many have a background in traditional art), so as a hobbyist I am not expecting overnight results, however it is a subject that I find really interesting so would like to know where to start learning this side of things.
The type of Photoshop art I am looking at is photography based. Here is an example:http://i28.tinypic.com/efq80k.jpg

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start learning about the art side of Photoshop for photography. For example, good book recommendations, etc.

Cheers

In addition to all that has been said in this thread, I suggest http://www.retouchpro.com/.
"Retouch" is a misnomer. These people do marvelous things with photos, beyond just touching out pimples, etc. They are truly PS artists and gladly share, in detail, how they did what they did. The Website has a host of forums. Just click on it & check it out.