Abi Coop
Melissa Richard
Kristen Ryan
I can’t tell you how honored I was to be asked to share a little about the composite work I have been playing around with. I have long had this idea of combining photographs with art. Initially, I played around with mixed media, transferring photos onto different surfaces like wood or tape and using other art media over top. I never felt I could execute what I was imagining. I picked up a Somerset Digital Studio Magazine and saw all these wonderful things you could do with iPad apps. I splurged and bought an iPad pro and made a list of all the iPad apps included in that magazine. I had a lot of fun playing around with these and trying to learn more about them, creating whimsical images. But I didn’t take it very serious and put it down for over a year.
I had been doing a lot of research on studio lighting, and learning to use artificial light. Around this time, I came across the work of Brooke Shaden. I loved the concept of combining images to create art and was inspired by her! I was also inspired by how she manipulated the lighting in these compositions to make them blend more seamlessly. I began imagining taking studio images and combining them with outdoor images. I had no idea how exactly this would work or even if I would like the end result. But I took a risk and started renting a studio space with this concept in mind.
This image (above) was my first composition image, using two older images. I was hooked! I felt like I was creating, like I was painting. I loved the feel of the pencil to the iPad, instead of using a mouse on my computer.
This next image (above) was the first composition image I intentionally set out to create. I started in my studio and took some self portraits then drove around taking photos outside that could be used as a background. I was feeling discouraged and disappointed after looking over the self portraits, I wasn’t happy with anything. But as I started combining the images, and saw things coming together, I was thrilled! When I shared this image, I was blown away by the response and can’t describe how rewarding it was to hear after feeling a little vulnerable putting myself out there in a way I hadn’t before.
In these compositions, I am inspired by the world around me. I try to carry my camera around as much as I can and stop to take photos of scenes that could be used later (an open field with a dramatic sky, freshly fallen snow, a foggy morning …) I like using images of people that allow for movement and flow, or clothing that seems to blend into the surroundings. I am hoping to be able to do this for clients some day.
The apps that I most often use, though not always all of them, are: Snapseed, Superimpose, Skylab, Procreate, Brushstrokes, Stackables, Distressed FX, iColorama, Retouch, Lens Distortions, and Lightroom CC. Here is a breakdown of how one images looks from start to finish.
Wow!! These are so stunning! I’ve seen some of Caroline Jensen’s work and I’ve been inspired to try and learn how to do this. Do you offer any workshops?
Thanks for sharing!
Awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Have you considered teaching a workshop for this? I would love it if you would! These are absolutely stunning!