More than Photography

Posted by Nitsa on May 16, 2013 in Creative Photography, Experimental, Photo sale, photography techniques, Recommended | 0 comments

Journey in America

Next month I will be returning to my homeland, Israel, for a first visit after 22 years in America!
Other than rediscovering my family, friends and past memories, I am excited about a PHOTO SHOW of my recent color prints featuring my journey in America (Show title: My 22 year journey in America).
And maybe even more exciting is the wonderful opportunity to go back to my homeland as a PHOTOGRAPHER and for the opportunity to DOCUMENT it as seen by someone who was away for so long (working title: Summer in Israel).

In order to fund this amazing project I am offering my recent color darkroom prints for sale.
These are all 11″X14″ signed prints printed with hand made texture from paper negatives in a process I have developed myself.

Hinton, West Virginia/ 11″x14″ Color darkroom prints for sale.

Each print is ONE OF A KIND, hand printed and signed by me.
I will be selling these unique prints for $200 each (plus shipping).
If you are interested in helping me with my project but cannot afford this price I will print for you an 8″X10″ print for a $100.

In order to view all available prints go to: Darkroom prints for sale

To contact me and order a signed print go to: Buy my darkroom prints

Posted by Nitsa on Dec 3, 2012 in Altered Imagery, Creative Photography, Image transfer, inkjet transfer, Photo Books, Photo-craft projects, photography techniques, techniques, texture layer | 0 comments

Spice Up Your Photos – New ebook download

NEW eBook: Spice Up Your Photos

103 pages of creative photography practices such as image transfers, texture layering, alternative photography and hand coloring photos. In no time you will be able to take your ordinary pictures to the next level.

$10 DOWNLOAD

Posted by Nitsa on Apr 26, 2013 in Experimental, Image transfer, inkjet transfer, Mixed Media, Photo-craft projects, Photographic art, techniques, Tutorials | 0 comments

Easy Mixed Media Photo Transfer

Combining photography with other forms of visual arts has the capacity to produce a very interesting and appealing final piece. Therefore blending mixed media and image transfer, two methods that are often done independently, is probably the ultimate union and can generate some exciting results.

What you need:

• Inkjet photo or laser photocopy
• Collage materials such as: newspaper clippings, designer or hand-made papers, stamps, ticket stubs, brown paper bags, wrapping paper, etc.
• Acrylic or water paints
• Mod Podge or gel medium
• Gesso
• Spray fixative
• Canvas or wood panel
• A water spray bottle
• UV-resistant clear finish

Mixed media photo transfer on 12×18 canvas panel

1. Gather your collage materials and lay them out in a design of your choice on any size canvas or wood panel. Adhere the collage pieces onto the surface using Mod Podge.
2. Make sure to cover the collage pieces with Mod Podge so it not only adheres the papers to the canvas but also protects it for all eternity (or at least a few years).
3. Next, cover the collage layer with watered-down gesso. It will mute the layer a bit and also will tie the pieces together.
4. Optional: add a thin layer of acrylic or watercolor paint of your choice. Don’t over do it so it doesn’t overwhelm the other layers.
5. Let the collage thoroughly dry.
6. Convert the photo of your choice to black and white (not grayscale) by adding brightness and 100% contrast. If you prefer to use a color photo (like the one used here) make sure to mute the colors.
7. If you are using an inkjet, print a mirror version of your image onto standard printer paper and protect it with spray fixative.
8. Cover your image with Mod Podge and press it face down onto the collage. Rub gently with your fingers to smooth out any air bubbles.
9. If you are using an inkjet photo you will have to wait only about 15-30 minutes for the Mod Podge to dry and for the transfer to complete. If you are using a photocopy let it set for a few hours, preferably overnight.
10. Spray the back of your photo with water and gently remove and rub off the excess paper with your fingers in order to reveal the transfer. If you are using a photocopy you will have to repeat this step until all the excess paper is completely gone.
11. For the final touch you can add text, letters, gesso and paints.
12. Preserve your art work with a protective finish such as “preserve it!” by Krylon for inkjet or Krylon Crystal Clear if you used a toner based photocopy.
Applying the UV finish will help minimize the foggy appearance created by the leftover paper.
13. Clean up the mess!

If you like this article you can find it and many more photo processes in the new book:

Spice Up Your Photos [eBook download]
PRICE: $10

Thank you for your support!

Get this book on Amazon

Posted by Nitsa on Mar 28, 2013 in Creative Photography, street photos, techniques | 2 comments

Long exposure and light trails

Try capturing light trails by shooting long exposure in low light conditions.
If, like me, you don’t have a tripod you can open a larger aperture (at about f/2).
This will allow you to adjust the shutter speed to something more reasonable, at around 5 seconds.

Amoeba Music on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood

Posted by Nitsa on Feb 27, 2013 in Mixed Media, Photo-craft projects, photography techniques, texture layer, Tutorials | 0 comments

How to make a collage background for your photos

Sure you can make some beautiful textures on your PC and it will probably be an easier, faster and a cleaner process.
However, if you like the direct contact with the materials, you will sure love this process.
What you need:

• Any size canvas or hardboard panel.
• Collage materials such as: newspaper clippings, designer or hand-made papers, stamps, ticket stubs, brown paper bags, wrapping paper, etc.
• Mod Podge or school glue
• Acrylic or water paints
• Optional: distress ink.
• UV protective finish such as Krylon Clear Finish or Mod Podge

1. Cover the canvas panel with your chosen collage materials adhering them with Mod Podge or school glue. Don’t worry if your work is sloppy and there are creases and bumps as it will add a texture quality to your final collage.

2. Water-down the color of your choice and paint a thin layer over your collage letting the layer beneath show through. Paint the center lighter and go with a darker shade of the same color toward the edges. Cover your work of art with any clear finish;
Mod Podge can be used for this purpose as well.

3. When the collage is dry you can scan it and use it as a background texture for your beautiful images (check out this Quick Photoshop texture tutorial to learn how it is done). Remember, when blending your handmade colorful texture with the photo it is important that this vibrant background is subtle and does not overwhelm your photo.

If you like this article you can find it and many more photo processes in the new book:

Spice Up Your Photos [eBook download]
PRICE: $10

Thank you for your support!

Get this book on Amazon

Posted by Nitsa on Feb 22, 2013 in Creative Photography, Image transfer, inkjet transfer, Photo-craft projects, techniques, Tutorials | 0 comments

Quick inkjet transfer

This is one of the simplest and easiest ways to transfer an image, mainly because the transfer is done without applying any transfer medium and also because it is an instant process.

What you need:

• Inkjet Printer
• Standard Sheet Protector (or any other non absorbent surface)
• Receiving surface such as watercolor paper, photo paper, wood panel etc.

Inkjet or printer transfer is a very simple process. It works because the photo is printed on a nonabsorbent surface, like glassine or wax paper, the back side of the sticky labels paper or my favorite; a standard sheet
protector.

As you print your photo into a non-absorbent surface the ink will remain wet for a while. All you need to do now is transfer the image onto the receiving surface of your choice (such as photo paper, but feel free to experiment) by pressing the print face down onto the receiving paper.

Now, a few words of wisdom:
1) It is recommended, especially if you have text in the photo, to print a mirror image of your photo – otherwise the final transfer will appear to be backwards.
2) If you are using a sheet protector and it does not go smoothly through your printer, try inserting a piece of standard printer paper inside the sheet protector before printing, and then try again.
3) You can set your printer to any of the paper/media type options available for your printer, but keep in mind that unless you wish to have the ink-smudge effect, the “plain paper” option will work quite well (not to mention it will help you economize the use of precious ink).
4) The ink works well on most surfaces I tried, but if you choose to transfer to a surface that is not so smooth such as canvas or watercolor paper it is a good idea to increase the amount of ink by setting the printer to a photo paper printing.
5) Using inkjet transparency film for inkjet transfer won’t work since this type of media absorbs the ink rather quickly. However you can still use inkjet transparencies for gel medium image transfer.

If you like this article you can find it and many more photo processes in the new book:

Spice Up Your Photos [eBook download]
PRICE: $10

Thank you for your support!

Get this book on Amazon

Posted by Nitsa on Feb 19, 2013 in Image transfer, Mixed Media, Photo-craft projects, techniques, Tutorials | 1 comment

Simple Mixed Media Photo Transfer

Combining photography with other forms of visual arts has the capacity to produce a very interesting and appealing final piece. Therefore blending mixed media and image transfer, two methods that are often done independently, is probably the ultimate union and can generate some exciting results.

What you need:

• Inkjet photo or laser photocopy
• Collage materials such as: newspaper clippings, designer or hand-made papers, stamps, ticket stubs, brown paper bags, wrapping paper, etc.
• Acrylic or water paints
• Mod Podge or gel medium
• Gesso
• Spray fixative
• Canvas or wood panel
• A water spray bottle
• UV-resistant clear finish

Broadway L.A. / mixed media photo transfer

Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles
Mixed media photo transfer on 11×14 canvas panel

1. Gather your collage materials and lay them out in a design of your choice on any size canvas or wood panel. Adhere the collage pieces onto the surface using Mod Podge.
2. Make sure to cover the collage pieces with Mod Podge so it not only adheres the papers to the canvas but also protects it for all eternity (or at least a few years).
3. Next, cover the collage layer with watered-down gesso. It will mute the layer a bit and also will tie the pieces together.
4. Optional: add a thin layer of acrylic or watercolor paint of your choice. Don’t over do it so it doesn’t overwhelm the other layers.
5. Let the collage thoroughly dry.
6. Convert the photo of your choice to black and white (not grayscale) by adding brightness and 100% contrast. If you prefer to use a color photo (like the one used here) make sure to mute the colors.
7. If you are using an inkjet, print a mirror version of your image onto standard printer paper and protect it with spray fixative.
8. Cover your image with Mod Podge and press it face down onto the collage. Rub gently with your fingers to smooth out any air bubbles.
9. If you are using an inkjet photo you will have to wait only about 15-30 minutes for the Mod Podge to dry and for the transfer to complete. If you are using a photocopy let it set for a few hours, preferably overnight.
10. Spray the back of your photo with water and gently remove and rub off the excess paper with your fingers in order to reveal the transfer. If you are using a photocopy you will have to repeat this step until all the excess paper is completely gone.
11. For the final touch you can add text, letters, gesso and paints.
12. Preserve your art work with a protective finish such as “preserve it!” by Krylon for inkjet or Krylon Crystal Clear if you used a toner based photocopy.
Applying the UV finish will help minimize the foggy appearance created by the leftover paper.
13. Clean up the mess!