Inside out
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My mantra is to do as little as possible with photographs. A slight tweak in contrast here, an extra touch of colour there – but essentially keep them natural and true.
But I’ve recently cracked into the wealth of powerful effects offered by editing programmes, and have decided to breathe new life into some favourite shots.
These photos have been inverted, or had their colour schemes turned inside out, with some additional enhancing effects. I’ve discovered that it results in new creations, some of them vibrant and others abstract. It often subverts the identity of the original photograph and stands on its own feet.
This feels like another layer of creation, far removed from the original vision seen through the lens. It’s perhaps digital art, but achieved with software and a few extra mouse clicks and adjustments.
Does it do it for you? Is it art?…
Click first image for the full gallery experience
mikeosbornphoto 
Love these, we live in exciting times where we can take a beautiful image and appreciate that. Then move on and make more images that use another awareness of shape, line, form etc. be it art or image it’s an extension of who we are and what we like doing.
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Thank you Lee, it certainly extends the scope of photography. There’s something very satisfying about the abstract – it’s like you have your own little secret!
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These are amazing, Mike. My first thought was that some look like paintings. I guess that answers your question – yes, you are using software but that is just another tool – the art comes from your use of colour and composition to create these wonderful images.
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Thank you so much, Lena, I’m glad you like them. I think you are right – there are millions of permutations with this software. It’s a question of judgement to choose ones which will fit well.
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Mike, just remember: Artists who are ahead of the curve often deal in the uncomfortable fringes of acceptance.
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Very profound, Brett. And all too true. Thank you for sharing.
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Art or not? Now there’s a can of worms!! Personally I think these are great and what is ‘art’ other than exploring your own creativity? ….
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Thanks Noeline, I’m glad you like them. Art comes in many forms, I suppose, it’s up to the beholder to like it or loathe it.
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yes, it counts as art!
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Thanks Stefanie! But I guess in the digital realm. With some shots it looks like a dog’s dinner, others very interesting. So there’s a certain eye involved.
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of course but even when it looks like a dogs dinner, it is still “art!”
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Ha! Yes, there’s plenty of that around!
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We can’t ignore the technology available nowadays; a few of the shots on Instagram are stunning. The key, I think, is to understand it is a only tool and, as you said, to use it as a source of creativity.
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I admit to being an Instagram naysayer, but see its strengths too. In this case capturing the photograph in the first place was the real moment of creativity – this is just an interesting offhsoot/development. Thanks so much for your comment, Ben, and greetings from London.
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I can remember my old art teacher saying, remember to look at the positive and negative shapes. Thanks for the memory! and once again terrific work
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Glad to evoke a moment from the early years, James! Well I can tell you it’s very hard to take a photograph and imagine how it will look when inverted. This is something of an offshoot but an interesting one.
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Mr Osborn you have made exceedingly great cakes….lol! Absolutely superb Mike, honestly a terrific set of images that really make the viewer stop and look at the detail and enjoy the array of colours
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Thanks James! I must say it was very enjoyable doing this. Maybe it’s the source creativity – taking the photograph – that leads to this.
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