By Tuan | Photography

This blog has moved

2007-09-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

The new location is at artbytuan.com

See you there.

Unexpected Surprise

2007-08-28T14:55:00.000-07:00

We love surprises, as a child we grow to unexpected them when treats are given by our parents or from the ones that loved us. In a surprising moment one would be showering in happiness. Wide eyes, stretched smiles (beyond its usual limit) maintaining frozen as we analyze the mysterious present.

Today, I got an award from deviantART a "Daily Deviation" on one of my recent collaboration piece with Kamilk Kotarba . It is an award to a selected art piece of the day. To receive one of this is quite rare due to the amount of amazing artists that are in the community. This has been my second. Unexpected surprise...

This award goes to Kamilk and I, not just myself.

Kaboom Collaboration - With Waver-h

2007-08-25T23:07:00.000-07:00

Let's dance. The flow of graphic pieces over my previous creation "Bird Queen" whom has been worked on, once again by Waver-h. His stroke of genius took on a more vibrant style to incorporate the model's beautiful facial features.

Taking the original color schemes and dance with it. Splashes of water color, systematic vector waves, rainbow flow, continuous movements from the right side of the picture plane to the left giving the illusion of a fish.

More so experimentation than anything. Waver-h and I took this collaboration into a different turn, and a good one I might add. With this and many more art work yet to come, our expressions are in form of colors, and abstraction of shapes revealing a slight hint of talents from us visual artists...

...simply look at what happen when freedom is given to expression.

Kaboom Collaboration - With Kamil Kotarba

2007-08-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

This week I had the privilege working with Kamil Kotarba, whom is a graphic designer and an illustrator from Poland. We worked on this new collaboration piece "Beauty" combining photography with graphic design elements. Giving our own definition of what beauty is, questioning the beholder.

Beauty

The graphic elements as it is beautiful existing with the scene creating a sense of day dream effect. They are in forms, shapes, abstraction in motion about to become something more, something new. Emerging from the depth of one's soul to desire. If one's desire is to have it stay as is then it will remain so, and if one's desire is to have it turned into a majestic scenery then it will. Depending on the complexity of the imagination, and the will to transform it into reality. Easy said than done.

With what we have here are the combinations of the abstract shapes remain in it's first stage, glowing, springing out from the beautiful model's body. Visual that no one else able to see, like a vision to the one whom is infatuated with another person, no one else can sense the feeling that is surging through the mind and heart creating passion, and beautiful thoughts towards the one they love.

Beauty that lies in the appearance of the model (of course), beauty lies in the fashion, in the arts that applied, and in the image. Most importantly, beauty lies in everyone's effort to help others reach their goals in life with the beauty we have, or with the beauty we create...

Kaboom Collaboration - With Waver-h

2007-08-17T22:38:00.000-07:00

It is like a relationship. To me this art project "Kaboom Collaboration" is working out nicely. With a good relationship between two people is equal with the common goal in life. Waver-h and I continue to produce great art together, striving for something different that we can call it our own. There are two purpose to this project; To demonstrate our talents, and to inspire others to inspire others.

Bird Queen...

This new image is called "Bird Queen" same title as the previous series. I don't see how a title should be used once. It is part of an interpretation and can be reuse over and over by the same person or anyone. Not to mistaken with domain names, that is a different story.

Simplicity with a mixture of complexity at the same time. Beauty lies in the emotion that is in the gesture of the body, the way she stands, the way she look, hand on her chest speaks a great deal of what she is thinking...yet it is unknown.

The photograph itself is always in a moment, timelessness, yet the graphic add motion, anticipation to the future as it only exist first in the mind. The playful bird accompanying the beautiful queen in her lonesome moment, even the darkness itself cannot wash away the radiant from her. Hopeless romantic.

A small inspiration we have just sent off into the universe...

Enjoy this new piece.

Photoshop World

2007-08-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

While checking my account today on iStockphoto there was a contest posted in the news section, asking for the first five people to send in their correct answer to a question to an administrator. I sent mine in hoping to win, not really into contests but this time I gave it a try because the question was quite simple. Moment this afternoon I logged back in and discovered that I've won!

This means I will be going to Las Vegas on September 6-8 to participate in Photoshop World 2007! That was the prize. Will be meeting new people as well as learning some stuff about CS3. They didn't mentioned "The Ultimate Adobe Photoshop Experience" for nothing.

I better start setting up some photoshoots while I am down there...

Time for talent.

Kaboom Collaboration - Mike Harrison

2007-08-14T19:25:00.000-07:00

Fantasy is a big part of childhood. It allowed us to dream, to play, to wonder beyond the limit of the daily boundary that are there. From our dreams we strive to push the fantasy into reality. Not only artists are the ones doing this, everyone does, we were once a child.

With the collaboration between Mike Harrison and I, we took this idea of an innocent girl being able to fantasize of being a Hero saving her stuff bear animal from harm. Turning one of my photograph into illustrative style to fit the graphic elements created by Mike.

Shh...

This project, Kaboom Collaboration, is a fantasy...

New To Stock Photography

2007-08-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

Not too recently I have been interested in shooting stock photography. I found a nice website, iStockphoto (part of GettyImages) to start building up my account. I gave stock a try with this image.

The Sun Kiss, by Tuan

It has gotten over 125 downloads. To my surprised there is a demand for this regular (of course with a little of my own touch) photograph, it still brings attention to the buyer. My only concern is not knowing how it is used, or where it is used in the world. I have yet to see the result.

Of course this is a baby step into stock photography. My goal is to join GettyImage. From what I understand there are two ways...

To me, I use stock to spreads my work internationally, while it is also an excuse for me to never stop shooting. Currently I am shooting for; Magazines, Private Client, Models Portfolio, Small Businesses, and now adding onto the list, Stock.

Kaboom Collaboration - With Waver-h

2007-08-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

Waver and I have been working on many more pieces together. This new collaborated piece "Adore II" has a relation to "Adore".

She's emitting her ethereal charm and beauty through her prideful eyes, "adore me , I'm the only translation of Perfection"

Bird Queen Photography Series

2007-08-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

The Bird Queen series. This one is minimal with the experimentation of make-up, hair, and concept with the word simplicity in mind.

- She is looking for her birds.
- Found the nest but the birds are missing, with eggs scattered all around.
- Finally, she found one, a young one but all the rest flew away...

I find that the story needs more props to illustrate what I have envisioned, yet I want to leave it simple, and have the viewer come up with their own interpretation to what they see.

More new experimentations style coming soon...

Kaboom Collaboration - With Ryan

2007-08-05T11:39:00.000-07:00

Photography with Illustration sketch. Collaboration with Ryan, a friend of mine at SCAD. He doesn't want to disclose his last name, and his website is under construction...

Nevertheless, check out this new piece.

Kaboom Collaboration - With Waver-h

2007-07-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

When looking into finding artists to collaborate with, I look for style, confidence, and the ability to use one's imagination. I collaborated with waver-h for two more pieces. We took it to another level, because that's where we are, and more...

Visualize Asians

2007-07-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

"Visualize Asians Uniting To Breathe a New Life Into The World of Creative Arts and Design. Visualizasians.com is a new Online Directory featuring the most talented professional Asians in Graphic Design, Web Design/Development, Photography, Fine Arts and More. Our goal is simple. To give each individual more exposure to the world and promote collabos."

Visualize Asians require two things before joining. One, you must be an artist, and two an Asian. This site need to expand so take a visit and see if you meet the two requirements. If so, sign up to be added into the online directory. I recommend it to expand your horizon to reach more clients, artists, and fans.

Freelance Switch Interview

2007-07-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

Had an opportunity being interviewed by Freelance Switch, a Community & Resource for freelancers of all varieties - designers, writers programmers, illustrators, and photographers. Bookmark the site, they offer great tips on how to become a freelancer, and how to remain being one.

Kaboom Collaboration - With Carl Beu

2007-07-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

When it was time to give a name to this new project working with different amazing artists, the name of it has to be exciting, because the project itself is very much actually. The name has to send out waves of inspiration, yet at the same time would give off a sound of two people coming together fusing their talents in creating something new...KABOOM!

The process did not took long. For few days of figuring out lead to the perfect name for this project "Kaboom Collaboration". The word "Kaboom" is often used in comic books to illustrate a large explosion.

So It has already begun.

This piece was a combined effort between Carl Beu and I. Carl is an Illustrator specialized in digital painting.

Kaboom Collaboration - With Waver_H

2007-06-30T21:20:00.000-07:00

Working with one of China's finest, an amazing artist calling himself "Waver_H" specialized in Illustration, and Graphic Design. In our collaborative effort as usual my part is providing high magazine quality photograph, in a mix with his amazingly abstract illustrations. This is the finished product of two artists fusing our talents and passion towards artistic aesthetics.

More coming soon...

Kaboom Collaboration - With Winfred Hawkins

2007-06-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

Upcoming fall will be the beginning of my final year at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design). I see that a senior show is recommended but not required; at least that's how it is in the Photography department. Nevertheless, I am working towards having a Photography show of the new works I've done this year. There is a twist to the show - instead of a solo show like the occasional type - mine will be with other artists.

This show is called "Kaboom Collaboration".

It consists of me working with other artists, in and outside of school, from students to professionals. The concept is to create a body of work in collaboration with different amazing artists locally and internationally, among the artists and myself. I will be working with 10-15 artists all having their own discipline to throw into the mix. My part will be Photography, and their part will be whatever they would like to do (yet still falling under the selected context). I will try to have at least 20-30 pieces to show by the end of next year, in spring of 2008.

Why all this? I love team work; especially with amazing artists. This is how I play in the art world. Most importantly, it will prepare us (the artists and me) for future experiences when we would need to create art not only by ourselves but with others involved in the same canvas.

It has already begun. I have been working with few of the artists I know at school. Here I have worked with Winfred Hawkins (Graphic Designer/Illustrator/Musician). I took a series of images of the same model dressed up like a soldier; Winfred helped bring the image alive by creating the scene. He added robots and created an atmosphere that gave a sense of surrealism and a mind illusion of two different mediums mixed into one. It acts as a single piece yet holds two artists' talents.

I start off with a quick digital sketch, yes, as you can see it is quite quick. I am not concerned with what I see on paper but more for my hands placing the elements mentally. The finished product is what I am more concerned about. Most would laugh at it; but I just smile, because they have not seen my ink drawings yet.

More in development. As soon as I have them finished they will get published. Until then if you are an artist and would like to work with me on collaboration please send me an email at bytuan@gmail.com

Splitting bytuan.com

2007-05-06T22:08:00.000-07:00

Having a flash website is fun to navigate along the content, yet does nothing for those who want to view the content with haste, or those that have a 56k modem, or both... also having a html version is good for search engines such as Google. I decided to split my website into two versions, flash and html. To do this I had to outsource a website developer. It took me two months to create the first website, a flash version, and I wasn't about to take another few months to birth the second. Please keep in mind as much as I love websites I love photography more.

Lewis at sineout.com was kind enough to offer me his help in creating the HTML version. To me, he is a genius! It only took him less than a week to duplicate the flash into a working html format with all my requests intact.

Now, the viewers can browse through my on-line portfolio with ease. Soon additional content will be added... when I can find some time from freelance and homework, until then the website is complete.

An Article in The Chronicle

2007-04-29T21:53:00.000-07:00

Interesting to see an article written about my experience with another publication Key West Magazine. Funny to see myself on the front page sitting there casually, yet in my mind I wanted some kind of editorial shot floating in mid-air while reading the Key West Magazine.

The Chronicle is a weekly newspaper for the college by SCAD's professional staffs.

During the week that the paper was published I have been getting attention for it. Strange but good to know people are still reading. I hope the article was not about ME but about my dedication for the arts and how I took it in with a passion. Hoping others would do the same, especially those in search for one.

Tuan