The original -

"Winter - Original Photograph"
photograph by Mick Mather

I thought I should put up the original photograph that was the basis for this image posted at Illustration Friday on Christmas Eve, 2010. As many of you know, my fascination with manipulating photographs and digital collage continues unabated. Enjoy, and Happy New Year.

The orginal photograph -

"Red Shift (Original Photograph)"
photograph by Mick Mather
- click image to view full size -

Alright Lisa, this one's for you. As promised, the original, untouched photo with absolutely no manipulation beyond sizing.

Another look -

"Five of Five I"
digitally manipulated image by Mick Mather

I was tagged by long time friend, Lesley Boyce-Kiss, to upload a photograph. The instructions said: go to the fifth folder, to the fifth photo on your computer and upload it no matter what it is. I'm confused, since the fifth folder on my (C:)-drive happens to be for my scanner and the fifth image isn't a photograph at all but a file format icon. It's been a slow day here and there was nothing that said I couldn't fiddle a little, so here's how it came out. I did one more image that you will find at MickMathersARTblog and serves as the official post for this little flickr post game.

The Orginal -

"The Secret Shed - Original Photo"
photograph by Mick Mather

Here's the original of "The Secret Shed" that can be found here at MickMathersARTblog. Once again, Blogger software automatically scales and resizes an image that's larger than the available pixel width in this frame of the weblog. Click on image to see it full size.

Lelainia L. Lloyd Photograph -

"The Birdhouse"
photograph by Lelainia L. Lloyd

It's been a while since I talked with the fabulous Lelainia L. Lloyd and, finally, I'm able to post this original photo that set me along the path of a wonderful new series. It was posted at her fine blog, Tattered Edge, where I had hoped to link this post; please do pop in at her place to see some fabulous assemblage and other marvelous work. You can see the manipulated version of this photo here and, once again, my heartfelt thanks to Lelainia for permission.

Every photgraph is now a great photograph -

"Cornfield"
photograph by Ann Ballard

This is the original photo by my good friend and poet, Ann Ballard. You can see the manipulated image at MICKMATHERSARTBLOG or at Thursday Challenge. Now that we have such a wide variety of photo editing and manipulating software available, any photograph can be turned into something much more pleasing, hopefully. In my case, photography was always a medium that I was bound and determined to use in a more painterly way ... that ideal is also enhanced with the digital tools we're privileged to be able to access today.

My old friend -

"Old Man in the Sink"
photograph by Mick Mather

Here's the other photograph that was mentioned at today's post at MICKMATHERSARBLOG. It was tough choice between this and another tree for the weekly post at Thursday Challenge. I love this tree and it's been the subject of a number of photographs and a few drawings over the years. Sadly, it's gone now. Victim of developers who built a number of patio homes in the little depression this grand old man probably called home for the better part of a century.

"Old Man in the Sink (Manipulated Version)"
manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

Same photo as above except that the super secret array of photo editors, filters and manipulators at the Secret Visual Laboratory were pressed into service. A little more moody well suited to the ever changing light conditions of this small, wild acreage.

Wild root -

"Wild: Original Photograph"
photograph by Terry Walter

The annual visit from Aunt Terry also brought a bundle of terrific photographs taken on one of those Alaskan Cruises that have become so popular in the Era of Green. Forgive that I repeat the information from MICKMATHERSARTBLOG again here. All I really meant to do was show the original photo seen at today's post. This is untouched other than for a little cropping and straightening of the tilted image. If you haven't already been over to see the manipulated image, go have a look. :)

Summer of 2007 -

"Saying Goodbye To July, 2007"
photograph by Mick Mather

One of the lights of my life appeared at Poppa's door with a box of doughnuts, offered proudly as a breakfast treat. It was a perfect day so we went out for a walk, looking for a protective, barking dog away 'cross a field. As Leighlund stood looking out the second floor hallway window, I was able to catch this perfect pose. Follow this link back to MICKMATHERSARTBLOG where I've posted one element of her Father's Day gift to me at the end of June. :)

Lexus the Wonder Dog: Are YOU lookin' at ME?

"Lexus (Original Photograph)"

by Mick Mather

As mentioned in todays post at MICKMATHERSARTBLOG this is the original photograph of my nephews dog. Below is the cropped version - with minimal repainting in one small area - before running it through the array of plug-ins and filters here at the Secret Visual Laboratory. Enjoy, and don't forget to click the link above to see the finished version.

"Lexus (Clean Cropped Version)"
photograph by Mick Mather

"Mystery of the Red Barn" -

"Mystery of the Red Barn"
photograph by Mick Mather

Here's the original photograph that the manipulation now appearing at MickMathersARTblog was based on. The original matted and framed print is still for sale - $125.00 - and can be purchased through the Lucas Gallery in Skaneateles, New York.

Value Added -

L: "Cars - Alternate Version" - R: "Cars on Main Street"
L: montage - R: photograph


The Car

I had quite a few comments on the original post at Illustration Friday on May 25th, 2007. So, I thought it might be fun to give a little bit extra as regards its development. Alongside the original photograph, I offer an alternate version of said original post - I found it rather busy at this stage, took a U-turn and went back to the drawing board. Below is the single car that was cut out of the photograph and sent to the array of filters and manipulating software here at the Secret Visual Laboratory. The car was isolated completely from the background first and then the fun began. If there are other questions regarding this image, I might (key word = "might") be obliged to reveal a secret or two ... in fact, at the original post, I already did reveal something about the Lab! :D