Stroud Camera Club members were treated to an engaging and thought-provoking presentation last night by guest speaker Steve Varman from Tyndale Camera Club. The well-respected photographer and digital artist, known for his imaginative use of vegetables in surreal scenes, shared his expertise on creative image-making. One of his recent works, 'Broccoli Gap,' exemplifies his ability to transform everyday produce into extraordinary landscapes, offering a fascinating look into his process and artistic philosophy.
Steve, known for his striking use of light, texture, and digital manipulation, captivated the audience with a series of stunning images that showcased his style. Throughout the evening, he provided valuable insights into how he constructs his compositions, quite literally blending photographs and using post-processing techniques to create truly unique pieces. He demonstrated the importance of how to make believable composites, showing examples of how subtle adjustments, in particular to shadows, can enhance realism.
One of the key themes of Steve’s talk was exploring the overlap between art and photography. He encouraged club members to move beyond conventional photography rules and embrace a more artistic mindset. Using before-and-after examples, he demonstrated how subtle adjustments in Photoshop can drastically alter the mood and impact of an image, reinforcing the idea that post-processing is an integral part of modern photographic artistry.
Steve showcased the iPad app Procreate to demonstrate how he can totally manipulate a photograph into a piece of digital art. He walked the audience through his process, showing step-by-step how he builds layers, adds textures, and enhances colors to transform an ordinary image into a striking work of art. His demonstration highlighted the limitless possibilities of digital creativity.
Stroud Camera Club’s committee expressed their gratitude to Varman for delivering such an inspiring and informative session. “Steve’s presentation was really inspirational for our members,” said the club’s spokesperson. “His ability to seamlessly blend technical skill with artistic vision is something we can all learn from. It was a pleasure to hear from someone who understands the power of storytelling through imagery.”
Members will have the opportunity to apply the skills they learned during Steve’s talk at the upcoming 'Creative Food' member night.
Stroud Camera Club continues to host a range of speakers, workshops, and competitions throughout the season, providing an invaluable resource for photography enthusiasts in the area.