computer graphics

Layered Photography

If you are into arts or crafts you may be familiar with collages.  Layering various materials to achieve what ever idea you have in mind.

Many think of art as creative expression.  A way that some can “work through” various issues they have emotionally.  I’m sure some do.  I never thought of art as a way to express myself.  If I did I’m sure I would create much more and very different art than I usually do.

I just love collages.  I enjoy seeing others ideas and hoping something touches me.  Personally I create any art with beauty in mind be it visual, music, dance, etc.  Some modern art is downright ugly and offensive.  I don’t care if it is someone’s expression, if it’s ugly I don’t want to see it.

Some things can be a mess to some and I might like it.  Then there could be another mess that actually looks like a mess to me but someone else gets it.

I have always been enamored with the Old Masters.  They were perfection.  They had talent and went for realism.  Then came the sloppier impressionists.  They helped bring about what I call “crap on canvas.”

Speaking of which, I do love my collages.  The ones from altered books, pages, pictures, paints, papers, lace & anything else you can glue on.

This was one I layered from various photos to look hand made.  Usually when I create layered photos I have a different technique, similar to the one below which might be various flowers with complementary colors layered on an enhancing background.

 

Graphic Art Techniques & Attempts

Created using Microsoft PhotoDraw text and animation effects.

I have not done much in the way of fine arts in the last 20 years or more.  I am sadly out of practice.  Ever since I began taking more photographs and purchased my first Graphics Software, Microsoft PhotoDraw 2000 version 2, I have gotten very lazy.  I have given up on the idea of spending many hours concentrating with pastel or paintbrush when I can receive the same results in a few minutes with my original photographs, a computer and decent software.  In fact I can do much more with less effort.  I am so spoiled that I thank God this was NOT around during the time of Rembrandt & Leonardo Da Vinci or we would have missed out on so many great works.  I do think that Da Vinci would have come up with  better software ideas than all of them!

I have really enjoyed the years I just experimented and piddled in all kinds of mediums just for the heck of it.  I posted the “Fish Curtain” I did with transfers and free hand painting on a muslin panel last year.

Please view the video I created presenting a few computer graphics followed by brief instructions for each.  If you have any questions feel free to post them in the comments.

 

Daily Prompt: Planets or Bubbles?

I was hurling through space the other day, one of my usual “out of body” experiences I like to do so I can be reminded of just how small and insignificant me and my problems really are in the grand scheme of things.

Bubbles make all things better, even space!

Bubbles make all things clean again!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Experimental Fun!

I love playing!  I only wish I had more money to waste on all the creative software out there.  I have not tried animation software but my Microsoft PhotoDraw has a very few animations on it at this time.  Once Microsoft stopped supporting it, the 3-D no longer operates with my newer Windows.

The following are various experimental graphics and animations with PhotoDraw.

Layered storm clouds, headstones and faded flowers called “Forgotten.”
One of my favorite stories from the Bible. It is quoted in a Charlie Brown’s Christmas describing the Birth of Christ. Bust of Angel surrounded by scripture with enhanced corners.
Luke 2:9-11
Used the same cropped flowers with softened edges on either side of another cropped lavender with bee photo over background with french text.
Had a picture of the cropped moon fade and scroll right across sunset for solar eclipse.
Animated “Forgotten.”

Weekly Photo Challenge & Daily Prompt: Ghoulish & Rounded

Both will pertain to the autumn and Halloween that some celebrate.

I love to decorate for fall adding a few old time Halloween touches throughout, as cheaply as possible of course.  I wait to get my pieces in sales, sometimes from clearance the year before.

We will start out with emphasis on curves such as the altered glass plate from Ikea I hang in front of the lighted trellis.  The roundness of pumpkins, gourds & squash prevalent this time of year and various decorative items.

Now we come to the “good stuff.” The ghoulish or macabre. Not my cup of tea but many like this stuff, especially around Halloween.

 

One of my sons LOVES Halloween and really goes all out each year.  This is him as the crow and that is his own hair, no wig.  The other videos are some of the special effects that he uses.  Enjoy this very “ghoulish” display if you dare!

Enjoy my PhotoDraw animated slide show for Halloween fun!

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Daily Prompt: Willy-Nilly Kaleidodesigns

Sometimes I like to play with the various Kaleidoscope effects my software offers. One just splits the image and another does the actual Kaleidoscope design effect and allows you to place it where you want it in terms of color and shape, lots of options.  The split effect they call kaleidoscope splits 4 images at a time.  There is a plan to what I do eventually but my designing does begin willy-nilly.

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