I am pleased to announce our new Chixel artist for the month of May, Ariana Abud. Designer, photographer, and artist.  She explores the layers and colors of everything as she creates pieces for herself and clients. Drawing on her own history, experiences and surroundings, she always looks to the brilliant color and people in her life that are dearest to her.

How did it all begin?

As a child, I studied piano, classical ballet and jazz for many years. Since my father was originally from the Dominican Republic, our family would visit the island as often as possible. The time I spent there with my creative family inspired me at a very young age to become very intrigued with the arts and culture. This beautiful untouched place of breathtaking beaches, dense forests, and sprawling mountain ranges helped influence me to create work that is heartfelt and unique. To me, Dominican art stands apart as extremely emotionally charged with colorful energy. Having parents who appreciate all artistic expression I feel blessed to have had such a rich cultural experience growing up and I feel it has had a great impact on the artistic paths I have chosen in life.

Early on in my academic life, I began studying at the Baum School of Art in Allentown, PA.  In addition, throughout high school I continued taking classes in art with Donna Swift in addition to studying photography with R. Cryer.  There I explored different mediums and focused primarily on painting, color theory, computer arts and jewelry. I found that there I really learned how to create and brainstorm in a studio setting.  Through this exploration at Baum, I realized I had a great eye for color and illustration, and learned that I could easily grasp ideas and be creative in a studio setting.

In my senior year in high school, I was part of the Illicks Mill Project, a non-profit organization that was devoted to creating an environmental education center for the students of Liberty High School in Bethlehem, PA.  The Executive Director and my mentor of the IMP Karen Dolan, placed me in charge of the Design Team where I flourished as a team leader in a group of junior and senior students. It was here at I.M.P. where I created the name, “Riverfusion,” for their annual fund raising concert, and developed promotional materials for this and other events.  At that moment, I realized I had a desire to create materials for issues that are important to me, and art could be that perfect vehicle of expression.  From here, I decided to pursue a career in Fine Arts and Design and attend Tyler School of Art, Temple University’s Art School. This decision was the best one I have ever made.

As a fellow Alum of Tyler, I agree it was a great school, did you find it all that you hoped it would be?

Tyler has always pushed students to their limits in order to create the best work possible.  During my first year, while taking my Foundation courses, is where I realized that Design was for me. My creativity found an outlet for it’s expression, and I was ready! I used a combination of my love of painting, illustration, and photography in all my work. I capitalized on everything creative I could get my hands on, including art history and literature, which gave birth to strong conceptual pieces that stylistically could set me apart.  In addition, Tyler enabled me to develop strengths in illustration, typography, and color theory. My motto as a student which has carried me throughout my life has been, “create something out of nothing.” I have realized that with a tight budget and a great concept you can explore all of your options and reach down within yourself to make something amazing.

Sounds like you really had a hold on your future and what it had to offer you! What have you been doing since then?

After graduating from Tyler and having lived in Philadelphia for five years, I felt that it was time for something new. In the Fall of 2007, I made the jump with the help of my husband David to move to New York City because there was much more I needed to explore.  Despite the fact that I was nervous, the leap to the big city was inspiring and motivating because I was hungry for whatever came my way. All this experience in my life has made me continue to strive to do the most diverse, innovative, creative work I can.
My first position in Manhattan was as a freelance designer at the advertising agency Catch24.  Their primary account besides Lufthanza, was the Yankees, as well as many others. Later I obtained a full-time position at Perseus Books Group, an independent publishing house where I was the junior designer to the art director for almost three years. This position allowed me to grow personally and professionally as a designer and artist. For them, I designed over 40 covers, and one of the last ones recently made it onto the NYTimes Best-Sellers list last month, The Death and Life of the Great American School System, by Diane Ravitch.

From some of your recent work, I can see you have moved into more print/photography realm. I know you have always used the camera as a medium, how did it first inspire you?

I have always been fascinated by photography and for a time considered minoring in it.  During that time in college, I traveled around the U.S. with bands and to the island of the Dominican Republic. I began shooting photographs constantly. With every shot, I was always thinking how I can incorporate the imagery later into my design work. With the addition of the new medium I found that I am able to manipulate them to incorporate them into my designs which adds another layer of depth and originality

What excites you about creating something new for your clients?

I have been freelancing from my early days of college for musical groups, bands, and other artists. Lately, I have been creating album covers, book covers, merchandising, posters for bands/art functions, as well as sell sheets and branding for more corporate clients. A customer can come to me with an overall idea of what he/she wants, stylistically, they know my work and allow me to push the concepts. At the beginning of every project, brainstorming and research are always the most exciting part of the process. I really study the aspects of what the client envisions for the final product, and then I gather the materials from all the sources I can find to push the ideas and develop a strong concept. I have come to believe that there are no limits on creativity.

Where do you go when you need to be inspired to help push your boundaries of creativity ?

Usually for inspiration, I go to libraries, used book stores, museums and lectures through AIGA. In addition, depending on the project, I like to study design annuals and other designers’ websites to get inspiration. For each project, I do a ton of research so that I know the product inside and out which helps spur my ideas and then the art can flow freely. In addition, travel has also had a big influence on my work, the smallest adventure can awaken creativity. For instance, noticing the change in landscape from New York City, to the Lehigh Valley in PA, which actually inspired work for one of my exhibitions.

I know you have been recognized and won awards for poster design, for The One Club in Manhattan and one for the War and Peace Gallery to name a few. Also, you’ve had several shows, any plans to show again in the future?

Yes, I try to show at least once a year. I am also considering another showing of “The NoShows” in the fall. This gallery showing, of which I am a co-founder and c0-creator, of is a one night show only to promote artists who don’t show work as often as they should so they become motivated to get their work out into the public eye.
My current project is to revamp my portfolio website to pursue freelancing full time.

Where do you see your creativity taking you? What is your ultimate goal?

I am along for the ride, hungry and ready for the next endeavor. My ultimate goal would be to start a non-profit organization geared towards the arts and music with a few of my colleagues. It is very important to me as a creative person that our youth are exposed to the arts, especially now because they continue to cut all of the funding in schools for these programs. Being apart of The Illick’s Mill Project and the success that followed really had an impact on me and who I am today. Regardless of where the future might take me, I will always continually strive to build my knowledge so I can expand upon my artwork that I do for myself as well as others. Forever playing with ideas and mediums, layering, textures, colors, photos, to create concepts that flow from one idea to the next.

So dear readers of Chixel, please keep following Ariana on her path of creativity and continue checking her site for new updates and work as she redesigns her portfolio in the next month.  As the layers build in her life and on her work, I wish her the best of luck, (though she doesn’t need it) in her future endeavors and creations.

http://www.ariana.alarmclockdesign.com/

http://www.gigposters.com/designer/126151_Ariana_Abud

http://designrelated.com/portfolio/arianaAbud

Snap on friends!

~DeAnn

I am proud to introduce Chixel’s new artist, Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir.  A native to Iceland, she is an  extraordinary photographer and artist, talented knitter, and single mother of two beautiful boys.  We first starting following Rebekka’s photography on Flickr a few years ago.  I immediately became entranced with the Icelandic horse images she had taken, and then quickly realized her work was beginning to expand into new avenues of creativity with her self portrait work.  She plays with the boundaries of realism and human ideals in some of her imagery which I am very eager to see at her upcoming showing this coming Friday March 12th from 7-10pm at the Openhouse Gallery, in Manhattan (201 Mulberry Street).  Please read the intriguing interview below I had with Rebekka, I feel like I got to know her work better through this process and we are all routing for her to continue her blossoming success.

To see the thumbnails bigger, feel free to click on them and see a larger gallery of her great work!

When did you first realize you were creative?

I started out drawing at a very early age, and by the time I was 14 I could make very accurate life-like drawings from photos, and continued to perfect this skill into my early 20′s.  During that time, I worked as a waitress and a chef at an art museum cafe,  and did commissioned drawings for very little money.  I had always been dreaming about becoming a full-time artist and painter, which to me,  seemed the next logical continuation of the drawing process. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebba/sets/296185/)

What about photography made you want to pursue and explore it some more?

In the Spring of ’05 I finally summoned up the courage to apply to the visual arts department of the Iceland’s Academy of the Arts.  My portfolio then, was mostly drawings, and I was turned down and put on a waiting list which was devastating.  Shortly after this, I started posting my drawings and a few photos on Flickr. As soon as I started getting feedback I felt encouraged to start exploring the medium of photography and quickly realized I had a passion for it, as well as an eye for subject matter and composition.  Ultimately, I am happy to say, I was admitted into the school, and during my four years of study there I continued to use the web as a medium to share what I was doing to help me figure out what direction I wanted to take.  Flickr I found provided the feedback I needed, and added a great deal to my learning experience, which I did not seem to be getting from my professors.

Now that you are out of school, how do you find ways to keep things fresh for yourself?

My ideas tend to come when I least expect them, and I don’t actively seek out sources of inspiration. I usually immerse myself in other activities until I feel the uncontrollable urge to create something new, usually in the form of drawings or photography. Knitting also comes in handy as an in between to keep myself busy and it is great because it allows my mind to be free to wander and speculate, in addition to being a great source of income.

How did you start knitting?

I first learned to knit when I was eight from my mother, and I rediscovered it in 2006 because I really wanted a wool hooded sweater and thought I could just make it myself.  When people saw the first two I created online (both based on old Icelandic patterns), I started to get inquiries and soon things really took off!  Now I get a steady flow of orders and I am able to do this almost as a full-time job making 3-4 a month unless I’m really busy with other projects. Each sweater is unique creation of mine so I never get bored. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebba/sets/72157604564573252/)

Just as each sweater is unique unto you, I’m sure each series of images is as well.  Do you have one that is more special to you then the other?

I think I would have to say that I am most fond of my creative self portraits as well as the doll series.  These are photos with a lot of thinking and planning behind them, rather then spontaneous documentation of my surroundings.   I also enjoy traveling around Iceland with my camera,  shooting long-exposure landscapes during bright summer nights and animals like horses that I encounter.  However, I find that more as a form of therapy, where I am able to detach myself from stressful everyday and enjoy the beauty of my country.

Talk to me some about your self portraits and how they play a roll in your work, and your upcoming show?

Overtime, myself portraits have evolved in several different directions.  With my active imagination and do-it-yourself attitude, I aim to create imagery that makes the viewers think and let their own imagination create a narrative for themselves.  Some of my imagery is sparked from my own personal experience and emotions with feminist ideals, and others are more surreal, and even playful.

The way you work with surrealism is very fluid.  Who do you look to for inspiration, and do you see yourself continuing in this genre in the future?

I fell in love with Dali as a teenager, but if I were to name artists I admire it would have to be Gregory Crewdson, Sandy Skoglund, and especially Cindy Sherman when I was first starting out exploring the self portrait.  I know I want to continue to make these images in the future, and pushing beyond the limits I have gone so far.   I will explore this with designing new set pieces or props to be able to create as much as possible within the camera.  Even particular images where I have relied on Photoshop to aid in my artistic vision, I place an emphasis on post-production to get the exact appearance for the finished image, using Photoshop as a fine-tuner rather then a tool.

In getting out there and promoting yourself, what have you seen as your biggest struggle and challenge so far?

I have found it hard to find balance between keeping people interested in my work, and not feeling like I have “sold out.”  I took almost a year off on Flickr to fully concentrate on doing my own thing and not feel over influenced by other peoples opinions and work.  For instance, the doll series doesn’t appeal to nearly as large an audience as some of my other work.  They make some people feel uneasy, while others love them.  This strong love/hate reaction tells me I am really onto something.  My perseverance with continuing that series has really paid off, and I have been invited to exhibit a selection of them at a gallery in Ireland this coming May.

That is fantastic! It has to make you feel proud that all your hard work is paying off! Speaking of shows, how did you come to have a showing this coming week in Manhattan?

I entered a huge international online selfportrait contest organized by Artists Wanted, who are based in Brooklyn, (http://www.artistswanted.org/self_peoples_choice.html).  It’s not really a huge show in terms of work that I get to show, but there is definitely something big and exciting about being invited to show in Manhattan! Hilary McHone and I tied for the “peoples choice award”, which was selected via online voting from all over the world.  We were apparently leagues ahead of other competitors there. I had a hell of a time selecting the 10 images out of all my self-portraits in my portfolio because I am a bit blind to the quality of my own work, as I am sure a lot of other artists experience.  For the actual show, I’ll be exhibiting about half of these images, which I believe are among the best works I have produced so far.  Two of the images, definitely came out of the most difficult photo shoots I have put myself through!

Jurried shows are very exciting, and in this one in particular Steve Buscemi was one of the judges!  That is pretty cool to think that he was checking out some of my stuff!  The 4 official judges  ultimately selected a photographer from Taiwan as the Grand Prize winner.  So these two awards were separate,  but we were all invited to exhibit together at this show on Friday.

Getting a jurried show, especially on in Manhattan, is quite an accomplishment and you should be extremely proud of yourself for that!  Do you see this catapulting you other places? Where would be your ideal place to exhibit your work?

I certainly hope this will lead to more opportunity to exhibit in the States, as well as Europe.  I would love to have a show in London in particular.

……………………………………………….

So, if your around this coming Friday and have a hankering to see some amazing work at a one night only show. Please show your support, come meet the artist, as well as other talented photographers.  It’s being held at The Openhouse Gallery, in Manhattan (201 Mulberry Street) from 7-10pm.   I’m excited to go myself to finally meet Rebekka in person and see her hard work!

Before you come down to the show, please check out her inspiring Flickr stream, and her fantastic blog, in addition to stopping by her online store and buying some prints, and possibly some amazing knit work. You might just want to order one. I already have! Also, check back here at chixel next week, I plan on posting some images from the show, and giving a recap on things.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebba/

http://www.rebekkagudleifs.com/

http://rebekkagudleifs.com/blog/

http://rebekka.myshopify.com/

Maybe see you on Friday! Until then….

Snap on my friends, snap on…

~DeAnn

Meet Lori Andrews, Interior Designer, Photographer, Chef, all around visual artist. She started her interest in the arts at an early age like most artists enveloped in all creative activities. This shows strongly even in her first career interest at age eleven, with her love of sci-fi movies, she wanted to be a special effects make up artist. Unfortunately though, this meant leaving her hometown and moving to Hollywood which didn’t really settle with her. So she chose the next most logical move, and went to University where she got her B.F.A., in Drawing. From there, she has exploded and had a great road to success starting her own interior design firm which spun into a marvelous photography bug.

Chixel: From University, where did you venture first to explore more outlets for art and opportunity? I know the road to success as an artist is never easy and is very competitive. How did you combat that?

Lori: For an artist there is usually a cause an effect pattern. As a creative girl with an Art Degree, I found few opportunities out there which lead me to be innovative and use my resources to become an entrepreneur. I have found Interior Design as both creative, and with the right business knowledge, very enterprising. After graduating from University, I attained the knowledge I needed to set me up for the future. My mother approached me, and together we opened and operated our own home decor shop we called The Heavenly Outhouse. Working with my mother was such a privilege, and I will treasure the closeness it brought us forever. The experience at the Heavenly Outhouse, gave me valuable sales and business skills, in addition to, and most importantly, an interest in Interior Design. So, by the time we sold the shop, I was ready to strike out on my own in the field. I took Design courses from the local college and started working for my friends for nothing to build up my portfolio. I have found, every job poses challenges and new creative solutions. Now, after six plus years of business, I finally have all the contacts and systematic processes I need to make my job run smoother. Notice I said smoother. There are ALWAYS problems and setbacks on every interior job.

Chixel: Do you see see challenges you mentioned in a job exciting, does it spur more ideas you didn’t think of yet? what was your biggest challenge for your work, and has it effected the way you look at other jobs now? are there particular styles you tend to lean toward when you design, and what has been your inspiration for things as you are working in new homes?

Lori: The biggest challenge in my work is finding the right contractors and suppliers. Reliability and professionalism is very important to me. I personally tend towards a cleaner, modern look. However I am inspired by so many sources that I can appreciate and explore many styles. My inspiration in interior design always comes directly from my clients. I design for them, for their lifestyles and for their pleasure.

Chixel: I always find your photography work very creative and beautiful, I can see how the Interior Design could fuel a new passion. And I love your signature positioning in your shots, it’s completely unique to you, esp when you shoot it in your Interior Work. How did that come about?

Lori: As an Interior Designer I needed a portfolio which requires photography skills. Again, a new creative outlet! I thought, Hey! This photography thing is really interesting! The camera is just another extension of my artistic career. I purposefully break the rules (rule of thirds) and play with color and light much the same way I would if I were painting. My headless shots started because I was growing out a bad haircut. I kid you not. I think people respond to them favorably as they can put themselves in the image. The headless images are easier to relate to.

Chixel: Do you have a favorite Interior Design or Photography Series have there been any highlights that stick out for you?

Lori: My favorite project is always the one I am working on!! Since I am always working on my own home I think I will choose that today! http://www.flickr.com/photos/theproletariatdesigner/sets/467948/ I also have a bookstore on Blurb, where I frequently update and create new books with my Interior Designs and Photography Series, http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/880842#author-bookshelf.

One photography highlight, was my participation in an art exhibition and book at Uppercase Gallery. http://www.uppercasegallery.ca/old-school-gallery/ . Like many of my photographs, this one was planed out to the smallest detail far in advance. I find the process of making a photograph has tremendous creative appeal. In order to create this image, I first had to come up with the concept, secure a model and location, (shooting inside a school is never an easy task). I also needed to style the shoot, buy the outfit for the model, and in this case, I needed to go back twice as the first shoot did not give me the results I was hoping for. Shooting film is always a gamble. After all of this, I was rewarded with an image that I really understood. http://www.flickr.com/photos/theproletariatdesigner/3259999491/in/set-72157601007685340/.

Chixel: Sounds like it was a great learning experience, I can see how that would even fall into your Interior Design work. All the elements coming together to create one cohesive piece.

Lori: My direction comes from my Interior Design business but my photography fuels everything. Most of my clients in the last few years have come to me after seeing photos of mine online and asked me to shoot for them. I have also managed to turn my photography into a small business as well. I have exhibited my photography work, worked on private commissions and portraits and even managed to do well in stock photography. I have been published in JPG magazine, The Rambler, and various other publications. I exhibited my work at Uppercase Gallery, had one of my pieces published in a book (by the same) and will soon have another photo published in Uppercase the Magazine. I have magically discovered that Lori has a marvelous food blog as well to add onto her resume, some found, some self created, all photographed beautifully. I have tried a few myself and they are delicious. She told me that she “hopes that she can help even one person who might needlessly suffer the same health issues she has had.” Please check it out and be sure to let her know you enjoyed a recipe!

Since this conversation, Lori has been hiking in the snow covered mountains of Alberta, and exploring Lomography by shooting with a Holga camera and Polaroid Back. So please continue to explore her photos daily as I do, in addition to following her Interior Design work and delicious food blog. I will always continue to be inspired by her style of work every time I click through her photographs. They make me laugh, they make me reflect and they inspire me to move forward in my own work and try new things, as they do for lots of people, just check out her testimonials on her flickr page.

• http://www.loriandrewsinteriors.com/
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/theproletariatdesigner/
• http://the10centdiet.blogspot.com
• http://twitter.com/designertweets

This is a new format for me that I am trying out on Chixel. Let me know what you think, and as always…. Snap on friends! ~DeAnn

I’m back on the path to Chixelness. After a breif hiatus from a busy Fall, I’m pleased and relieved to announce Chixel will be picking up speed! I have some artists I’m very excited about sharing with you, and some new tutorials and some product reviews coming your way, so stay tuned!

First on the list though, (if I might toot my own horn), is that I have an art opening this coming First Friday in Bethlehem, PA at my friends ever so hip and chique clothing boutique called Loose Threads, (9 W4th Street, Bethlehem, PA)  http://loosethreadsboutique.com/.  Given the economy and the holidays approaching way faster then we all would like to acknowledge, I have gone the way of economical prints. Easier on my wallet to produce, so easier on your wallet to take home. I’ve made smaller prints on super sharp papers printed by MyPhotoPipe http://www.myphotopipe.com/ which came home to me amazingly brilliant in color and outstanding service to boot! Then coupled with some nice mats and eclectic thrift store frames, I’m able to send you home with some of my own favorites without breaking your budget. ($15-50).

So, hope to see you there, and continue to come back here, as well as my flickr page, http://www.flickr.com/dphotogal !

Contact me for more details, and if your interested in submitting yourself to be considered for a monthly artist spot!

digitalguru75@gmail.com

Snap on my friends!!

~DeAnn

Camera Info:

Nikon D200/   Lens:Nikkor VR 18.0-135.0 mm f/3.5-5.6  / Ap: f5 /  Exp:1/90 sec ISO100

*If you have any questions on how I did the retouching, don’t hesitate to ask!

To see the adventure continue check back here and on my flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dphotogal/

Camera Info:

Nikon D300/   Lens:Nikkor VR 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6  / Ap: f10 /  Exp:.003 sec (1/400)

*If you have any questions on how I did the retouching, don’t hesitate to ask!

Taken on our morning breakfast walk through Battery Park, on the water front in Burlington. This gem, was actually right outside the police station. Natures fractals, you really can’t get better then that!

To see other images from my daily collection… you can visit my flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dphotogal/

Camera Info:

Nikon D200/   Lens:Sigma: 18.0-50.0 mm f/2.8  / Ap: f8  /  Exp:.004 sec (1/250)

*If you have any questions on how I did the retouching, don’t hesitate to ask!

Susan Sabo is an amazing photographer. Period. Friends to all creatures great and small, four legged or two.  I “met” her and was introduced to her work on Flickr, under the name of “smalldogs.”  I followed her postings religiously of she and her dogs, her life and her family. Always loving her bloggish writings and imagery that are witty, truthful, rawfully funny, and time to time emotional.  That, kept me intrigued and really feeling like on some level that I know her.   Susan shares so much of herself with us, which is why I chose to write about her.

(Please click on the thumbnails for a larger view!)

Her personal body of work follows her through life with her own dogs, family, and personal explorations.  From the life and remembrance of old four legged family members to the newly adopted Jack and T-bone who through her work, I get much laughter. In addition, the beautiful bond you can see through images and words she posts of herself and her daughter and grandson.  Susan’s most recent personal exploration I give her kudos for. She calls it the “hair experiment,”  starting with a clean slate, she has shaved her head and is watching as it grows in, free spirited and wild. Much I think, like her.

Susan has done amazing work with the animal shelters in L.A, most currently the Long Beach Animal Control. This I applaud her for. I’m sure it is extremely rewarding and heart wrenching at the same time. But her images convey a connection with animals that doesn’t come along often.  The expressiveness and emotions that she captures, from sadness to playfulness makes me want to go adopt them all.   She is a true advocate and hero for these shelters. She says. “I can’t say enough about supporting your local animal shelter; both the animals AND the workers. it’s got to be one of the most stressful jobs you can have, and I’m glad to be part of a project that gives them props instead of criticism. I honestly don’t think I could work in a shelter every day, so these people have my utmost respect.” As do I, and Susan, your work shows that.

I have really come to enjoy her unique sense of perspective with her wedding photography. She really brings out everyone’s personality, catching the perfect moments that make you feel like you actually know the couple and are sharing this very intimate snippet of their lives with them.  Capturing the details, like the beautiful light shining through a dress, to a sign outside, to a still of the bride’s shoes.  She might even ask you to take a dip in the ocean like in her “Trash the Dress” series (one of my personal favorites).  For her it doesn’t matter if it’s at the courthouse, or black tie, she’s got you covered.

Her work is exploding everywhere, she has recently done a shoot with Josh Freese for the OC and SF weekly. It is amazing to see her work keep getting better and better. Her site is clean and simple, and her tag line tells no lies. “Fresh. Simple. True.” What you see, is what you get. A free spirited and overflowing talented artist and woman, plane and simple.  Sympathetic  to her clientele weather you have four legs or two, weather you have some dog bones or a million bucks, she’ll work with you.  “Unlike many photographers, her business is not driven by income, but by a desire to bring art, and joy, to my clients’ ordinary and extraordinary moments.” It shows. So what are you waiting for? Check her out.. I have listed her blog, website, and flickr page below again for you. Please explore it, and enjoy the imagery and story. Become inspired. I have.

http://susansabophotography.com/

http://susansabophotography.typepad.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/smalldogs/

Snap on my friends!

~D

After clipping Marty from the first photo I added him to the bench where I was and positioned him as close as I could to where he was in the last photo. I had to stretch his wrist a smidge and erase back his fist so it looks like his hand is behind me, and not punching me in the shoulder.  After his placement was correct, I made separate paths around each item of clothing, and then created adjustment layers to open and balance the color for each. I did the same for our skin, the bench, and the surrounding background.  It was here I realized I was missing part of his foot so I created part of his shoe based on another in addition to some shnazzy cloning of bricks, cedar chips, etc… Or as Marty said, “Layed some brick down.”  In theory,  I could have just reversed it, but I had already done some time consuming color work.  I then added some shadows under his feet and seat on the bench so it didn’t look like he was floating… The last piece of the puzzle was to crop it to a square to get rid of the distracting elements, and darken the edges so we stand out. There you have it!!

You can click the thumbnail images below to see larger versions of the before stages.

Camera Info:

Nikon D300/ lens Sigma 10-20/ f4.8/ 1/25sec/ ISO 100/ SB600 strobe flash

*If you have any questions beyond what I explained on how I did the retouching, don’t hesitate to ask!

Camera Info:

Nikon D200/ Nikkor 18-135mm lens/ f-11/ 1/500sec/ ISO200

*If you have any questions on how I did the retouching, don’t hesitate to ask!