I Wish I Could

Posted by Laurie (New Jersey, United States) on 28 April 2007 in Abstract & Conceptual and Portfolio.

I wish I could paint with brush on canvas, but I cannot. I love to play with photoshop because I sometimes "see" things the way I can make them look in Photoshop. The problem for me is, that after I create an image like this, I always feel sort of let down because I know that it was just a couple of clicks of the mouse as opposed to hours with a brush and canvas. Even though I do like the end result I feel like I cheated. Oh well.

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Comments (17)

Behrooz from Tehran, Iran

Yes the art is the creating, but more that that, it's the created.

29 Apr 2007 5:56am

@Behrooz: Thanks.

Suby and Sinem from Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Well most people will call this Art, so why bother on how you created, be happy in the fact that you are able to create it :)

love this

Suby

29 Apr 2007 9:36am

@Suby and Sinem: It has more to do with how I feel about it no matter how beautiful I find it. I know it's my hang-up. LOL

Thanks.

craiger from Vacaville, United States

Definition of Photography: The art of painting with light! Excellent shot!

29 Apr 2007 11:12am

@craiger: Thanks.

Still from France

A superb abstract!

29 Apr 2007 12:31pm

@Still: Thanks.

MontereyJohn from Monterey, California, United States

Cheated?! Not! Art is art, and THIS is art. Well done, Laurie.

29 Apr 2007 4:06pm

@MontereyJohn: Thanks. I do like the result, no matter how it came to be.

Jen from Jessup, United States

Oh my Laurie I know exactly how you feel!! Whenever I take an image and "change it" I feel like I am fooling people...but I also agree with John...Art is Art, and you have to have the eye and the ability first and foremost. No matter what the equipment or computer programs...it's the artist within that really makes the image "ART" either from a camera or a canvas. (4 years of art, and I still sketch, but it takes me forever to get it the way I want). : D

29 Apr 2007 11:37pm

@Jen: I used to sketch, and never got the results I wanted. I suppose because my mom and one brother were both very artistic I always felt a little jealous of that, so perhaps that's why I feel a little let down about these images, even though I find them beautiful.

Jen from Jessup, United States

Oh duh! wonderful image/art...love the colors and tones!!!

29 Apr 2007 11:39pm

@Jen: Thanks.

April from santa cruz, ca, United States

Even still, it's rather beautiful!

30 Apr 2007 1:09am

@April: Thanks.

Zing from Hamilton, New Zealand

This is cool. Great work, wel done!

30 Apr 2007 5:19am

@Zing: Thanks.

amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada

Yeah, I get that too! However, there's an article in April's issue of Practical Photography about this very thing. Basically, what it says is that if it's the right thing for the image and what you're trying to portray... then do it. And this Laurie, is just wonderful. Good job!!

30 Apr 2007 5:48pm

@amy: Thanks...I will have to read that article.

Alfredo J. Martiz J. from Tokyo, Japan

This is wonderful Laurie, well done!

1 May 2007 12:43am

@Alfredo J. Martiz J.: Thanks.

John from United States

You're just adapting to new tools.

1 May 2007 2:12pm

@John: Thanks.

Russ D from Gilbertsville, PA, United States

This is a beautiful image, Laurie. Don't sell your effort and vision short. This one may have taken only a few minutes, but the next one might take you hours to get it to your liking. Many times, the image that we see in our mind's eye doesn't match how the camera records it. Hence, we adjust it on the computer so we can share with people how we saw the image when we made the photograph (note that I use the term "made" and not "took"). I just bristle when I hear non-photographers call this cheating. It's not cheating...it's creating. What's the difference between using the computer to enhance a photograph and accomplishing the same thing in the darkroom or by using a filter on your lens (or on your enlarger's lens)? None, other than the computer is more time efficient and does not use chemicals. Did Ansel Adams create all of his masterful prints without any dodging, burning or contrast adjustments of key areas of each image to match what he saw when he made the photograph? No way. It's the output of the photographer's artistic vision...their "eye"... that we marvel over and look at in awe, not how they achieved it. Capturing the image in the camera is merely one step in creating a great photograph. This is what separates photographers from a guy/gal with a camera, or a GWC. Ok, I'm putting my soapbox away now.

1 May 2007 6:24pm

@Russ D: You definitely have a point and having come from a film background I am familiar with some darkroom techniques used for enhancing images. This one does go a little beyond that though I think. It was definitely how I would have painted it had I been able to do that. So you are right in as much as this was the vision I had of the shot.

Thanks for the thoughtful comment.

badala from Leiria, Portugal

Beautiful - like a painting!

2 May 2007 6:18am

@badala: Thanks.

Azhar from Mumbai, India

Lovely stuff.... sorry I can't go back further into the archives, got to sleep to get in a good healthy sleep pattern for SAT, you're doing some really great work here, keep it up, sorry I can't visit as often as I want to.

2 May 2007 6:15pm

@Azhar: Thanks Azhzar. I know you've been busy, and I'm glad for whatever visits you have time to make.

Photo Buffet from United States

Laurie, I understand what you're saying. Photoshop allows us to see how we'd like to take our photos a step further, yet filter effects sometimes take care of it too quickly. I'm like you; I crave that hands-on process. Well...I'd like to recommend a program I heard a lot of buzz about, and I had to see it for myself to believe it. It has the feel of actual painting. I use it with my Wacom Intuos3, but you can use a mouse and get the same results. Email me and I'll tell you; that way nobody will claim I'm a sales rep for the company. :-) If anyone else is interested, I'd be happy to tell you about it. Hint: It only costs $19.95 and the company sends you a license for use. Amazingly inexpensive, considering what it delivers. I bought mine this morning.

4 May 2007 8:32pm

@Photo Buffet: Thanks for the tip about the software. I have it downloaded but haven't had much time to use it yet.

Carraol from Mexico City, Mexico

The result is the important matter. The use of PS is just a tool for creativity. Great work & sorry for the grammar. Cheers from MC.

7 May 2007 8:17am

@Carraol: Thanks. Don't worry too much about your grammar. What you said, you said well.

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