Michael Paul Miller michaelpaulmiller.com facebook.com/michaelpaul.miller instagram.com/millermichaelpaul 51
CMCREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE CREATIVE MULTIMEDIA Digital Art COMBINING SKETCHING, AI ART AND ADOBE PHOTOSHOP By Marina Shipova As a far back as I can remember, I have been drawing, sketching, painting, and sculpting. Working with this new AI program, I’ve discovered a new and fascinating dimension. Learning how the AI program understands the prompts used in directing the artwork, and more importantly keeping my own original style and vision has been an ongoing process. 52
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Digital ArtCREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE COMBINING SKETCHING, AI ART AND ADOBE PHOTOSHOP Art has always been the focal point and core of my artistic journey. I love the ability to tell any story desired through artwork. I can bring to life my very own visual and conceptual world through an intersection of painting, photography and computer graphics. I feel like art gives me my purpose in this world of chaos. My goal is to use any and all media (AI art, editing software, photography, sketching, drawing anCdREATIVE MULTIMEDIA painting) as my artistic vehicle allowing me to create new uncharted worlds. This is my place of self-discovery, and most importantly, the grounds for telling new, untold stories. I have always been fascinated with art, especially when it comes to live drawing. As a child, my uncle would take a classic painting print and draw a perfect replica copy of that painting right before my eyes. I was five years old, and totally amazed as I watched him perform this incredible trick. I decided right then and there that this would be my skill as well. There was a classic print on my grandmother’s apartment wall which always caught my attention. The painting was a large print with vibrant colors and matching decorated frame, which would draw your eyes from any part of the room. The transparent browns contrasted with the flesh tones establishing masses of dark and light. Opaque whites blended gently, building up the lightest highlight passages to enhance the three-dimensional quality of surfaces and skin. Later, when I started art school, I learned about the artist and his extremely unique portrait style combining a neoclas- sical simplicity fused so well with romantic tendency, and his penchant for realism with an intriguing level of psychological interpretation. With the eyes of an impressionable child, I have encompassed all these elements into my lifetime of art. For most of my working career I have been in illustrator. I have illustrated many projects including books. When illustrating books, the illustration must convey as much information as possible from the book in a single image. This is very different from traditional art. Detail that would be considered clutter in an art piece become necessary in an illustration. What is amazing is how well an AI art program can accomplish this task. I can begin with a single sketch and then populate it with all the necessary detail needed for a successful illustration. 54
Marina Shipova marinashipova.myportfolio.com facebook.com/mshipova instagram.com/marina.shipova 55
CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE CM Marina Shipova marinashipova.myportfolio.com facebook.com/mshipova CREATIVE MULTIMEinDstIaAgram.com/marina.shipova Mood is extremely important when it comes to photoshoot as much as possible prior to postpro- story building. The mood creates atmosphere duction. Mood and Emotionality in art has always and emotional impact. Color choices play been paramount to me and since I have been a very important role in defining the mood. working with an AI art program (augmented with Our perception of color is frequently quite Photoshop as my main digital editing tool), I have individual and subjective; nonetheless, there is a been very impressed at how much emotionality general association which should be taken under can be conveyed through this program. Even consideration. Of course, you cannot always though I load “hand drawn” sketches from which control the many colors on a photoshoot. A the artificial Intelligence program can base its photographer has very little control of the colors algorithms, the program still totally amazes me the camera sees, such as the color of the sky or with it’s outcomes. The final images are (or at least trees or the model’s flesh tones (without the use of can be) powerful, dramatic and awash with mood gels or filters, of course). Fortunately, Photoshop and atmosphere. makes it incredibly easy to change color values and add overall tonal and color adjustments. I love to create whimsical adventures within a However, it is prudent to plan and execute the surrealistic fantasy realm and take everyday 56
inspiration and AI support to create my fantasy When it comes to fantasy art, I like to believe worlds. By mixing media (life sketches, Adobe that anything, and everything, is possible. I Photoshop and AI generated art), I can create enjoy challenging myself with unusually complex a magical world only available to the digital concepts and intriguing scenarios. Images can artist. As far back as I can remember, I have seem to unfold right before your eyes, detailing been drawing, sketching, painting, and sculpting action, drama and/or mystery. Details should dragons. It is a theme that I revisit often. Working include dynamic composition, background and with this new AI program, a new and exciting detail, allegory and symbolism. Good characters dimension has been revealed to me. I have belong to the space in which they are portrayed. discovered that uploading a preliminary sketch It is important that every aspect of the image or photograph helps “kick start” the process and makes coherent, psychological sense to give to maintain my style and vision. So, the process is the viewer a feeling of truth and reality. With to first upload a sketch or photo, then to direct the the amazing advantage of digital processing program layer by layer until I reach the desired comes the danger of producing an image that outcome using my digital editing programs is confusing in detail, composition, and setting. during and at the culmination of the project. Subjects should appear as though they “belong” Loading the pertinent prompts and learning how to their settings. Convincing “space-time” elements the AI program understands the prompts used in art can add extra layers of dynamic depth and in directing the artwork, and more importantly reality, enhancing the viewer’s understanding and keeping my own original style and vision has view-ability. been an ongoing learning process. Marina Shipova marinashipova.myportfolio.com facebook.com/mshipova instagram.com/marina.shipova 57
CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE CM CREATIVE MULTIMEDIA Marina Shipova marinashipova.myportfolio.com facebook.com/mshipova instagram.com/marina.shipova Typically, I start with the story. Having an inspired or Creativity is often just a matter of personal creative idea and being able to express it in a way perspective. I believe that by changing one’s which can be experienced and understood are two perspective, even the “ordinary” and/or “obvious” very different abilities. Every detail of your image can again become creative. I’ve developed a should unpack, unfold and propel the story. The more unique and fascinating approach that allows me thought and effort you put into building the image and to visualize and tell my stories in a wonderful and into your characters and finer details, the closer you surprising way by combining the AI program with will be able to approach that beautiful masterpiece digital photography, editing, and traditional art forms. you have in mind, yet be forever cognizant of the story you are attempting to illustrate. 58
Marina Shipova marinashipova.myportfolio.com facebook.com/mshipova instagram.com/marina.shipova 59
CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE CM Cade Barker barkerphotography.myportfolio.com http://barker.photos/ CREATIVE MULTIMEDIA Interview with Nature Photograper Cade Barker Hello my name is Cade Barker and I am a 20 I pride myself on being a photographer of year old professional photographer out of Battle nature and wildlife but I enjoy taking photos of Ground, WA. I’ve been a photographer since eighth so much more. Nature and wildlife is something grade and have been seriously doing it since my I love to showcase with my photography, espe- sophomore year of high school. I have always been cially the natural beauty and animal diversity of a multi-sport athlete and my dad wanted me to try a North America. hobby outside of sports and an option I had interest in was photography. My dad has always had a I’ve been blessed with a lot of great gear to use camera so by eighth grade it was my turn to give at my disposal but there’s a couple of key pieces it a try. Photography became something that I am that are always at the ready during my adventures. very passionate about and my competitive nature For wildlife I use the Canon 7D Mark II with the keeps me focused at my goal of improving my Tamron 150-600mm lens. The Tamron lens has to photography each year. be the best bang for its buck with great reach and a surprisingly close focal range making it great for 60
insect photography as well. The Canon 7D Mark in the hoofed mammal classification will be most II is a great option for wildlife photographers that active. When having a photographic encounter aren’t quite ready to leap into the large budget of always remember that you are their guest and pay mirrorless. For landscape photography I use a Canon attention to their behavior. Wildlife photography 5D Mark IV with a Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 lens. is full of proper etiquette including making sure the Oftentimes I’ll have the Canon 70-200mm F2.8 lens animal is comfortable with your presence. on the 5D for insect and detailed plant photographs since I can trust that the landscape I’ll be photo- To help my confidence with my photography and graphing won’t quickly go and hide like the critters! avoid a photographic slump after each outing I will tend to critique and take mental note of what Wildlife photography comes with a lot of research! I could have done better with each photo and try A great thing to take note on would be what species my critiques for my next outing. I take pride in my are you able to find at all your locations you intend natural style of post production, I’m a big fan of to photograph at during the year. Oftentimes with keeping photographs natural with most of my editing birds, each season throughout the year will have being light correction. different species with migrations. It is also good to take note of when a mammal species breeding Wildlife and landscape photography are full of period is throughout the year; that is when species challenges for me. Rarely do I get an encounter Cade Barker One Proud Buck Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge barkerphotography.myportfolio.com http://barker.photos/ 61
worth photographing with my CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE CM desired species. I often make do with what nature provides me. CREATIVE MULTIMEDIA One thing worth noting is the most common species of birds and mammals is what people want printed, never pass up a beautiful male Mallard duck! Something I hope to accomplish in my hopeful photography career is teaching all skill levels out in the field by leading nature photo tours across the Western United States. A simple tip to take your wildlife photos up a notch is if you’re able, photograph at eye level with your subjects. It might be a challenge at times. It’s ok to get dirty as long as you protect your camera! In the near future I hope to be able to start my photo tours as I find pure enjoyment helping others improve their photography. I also hope to be able to fund more adventures across the country where I hope to highlight the lesser traveled to places of North America and showcase the species diversity that most people don’t realize exist in this part of the world. Ridgelines, Deer Park Area- Olympic National Park 62
Cade Barker barkerphotography.myportfolio.com http://barker.photos/ 63
CMCREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE CREATIVE MULTIMEDIA Cade Barker barkerphotography.myportfolio.com http://barker.photos/ 64
Cade Barker barkerphotography.myportfolio.com http://barker.photos/ 65
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Cade Barker barkerphotography.myportfolio.com http://barker.photos/ 67
CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE CM Dan McKenna sweetfstop.com CREATIVE MULTIMEDIA Dan McKenna Of all the photographic genres I practice, elements from various scenes. I often focus on landscape photography provides the most lasting man’s interaction with a landscape without memories and experiences. I say this because for defining a specific person by showing how man me, this genre is the most contemplative. The pace has changed or developed a particular piece of is slow and deliberative and each scene that is land. The interaction of how nature tries to undo captured represents a vivid memory that I often what we have created is often of interest to me carry with me for decades if not for the remainder such as a dilapidated barn or home. of my life. When appropriate long exposures simplify a Landscapes that I choose to photograph are often scene by removing distracting elements and simple scenes but can also be a composite smoothing complimentary framing elements for the image I have created that combine favorite subject I have focused upon. Water and clouds 68
are often smoothed by such a process but blurring are also important in my landscape work. I try to moving vegetation can also add a complimentary employ all these elements in my work. element that focuses the viewer upon the intended subject. So too can reducing contrast, increasing/ It all comes down to discovering a scene in the decreasing light and sharpness in certain portions landscape that speaks to the art you wish to of an image help focus the viewer’s attention. capture or create. Minimizing colors and using complimentary colors Dan McKenna sweetfstop.com 69
CMCREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE CREATIVE MULTIMEDIA Dan McKenna sweetfstop.com 70
Dan McKenna sweetfstop.com 71
CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE CM CREATIVE MULTIMEDIA Phillip Renault I like to explore the Olympic Peninsula. I have of wonder for the world around us. I try to take seen many things and like to record them as what I see in nature and capture an image that photographs. I think that my science background represents the wonder or majesty of the moment. I helps give me a sense of what to look for, and follow the seasons and take photos that represent where to look. I have taught natural history. You the changes that follow. Each year brings different have to grab the student’s attention. Take the changes and new photo opportunities. ordinary and make it extraordinary. Instill a sense 72
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CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINECM CREATIVE MULTIMEDIA Phillip Renault 74
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CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE CM Liz Bumgarner CREATIVE MULTIMEDIA The Magic of Abstract Photography by Liz Bumgarner Liz Bumgarner has been a documentary Switzerland and has traveled throughout photographer and videographer working for Asia and Europe. She is also a recognized many organizations, including USAID, the political advocate for human rights and World Bank and Conoco Oil. She has also social justice. operated a portrait studio in the Washington, DC area. She has lived in Indonesia and 76
Twelve years ago, after decades of documentary in most photographic work, in looking for new and portrait work, abstract photography entered visualizations I moved in closer to my subjects, varied my world during a week-long class with the world my angle of view and emphasized light and shadow. renowned photographer Freeman Patterson. My This made the everyday objects unrecognizable and individual end-of-class assignment was to create a changed them into structurally fascinating pictures. series of photographs on the color white. This was These startling images of the ordinarily unseen, drew harder than it sounds, because it was a sparkling me into the imagined world of abstractions. July in South-Eastern Canada, complete with vivid flowers, grass and sky with no exciting white subjects The growth of abstract art by painters and other to be found. artists in the 20th Century also encouraged photographers to experiment with the free, I had twelve hours to photograph, among other expressive use of shapes, color and imagination things, white china, lace curtains, a coffee filter and in what became known as abstract photography. the white hair of another student. The work I did Gradually, photography also was recognized as to make these common images interesting was the not only a vocation, but also an art. Boldness and work of an abstract artist - to produce images that experimentation have enabled photographers to add emphasize shapes, lights and shadows, texture, color their own personal touch to the definition of abstract. and lines. While we consider all of these elements Many still define abstract very narrowly, as art Liz Bumgarner 77
that does not represent reality, but it can CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE CM be much more to modern photographers. Certainly, advances in photography have Liz Bumgarner enabled us to create from scratch images that are outside of “real” existence, but such CREATIVE MULTIMEDIA images are, after all, real and expressive in our mind. But, abstract photography also calls on us to examine more closely our everyday existence and “see” what is normally unseen. Certainly, much of abstract work is the result of focusing on the intimate exploration of our reality. The wispy lines of a wave crest, the texture of a wall, the edges of book pages and the graceful curl of a green leaf, all illustrate aspects of our reality that often go unnoticed. It is this insight into the patterns, light and order seen in our abstractions that delights both viewers and creators of such photography. As you consider an idea for an abstract photograph remember that normal photo rules are not the principal constrain in creating this kind of photography. It is always helpful to still consider the visual elements of simplicity or complexity, compo- sitional balance and placement and order in your work. But, consider also the role of isolation and close-ups, as well as looking for new angles of view and moving the camera, and utilizing the once avoided sun, fog and wind. Digital post processing opens up even more creativity for the abstract photographer. Cropping, coloring, duplicating, flipping, and gradients, to name but a few actions, can help to create outstanding images. Tools of the future will give us even more ability to look deeply into our world and record it. Most often, the purpose of abstract photog- raphy is not to tell a story, but to delight viewers with a sense of curiosity, imagination and emotion. This is a rather intangible goal that will vary for each viewer. 78
Even the great Albert Einstein remarked Make the unseen seen, whether it is an object that “Imagination is more important than or part of your imagination. Your joy will be in knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination helping others to see the beauty and wonder in encircles the world.” everyday existence. Liz Bumgarner 79
CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE CM CREATIVE MULTIMEDIA Jesse Nichol My name is Jesse Nichol, and I am a traveling the feeling that they want to know what’s going on photographer. or how something came to be. I seek out interesting and beautiful subjects in Much of my work is supposed to be art journalism interesting and beautiful places. and should be accompanied by a story or I’m especially fond of abandoned or naturally description, but I aim to make my creations reclaimed structures that have tales to tell. enjoyable for viewers with or without context. I try to leave intrigue in my photos to give people I hope you enjoy them as well. 80
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