Do you have photos that did not quite come out the way you wanted, but you keep them anyway?  Maybe the picture is slightly blurred, off center, or not as impressive as you hoped it would be when you took the shot.  Well, at Matte Watch, there is something you can think about doing with these types of pictures to make them stand out in an unusual way.  I have dubbed the technique I use to do this “reverse matting.”  Using the flawed photo as a subdued background matte, and enriching a secondary matte with color matching from the photo, I then create a digital abstraction from the original photo, and make this the center of the finished piece.  This technique is demonstrated as a result below, and I think it makes a picture worth having.  What is your verdict?

Reverse Matte Abstraction

Turning "Oops!" into "Ahhh!"

The abstract in this composition relates to the murky world of the graffiti artist.  In the photo outer matte, are some railroad cars decorated by graffiti art that my wife took in Springfield, MO.  I used a manipulation of the original photo to produce the abstract scene.  Like sculptors of old, I have taken the raw photos and brought out new dimensions from them.  My custom work gives you something that plug in templates cannot provide.  Since every photo is matted according to its own character and colors, you get results that are one of a kind.

Reverse Photo Matting

Photo art makes a nice change up for your digital frame.

The week of demonstrating my reverse matting technique continues with this abstract design matted with the photo from which the work was derived.  In working with my photos and finding different ways to use them, I am surprised by the number of abstract inspirations they provide for me.  Being somewhat focused on the abstract by nature, I enjoy making these blends between the camera’s eye and the mind’s eye  without holding  to either form as sacrosanct.    If you would like to see what abstract inspirations are lurking in your photos, I can try to squeeze some out for you. 

Reverse Photo Matting

I like the mix between abstract and every day in this composition.

Today’s work uses the central theme of flowers in both the photo outer matte, and the central abstract, with the inner matte creating a pleasant transition between the levels.  I think this piece makes a nice addition to my photo collection, and a cheerful highlight to display in my digital frame.  To my knowledge, there are not a lot of other people using this matting approach, so that could be a good thing, or a bad thing.  You decide.

Reverse Photo Matting

This use of flowers creates a fresh and eye catching perspective.

My next offering on the topic of reverse photo matting uses an original photo from a botanical garden scene, and transforms the image into the rendering of a pearl of great price.  In this rendition the outer matte photo provides a contrasting yet complimentary scheme of color for the central theme.  The techniques provide another fresh way to incorporate photos into new design results.  What do you think?

Reverse Photo Matting

Using reverse matte placement provides a new level of focus.

For many of my posts on this site, I have presented a variety of different styles and methods used for photo matting.  I wanted to kick off this month with a technique I call reverse photo matting.  Using this technique, an original photo becomes the backdrop rather than the focus for a piece.  Using an abstraction for the centered focus, I then juxtaposition the photo that was used to create the abstract art into the outer matting.  I guess I am in an abstract mood this month, so I hope you enjoy some of the works I will be putting on display over the next few days. 

Reverse Photo Matting

With reverse matting the abstract is the focus.