[-photography, digital art-]

Memories of hope

Originally uploaded by Baywhale.

This locally sunny (woke up to snow, but the sky has ‘blued-up’ nicely) Sunday, I’ve chosen a photograph by baywhale.

His abstract images use reflection, transparency, colour, texture, words and numbers to bring us in close to his unique view of an urban world. Fragments of walls, windows, surfaces - rusted, painted, peeling, dirty - are transformed into visually rich, deep and poetic works of art. In addition, he uses titles to expand upon and offer glimpses (though no simple explanations) into his own interpretation of these images.

Here’s a tutorial that baywhale was kind enough to do for The PCQ on the technique he uses to make what he describes as “photosandwiches.”

Thanks, Baywhale!

© 05 - 07 baywhale, all rights reserved

Please visit Baywhale’s flickr stream to see more of his creations.
Of his Adventures in Wonderland set, Bay says,

I see this set as ‘pure’ art, the deep and dark psychology takes place when I take the individual pictures but when I combine them it’s all about pleasure.

Baywhale, a computer operator in London, is also a proponent of the World Community Grid, a painless way to contribute to our world. Information on his World Community Grid group can be found at the flickr group, The Painless Charity of the Amazing Secret Angels- photograhers who flickr

Originally published in the February 2006 on the original Practically Creative blog; edited slightly for re-publication

[-digital photography tutorial-]

a photosandwich recipe by Baywhale

To make this image:

I start by opening one image in Photoshop.

I then open a second image:

On the Window menu I select Tile in order to display both images at the same time, then using the move tool (shaped like an arrow) drag one image on top of the other.

On the Window menu select the Layers toolbox. In this toolbox the background layer will be set automatically at an opacity of 100%. Adjust the opacity of the additional layer; the higher the opacity the more it will ’show through’ the background. I would suggest starting with 30% but you need to experiment to get a result you like.

For this example I add one other layer:

There’s no limit to the number of layers you can use so experiment to see what looks good. As you add layers the overall contrast level will fall and the result might look quite dull until you alter the overall contrast in the next stage.

When all layers have been added I Save As a separate image on which I make adjustments to contrast, brightness and so on. I usually don’t close the original image containing the individual layers as I almost always go back to try a different combination for a ‘Saved As’ image.

Photoshop gives many options in how the layers are combined. You can also apply gradients and alter the brightness and contrast of individual layers. But for now most of your experimenting will be in selecting the images to use and playing with the opacity levels.

Have fun!

Bay

All photos: © 2005 - 2007 baywhale all rights reserved

Here’s another article inspired by a baywhale creation: Memories of Hope.
See Baywhale’s “Nettles” in our Gallery.

Please visit Baywhale’s flickr stream to see more of his creations.
Of his Adventures in Wonderland set, Bay says,

I see this set as ‘pure’ art, the deep and dark psychology takes place when I take the individual pictures but when I combine them it’s all about pleasure.

Baywhale, a computer operator in London, is also a proponent of the World Community Grid, a painless way to contribute to our world. Information on his World Community Grid group can be found at the flickr group, The Painless Charity of the Amazing Secret Angels- photograhers who flickr

Originally published in the January 2006 issue of The Practically Creative Quarterly, theme: Alterations

Editors note: You don’t have to have Photoshop to do this technique. Any photo or art software will allow you to layer and manipulate transparencies, brightness and contrast.

The Gallery is a place to enjoy some of the artists and photographers who have contributed to The Practically Creative Quarter. There are many more who aren’t here so keep looking!

Click the image to see a PCQ contribution from the artist; Click the link underneath to go to the artist’s site; All images © by the artist, all rights reserved

© 2007 Marvillas
“Sitges al atardecer,” a tapestry in wood and cotton woven in the technique of Gobelain
Click on the image to see more of Marvillas’ art

by fiber artist, Alma Stoller © 2007 all rights reserved

“The Gift” - an altered book by Karen Hatzigeorgiou © 2006 -2007

“Creation” - a painting by Nancy S.M. Waldman, © 1992 - 2007

“nettles” - a photosandwich by baywhale © 2006 - 2007

“coming apart at the seams” - a textile collage by Suze Corte © 1993 - 2007

“Corners” - a drawing by Rupert Kirby © 2006 - 2007

“Augustine” - a polaroid transfer by Angela Petsis © 2006 - 2007

a drawing by flikr © 2006 - 2007

“Ghost Roots Tapestry” - a layered photograph by Maureen Shaugnessy © 2006 - 2007

“boy with green cross,” a photograph by tara eden © 2006 - 2007

“Still Hanging” a painted commemorative plate with embroidered photo
by cynthia korzekwa © 2005 - 2007