Photoshop and Art

 

Whenever I do editing in Photoshop, I remember when I first used it as a college student many years ago. Back then, it was still Photoshop 7—a version that now feels almost quaint in the face of its modern descendants. Yet, it was this application that nurtured my burgeoning creative inclinations, providing a playground for my imagination. It allowed me to experiment freely, to learn and re-learn the craft of visual creation, each new project a chance to birth something unique and innovative. As a young college student in the 2000s, I was driven by a desire for the avant-garde, a common inclination among artists of that time who sought to push boundaries and claim their own slice of originality.

The 2000s was a time when the digital revolution was gaining momentum, and Photoshop became a catalyst for many creative minds, including mine. Its endless possibilities were a canvas for my youthful ambition, fueling a passion to create works that were not just new, but groundbreaking. This period in my life was marked by a fervent pursuit of innovation, a yearning to create something that had never been seen before. Each edit, each manipulation of pixels, was a step toward defining my artistic voice. And even now, with years of experience behind me, that same sense of wonder and excitement persists every time I open Photoshop, reminding me of the endless potential within the realm of digital art.The application nurtured my creative inclinations. It made me do what comes to my imagination, allowing me to experiment, learn and re-learn the whole process of coming up with something new and unique. My younger self wanted something avant-garde. It was the 2000s. Artists tend to have this kind of inclination, of wanting to own up something innovative.

Creativity Reflects How We Live Our Lives

Fast forward to now, I have learned that art is not just a mere reflection of life, but a re-creation that transcends reality. Through art, we convey emotions and thoughts in ways that words alone cannot capture. Art always imitates life, but it also amplifies and transforms it. When we look around, we see art in the most unexpected places. The fallen mango on the shoulder of the road beside a thrown bottle of Pepsi becomes a powerful statement about the clash between the natural and the artificial. Even something as simple as horn-rimmed glasses perched atop a stack of folders can evoke countless interpretations, inspiring us to craft our own narratives and poetry.

Our experiences in life serve as the wellspring of our creativity. The more we immerse ourselves in the world, the richer our artistic expressions become. Each encounter, each moment lived, adds layers of depth to our creative process. We draw from our personal journeys, transforming ordinary scenes into extraordinary works of art. Life, with all its complexity and beauty, fuels our imagination, allowing us to continuously create and re-create, capturing the essence of our existence through various mediums. The cycle of experiencing and creating becomes a testament to the ever-evolving relationship between life and art.

We Choose How We Create Art

But, the choice is ours. We chose our experiences. We chose what we create. We chose what to ignore. So, I made mine because I believe in better things. I believe in the ordinary stories, in the practical day-to-day life. I see art in the ordinary lives of people. Because with them, only the truth stands out. They never try so hard to please. They never show to impress. They simply struggle to live. And that's where the best stories are - ordinary people with extraordinary stories. 

I have wandered many places and met many people. And, always, I see wonder in watered rice fields. I see inspiration in the calloused hands of those who till the lands. I see horrors in the eyes of old folks who survived the war. I stop and take in the laughter of kids running around in wet slippers and muddy clothes. Each of these moments fuels my belief that the best stories are born from the ordinary, capturing the essence of life in its rawest form.

We Tell Our Stories Through Our Works of Art

It is true, we share a part of ourselves everytime we create a work of art. The final work is a reflection of our experiences and our intentions. Each brushstroke, each pixel, each captured moment is infused with our unique perspective, our personal history, and our emotional state at that time. A photo taken while walking on a deserted street might encapsulate feelings of solitude or contemplation, while an image enhanced in Photoshop could reveal our quest for perfection or our vision of how the world should look. 

Art becomes a mirror, reflecting back our experiences and intentions. The final piece is not just an aesthetic object; it is a narrative that speaks to our journey, our struggles, and our aspirations. It serves as a witness to the moments we've lived. In this way, every creation, no matter how small, becomes a meaningful expression of who we are and what we value. It captures a slice of our existence and offers it up for the world to see, to interpret, and to connect with. 

Art Should Tell Stories That Truly Matter

There are many stories to tell. In this fast-paced world where every clicks and every word we see online is paid for, it is a relief when we create something that tell stories that truly matter. Most of what we see now is art fueled by consumerism. Artists are told to create graphics that should sell. Creators are told to create something that should earn million views. And the pressure to create what sells is what's driving everyone around. 

So, it would be a nice to create something that tells a different story. Something that genuinely makes you happy. Happiness often resides in the small, everyday moments—like the satisfaction of creating a cartoonized image of your fur baby in Photoshop. These little pleasures cut through the noise, grounding us in what truly matters.

Stories that explore these fundamental sources of happiness are vital. They shed light on the essentials, steering us back to the core question of what truly fulfills us. In a world so focused on the next big thing, it's the ordinary, heartfelt experiences that often bring the most profound sense of joy and contentment. So, let's savor those moments of creativity and comfort—they’re the real treasures in our daily lives.

So next time, you open Photoshop, create something that makes you happy. Something that revisits the feeling you have as a kid everytime your mother buys you an ice cream. It does not only revives our lost sense of creativity. It also reminds us that life is living the moments that money cannot buy. It is reliving the memories before we are too old to remember what those are.

Here's to Art. Here's to Photoshop.