We all have that one friend who is an expert at taking any old photo and turning it into something amazing. They can take a simple landscape picture and turn it into a relaxing spot you can visit any time you want while feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Does this sound like someone you know? If so, then this article is for you. We’re going to teach you how to become the master of taking any old photo and turning it into an amazing piece of art. You’ll learn some amazing tips and tricks from a seasoned professional that’s been there, done that.
Find The Perfect Location
The very first step in creating an amazing piece of artwork is to find the perfect location. You can find endless inspiration online, but in the end, there’s only one perfect spot for you to find. It’s called location, location, location. The more you search for, the more you’ll find, but the important thing is that you find the perfect spot for the photo you have in mind. You see, the reason these photos turn out so well is that the location is almost always perfect. It might not be the most beautiful part of the world, but it most certainly is the perfect spot for the photo you’re trying to replicate. And this is what makes all the difference.
Lighting Is Everything
If you’ve ever seen an old-school, black-and-white photo of a person with poor lighting, then you know just how vital good lighting is in making great-looking images. The same is true of modern photos. You can hire a professional photographer for a nice day of shooting, but sometimes the results aren’t exactly what you’re looking for. The key is in the lighting. Just take a look at the difference good lighting can make.
To give you an example, let’s say you’ve got an image of Christian Bale as Batman. In theory, this is something you could make into a cool art piece, right? Not so fast there, buddy. You’ve got a problem. You don’t have a single good picture of Christian Bale as Batman. Everything you’ve got is either directly under the sun or completely over-exposed. It’s dark, it’s grim, and it’s not exactly what you’re looking for. So what do you do?
Enter Photoshop. I’m guessing you’ve heard of it. It’s one of the most popular graphic design and photography programs out there. In addition to being able to enhance your images, you can create entire virtual sets with lights and cameras, as well as make photo manipulations like the one above.
The problem is that Photoshop is a very sophisticated program, and it takes a while to learn how to use it effectively. However, once you’ve learned how, you can do amazing things. Whether you’re a seasoned graphic designer or simply someone who wants to try their hand at designing, Photoshop has something to offer everyone.
Don’t Be Fooled By Abrassos
What if I told you there was a way to take one of the most famous movie scenes of all time and turn it into a simple, yet amazing piece of artwork? Sound fantastic? Well, it is! All you need is a little bit of Photoshop and some creativity. Remember: with great inspiration comes great responsibility.
The key to this photo illusion is the reflection in the window. Many people have tried and failed to replicate this effect, but not you. Not only do you know exactly what you’re doing, but from the moment you saw the scene, you knew just how you were going to turn it into art. Take a closer look.
As you can see, there’s a clear reflection in the window. However, if you look closely, you’ll notice there are slight imperfections in the reflection. These are the things that make it stand out and inspired you to take it as a starting point for your own artwork. For example, take a look at the little speck in the upper-right corner of the image. This is something that would bother a lot of people, but since you notice it and understand it’s importance, it serves as a reminder of why you did this in the first place. In a way, it’s like a little beacon of inspiration that guides you as you work. This is the kind of thing that can only come from sheer determination and an unwavering belief that this is indeed the most perfect image you could ever produce.
Focus On The Finished Product
When you start a new piece of art, whether it’s in Photoshop or on a piece of cardboard, it’s nearly impossible not to get distracted by the endless possibilities that Photoshop has to offer. With all the cool tools and programs, it’s easy to see how someone could become overwhelmed or distracted. You have to learn to focus solely on what you’re doing and block out all the other noise. This is easier said than done, but if you truly want to produce an amazing piece of work, it’s something you’ll have to learn to do.
Start Small
If you’re new to Photoshop, start small. Take a landscape picture and try to improve it a bit. There are tons of tutorials online, and even if there isn’t one that matches your skill set exactly, there’ll be something close enough that you can learn from. Smaller images are more digestible, and therefore, more suitable for experimentation. What this means is that you can mess around with the image for a while before moving on to the next step. With larger images, you’re running the risk of making huge changes that could potentially ruin the piece. In these cases, it’s better to start over.
Pay Attention To Detail
As we’ve established, lighting is crucial in ensuring the perfect end product. Another important factor to consider is the little things. Take a look at the photo on the left. Even though it’s a rather bleak image, there’s a reason why it turned out so well – every little part of it was carefully planned. From the window cleaner to the lamp, everything was done with meticulous detail. You wouldn’t believe how much difference a little bit of planning and attention to detail can make. It’s not just about having enough lighting, but about having the right kind of lighting.
As you can see, the photo on the left was lit with a single lamp, which wasn’t quite bright enough to light up every inch of the room. As a result, the shadows are rather ominous and dark, which gives the scene a rather grim atmosphere. However, as soon as you start paying attention to the little details, the scene starts taking a different turn. Take a look at the photo on the right. As you can see, not only was there sufficient lighting, but the shadows are much more subtle, giving the photo a softer, more relaxed atmosphere.
This is exactly what happens when you pay attention to detail. Even though you might not want to admit it, sometimes the results of a well-executed plan are more impressive than any grand design you could come up with. It’s all about paying attention to the little things, and then adding on from there.
Look For Inspiration
Every single one of us has a creative side, and for the most part, it’s a happy side. While we’re absolutely aware of how important inspiration is, it’s often difficult to find the exact right piece of art that fires up your imagination. What you need to do is look for inspiration wherever you can find it, whether it’s a children’s book, a film, or a comic book. Be careful not to copy anyone exactly, but rather to use what you learn in the process as a starting point for your own work. Do your research and if necessary, buy the original piece of artwork to which you’ll be emulating.
Remember: you’re creating an artwork, and like any other artwork, it doesn’t have to be perfect. There are no right or wrong answers here. Some artists love to draw and paint in an incredibly realistic fashion. While others might prefer to add a little bit more of a surreal twist. It’s all about what inspires you and what you feel like doing at the time.
As we mentioned earlier, sometimes the results of a grand plan don’t turn out the way you’d hoped. This can be incredibly disheartening, particularly if you put a lot of effort into it. One of the best things you could do for yourself after a rough patch like this is to change direction. Instead of continuing down the beaten path, you could do something different and see what happens. The great thing about this option is that since you’ve already started, you can continue from where you left off without too much of a jump in logic. This is truly one of the best things you could do for yourself if you’re looking for inspiration.