Introduction into Surreal digital photography

A Surreal digital photography doesn't so much evolve as mutate, flowing like a Dali clock to fill every available niche as artists come up with new and even more incredible ideas. This volume presents a showcase of those new ideas. Some are so simple that you'll wonder why you've never attempted them before; others are so involved that you'll wonder why on earth anyone attempted them in the first place. All are magnificent examples of the surreal photographer's art.

Thanks to the Internet and the ease with which digital technology allows artists to ahare and exhibit their work, many thriving communities of surreal artists have sprung up, with members spread across the globe, This book alone features contributors) from the U.S., Groat Britain, Belgium, Croatia, Latvia, Slovenia, and Sweden, and there were many more that we just oouldn't squeeze In.

The reason for this abundance of Imagery Is that people like to take a break from the norm every now and then, and Just let their imagination run riot. Feel like combining a fish's face with that photo of your mother-in-law? Go right ahead (Just remember to work on a copy). Want to reimagine your friend as a fairy?

Left Guardian Angel by Domed Lombergar

Feel free-Photoshop will grant your wish. Got a hankering to add flailing tendrils and an extruded checkerboard skull to a Rodinesque thinker with a migraine? Well, you may need to spend some time learning some 30 basics first, but sure, It's possible. The tools are all there waiting Is be picked up and put to good use.

And that's the main thing: the tools to create any image are at your disposal-all you need is the spark of an idea to set them in motion. You don't need to be a Photoshop genius to create stunning images (although, admittedly, the more complex your idea, the more technical knowledge you're likely to need to complete it); a bit of forethought and planning will help to break down the most daunting of composite images into manageable chunks.

All of the source files for making these images are available to download from the Web address that you'll find on the inside cover of the book, so you can work through them for yourself and see how each of the surreal images was created from start to finish. Hopefu.ly you'll be inspired to create even more surreal images of your own.

Below The Gate of Eden by Ben Goossens