My Creative Images Promoting Digital Photo Artistry and Digital Photography
www.mycre
Issue 39 (June 2021)
Welcome to the Mycreativeimages Magazine Lots of thought and planning goes into creating a photo or making photo-art, and this is also apparent from one of my favourite quotes: “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” Ansel Adams A good example of this can be seen in the photographs that I have personally added in this magazine. Each shot was done using the manual mode on my camera, checking the effect created using different shutter speeds different depth of field and ISO settings combined with various strength neutral density filters until the desired result is achieved, then repeating that at each new location to cater for the different light levels. It also applies to the photo-art I create, in that each one takes thought and planning, sourcing the right photos from my library and matching them to the right model (stock model) and then deciding on the finished effect, the colours and the textures. Thinking about what you want to create is very important, having the tools to create your vision and the ability to use them, or learning new techniques is equally important and it can be incredibly frustrating when the effect you want to create doesn’t work or is just outside your reach and requires further experimentation before the desired result is achieved. For clarity, the photographs I have on display this month were taken over a period of 3 days and took around 4 hours a day (not just one click and we are done) and the photo-art took around 14 hours of work for each image, with an addition 3 or 4 hours to do any hand embellishing. What point am I making? If you think photography is as simple as pressing a button and photo-art is just a matter of using an app then, well yes you can do it that way, but where is the fun, where is the creative talent, where is the emotion and the passion and the satisfaction? Yes, it is all art at the end of the day, no matter how its created, but if its automated and a simple click of a button does it offer value does it scream out as being created by an artist and deserve to be printed framed and hung on your wall. Maybe it does, everyone has different tastes and different budgets, but the amount of work involved is also reflected in the amount that artists charge for their artwork, they have invested time and effort, and money into creating their artwork. Think of it differently, what do you get paid per hour for your job, would you accept a small token amount for working 14 hours or would you expect to be paid an amount that reflects the time and effort you put into working for that period of time?
To take it a little further, when you buy work from an artist featued in this magazine, you are purchasing something that was created with a purpose, that wasn’t mass produced, it took time effort and skill to make.......when you buy a piece of their art you are buying a small part of them, a small part of their story, you are buying years of practice and years of knowledge......when you buy their art you are buying something created for a reason sometimes its packed with passion, sometimes frustrations and this is something you can see from the colours, the textures and the subject, you are not buying something that was produced with the sole intention of profit. Which would you prefer, either a shop bought framed print with no story or meaning hanging on your wall that thousands of other people have in their home or work space or a piece of artwork that shouts a story or an emotion at you every time you look at it? I have focused heavily on the hidden value embedded in the work of an artist this month. They all pour their passion and emotion into their work, they all offer something that is very different. So, ensure to look closely at each piece on show in the magazine and reach out to an artist that resonates with you. You never know they may even be able to create a piece of work just for you, if you ask, I know I would happily complete another commission if asked as they are both challenging and satisfying especially when you hand deliver the work to them and watch their reaction as they unbox it. James Hurley Photo Artist / Magazine Editor Links: Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/MYCIFBpage Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/FBArtGroup
All images in this publication are sourced / created by the artists, unless otherwise stated on their websites or social media pages and as such must not be copied or sold without the express consent of the artist.
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This publication is created and owned by James Hurley, ©mycreativeimages.com 2020. Please feel free to share the magazine but do not make changes to any of the content.
Featured artists
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Bernie Tuffs 4 Claude Trew 12 David Walker 18 James Hurley 26 Joyce Simpson 44 Keeley McCleave 48 Luana Laubscher 56 Sue Waterhouse 62 Vivien Capper 68
One of my photos has been selected for the Long List in an online Gallery based in Doncaster, now to reach the shortlist it is based on a public vote. As of today my photo has 13 “likes” which is a long way off the leader, but you never know what can happen......... Visit the link below and find my photo, its titled “James Hurley UK - Don’t Step in the Shadows” if you like it then simply click on the heart icon. Every click helps and I grateful for those people that have already left a “like”. Link: http://bit.ly/DontStepOnTheShadows If you don’t like my photo, and I’m not saying you have to, whilst you are on the page, check out the other amazing photos and leave “likes” on those that say something to you...........James Hurley
Cover image “The Green Lady” by James Hurley https://www.mycreativeimages.com
MAGAZINE NEWS I’m incredibly pleased and excited to announce that the Mycreativeimages magazine has been accepted in the Issuu Elite programme. This means that the magazine will have early access to new features, will receive dedicated support from an Issuu manager, will be involved in providing feedback to help shape the shape of Issuu and last but not least additional exposure to help promote the magazine. It is an amazing feeling to have this magazine classed as an Elite publication and to have the full support of a platform such as Issuu.
Bernie Tuffs Hello! I’m Bernie and I live in the little seaside town of Margate and having lived here all my life, I couldn’t live anywhere else now! I’m continually inspired by the scenery here, with skies and light that so excited famous artist J.W.Turner, who said of this area, “…the skies over Thanet are the loveliest in all Europe”. Apparently, a love of the sea stayed with him all his life and I can well understand that! Painting with light holds a real attraction for me - the gentle light that is still strong enough to dispel darkness. I’ve always been arty, progressing from childhood sketching, through gouache and then oil painting, then paper crafting and scrapbooking which led me to digital scrapbooking and finally to Sebastian Michaels and Photo Artistry. Now I feel I’m home and am having so much fun with my art!
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BernieTuffs
Fairy Lights
Crafted Glass
Farm Yard
Darkness Falls
Drama In the Skie
Grunged Artiness
Illusion
Spring Blurs
Claude Trew I retired a few years ago, and since I had more free time, I decided it was time to expand my photo art skills. I have been a member of my local camera club for many years, but I wanted to branch out in areas of photography that would be more artistic and outside the style of photographs that are most successful in club competitions. With this in mind, four years ago I joined the international online Photoshop course “My Photo Artistic Life” created by Sebastian Michaels. I have never regretted my decision and I am still a member of this vibrant and artistic FaceBook community. A few months ago I joined another online course “Elevate your Art”, this time learning to paint with Photoshop’s mixer brush. My vision is, one day, to be able to paint images which will look like oil paintings. You are welcome to visit my website to see some samples of my Photo Art.
www.claudetrew.com
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Bouquet Van Gogh Style
Magic Pool
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Neptune in the Abyss
Neptune riding the waves
Painted Amarylis
David Walker During my years as a amateur photographer, in return for me continually taking my time to take my photographs and delaying her holiday ambitions, my wife demanded that return the favour by accompanying her to formal gardens and other floral events. This was not too bad a deal, because there are plenty of opportunities to use the camera! She likes to linger so I can take a reasonable amount of time to set up and compose my shots, a good definition of a win/win scenario? However, in those early days of photographic venturing, things did not work out well for my floral photography. At my camera clubs, judge after judge, gave scathing feedback about the shots, in frankly a mean and unnecessary way. I understand that “perfect” flower photography should be undertaken with a perfect specimen, on a windless day, with no insidious incursions from other species, such as plants or insects, with perfect lighting, from the perfect aspect, and of course fit absolutely within the “rule of thirds” as perceived by their interpretation of the “rules” by these so called judges. Judges, at local camera club level, tend to lack artistic impression and make this up by adopting mechanical approaches to the subject of photography. The “rule of thirds” is no more than a guideline certainly not a “rule”. I pity these judges and the poor souls who are subjected to their whims and lack of artistry! Needless to say I am no longer a member of a camera club, I will not even acknowledge their status by using capital Cs. Then came PhotoArt. I am fully aware, that even with artistic interpretation, an image of a floral subject should be clearly representative of the subject, but with the ability to use watercolour techniques an image can be produced which takes the cold precision of a photograph and turns it into, in my opinion, a much more pleasing rendition of the subject. I have a myriad of images of flowers…indeed all types flora….from weeds, to grasses, to indoor plants, to greenhouse specialties, to European species, to Australian species, to windswept coastal plants (again weeds?), to flora from my wife’s own garden. Many of these I have converted many to artistic renditions based on a watercolour technique I have developed in conjunction with several different programs. I hope you find a specimen you like!
https://www.vista-foto.com/
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African Lily
Barbary nut iris
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Bird of paradise
Germander Speedwell
Greater stitchwort
Indian-shot
Pelargonium var ‘Lord Bute’
Pelargonium var ‘Lord Bute’
Sunflower
Pohutukawa
Tea Plant
Wash-house Lilly
James Hurley James is a Photo Artist that captures landscapes photographs as well as painterly portraits either in the comfort of his home or on location. He is based in Huntingdon, near Cambridge, and has a passion for incorporating his emotions and frustrations into surreal artwork. James is a self-taught photographer and Photo Artist he loves photography and the digital mixed media approach to artwork. His artwork ranges from simple colour corrections in landscape photographs to enhance an image, to a complex piece of art that is made up of multiple images blended together with textures and masked out with brushwork. This month James has been continuing to create a series of images that celebrates both nature and the female form. This can be seen in the image titled “Together Forever”. In addition he has branched out into the relam of the Fae and brought two new images to life, the first of which is called ”Story Time” and this is partnered with “The Green Lady”. The goal is to continue the Natural Beauty series and have the Fae images as an offshoot of this theme but with a distinctly different type of atwork which leads more toward forest fantasy and myths. In addition James has continued to work through the photographs he recently took whilst visiting Patterdale Hall Estate near Ullswater. THis is demonstrated by the photographs taken of a small section of Griesdale Beck which runs through the estate. All the fine art landscape photographs displayed here were taken using a tripod and a long exposure enabled using a neutral density filter. All of these images will be available to buy as prints via James’s websote with a percentage of the sale proceeds of the photographs being donated to the estate to help them carry on the the conservation work that they do to maintian this amazing piece of our countryside. “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” Ansel Adams
https://www.mycreativeimages.com/
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Story TIme
The Green Lady
Together Forever
Fae Wood
Waterfall Wood (0932)
Waterfall Wood (0911)
Waterfall Wood (0938)
Waterfall Wood (0967)
Waterfall Wood (1180)
Waterfall Wood (0931)
Waterfall Wood (0912)
Waterfall Wood (1141)
Waterfall Wood (1150)
Waterfall Wood (1163)
Waterfall Wood (1173)
Above Aira Force (1307)
Beyond Side Farm (0458)
Joyce Simpson What a rollercoaster the last month has been where the saying “As one door closes another door opens!!” has never been truer. I was honoured to see my image ‘A Bird In The Hand’ included in the 75th issue of Living The Photo Artistic Life. I had not looked at the index of which artists had been included and it literally took my breath away when I turned the page to see my work. Sadly, the Café/Gallery where I am fortunate enough to sell various framed prints will be closing its doors very soon due to the downturn caused by the pandemic. But on a lighter note, we are now seeing our museums and galleries opening back up and this month I’m very excited to have pieces of my art work being exhibited in both the ‘Keighley In Focus’ and ‘Back To The Wall’ exhibitions. More information about these exhibitions can be found on my website
https://joycesimpson.myportfolio.com
Keeping A Tight Hold On Her Heart
Blur
Reflections On The Tyne
Emergence
Keeley McCleave I studied illustration at art college, so there is a story-telling feel to most of my work. During the summer I re-discovered my love of illuminated manuscripts and was inspired to incorporate some richly detailed page borders in some of my compositions. I love the way borders can draw the viewer into an image and help tell the story. More recently my attention has turned to the festive season and I have had fun playing with different aspects of a British Christmas, drawing on folklore, historical costumes and traditions. I love Christmas, so always find it a springboard to creativity! I hope you enjoy my work, as much as I enjoyed creating it.
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King of diamonds
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Knave of diamonds
Queen of diamonds
The King of Hearts
the knave of hearts
The Queen of Hearts
Luana Laubscher My introduction to photography began while still at school. I would take my roll of film to the local store, who offered a 1-hour developing service, and the best part, you only had to pay for the photos you wanted! And so began my love of photography and all that it entails. South Africa offers many photographic opportunities, both in flora and fauna and our landscapes are simply awe-inspiring. In 2015, I joined Sebastian Michaels’ Photoshop Artistry course and the rest, as they say, is history. Thereafter, I joined the Awake group. This enabled me to reside in my Happy Place – and create what I saw in my mind. Without any limitations whatsoever. Now that I am retired, I have the time to devote all my efforts into creating art. I have no formula and create an art piece as and when inspiration strikes. Whether it’s a piece of wall art, or a surreal or whimsical story I cannot stop until the piece is finished. I have been published in Living the Photoartistic Life, produced book covers, held exhibitions and my artwork adorns my clients’ walls
https://www.instagram.com/luanalaubscher/
A Letter to My Love
Free Falling
Looking Back
She is Risen
The Bluebird of Happiness
Sue Waterhouse I was given my first DSLR camera for Christmas in 2013 and very quickly became addicted! fortunately, I was lucky enough to take early retirement at the same time. From 2013 to 2019 my husband and I split our time between Spain and Portugal in the winter, travelling in our motorhome, and the UK and France in the summer. This provided lots of opportunities for many styles of photography. I am very new to the world of Digital Art and 12 months ago I had only occasionally ventured into Photoshop to remove unwanted items from my photographs. When the first lockdown was introduced in March, I decided I would use some of the extra time that we were spending at home, working to improve my Photoshop skills. Discovering the Photo Artistry course and more recently the AWAKE training has made me appreciate and enjoy creating digital art as much as I enjoy digital photography. I enjoy using photographs I have taken over the last few years and creating digital art from them. I also use models and digital assets provided within the course materials. As I am still at the start of my creative journey I have not yet found one particular style that I prefer….maybe I never will! For this month I have selected 5 images using models from the AWAKE course content.
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Data Overload
I saw her again today
Time and Space
In the workshop
The Cleansing
Vivien Capper Hello. My name’s Vivien and I’m from the beautiful county of Kent, England though currently living and working near Rome in delightful Italy with its exciting, lively way of life and vibrant colours and designs . I started out as an artist developing Indian ink artwork of a variety of subjects especially figurative artwork and abstract floral designs, then progressed into creative photography and digital artistry thanks to Sebastian Michael’s courses at ‘Photoshop Artistry’ and the advanced courses ‘Awake’ & ‘Kaizen’. My inspiration is drawn from my love of nature, figurative artwork and Italian design and I love using many textures, patterns and colours. I’m thrilled to have some of my artwork in various international publications including: Living the Photo Artistic Life, My Creative Images and I have also gained ‘honourable mentions’ in the Shift Art Monthly Challenge. I was also pleased to be the winner of the Shift Art Challenge with a piece ‘The Mysterious Cobbled Street’.
https://saatchiart.com/vivienjane
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Lady in Pink
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A Drive in the clouds
Daydreaming
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M e t v IImages ae My CCreative Promoting Digital Photo Artistry
