Why is it that creative thrusts always push one in an unexpected direction? I started out writing more than taking pictures. Now, it seems, my thrust is more toward creative digital art with its genesis in photography. Go figure.
Not knowing whether I was attempting but failing to improve my creative bent, I entered a few pieces of digital art (hard core photographers would call these “computer-manipulated photos” just as we used to call early color photos “color-manipulated photos”) into a few competitions with very respectable judges. And guess what? I’m actually winning prizes! Small vindication, I know, but vindication nevertheless.
I thought you might enjoy my sharing a few of these with you.
First, there is “Hollow Heart”, my current pride and joy. This image started as a rather boring photo of a bird known as a snowy egret. I won’t bore you with the details, but after a few dozen hours of TLC, this picture:
became this image:
So what, you say? Well, it took a statewide first place (blue ribbon) across all the Florida Council of Camera clubs (some 96 clubs, I believe). Additionally, it took another first place as part of a juried exhibition at the local visual arts center. Most significant, this latter distinction was accompanied with an actual triple digit cash prize! Go figure. I even had to fill out a W9 IRS form. How cool is that!
Another image started out as a nice although rather mundane head shot of a sandhill crane;
however, with more than a bit creative effort, this became another award-winner, albeit ‘only’ 20th in the state of Florida (I’ll take what I can get!):
Addtitionally, utilizing my favorite model, my beautiful grand-daughter, I snagged this nice snapshot (ignore the black spots in her hair – an artifact of resurrecting the “before” photo in the time I allotted to assemble this post):
and generated a significantly more dramatic piece (high caliber black ‘n white ain’t easy):
I further increased the drama with some unique & rather complex black matting with a black frame mounting. I actually squeaked out another ribbon in the same juried exhibition (sorry, a photograph of a photograph is never very good, but you get the idea) – a few artificially generated tears? a nine panel window pane? eyes are a window to the soul? title: “A Soul Shattering”? Work with me here, people!:
I have several other pieces in an exhibition, and while they are quite nice (I thought), apparently weren’t worthy of awards – the competition was quite spectacular, after all:
“I Wanna Iguana”
“I AM the Job”
“Lady in Red”
Currently entered into another state-wide competition with judging now in process:
“Dragon Whimsy” (yup, also a result of another close-up & moody Iguana encounter)
“Earth is an Orphan” (yes, folks, it IS a metaphor)
“Soul of Greece” (my friend Miltos from the island of Milos in the Aegean Sea)
Not sure how much talent I have, but sure is fun tryin’ to run with the big dogs! And I seem to be more prolific in visual media than in writing. Oh well. After all, this IS retirement, is it not? So sooner or later I’m bound to get it right once in awhile.
Thanks for showing an interest. Gene
