A tour in the world of Surreal Photomanipulations

For years, surreal photomanipulation and its artists have been showing a great variety of works in this style, surprising and inspiring to all of us with their images. If you already had the pleasure to see pieces of this genre, I´m sure you´ve been amazed with what a surreal piece can offer, but if you haven´t . . . what better time than this one to learn and see the incredible options this style have for you?

But first, the most important thing is to know what we are saying when we refer to a "surreal photomanipulation." To have a better understanding, let´s ask the most basic question . . .

What is a Surreal photomanip?

Surreal photomanipulations displays the mind and imagination of an artist and its unique way to represent that into the final work. These pieces can be really appealing to the eyes or disturbing. Subconscious, dreams, fantasies are some of the inspirations to artists of this genre to start working with their pieces.

These works represent something that we usually don´t experience on our daily lives because they "break the rules" of reality and give to the viewer the opportunity of interpretation, who can try to figure out what is the message behind the image.



Even with this in mind, there´s still a lot of people who make the mistake to think that a surreal photomanipulation is almost the same as an abstract piece. The most frequent comment about this is: "Their images are really similar"!

But that´s not right! Want to know why? Next we´ll see what´s the difference between both.

Surreal versus Abstract

What do they have in common?

Well, either in photomanipulations, painting and other visual arts, both don´t represent at all what we call "reality".

And now, the differences?

The shapes.

In abstract photomanips, the shapes don´t have any relation with reality. Formalism is forgotten to show a conscious idea of reality but from the artist´s perspective. In surrealism, the shapes in general are real. But this shape's so similar to the reality, are related between them on an illogical way, like what happens in our dreams.  That does not happen in reality but in the dream world.

A little interview with and

 

To have a more varied view of this issue, a few questions to 2 members of this community. Give us your opinion!

In your own words: what is surreal for you?

Dani-Owergoor
Surrealism to me is the representation of the unconscious and unrealistic. It is an abstract way of art, almost poetic, where elements mingle in a challenging way to the laws of standard objects. It's like a senseless dream, however, the "meaning" of surrealism is hidden. That is why it is so interesting because you're forced to stop to watch carefully in order to decipher the message. Sometimes, the message will be understood only by those who create it.

Paulo-Bert
Surreal is unattainable, a new dimension, a parallel world where the unreal is possible, an escape from our reality.

What is the most difficult when it comes to working with this genre?

Dani-Owergoor
Be able to transmit the sense of art. This is the hardest part when I create a surreal piece. I'm not an excellence in this area, far from it, do not consider myself a surrealist artist, I just got some surreal works that express my dreams and my imagination. The desire to create a reality apart from the usual. I'm a dreamer. 

Paulo-Bert
Technically implement the ideas, or have one, is a very abstract genre. The piece must contain an original and harmonious idea.


 

What do you think a piece should contain to be called "Surreal"?

Dani-Owergoor
Inconsistency of the elements and excess of feelings. This is how I identify a surreal piece. When I see a work with several different types of elements sharing the same environment, sometimes in order to defy gravity and common sense, I consider it a surreal art. 

Paulo-Bert
It's a genre that requires practical experience. I would say that organizing idea is paramount when performing a piece.

What advice would you give for those who want to work on a surreal piece? Do you think it will be difficult for those who are beginners in Photomanips?

Dani-Owergoor
Look, it's difficult to say. But, surreal art is not just you take 'weird' pictures and put them together without any sense. I know that surrealism should not be a kind of art with a concrete sense, but it needs to have a meaning, otherwise it will be a bunch of pictures in an empty art. I will not judge the difficulty level of the ability of each artist, but surrealism must come from the marriage of imagination and sensitivity to feel a world apart from the ordinary. If the artist lacks these two things will certainly end up creating an art devoid of feelings and meanings.

Paulo-Bert
My advice to beginners: study the Photoshop tools, try to dominate the basic techniques. Search some surreal styles, within this genre there is several fold. Try with your own ideas and try to make it do something. Time help to improve.




Thank you so much for your answers to both!

And now, if you´re still unsure about what surreal is, this pieces will help you to understand even more the idea.

Some featured examples to appreciate:

So, now you are inspired and want to try your own surreal manipulation, right? See these tutorials that will help you to achieve even better results!

Tutorials and PSD files on dA

Tutorials outside dA:

Surreal photomanipulation tutorial- by Magazinoo
Surreal Concept Manipulation with Alien Structures in Photoshop- by PSD Vault
Create an Unique Surreal Photo Manipulation with Nebula Effect in Photoshop - By PSD Vault
Combine Photo Elements to Create a Surreal Photo Manipulation -  by photoshoptutorials
Create a Surreal Representation of the Mind Artwork in Photoshop - by photoshoptutorials
Create an Amazing Surreal-Style Treehouse in Photoshop  - by photoshoptutorials
Surrealistic Room Photo Manipulation - by photoshoptutorials
Love Hurt - Dark and surreal photo manipulation - by pureromance88
Create a Floating Over-Grown “Tree House” in Photoshop - by psd tutsplus


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