Digital photograph as a painting resource

[Bob Abrahams]

There is a discussion going on in the Gallery regarding my digitally enhanced photograph "Pink and Blue". It is currently showing on the forum home page and is in my painting Gallery

It has led to me to seriously consider digitally enhancing my photographs such as this one for the exploration of new concepts and ideas for paintings.

What do you think about this idea?

http://img37.picoodle.com/img/img37/4/3/22/f_BLUEANDPINKm_c0f2e88.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/3/22/f_BLUEANDPINKm_c0f2e88.jpg&srv=img37)

[Bob Abrahams]

His another digitally enhanced photograoh posted ealeir with my Easter greeting

I think it will also make a great resource for another painting.

http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/4/3/22/f_CIMG2223CRPm_8468410.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/3/22/f_CIMG2223CRPm_8468410.jpg&srv=img27)

[sweetmango]

Bob, I don't have any concerns regarding digital enhancement of photos as a reference for painters. I don't paint from a direct reference point but I quite often play with photos and see an end result that I think would make a wonderful painting were I to paint in this manner. Having seen your work and the photo pink and blue, I can see that this photo would make a wonderful reference for one of your paintings, to my eye, your painting style and this photo marry perfectly.
I think it is really similar to the way I see the world each day, I have a stygmatism in both eyes which means everything I see is slightly blurred or softened, I don't see the details in leaves, grass etc that other people do, unless I wear my glasses. So were I to paint from direct reference as you do, my interpretation of the subject would immediately be different to yours simply because my eyesight is giving me a different picture. So what is the difference in using an enhanced picture? I say go for it, I for one would love to see the results!!

[Helm]

Hey Bob. In my honest opinon, I think it is definately necessary to enhance the photo before painting it, if only in the curves and levels because the photo often comes out like it has a haze etc over it and the contrasts are different in a photo vs real life. (well, this is true for beginners like me, I am trying to work out my colours and tones from a photo in order to learn, but if the photo isn't correct or how i want it, how would I learn?)

Also, enhancing can make something even more vivid and such and you can mess around with hues in the photo without having to wreck a painting with messing around (again, especially for beginners like me lol). I love to look at HDR photography and have painted from a mates HDR photo with his permission, those are indeed wonderful enhancements to paint from.

I say go for it! How everyone deduces their environment for painting and what is reflected on their canvas is theirs and theirs alone.

[emkay]

You've done a lovely job in enhancing the photo Bob. It would make a beautiful painting and the sense of space between the vase and the wall is gorgeous..

BUT, I wonder how much fun executing the actual painting would be - it seems a bit like painting by numbers to me and I wonder how much of your usual freedom of stroke and energy you'd be able to incorporate using this method....

Looking forward to seeing where you go from here.:flowers:

[Bob Abrahams]

Thats a very good point Michelle and I agree that a it could be like painting by numbers :scared:

But remember that this photograph is a part of my creative process I set up the arrangement, discovered the photo opportunity, photographed it, saw the image potential from dozens of others, cropped it and enhanced it. The enhanced photo simply sumarises a visual concept

The actual painting is another step in the process. Once I start painting and establish the basic composition on to the canvas, the painting seems to talk to me, making graphic suggestions and I listen :blink: I think painting like this must "work" as a painting in their own right and not as a copy of the photograph

In the painting process I do not copy photographs, I do not aim to produce another version of the photograph in oils.

Thanks for the comment I certainly would not like to fall into the boring trap of painting by numbers:laugh:

ps
I have also painted a small ala prima study of this subject from life before taking the photograph

[emkay]

Nothing wrong with anything about that Bob.

It would drive me crazy that's all. Viva la difference.:w00t:

Onward and upward eh.... Look forward to reading about your experience trialling this method and seeing the results.

[Jewels]

Bob, I think you will do a great painting of the vase and flowers, the colours in the vase are exquiste[think thats how you spell that word], you have done a great job enchancing that photo, I just love the colours , they are just beautiful, especially the blues in the vase, cant wait to see your painting.

[Judy]

It's totally your creation Bob. The composition, colour choices etc. So you will be painting what you've visually created. Painting ala prima or from your own photo, you are still painting what you see in your own style. I think this is a beautifull photo worthy of merit.

[PERUGINA]

I'm pleased this came into being Bob, I think I initially asked the question about the photo, thinking it was a watercolour painting.

What a great reference photo enhancing it and I never would have known about the photo program if I hadn't asked so thankyou!

You are also very right in your explaination of setting up this still life and it being a creative process all it's own.

I had never considered painting a still life before from a photograph, that is until I set up my own from which I painted the watercolour of "The Black Vintage Vase."
Not only was it an important learning exercise for me in the application of watercolour to try and achieve a photorealistic representation, but the whole process of collecting the objects and arranging them in a pleasing composition, one that I was happy with was a learning activity all it's own and FUN!

I have bought the photo program you spoke of since and will be installing it tomorrow!

Can't wait to see your painting which results from this valid process.

[Bob Abrahams]

Pleased to be a help Perugina

[Minta]

I think the trick is to make the enhancing invisible to the viewer. ie, if you use a filter, it needs to be done in a way that people can't tell what you have done.

Classic problem - the lens flare filter in photoshop. It's much too obvious and as a result looks amature.

[Bob Abrahams]

I think the trick is to make the enhancing invisible to the viewer. ie, if you use a filter, it needs to be done in a way that people can't tell what you have done.
Classic problem - the lens flare filter in photoshop. It's much too obvious and as a result looks amature.

Minta
Can you see a problem like this with my enhanced photograph?

[after-dark]

yeah, if you copy your photo as close as possible you'll run the risk of your painting looking like a photo with a filter applied - which can look tacky. As long it's a loose reference it should be fine though:)

[inkgal8290]

i think its a good concept to use the compter...i have ran y pictures through the computer .....i have got some good ideas regarding my color and tone with my little paint shop pro programe.....there was a time when my colors where going a tad chalkey...psp....helped me recognise this and litereally correct my pallatte and color mixes