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Contemporary Surrealism Portraits

These Photo Collages by Chad Coombs Embraces Image Distortions

— May 21, 2013 — Art & Design
Using Polaroid film as his canvas, photographer Chad Coombs creates a series of artful collage prints that play with perception while referencing retro surrealism imagery.

Featuring "twenty-three micro-layers that unleash 5 thousand chemical reactions", this collection of portraits revives the Art Nouveau aesthetic made popular during the early 1900s.

The Canadian photographer collects a variety of retro portraiture that he finds on the internet and retouches each of the captures digitally. He then re-captures the images with his Polaroid camera and manipulates each exposure with added pen and paintbrush applications. Whether showcasing distorted face depictions of artfully glamorized subjects, this visually vivid portrait series exudes a nostalgic air and successfully merges two opposing aesthetics of retro imagery and modern photo manipulation.
Trend Themes
1. Retro Surrealism Imagery - Explore the use of retro surrealism imagery in contemporary art to create visually striking and thought-provoking pieces.
2. Digital Retouching and Manipulation - Discover the innovative techniques of digitally retouching and manipulating vintage photographs to create unique and captivating visuals.
3. Hybrid Art Techniques - Unleash creativity by combining traditional art forms, like painting and collage, with modern photography and digital manipulation.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - Explore opportunities for photographers to experiment with retro and surrealistic styles, utilizing digital manipulation and hybrid art techniques.
2. Visual Arts - Discover how artists can incorporate retro surrealism imagery and digital manipulation to create captivating and thought-provoking pieces.
3. Graphic Design - Explore the use of retro surrealism imagery and digital manipulation techniques in graphic design to create unique and compelling visuals for various industries.
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