Photographer or Digital Artist?

I think of myself as a photographic artist, who uses digital enhancement and digital manipulation to create my images, but sometimes the lines get very blurred and I'm never sure into which genre I really belong. 

Many people viewing my images take a look at my work and think I've just popped a texture over a photograph.  Only rarely is that the case.

I began making my own textures when I started using Photoshop almost 3 years ago, and I now have hundreds of them and usually mix at least 3 or 4 into my photographic art images.  These textures are my own photos which I have taken then digitally manipulated, sometimes using several layers to get the effect I want.

Occasionally I use a stock texture, but very infrequently as I mostly prefer to use my own.

Also, I often add a part of another photo or photos from my own stock to my work - that could be a person, or a bird, grass, tree, or whatever - and I also use various brushes and sometimes add digitally painted colour, as well as adjustment layers for dodging and burning, colour correction, light and dark, and numerous other effects.

So, by the time the image is complete, I have a number of layers which are not apparent in the finished work, and although I always state in the description when I've adjusted or manipulated or edited, and I save my PSDs, it's not usually possible to say exactly what I've done because I work intuitively.

Most people think of me as a Photographer, but I'm not absolutely sure I agree with that categorization.  The lines blur and I'm not even certain if it matters really, because I just love doing what I do.

In this sequence of images, I began with the background
photograph of the seashore.

In the second image, I have added 3 layers of texture
and adjusted the light and the exposure and colour.

In the third, I added the boat which was cut from another
photograph, then more adjustments to light and dark,
plus some dodging and burning.

"Before the Storm" by Chris Armytage

In the final image, I have added the birds with a
Photoshop brush, and layered a stock photograph of the
woman and her reflection.

Photography, or digital art?  I would love to hear your opinion.

"Emotions of Life" Exhibition superbly successful!

"Emotions of Life" by Carol Knudsen

"In My Friend I find a Second Self" by Carol Knudsen

If you haven't already seen Carol Knudsen's virtual Exhibition, "Emotions of Life" you're missing out on a wonderful visual treat.  190 Visitors since it opened on Saturday afternoon, making this a superbly successful exhibition.
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Comments in the Guestbook were 100 per cent 5 star rating for Carol's work.  I must admit that I was very emotional and just a bit tearful by the end of this wonderful day.  Thanks so much to everybody who attended.

As well as showing my own work, I will regularly be holding exhibitions of artists whose work I admire, so I hope you will bookmark ChrisArmytage Photographic Art and come back again very soon.

Tahnja's finished painting

Tahnja has completed her painting my photograph, "Sunshine and Laughter" and WOW, it's beyond beautiful!

"Child of God" by Tahnja Wolters

Tahnja's painting, "Child of God", and my photograph, "Sunshine and Laughter" will be part of the SoJie 12 Exhibition to be held in August 2011.

See, the finished painting and read about, Tahnja's work in progress on Solo Exhibition

"Sunshine and Laughter" by Chris Armytage

Rick Bransby, - breaking news

I am delighted to announce that Rick Bransby has accepted an offer of ongoing work with a major
UK Wildlife Park, photographing the animals as they interact with VIPs and other visitors to the park.

Rick has enormous talent and experience and a wonderful empathy with his subjects, and I can think of nobody better than he to receive this fantastic job offer.

Heartfelt congratulations to Rick, and I hope this is just the beginning of a whole new career path for him ...


Click the image to see Rick Bransby's exhibition "Reflections of Emotion" at ChrisArmytage Photographic Art

"Reflections of Emotion" by Rick Bransby

Carol Knudsen Exhibition opens 16 July

"In My Friend I Find a Second Self", by Carol Knudsen

Following the huge success of the Rick Bransby Exhibition, "Reflections of Emotion",  which was attended by over 200 people last month, I am delighted to invite you to view "Emotions of Life", an Exhibition of photographic art to delight the senses, taking you on a journey from childhood to the great beyond,  by Australian photographic artist, Carol Knudsen.
Exhibition opens 16 July at ChrisArmytage Photographic Art