Photoshop Creative Issue

(Barry) #1

Maciej Matuszak


I


nspiration can strike from anywhere, and
that’s something that Maciej Matuszak, a
graphic designer who works for an
advertising agency by day, embraces. Though all
his work looks diferent, he takes inluence from all
over, including his surroundings. “I come from a
very beautiful country,” he says of Poland. “I
encourage everyone to visit.”
We caught up with Maciej to ind out how he
creates his amazing work.

Can you tell us where your
inspiration comes from?
Oten everything goes straight from my head to the
computer. At the beginning I search for diferent
photographs. Oten when I browse for images, I ind
something special, and then when I have the idea, I
start building from there.

Do you have a message you try and
convey in your work?
I try to say something, not with everything that I
create, but I think that subject matter and title can

The making of Rebirth of
Paradise
How Maciej turned a series of stock photos into
one utopian composition

Polish artist Maciej on inspiration, messages in his work and
how to create amazing, unique artwork

What Once Was

help send a message. But I like it the best when
someone tells me what they see in my work, and
then we can discuss the subject together.

What subject matters do you
explore most in your work?
All of my pictures are diferent, but I’d like to think
they all have an air of mystery. I like exploring
space with my artwork, but equally, I don’t mind
what I create as long as it’s interesting.

Are there any tips that you would
give to beginners?
Be as creative as you can and just try to develop
your own style. Don’t focus too much about what
other people are doing. Ask experienced artists
for feedback and then see what it is they have to
say about it.

If you are inspired by Maciej’s art on these pages,
you can see more of his work at http://www.
photoshopcreative.co.uk/user/
inspireyourmind

Creating the
background
I started to composite
the background
together by masking
two pictures: the
sky and the roots. I
wanted the image to
look bright and warm.

Plant some
trees
Next I added some
trees, using Channels
to cut them out, as I
find it to be a simple
way to isolate colour
in a layer. I added
shade all over and
matched light relative
to where the sun was
in the photo.

Building the
composition
In this step, I added
the rest of the trees,
using a brush and the
appropriate settings.
I created flying pollen
to show that the
paradise is beginning
to r e c ove r.

Adjustments
The last step
was to adjust the
composition as
a whole with the
appropriate colour,
which I did using
Curves and Color
Balance. I also added
a light vignette.

Reader interview


NEXT ISSUE ON SALE 20 JULY 2017!


Rebirth of Paradise

The
Wanderer

The
Macaque
Island

Flower of Life

No Life

98

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