Cathy Meals

Carlisle, PA-based portrait photographer Cathy Meals enjoys using Painter to enhance her photographs, rather than completely turn them into paintings.

"I am much more capable of using Painter for touching up my own images since attending an Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat" she says. "My purpose was not to actually paint from scratch but to enhance my photography," an example of which is this photo Cathy took in her studio and then painted in Painter.

"These two images were pieced together in Photoshop before applying the painter finishing touches," Cathy says. For instance, she used the pose from the top photo, but notice she used the hand from the second version.

Then she went to work in Painter. "Take note of the black t-shirt under the cloth. The cloth was then 'pulled' to look like a gown. Also her hair ribbon was pushed and pulled to look more painterly, along with the flowers, chair and background. Even her mouth was edged up at the corners for a bit less of a frown."

Cathy had a recent experience where, "Painter saved an image that would otherwise have been lost!

"Immediately after attending the Artistry Retreat, I received a call from a client whose parents' 50th wedding anniversary party I had photographed a few years back. There was an image of about 30 (full body) people from which my client wanted me to 'extract' a family member who recently was diagnosed with cancer and enlarge to an 11 x 14 bust portrait.

"Needless to say, the enlarged size was fuzzy. I decided to try my limited Painter 'experience' on an 8 x 10 and it turned out to be truly remarkable! I used the original colors from the photograph as there was no time for me to 'play' and gave the image a 'painted' look. It took completely away from the fuzziness of the image. In hindsight, I could have gone for the 11" x 14", but wasn't sure at the time. I then sent it off to be put on canvas.

"I haven't received the image back yet (it's on its way now), but I know they'll be extremely happy with the portrait."

Adds Cathy, "I love using Painter. It's added a depth to my photography that I could not reach before. Thanks for the wonderful Artistry Retreat - I learned enough about Painter to take it and run!"

Cathy Meals
Cmealsphotog@aol.com