Digital painting has become a popular practice among artists and hobbyists alike, and one trend that has emerged is the practice of painting photos using digital software. This involves taking a photograph and transforming it into a work of art through the use of digital painting techniques. But why would someone want to paint their photos using digital software? Here are a few reasons:

1.  Creative expression

One of the main reasons people choose to paint their photos using digital software is for creative expression. Digital painting offers a wide range of creative possibilities that may not be possible with traditional media. By painting your photograph, or a photograph which you have edited by adding textures, new backgrounds, and creative lighting changes, artists can add their own personal touch to the image, whether it be through the use of color, texture, or subject matter. This can allow them to explore their own artistic vision and create something truly unique.

For example, an artist may choose to paint a landscape photo and add their own interpretation of the scene, creating a more expressive and stylized representation of the original image. They may also use digital techniques to create a sense of depth and atmosphere that goes beyond what is possible with a simple photograph.

2.  Preservation of memories

Another reason someone might choose to paint their photos is for the purpose of preserving memories. Photographs are a common way of capturing important moments in our lives, but they can be easily forgotten or lost over time. By transforming a photograph into a piece of art, the image becomes more than just a snapshot of a moment in time – it becomes a more lasting and meaningful representation of the moment captured in the photo.

For example, an artist may choose to paint a photo of their wedding day, adding their own unique interpretation of the event and capturing the emotions and atmosphere of the day in a way that a simple photograph may not be able to do.  People are more inclined to have a print created of a painting they created based on a memorable photo, and the print can then be framed and displayed for a lifetime to commemorate an event or pay tribute to a special person or pet.

3.  Exploration of new techniques

Digital painting allows artists to experiment with a wide range of techniques and effects that may not be possible with traditional media. By painting a photograph, they can explore different styles, textures, and color palettes without the fear of making permanent mistakes. This can be a great way to develop new skills and techniques that can be applied to other forms of art.

For example, an artist may choose to experiment with a new color palette or texture on a photograph, allowing them to explore the potential of these techniques before applying them to other works of art.  An artist may give the original photo a totally different style when exploring different painting techniques, which once again can create a work of wall-worthy art.

4.  Commercial opportunities

Finally, painting photos using digital software can also present commercial opportunities for artists. For example, they may be able to sell their painted photos as prints, license them for use in commercial projects, or create custom pieces for clients. This can be a great way to turn their passion for digital painting into a profitable business.  I personally know many pet photographers who have taken their business to a whole new level by offering painted pet portraits!

Another example is the artist who chooses to paint a photo of a popular tourist destination and sell prints of the painting to tourists visiting the area. The painting may also be able to be licensed for use in travel brochures or other commercial projects.

In conclusion, there are many reasons why someone might choose to paint their photos using digital software. Whether it's for creative expression, preservation of memories, exploration of new techniques, or commercial opportunities, this practice can be a rewarding and fulfilling way to transform ordinary photographs into works of art. So why not give it a try? You may discover a new passion for digital painting that you never knew you had!

I teach others how to paint their photos in Procreate on the iPad.  When you join Skillshare, you can have access to all of my classes here!

Blending songbird photos with still life photos of flowers in vases can result in beautiful and unique artwork. Here are some tips on how to blend these types of photos together:

Step 1: Choose Your Photos
Start by choosing your songbird photo and one of the still life floral backgrounds. Make sure the colors in both photos complement each other well. You might consider choosing a photo of flowers that have similar colors to the bird's feathers or that contrast nicely with the bird.

Step 2: Edit Your Photos
Before blending together, make sure to edit them first. You can adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation of each if necessary to create a cohesive look between the two. 

Step 3: Blend Your Photos
Using photo editing software, blend the photos together. You can place the bird in the vase among the flowers, perch it on the edge of the vase, or have it fly above the vase if your photos is of a flying bird. To make the bird look like it is a part of the still life, adjust the lighting to make the shadows and highlights match.

Step 4: Add Final Touches
To enhance the final image, you can add additional elements or effects. You might add a filter to create a vintage look or add text to the image, or add one of our many textures on top to give a whole new look to your art. You can also crop the image to emphasize certain parts of the composition or adjust the saturation to make the colors pop.

Step 5: Share Your Artwork
Finally, once you're satisfied with the final result, you can share your artwork on social media, in online galleries, or even in physical galleries or exhibitions. You can also print your artwork as a canvas or a framed print.
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Blending songbird photos with still life photos of flowers in vases can result in stunning works of art that showcase the beauty of nature. It's a great way to give a new look to songbird photos!  Also consider adding butterflies and other small insects, or even small reptiles, like cute little tree frogs, into your designs.  By following these steps, you can create a unique composition that is both creative and visually striking. Good luck and have fun creating!

As photographers, we often strive to capture the perfect image.  When it concerns wildlife, often the original backgrounds are less than stellar, since they may have cars, people, unwanted buildings, power lines, and other objects which can detract from the subject. But what happens when we take the main subject of those images and transform them into something new and unexpected? That's the idea behind creative reimagining, a process of artistic transformation that involves adding new backgrounds and textures to existing photos to create something new and unique.

Creative reimagining is a form of mixed media art that combines photography with digital and traditional art to create visually striking images. By adding new backgrounds and textures, we can give the image a different mood or atmosphere, tell a story, or suggest new meanings or narratives.

The process of creative reimagining begins with selecting the right photograph. The ideal photo will have a strong composition and interesting subject matter, but may lack the visual impact we're looking for. It could be a portrait, a landscape, or any other type of photograph.

Once the photo has been selected, we can begin the process of adding new backgrounds and textures. This can involve a range of techniques, from simple color correction and cropping to more complex layering, masking away unwanted elements, and blending of multiple images.

One approach to creative reimagining is to think about the mood or atmosphere we wish to convey. For example, a portrait of a person might be transformed into a surreal landscape to create a dreamlike, otherworldly image. A street scene might be reimagined as a futuristic cityscape to suggest a vision of the future.  A beautiful wildlife subject in captivity can be placed into a scene which is more suitable and natural for the animal or bird.

Another approach is to use backgrounds and textures to suggest new meanings or narratives. For example, a photo of a bird might be transformed into a symbol of freedom by adding a big sky background filled with clouds. A photo of a person might be transformed into a representation of an emotion or state of mind by adding an abstract texture.

The key to creative reimagining is experimentation and exploration. By trying out different combinations of photographic elements and backgrounds, we can discover new possibilities and create something new and unique. It requires a high degree of artistic skill and vision, as we must have a clear idea of what they want to achieve and how to achieve it.

In conclusion, creative reimagining is a process of artistic transformation that allows photographers to explore new possibilities and create something new and unique from existing photographic elements. By adding new backgrounds and textures, we can give the image a different mood or atmosphere, tell a story with our subjects, or suggest new meanings or narratives. It's a form of mixed media art that combines photography with digital and traditional art, and requires a high degree of artistic skill and vision, which as creative people, we all have! If you're a photographer looking for a new creative challenge, try your hand at creative reimagining and see where it takes you!  Visit the learn page here on the website to get started! :)

NOTE:  The background image used with the elk photo above is from the Hills Of Glory Background Collection.

Wildlife photography is a beautiful and challenging form of photography that captures the essence and beauty of the natural world. However, simply taking a great photo of wildlife is only half the battle; adding a painted background can take your photos to the next level and create truly unique and artistic images. One important aspect of blending wildlife photos with painted backgrounds is understanding the use of cool and warm colors and how to match them up.

Cool colors, such as blue and green, are often used to evoke a sense of calm and serenity, while warm colors, such as red and yellow, are used to evoke a sense of energy and excitement. When blending wildlife photos with painted backgrounds, it's important to choose a background color that complements the subject and enhances its natural beauty, and also portrays the mood you wish to share with the world.

For example, my photo of a majestic elephant at the zoo can be blended with a warm, orange-hued painted landscape, creating a harmonious and natural-looking environment. On the other hand, the same photo of the elephant can be blended with a cool, blue-hued painted  landscape, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

In addition to color, it's also important to consider the lighting in the photo and how it will interact with the background. If the photo has warm, golden hour lighting, for example, it may be better to choose a warm, complementary background color, such as a red or orange hue. On the other hand, if the photo has cool, blue-hued lighting, a cool, blue-hued background may be a better choice.  In the above two examples, I actually prefer the elephant blended with the warmer toned background, because I feel since the tones of the photo and the background match up, it makes for a better presentation.  But either way can be acceptable, depending on what you wish to portray and how your final art is going to be used or displayed.

When blending wildlife photos with painted backgrounds, it's important to experiment and find what works best for you. Try combining different cool and warm colors and see how they interact with each other and with the subject. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules, and the goal is to create a harmonious and visually appealing image that enhances the natural beauty of the wildlife subject.
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In conclusion, blending wildlife photos with painted backgrounds is a unique and artistic approach to wildlife photography that offers endless creative possibilities. By understanding the use of cool and warm colors and how to match them up, you can create truly unique and visually stunning images that showcase the beauty of the natural world.

Note: Backgrounds used above are from the Spring Storms Collection.

Wildlife photography is a challenging and rewarding field that requires patience, dedication, and a good understanding of animal and bird behavior. While many photographers prefer to go out shooting on weekends when they have more free time, many professional wildlife photographers prefer to go out during the week. There are several reasons for this, and the main theme among them all is -- PEOPLE. 

Crowds of people + wildlife = lost photos.  {Unless you're watching a nest site, because those birds will tend to their young at all times, no matter what.}

One of the main reasons why wildlife photographers go out during the week is because wildlife activity is typically less disturbed by human activity. During weekends, parks and other wildlife viewing areas are often filled with people, which can lead to increased noise and activity levels that can disrupt the natural behavior of wildlife. This can make it difficult for photographers to capture the animals in their natural habitats and can negatively impact their overall experience.

In addition to the reduced disturbance levels, wildlife photographers also prefer to go out during the week because popular wildlife viewing areas are often less crowded. This allows them to easily access the areas where they want to take photos and reduces the likelihood of distractions in those areas. Photographers are able to set up their equipment and wait for the right moment to capture their shot without having to worry about people walking in front of their lens or disturbing the animals and birds.

Another reason why wildlife photographers prefer to go out during the week is because they can take advantage of the more favorable lighting conditions that are often present during the early morning and late afternoon hours without disturbance by humans. These are the times when the sun is low in the sky, creating soft and warm light that is ideal for capturing beautiful and dramatic photos. Photographers who go out during the week can take advantage of these conditions without having to compete with the crowds that often gather in popular wildlife viewing areas on weekend morning and evenings.

In conclusion, wildlife photographers often prefer to go out during the week instead of on weekends for several reasons. By going out during the week, they are able to reduce disturbance levels, have easier access to popular wildlife viewing areas, and take advantage of more favorable lighting conditions. These factors all contribute to a more enjoyable and successful photography experience.

In my own personal experience, weekends at many locations I visit are a nightmare.  The parks are covered up with people, meaning more activity to frighten away the animals and birds.  I often drive hours to photograph certain subjects, and doing so on a weekend usually makes for a waste of time and money for travel, with very little "take home shots", unless I happen to be in a remote location.  One must be careful in remote locations during hunting season, however, because hunters also use those same locations! 

So yes, I try to avoid weekends.  I am blessed being self-employed in my art business, that I can set my own hours.  While many others are off work on weekends and travelling around to the various parks and wildlife viewing areas, I can usually be found in my office and studio working hard.  Which is why you'll often see new releases from me both here and on my art website on Monday morning...because I've worked all weekend. :) 

Wildlife photography is a competitive field, with photographers striving to capture unique and beautiful images of wildlife in their natural habitats. While this competition can be healthy and motivating, it is important for photographers to treat each other with respect and professionalism.

Here are some tips on how wildlife photographers can maintain positive relationships with their colleagues:

Respect each other's space: Wildlife photography often takes place in remote and sensitive environments, where photographers need to be mindful of their impact on wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem. Photographers should respect each other's personal space and avoid getting too close to each other or the wildlife they are photographing.

Share knowledge and tips: Wildlife photography can be challenging, and photographers can benefit from sharing their knowledge and experience with each other. This can include tips on camera techniques, equipment, or best practices for working in specific environments.  It can also include sharing locations with other photographers who love photographing the wildlife as much as you do, as long as sharing that information doesn't lead to overcrowding, disturbing the wildlife, or harm to the wildlife being photographed.

Be gracious in defeat: Wildlife photography is often a game of chance, and one photographer may capture a shot that another photographer was hoping to get. It is important to be gracious and congratulatory towards fellow photographers, even when they get the shot you wanted.  This point here is probably the one I've noticed other photographers have the most difficulty with.  I have experienced being on the other end of a jealous photographer on more than one occasion, and have often been treated badly simply because I was lucky enough to be in a good spot at a particular time.  And believe it or not, I have been treated badly by other photographers because of the fine art I create from my images!  

Avoid negative criticism: Negative criticism can be hurtful and unproductive. Instead of criticizing each other's work, photographers should offer constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement -- but only when asked!  Unwanted criticism, even something you consider "positive", is sometimes not welcome.

Collaborate: Collaborating with other photographers can be a great way to improve your skills and create new opportunities. Photographers can work together on projects, share resources, or mentor each other.

By following these tips, wildlife photographers can maintain positive relationships with their colleagues and create a supportive community within the field. This can lead to a more fulfilling and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

**Art at the top of this post was created by pairing my photo of a short eared owl with the Glow Over The Marsh painted background.

Photographing wildlife is a challenging and rewarding pursuit, and the weather can greatly impact the quality of your images. While sunny days may seem like the perfect time to capture wildlife, cloudy days can actually be much better for wildlife photography.  And here's why:

1. Soft, even lighting: On cloudy days, the light is diffused and creates a soft, even light that eliminates harsh shadows and highlights. This soft light is ideal for capturing the details and textures of wildlife, making your images more visually appealing.​
2. Better color reproduction: Cloudy days also lead to more accurate color reproduction, as the light is less harsh and does not wash out the colors in your images. This is especially important for capturing the vibrant hues of birds and other brightly colored wildlife.
3. Lower contrast: Lower contrast light on cloudy days also helps to reduce the risk of overexposure, as it reduces the contrast between the light and dark areas in your images. This results in images that have more detail and a better overall dynamic range.
4. Better conditions for wildlife: Wildlife is often more active and visible on cloudy days, as the reduced light can make it easier for animals to move around without overheating. This is particularly true for nocturnal animals, which are often more active during the day when it's cloudy.
5. Reduced reflections: Lastly, cloudy days reduce reflections and glare on water, glass, or other reflective surfaces. This can make it easier to capture images of animals in their natural habitats without distractions from reflections and glare.

In conclusion, cloudy days offer numerous benefits for wildlife photography, from the soft and even lighting to the better conditions for wildlife. So next time you're planning to head out for a wildlife photography session, consider opting for a cloudy day for the best results.
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**Example art above was created with a cloudy day photo and one of the floral backgrounds from the Pastel Floral Collection.

It's so easy and fast to mask your photo right in with the new Altered Collection textures!  In the video below, I show you how I create an artistic bobcat portrait in under 15 minutes using this collection.  

In this video, I demonstrate using the Forgotten Coast background with a snapshot of a wet bald eagle on a dreary day.  

This morning I created a new work of art featuring one of our sweet fawns who is ready to begin the journey into the world.  I use the new "The Wind Stills" background for this art.  I hope you enjoy the video!