Let these images by Michal Gurnik inspire you into pursuing your next photography project!
At first glance, you might mistake these landscape images by Michal Gurnik as paintings. Those soft pastel and natural colors plus the absence of sharp lines make them look like so, but look closer – they’re actually photographs! Indeed, many landscape photographers have worked to make their images appear like paintings at times due to drawing inspiration from many of the gorgeous paintings that they see. And with Michal, you’re getting just that.
If there are hyper-realistic illustrations, then these are the complete opposite of those. Many of Michal’s painting-like images depict mountains, forests, and valleys. He didn’t say which cameras he used or whether he took them on film or digital; however, for some, he specified that he used a Moskva 6×9 camera and/or a roll of Fujifilm Velvia.
It’s fascinating how any subject is depicted using one medium but end up looking like the result of another, as what had happened here.
Of course, you don’t always have to rely on luck or analog cameras and film to achieve similar results. One important thing you have to remember is that the key to making your photos look like paintings is to blur lines and details. What’s good is that you don’t have to resort to Photoshopping (although you can) to get them, too!
This article dishes out specific techniques that you can do while shooting, including smearing a thin layer of oil, petroleum jelly, or even water on your lens to create a watercolor-like effect; shooting with a slow shutter speed, deep aperture, and the lowest ISO you could work with; and tilting the camera upwards right after you’ve pressed the shutter.
Some of these techniques are also mentioned in this article, which showcases the work of photographer Hadi Asgari.
Now here’s something you could work on soon! In the meantime, check out Michal Gurnik’s Behance portfolio to see more of his painting-like photographs.
All images by Michal Gurnik. Used with Creative Commons permission.