Digital art is more than a trend, it’s a way of life. It is defined as a work of art that uses technology to be created.

If we compare digital art with edited Photography, we find a lot of similarities. Photographs can be manipulated to the point where they seem like digital art. But are they digital art? Where can we draw the line? Let’s find out.

Artists That Count on Digital Art

There are many photographers who are known for converting their photos into digital art. Take Viktoria Solidarnyh for example. She takes portrait photos and adds elements that leave nothing but the subject’s face. She adds her own backgrounds and costumes in post. So is this photography or digital art?

And if the answer is no, then when does photography become digital art? Would something like airbrushing and stitching be considered digital art?

According to most photography competitions, as long as the work is based on a photograph, it’s considered photography no matter what you do to it. And while these pieces may be considered digital art as well, it’s really in the eye of the beholder with priority going to the photographer, the viewer and the person who commissioned the piece, when it comes to determining which is which.

What is Digital Art in Photography Anyway?

Now that we’ve established our definitions, let’s think about what makes photography digital art. We’ve already considered Solidarnyh’s work and her technique of using a basic photo and adding elements to turn it into a fantasy piece. But what are some other options?

Many define turning photos into digital art as converting them to paintings. There are several programs you can use to give your photos a painted effect to make them look like a picture. These include Brushstroke, Prisma, Portrait Painter and more.

But when you think about it, there’s no end to the things you can do in Photoshop. You can expand your subjects features to make them take up the background, you can make them blend into the background and more.

Going By the Dictionary Definition

If you look up photography in a dictionary, you will see that it is defined as ‘the process of taking and processing photos. If processing photos is included in this definition, then no matter how much you may process a photo, it will still be considered a photograph.

But, of course, everyone is different. Which side of the fence are you on?

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