Sta.sh
Published December 8, 2009
Photo-manipulation: A Beginner's Hand Guide
What exactly is "photo-manipulation"?
Photo-manipulation can be defined as taking two or more images and editing them together to make one whole new image. If only one image is used it is not manipulation - that is photo editing (or retouching).
Retouches should be placed under the Digital Art > Miscellaneous category
What is "stock"?
Stock is what's needed to make manipulations. They are images offered by other artists to use for such a purpose. There are many places to find such images. Here on dA, just browse under Resources and Stock Images > Stock Images. You should never use anything that doesn't fall under the stock category, unless you are given explicit permission.
dA is not the only place that offers stock to use. Just browse the internet for stock websites. Sxc.hu is one of the best to find images. Most of the photos on there are free to use.
PLEASE NOTE: You should NEVER use images of celebrities! Those are not photos for the general public to use. They may be copyrighted. Plus, if the celebrity some how manages to see the work, they may not appreciate what was done to the photo.
FAQ #306: Does "Crediting" let me use whatever I want?
FAQ #157: Can I use things created by other people in my submissions?
FAQ #217: What are "Stock and Resources" and can I use them in my submissions?
If you use your own images, please make a note of that in the artist comments. That way others know your work is legitimate. If you used purchased stock, please state from where.
Beware of premade backgrounds! For more information, check out this journal: Premades & Free Stock: Let's talk.
dA's copyright policy
Stock and Resources Policy Clarification
How do I keep track of the stock images I'm using?
Not everyone can finish a photo-manipulation within an hour. If you are one of the people that cannot, save the image to your computer and/or bookmark the web pages with the stock images. That way you can open them up later and properly notify/credit individuals.
How should I credit the stock artists?
On deviantART, each stock artist has his or her own set of rules. Be sure to read and follow them all. Always leave the name of the deviants, as well as a direct link to the images used (most people just like to the profile page - it is better, and more convenient, to link right to the picture as well). Also, the artist should always be notified of the usage.
If you are using images from another website, at least leave a link to the exact image(s) used. Don't forget to e-mail/leave a message for off-site stock artists if you used one of their images.
I'm stuck and don't know what to do.
If you want to edit an object out of one of the images or you're not sure how to cut something out of the original photo, simply look up a tutorial. On deviantART, there are MANY helpful guides that can assist you. Just browse Resources & Stock Images / Tutorials / Digital Art / Photomanipulation. Make sure to type what you are looking for in the search bar (keep the number of keywords low so your search isn't too narrow).
If you come to the point where you can't find what you need on here, just search the web for additional tutorials.
Any tutorials used should be credited as well, just like stock.
It is very important to credit artists for their stock work; please remember that! If the photographer happens to come across your work and sees no credits listed, there may be a lot of problems (removal of work from your gallery, possible banning if there is more than one uncredited work, etc).
Be creative! Make your work unique so it stands out. Try new concepts that you think no one has done before.
Always do your best. If you try the best to your abilities, you will feel much better about your work. The outcome will be so much better if you believe in yourself.
If you have any further question, please do not hesitate to ask.
Good luck.
What exactly is "photo-manipulation"?Photo-manipulation can be defined as taking two or more images and editing them together to make one whole new image. If only one image is used it is not manipulation - that is photo editing (or retouching).
Retouches should be placed under the Digital Art > Miscellaneous category
Examples of photo-manipulations:
What is "stock"?Stock is what's needed to make manipulations. They are images offered by other artists to use for such a purpose. There are many places to find such images. Here on dA, just browse under Resources and Stock Images > Stock Images. You should never use anything that doesn't fall under the stock category, unless you are given explicit permission.
dA is not the only place that offers stock to use. Just browse the internet for stock websites. Sxc.hu is one of the best to find images. Most of the photos on there are free to use.
PLEASE NOTE: You should NEVER use images of celebrities! Those are not photos for the general public to use. They may be copyrighted. Plus, if the celebrity some how manages to see the work, they may not appreciate what was done to the photo.
FAQ #306: Does "Crediting" let me use whatever I want?
FAQ #157: Can I use things created by other people in my submissions?
FAQ #217: What are "Stock and Resources" and can I use them in my submissions?
If you use your own images, please make a note of that in the artist comments. That way others know your work is legitimate. If you used purchased stock, please state from where.
Examples of stock:
Beware of premade backgrounds! For more information, check out this journal: Premades & Free Stock: Let's talk. dA's copyright policy Stock and Resources Policy Clarification How do I keep track of the stock images I'm using?Not everyone can finish a photo-manipulation within an hour. If you are one of the people that cannot, save the image to your computer and/or bookmark the web pages with the stock images. That way you can open them up later and properly notify/credit individuals.
How should I credit the stock artists?On deviantART, each stock artist has his or her own set of rules. Be sure to read and follow them all. Always leave the name of the deviants, as well as a direct link to the images used (most people just like to the profile page - it is better, and more convenient, to link right to the picture as well). Also, the artist should always be notified of the usage.
If you are using images from another website, at least leave a link to the exact image(s) used. Don't forget to e-mail/leave a message for off-site stock artists if you used one of their images.
I'm stuck and don't know what to do.If you want to edit an object out of one of the images or you're not sure how to cut something out of the original photo, simply look up a tutorial. On deviantART, there are MANY helpful guides that can assist you. Just browse Resources & Stock Images / Tutorials / Digital Art / Photomanipulation. Make sure to type what you are looking for in the search bar (keep the number of keywords low so your search isn't too narrow).
If you come to the point where you can't find what you need on here, just search the web for additional tutorials.
Any tutorials used should be credited as well, just like stock.
Here are a few very helpful tutorials for beginners (Photoshop):
There are other tutorials available for different programs
There are other tutorials available for different programs
It is very important to credit artists for their stock work; please remember that! If the photographer happens to come across your work and sees no credits listed, there may be a lot of problems (removal of work from your gallery, possible banning if there is more than one uncredited work, etc). Be creative! Make your work unique so it stands out. Try new concepts that you think no one has done before. Always do your best. If you try the best to your abilities, you will feel much better about your work. The outcome will be so much better if you believe in yourself. If you have any further question, please do not hesitate to ask. Good luck.
So thanks again for getting me started on the right road!
Look at this:
deviantART muro drawing