Journey into Creative Digital Fantasy - and boost your workflow!
As a photographer, finding new ways to express creativity and visualise ideas is always an exciting challenge. I've been exploring a lot recently about what creativity is and how you can exercise it to get it in better shape. Going to the gym for the creative mind - and for the SMART photographer. We're planning on launching a Facebook group and a free "member's only" area on our website. More of that in future weeks and months.
Morning in The City - Digital Fantasy Art"Morning in The City"
Digital art tools like Painter, Krita, Natron, and Blender offer a whole new level of creative freedom, allowing me to storyboard scenes, experiment with compositions, and visualise how I want my photographic images to look before ever picking up my camera. In this post, I’ll share how these tools help me enhance my work as a photographer, from generating ideas to crafting dynamic scenes. The Digital Fantasy Artwork I share from time to time are products from my time stretching my imagination in my private "Photographer's Gym".
I don't want, and certainly don't need, AI to do the thinking for me. That's the way our brains will cease to exercise and become reliant on AI systems to think for us. BUT, I can harness the power of existing software, some of which is AI-trained, in using elements I choose for myself, and utilising them in ways that I wish in order to stretch my mind and encourage it to generate new ideas.
Storyboarding Scenes for Photography
One of the key advantages of using digital art tools is the ability to storyboard and pre-visualise scenes. Whether it’s a portrait shoot, an outdoor landscape, or an intricate editorial concept, having a storyboard helps me map out the mood, colour scheme, lighting, and composition of the scene.
I had a conversation with someone on social media saying I should just rock-up to an unknown location I hadn't visited before, with a model I had never met - and just start shooting with whatever light was available. That's a great way to learn, and think on your feet. It will certainly stretch your skills - but in this instance I was after a particular outside location where I knew how I would set the lights up, and where the leading lines would fit into the composition. So many great films are meticulously story-boarded for months, even years, before a single frame of film is shot. Director James Cameron is just one person who spring to mind who adopts this approach. It has served him well!
Reference image from Victoria and Albert Museum in LondonReference image from Victoria and Albert Museum in London
I'm not here to promote of extol the virtues of any particular software, but I have created the images on my fantasy art page mainly using Painter and a Wacom graphics tablet, and often using elements of scenes which have gone through Lightroom and sometimes Photoshop, but very often Lightroom is all I need. Painter is excellent, but doesn't come cheap. There are alternatives such as Krita. As a free and open-source tool, Krita provides a canvas where I can sketch out quick concepts or more detailed compositions. Its intuitive brush engine and layer system allow me to create rough drafts of how I want my scenes to look. The Big Daddy is, of course, Painter. With its vast range of brushes and realistic textures, Painter helps me visualise the textures and surfaces of a scene, from the fabric of a model’s dress to the lighting effects on a landscape. It's excellent for getting a more tangible feel of the environment I'm going to shoot in.
Leading Lines and Vanishing PointLeading Lines and Vanishing Point
After The StormAfter The Storm
After The Storm - painting in constructionLayout of image showing leading lines etc
Of course, the spin-offs are the scenes that I create which can't be photographed conventionally. I produce images for clients and for other projects that combine real imagery with painted scenes, ideas that originated in the film industry with the use of "mattes" - terms that are still use today when part of an image are masked out to be replaced with imagery created elsewhere and seamlessly combined.
Photographing modern architecture around the big cities or ancient temples and tombs recreated in The British Museum or V&A often find their way into my compositions as starting points to get the visual aspects correct. Don't forget as children in art lessons we were taught about leading lines and vanishing points in paintings in order to create perspective. They are also a very good starting point where I just have to fill in the gaps with brickwork, tiles, windows and neon signs and before you know it a city scene is taking place! Reflections also help to light a scene and avoid dark areas of nothingness. In cinematography they will use a technique called a "wet down" where the streets and pavements are deliberately soaked with water to create more pools of light within a scene.
Enhancing Compositions and Colour Palettes
When it comes to creating compelling images, composition and colour are critical. Sometimes, envisioning how these elements will look in a final photo can be difficult when you're limited to real-life elements. Digital art tools offer a flexible way to explore these aspects before committing to a physical setup. It's also good for clients because I can show them in advance the ideas before wasting their time and money on something that they aren't entirely satisfied with. This is a great bonus for everyone.
Creating Digital Art - videoCreating Digital Art - video
Sometimes, I use Blender to create 3D mock-ups of scenes to better understand the depth, perspective, and angles I want to capture. Blender’s 3D capabilities allow me to rotate and adjust the scene to find the best shot before the actual shoot takes place. This has been especially useful for architectural and interior photography. I want to use Blender more and to greater effect - I am by no means an expert, so any feedback from other users out there would be greatly appreciated!
When playing with colour palettes, both Painter and Krita allow me to visualise the mood of a scene through colour grading. By creating digital paintings or quick mock-ups, I can experiment with complementary or contrasting colours to see how they influence the overall atmosphere of the photo. You will notice how I tend to favour the neon blues and pinks from films like Blade Runner. That's no coincidence! I can also use this to help visualise the colour grading and emotions in scenes that will be shot for clients, making sure that colours and tone stay aligned with their own brand colours.
Bridging the Gap Between Digital and Physical
One of the most rewarding aspects of combining digital art with photography is the relationship between both mediums. While photography captures the real world, digital art allows me to explore fantastical ideas, modify reality, or bring abstract concepts to life. That's a really powerful ability and helps me to visualise scenes a whole lot better instead of having to "make do".
Modern London ArchitectureModern London Architecture
Of course, there are many situations where I have to work with what I've got and think on my feet, but time spent creating digital art is never wasted as it really helps when I have to adjust quickly and look for opportunities to capture the best shots.
I often combine digital sketches or 3D renderings from Blender with my photographs in post-production. This technique allows me to push the boundaries of realism, creating hybrid images that blend photography and digital illustration. Films like Avatar and Alita:Battle Angel take these ideas to the very limits of what can be achieved. It's no wonder I like these films so much!
Boosting Creativity Through Experimentation
Using digital tools has significantly enhanced my creativity as a photographer. With no physical limitations, I can experiment with wild ideas, unusual perspectives, and complex lighting setups. This creative freedom inspires my photography to push beyond the conventional. The other advantage is having a portfolio of Digital Fantasy and Sci-Fi artwork which I have created along my journey. In response to requests for people to buy some of this artwork I have put a selection of my favourites available for purchase - see the link below.
By using tools like Painter, Krita, Natron and Blender, I’m able to extend my creativity as a photographer. From pre-visualising ideas to fine-tuning compositions and experimenting with colour and light, digital art opens up endless possibilities. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just getting started, incorporating digital tools into your process can spark new ideas and take your photography to new creative heights.
We'd be delighted to know if, and how you use digital tools as part of your own creative workflow. Get in touch and share ideas!
Artwork Gallery
