Project 8: Surrealism and Photomontage

I got the idea for this photo when I was looking at the typewriter pictured. I thought it was interesting and I thought it would make a good base for a picture. I then decided it would be interesting to have people jumping on the keys. The more I thought about it the more meaningful if all the people were the same which lead to to using myself as the subject. To create this picture I started by cutting out the typewriter in photoshop, and then cutting out each of the photos of myself and resizing them. I then added a text background and a crumpled paper background.

Surrealism

What is Surrealism?

Surrealism is an art form that came about in the 1920's in an attempt to release the imagination from the control of the conscious mind. Though it first started as a literary movement, it quickly spread to painting as well, and eventually photography.

Examples of Surrealist Paintings:

Joan Miró

Salvador Dalí

 René Magritte

Examples of Surrealist Photography:

Alternative Process Through Digital Means

Cyanotype  

A Cyanotype is a contact print made through light exposure leaving a white print with a blue background. To reproduce this digitally by taking my picture, turning it black and white, and adding a blue tint. To enhance the natural effect of this photography technique by overlaying the whole photo with a watercolor paper texture.

Gum Bichromate 

Gum Bichromate pictures are created using a negative and light exposure along with a series of color layers. To reproduce this digitally I used a brush tool creating uneven edges, and three different color layers to create the colorful look created by normal Gum Bichromate pictures.

Daguerreotype 

Daguerreotyping is an old process in which a picture is printed on a piece of silver plated copper. To try and replicate this look I turned the picture to sepia tones, added a series of texture layers to create a metallic look. Lastly I added a black border to replicate the natural edges of Daguerreotype photos.

Other

This is a picture that started out as a Daguerreotype but morphed as I edited it. Instead of a metallic look it took on more of a papery feel.