Creating Surreal Visual Narratives: A Guide to Photo Manipulation Collage with Mixed Media

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 19 June 2023 7 min read

Imagine blending the magic of photography with the artistic freedom of mixed media to create captivating, surreal visual narratives. In this guide, we'll walk you through the fascinating world of photo manipulation collage, helping you combine photography and mixed media to create your own unique works of art.

1. Exploring Inspiration

Before diving into the process of creating a photo manipulation collage, it's essential to explore and gather inspiration. Let's take a look at some famous artists, themes, and the ongoing debate between photography and digital art.

Famous Artists and Their Works

Studying the works of renowned artists in the realm of photo manipulation and surrealism can provide valuable insights into techniques and themes. Some noteworthy artists include:

Max Ernst — Known for his innovative use of collage and photomontage in the Dada and Surrealist movements.
Man Ray — A key figure in Dada and Surrealism, Man Ray's experimental photographic techniques, such as solarization and rayographs, continue to inspire artists.
Erik Johansson — A contemporary artist who skillfully combines photography and digital manipulation to create mind-bending, dreamlike scenes.

Themes and Ideas for Surreal Visual Narratives

When creating a photo manipulation collage, it helps to consider the story or theme you want to convey. Some popular themes in surreal art include:

Dreams and the subconscious: Tap into the world of dreams, memories, and emotions to create thought-provoking narratives.
Nature and the environment: Use your art to comment on humanity's relationship with nature and the impact of our actions on the planet.
Identity and self-expression: Explore aspects of personal identity, self-discovery, and the masks we wear in society.

Photography vs. Digital Art

As you embark on your photo manipulation collage journey, you might wonder whether to focus on traditional photography or embrace digital art. The answer lies in your personal preferences and desired outcomes. While photography offers a tangible, hands-on experience, digital art provides a more flexible and forgiving medium. Ultimately, combining both approaches can result in a mesmerizing blend of old and new, creating unique visual narratives that captivate your audience.

2. Gathering Materials

Now that you've explored some inspiration, it's time to gather the materials needed to create your photo manipulation collage. In this section, we'll cover essential tools, sources for collecting photos, and mixed media supplies to help you bring your surreal visual narratives to life.

Tools for Photo Manipulation: Photoshop, GIMP, and Pixlr

Choosing the right software for photo manipulation is an important step in the process. Here are some popular options to consider:

Adobe Photoshop: A professional, feature-rich tool widely used by artists and photographers for photo manipulation and digital art.
GIMP: A free, open-source alternative to Photoshop, offering a wide range of tools and capabilities for photo editing and manipulation.
Pixlr: A user-friendly, browser-based option that is perfect for beginners looking to experiment with photo manipulation without investing in expensive software.

Collecting Photos: Unsplash, Pexels, and Your Own Photography

Having a diverse collection of photos is essential for creating striking photo manipulation collages. Here are some sources for finding high-quality images:

Unsplash: A vast library of free, high-resolution photos contributed by talented photographers from around the world.
Pexels: Another excellent source for free stock photos, offering a wide range of images for various themes and concepts.
Your own photography: Utilize your creativity and camera skills to capture unique images that reflect your personal vision and style.

Mixed Media Supplies: Acrylic Paint, Collage Papers, and Texture Paste

Combining mixed media elements in your photo manipulation collage adds depth and dimension to your artwork. Here are some supplies to consider:

Acrylic paint: A versatile medium that can be used to add color, texture, and depth to your collage.
Collage papers: Incorporate various types of paper, such as magazine clippings, book pages, or patterned papers, to add visual interest and variety to your composition.
Texture paste: Use texture paste to create tactile, three-dimensional effects that enhance the surrealism of your visual narratives.

3. Step-by-Step Process

With your materials gathered, it's time to dive into the process of creating your photo manipulation collage. This step-by-step guide will walk you through sketching, photo manipulation techniques, incorporating mixed media, and adding finishing touches to your masterpiece.

Sketching and Planning Your Composition

Before you begin, it's important to have a clear vision of your surreal visual narrative. Here are some tips to help you plan your composition:

Sketch out your ideas to visualize the layout and placement of elements within your collage.
Consider the balance, harmony, and flow of your composition, ensuring that your elements work together cohesively.
Keep your theme and concept in mind, making sure that your imagery and mixed media elements support your narrative.

Photo Manipulation Techniques

Armed with your chosen software, it's time to experiment with various photo manipulation techniques to create surreal visual narratives. Here are some techniques to try:

Layering: Combine multiple photos, adjusting opacity and blending modes to create depth and dimension.
Color grading: Adjust the color balance, saturation, and contrast of your images to create a cohesive color palette.
Warping and transforming: Manipulate the size, shape, and perspective of your photos to achieve surreal effects.
Masking and blending: Use layer masks to seamlessly merge your photos and mixed media elements while maintaining a natural appearance.

Incorporating Mixed Media

Adding mixed media elements is a crucial part of creating a unique photo manipulation collage. Here's how to integrate them into your artwork:

Experiment with different materials, such as acrylic paint, collage papers, and texture paste, to add depth and texture to your composition.
Consider the placement and balance of mixed media elements, ensuring they complement your photos and overall narrative.
Don't be afraid to layer and overlap elements, creating a rich, multi-dimensional visual experience.

Finishing Touches: Varnish, Mounting, and Framing

Once your photo manipulation collage is complete, it's time to add some finishing touches to protect and display your work. Here are some suggestions:

Varnish: Apply a clear varnish to seal and protect your artwork from dust, moisture, and UV damage.
Mounting: Mount your collage on a sturdy backing, such as foam board or wood panel, to ensure it remains flat and secure.
Framing: Choose a frame that complements your artwork and enhances its visual appeal, while offering protection and support.

4. Displaying Your Work

Now that your photo manipulation collage is complete, it's time to showcase your surreal visual narrative to the world. This section will guide you through creating an online portfolio, utilizing social media for marketing, and exploring gallery showings.

Creating an Online Portfolio: Behance, Adobe Portfolio, and Squarespace

An online portfolio is essential for displaying your work and attracting potential clients or gallery opportunities. Some popular platforms to create your portfolio include:

Behance: A popular platform for creatives to showcase their work, receive feedback, and connect with others in the industry.
Adobe Portfolio: A platform integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud, allowing you to easily create a portfolio using your existing projects.
Squarespace: A website builder with sleek, professional templates designed for showcasing artwork and photography.

Utilizing social media platforms is a powerful way to promote your photo manipulation collage and reach a wider audience. Some popular platforms for sharing your work include:

Instagram: A visually-focused platform, perfect for sharing your artwork and connecting with other artists and potential clients.
Pinterest: A platform for sharing and discovering visual content, allowing you to create boards to organize and showcase your work.
Facebook: Create a dedicated artist page to share your work, engage with your audience, and keep them updated on your latest projects and exhibitions.

Gallery Showings: Local Galleries and Art Festivals

Exhibiting your photo manipulation collage in galleries and art festivals can provide valuable exposure and networking opportunities. Here's how to get started:

Research local galleries and art centers that showcase mixed media and photography, and submit your work for consideration.
Participate in local art festivals, fairs, and open studio events to gain visibility and connect with other artists and art enthusiasts.
Join artist organizations and attend networking events to build relationships within the art community and increase your chances of securing gallery representation.

5. Learning from Others

Continual learning is key to developing your skills and staying inspired in the world of photo manipulation collage. In this section, we'll explore workshops and courses, art communities, and books and resources for expanding your knowledge and connecting with fellow artists.

Workshops and Courses: Skillshare, Udemy, and Local Art Centers

Workshops and courses can help you refine your techniques and learn new skills. Some great options for learning include:

Skillshare: An online learning platform offering a variety of courses on photo manipulation, mixed media, and other art techniques.
Udemy: Another online platform with a wide range of courses, including photo manipulation and digital collage.
Local Art Centers: Check your local art centers for in-person workshops and classes on mixed media, photography, and digital art.

Art Communities: DeviantArt, Dribbble, and ArtStation

Joining art communities can provide valuable feedback on your work, as well as inspiration and support from fellow artists. Some popular online art communities include:

DeviantArt: A long-standing, diverse art community where you can share your work, receive critiques, and discover new artists.
Dribbble: A platform for creatives to showcase their work, connect with other artists, and find job opportunities.
ArtStation: A professional network for artists, featuring a wide variety of artwork, including photo manipulation and digital collage.

Books and Resources: "Surrealism and the Visual Arts" and "The Age of Collage"

Books and resources can offer valuable insights into the history, techniques, and inspirations behind surreal visual narratives and photo manipulation collage. Some notable books include:

"Surrealism and the Visual Arts": A comprehensive exploration of the history and development of surrealism in visual arts, including collage techniques.
"The Age of Collage": A showcase of contemporary collage artists, offering a glimpse into the creative process and techniques used in modern collage work.

By continuously learning from others, you'll keep your photo manipulation collage skills fresh and have a steady stream of inspiration for your surreal visual narratives.

For those who want to dive deeper into the art of visual storytelling through photography, don't miss the opportunity to explore 'Narrative Storytelling For Photographers' workshop by Laurence Philomene. This workshop will teach you valuable techniques and insights on how to effectively tell compelling stories through your photographs.