Impossible Photo Manipulations by Erik Johansson (with Exclusive Interview)

We want to welcome a fabulous digital artist and photographer: Erik Johansson. By looking at his artwork, one would definitely say that Erik has a life time of experience behind him, along with a genius talent, endless imagination and perfect techniques. Only part of that is true, as he is as young as 25 and already famous for several years, because his photo-manipulations reach a very high level of “impossible” reality. In the following showcase, some of his best creations will be shown, along with an exclusive interview on his life as an artist.

“Cover – Stratco, Australia1”

Q: Howdy Erik! Welcome to PxlEyes community. Please tell us a few words about yourself.

A: My name is Erik Johansson, I’m a professional photographer and retoucher from Sweden. I’m 25 years old and live in Norrköping, Sweden. I mostly work on personal- and commercial projects. For me photography is just a way to collect material to realize the ideas in my mind. I get inspired by things around me in my daily life and all kinds of things I see, I always try to make sketches of the ideas I get. Every new project is a new challenge and my goal is to realize them as realistic as possible. I don’t have any formal training in either photography or retouch but I have studied computer engineering and have a master in interaction design.

“Common Sense Crossing”

Q: Your photomanipulations are simply outstanding. Is there someone or something that inspires you?

A: Well, I have always been good at drawing, when I got my first digital camera it felt strange to just take a picture and be done. I wanted it to be a process, just like drawing and that is how I discovered retouch. I could create my own world, although it was quite basic montages in the beginning. I never consider it as a job but rather as a fun hobby and my creative outlet. I get inspired from almost everywhere, things in my daily life or others artwork.

“Aqua Custodia”

Q: Do you take the shots yourself, or do you use stock photography for your work?

A: For my personal work it’s all captured by myself, that is a rule I have. Never use stock for personal work, it makes it a bit more challenging in a way but at the same time it feels more like my “own” work. For commissioned work I sometimes use stock photo but I rather not.

“Deep Impact”

Q: What kind of digital manipulation software do you use and which is, according to you, its best feature?

A: I use only Photoshop CS5. The most important feature is the layer masks. To make different images blend together in a good way, it is crucial to create a realistic result. The smudge tool is great to create smooth transitions of the mask, so that is one of my favorite tools.

“Twisted Seasons”

Q: What other hobbies does Erik have when he’s not an artist?

A: I practice brazilian jiu-jitsu 3 times a week and sometimes play guitar.

“Zip City”

Q: A little piece of advice for the newbies just starting our in this field or art?

A: Trying is the best way of learning!

Revelation Fields

Impossible Escape

Downside of the Upside

Deep Cuts

Fishy Island

Perspective Squarecase

Roadworker’s Coffe Break

Reflective Cubes

Tetris

Face vs. Fist

Wet Dreams on Open Water

Road

Outside In

Arms Break, Vases Don’t

Ironing

Stairs

Kniven

Strange Forest

Trece1

Trece2

Cover – Stratco, Australia2

Eight Heaven – Exquise Design, Paris

Album Art – Saving Joshua

Hands-on

Author: admin

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3 Responses:

kate says:
These are so awesome
( 2 years and 4256 days ago )
Yumichi says:
WOW that is soooo cool!
( 2 years and 4255 days ago )
Việt Designer says:
Amazing, he is a talented person 😀
( 2 years and 3914 days ago )