After the Camera - Before the Print: Photoshop as an Artistic Tool

Thom will be presenting a two-part program. The morning session will be on “Visual Literacy” - Mind Heart and Eye. The afternoon session will be “After the Camera - Before the Print: Photoshop as an Artistic Tool”


Once a photographer achieves general competence in the technical craft of photography, advancement in imaging requires the development of visual literacy. Its not just the ability to capture a photograph that is important, but knowing a successful image when we see it -whether in the environment or in our minds. Although formal definitions vary, a simple definition of visual literacy is “ knowing and appreciating a successful image when we see it, and having an awareness of the rules and concepts underlying the success of an image”

Thom’s program will briefly review the fundamental philosophy of creativity and visual literacy and proceed to practical methods for advancing our image making potential. The main topics of his program are:

• A discussion of what “Visual Literacy” is and how we can develop our own individual sense of visual literacy.
  
• A presentation of his work and the work of others to illustrate the real world, practical process of creative image making.
  
• A review of “The Rules” and where to find “New Rules” as guides for our image making. How use rules proactively to develop images instead of passively allowing the rules to inhibit our images.
  
• “Discovery” versus “Creativity” Sometimes being creative is hard, anxiety producing work. A small shift in our thinking can let us leapfrog the anxiety of creativity, to the success of discovery.
  
• A quick review of art history and the opportunity to find inspiration from 40,000 years of visual history.
  
• Sources for ideas and inspiration – some obvious places and some not so obvious.
  
• Identifying your “process”, not only how you make an image, but why you make an image.
  
• Style - “What is it?” “How can I get some of my own?”
  

For many of us Photoshop has become more than a post-production tool to repair and enhance our photographs. For some of us Photoshop has become an all-new visual medium unto itself –a blank canvas from which we create an all-digital image. As Photoshop artists, we draw not only on the traditions of photography, but from the traditions of painting, drawing, graphic design and sculpture. This program will consider some of the issues (both technical and mental) that we confront as we evolve from being photographers to becoming digital artists.

During the program Thom will demonstrate a wide variety of techniques and approaches using Photoshop as an artistic tool. In addition to specific techniques, Thom will talk about the importance of finding your “personal process” as a part electronic imaging. Photoshop is an artistic tool – for discovery and exploration of your own personal, individual style –an approach that promotes “you” as the creator of the image, not the software.