Walker – Zone plate – © John Neel

Digital Painting is a fun way to make images. Here is a sample gallery of my work, which was recently created with several painting tools, including Studio Artist, Painter, and Photoshop.

When playing with my images, I try to utilize what I feel are the best attributes of each application I might have available. Some things are more interesting in one program than in the others. In some cases the results obtainable in one package cannot be produced in another. I like to mix them up to see what is possible.

Both Pinhole and Zone Plate produce a unique softness that transforms nicely into a digitally ‘painted’ image. The images shown in this article were produced with various Pinholes or Zone Plates.

Landscape – Pinhole – © John Neel

Usually, I am not thinking of making something look exactly like a painting, rather my goal is to use the software to achieve something between a photograph and a painting. However, for illustration and design, it is certainly possible. To me, it is just another way that computers can be useful for creating something interesting and new. It is another way of making photographic images. It is also a way to interpret what you saw when you shot the image.

Cars – Pinhole – © John Neel

Whenever I use a lens or a pinhole, I must consider the subject I am shooting in the context of the equipment I am using. The opposite is also true. When shooting with a normal camera lens, I need to take into count the results that that particular lens is capable of producing. Normal lenses usually produce sharp results. While shooting with a pinhole or a zone plate, I tend to think more in terms of an impression. I am likely to be looking at things in that context as well. The technique informs my vision. Paint software when used well, can be useful for enhancing that impression.

More about Pinhole :

• Are You Ready? The next pinhole day is April 27, 2014
• Zone-Sieve – A Pinhole Array
• Zone Sieve Pinhole Dupes
• 2014 Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day – Promo Posters
• Digital Pinhole – Sharpness is a relative term
• Matchbox Pinhole – Easy to make and FUN to use!

My book – Rethinking Digital Photography

Read more about Pinhole Photography and other great photographic techniques in my book Rethinking Digital Photography.

NOTICE of Copyright: THIS POSTING AS WELL AS ALL PHOTOGRAPHS, GALLERY IMAGES, AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE COPYRIGHT © JOHN NEEL AND ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE WRITER, THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR lensgarden.com. THE IDEAS EXPRESSED ARE THE PROPERTY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND THE AUTHOR.