PhotoArt: Darkroom, Digital, Handcoloring, Montage

The techniques explored range from the traditional like multiple exposure and toning to what some might consider more avant-garde, like photograms, which are images made on photo-sensitive media without a camera, and distressed images, that is, those deliberately subjected to destructive forces. The authors recognize that the mechanics of photography are in flux and so refer to both chemical darkrooms and digital manipulation.

This is more of an idea book than a how-to book. The descriptions of most of the techniques are cursory. If one wanted to use a technique in connection with one's photography, one would probably have to do additional research. In addition, the number of examples provided in the book is necessarily limited to about a half dozen for each technique. For me, with the exception of some approaches of which I had already been thinking, that was not enough for me to see how I could apply the procedures to my own photography.

Of course, that may be a major problem with a catalogue of unusual procedures. It is difficult, or perhaps impossible, to explain how to extend one's vision so that these techniques will prove useful. I suspect that one must already have both a full understanding of, and a deep dissatisfaction with, the traditional techniques of photography as a method of expressing one's vision. If that is true of a photographer, he or she is probably already thinking about how to change the form to express his or her vision. In that case, this volume might provide a few useful ideas.


wonderful (and wondrous) - highly recommended   July 29, 2005
John Stevenson (Colorado Springs, CO U.S.A.)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is a great book, full of practical guidance, inspirational ideas and impressive/intriguing images produced by the authors (all in about equal measure). Just as one simple illustration of the scope covered, there are example images throughout the book taken using conventional film cameras (old and new, in several different formats), pinhole cameras and digital cameras, plus others generated via photograms and from digital scanners when used as "cameras". Further, the book even includes work based on the use of found-object photographic originals (old magic lantern slides). The mixed media artwork described in the book all uses conventional photography as its basis: but, as I counted, about fifteen different techniques are outlined (sic) by which added media can be incorporated into the final presentation of the image itself. And my count doesn't include a separate section which encourages the printing of images onto bolts or segments of fabric (using tee-shirt transfer film, for example). Finally, at the very end of the book, there's a short chapter focused on depicting the passage of time via still images. Personally I feel that this is one of the truly under-explored "provinces" of contemporary creative photography - particularly given all of the digital toolkits that are available today. About the only reason for an aspiring fine art photographer not to buy this book would be if he or she wanted to find specific detailed routines for the use of Photoshop or similar photo-editing software. In that circumstance, it might be best to purchase a companion handbook, just dealing with the basic application(s) of the software by itself. But then again, he or she could wait until the author's newer book "Digital Photo Art" becomes available in the U.S. (currently it can only be found in the U.K.) ...


Concerning both traditional and digital working methods   August 7, 2003
Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Collaboratively written by photography experts Tony Worobiec and Ray Spence, Photo Art: Darkroom, Digital, Handcoloring, Montage is enhanced with two hundred color and twenty-five black & white illustrations. Photo Art is more than a just another photography collection -- it is a carefully organized and effectively presented step-by-step instructional manual which is ideal for novice photographers seeking to create art through the use of their cameras, as well as an outstanding educational resource appropriate for even experienced photographers as it provides technical know-how, advice, tips, tricks, and techniques concerning both traditional and digital working methods for taking pictures which rise to the high esthetic standards of fine art. The eye-catching full-color photographs and extensive suggestions for light, border, distinctive contrast in subject material and much more fill this memorable guide.


Idea Book, thats all   April 27, 2004
Caroline S. Hardison (Albuquerque, New Mexico United States)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

I expected to get more than ideas, but that all you'll find in this Tory Worobiec book. Very few details on how-to, and most are topics already covered in previous books.


Beautiful, for the creative process in photography   October 28, 2003
Chris (NC)
Unique treatment of possibilities attainable in print and digital photography. With the digital format seemingly assigned the future in impressionistic photography, this book treats both (to me) equally vital. High quality throughout, presents a challenge to match the abundant beautiful images pervading these pages.