Impossible photography | Erik Johansson

Рет қаралды 1,958,046

12 жыл бұрын

www.ted.com Erik Johansson creates realistic photos of impossible scenes -- capturing ideas, not moments. In this witty how-to, the Photoshop wizard describes the principles he uses to make these fantastical scenarios come to life, while keeping them visually plausible.
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at www.ted.com/translate
If you have questions or comments about this or other TED videos, please go to support.ted.com

Пікірлер: 672

@leberkassemmel 8 жыл бұрын

The only thing that limits us is our imagination. And the price of Photoshop.

@JohnDoe-dw6mm 8 жыл бұрын

lmao

@dilithium72 8 жыл бұрын

GIMP is free!

@leberkassemmel 8 жыл бұрын

dilithium72 But is has not nearly as many functions as photoshop. I use it too, but when you use it alot, you need lots of plugins...

@AredioVani 8 жыл бұрын

*cough * piratebay *cough*

@leberkassemmel 8 жыл бұрын

Aredio Vani You could do that. I already got caught and payed.

@adoronkina 8 жыл бұрын

It's not even editing skills that are blowing my mind away but the creativity and vision of the artist.

@shs14039 8 жыл бұрын

''all the tools are out there only thing that limit us is our imagination'' Erik Johansson. Great quote.

@zyansheep 2 жыл бұрын

bit cliche imo

@tinaklamert 9 жыл бұрын

This IS photography. It is a complete creative process. Start to finish. There is nothing easy about what he does. It begins with creation, having an idea, which is something any photographer needs to have the ability to do. Then you have to create the images you will need to put it all together. You have to take the photos before you even get to Photoshop. There is a lot that goes into it. Photo manipulation and compositing images won't work if you don't have an understanding of lighting and gear. Find a commercial ad that doesn't use multiple layers of photos and compositing. Erik is an artist and a photographer. And I appreciate that he is willing to share his knowledge with us. I can appreciate traditional organic photography and art at the same time.

@andypandy3110 9 жыл бұрын

Totally cool dear Tina....Thanks for sharing. HUGS💖

@MarcoFazio 9 жыл бұрын

Tina Klamert I agree completely!!!

@jas_bataille 6 жыл бұрын

For God sake! "Could be a photographer too" - you have *no* idea of the photography skills it takes to capture the images that were combined into those beautiful masterpieces.Go and take two or more photos that you can stitch together with the exact same light and the exact same perspective... GOOD luck! This guy is technically *amazing* in photography and any pro can tell...

@realismpatriotism6437 8 жыл бұрын

The Swenglish is strong with this one.

@arthropoda 8 жыл бұрын

instead of arguing on if it is photography or not, why cant u just enjoy this wonderful pieces of creativity. stop being narrow minded, it is 21st century!

@Tom_Samad 8 жыл бұрын

I guess you can say it is a very modern kind of photography. But, yes, I do believe this is photography, one of many types.

@kelvinbabu5341 6 жыл бұрын

arthropoda I think you are stupid Respect him *****

@Roescoe 6 жыл бұрын

"It's current year" Wow what an argument... Chronological snobbery is very annoying.

@heimograph2542 8 жыл бұрын

great video! i´m a fan of the imagination and the endless possibilities. great photos and great artist!

@spacelightning2056 7 жыл бұрын

Really glad they uploaded this VHS video for all of us to watch.

@jorgee2320 8 жыл бұрын

Being surrealism my favorite form of art, I really appreciate your work.

@ThePhotoXpeditions 12 жыл бұрын

Photography is a passion for many people. Its limits are boundless and it can become your profession if you put your heart and soul into it - great work!

@daniellecosta9678 11 жыл бұрын

Erik's work is amazing! His seamless imagery shows beautiful skill and makes your thoughts linger. I just love Ted Talks! I think a lot of the people who have made negative comments and are saying he is not a photographer should do a little research into photo history. As others have already said photographers have been manipulating their images from the very beginning, just because he's not doing it in a darkroom and is doing it digitally does not mean he is not classified as a photographer.

@dcaramia 12 жыл бұрын

AMAZING ! one of my favorite TED talks.

@Bonobo3D 10 жыл бұрын

Beautiful and thought provoking work, delightfully explained. Loved it!

@ParyatakParag 8 жыл бұрын

Erik Johansson is my inspiration as an Artist.

@goodeye03 12 жыл бұрын

He does some fantastic work, hard for an old film guy like me to do, but I do appreciate his imagination and ability with a computer...I love his work....

@1986lalala 10 жыл бұрын

Erik Johanssons talk here is very inspirational and I shall show this to my photography students.

@sdagruma2730 9 жыл бұрын

Lots of MC Escher and Surrealist influences!!! What a great TED Talk! Thank you for sharing!!!

@Product-shotCoUk 10 жыл бұрын

Great video, Erik! I love the beautiful picture of the week!

@PsoriasisChannel 12 жыл бұрын

Fantastic subject and fantastic video, thanks.

@MercerPhotography 11 жыл бұрын

KUDOS to Erik... a master of the unique! Well done, impressive, and creative. I've seen a lot of your 'photographic illusions' over the last few years, always incredibly impressed. Knew most were 'creations' but not necessarily HOW. Thanks for sharing your vision & logic, and creations! Best of Luck... and I hope your photos continue rocking the minds of the world!

@pol1250 10 жыл бұрын

Well I don't think that the only limit is our imagination! You need to have a degre in Photoshop aswell!!

@terencehood 11 жыл бұрын

The minute someone puts words to what it is they create people feel the need to jump in and tell them what it is or is not. Just because it is not how you do things, how you perceive things, does not mean you are right. Irregardless of the stamp you put on it I think it is good work.

@Boodhunnilesh 11 жыл бұрын

he is one of the best and most talented, he's an artist and is in a way promoting his work just like other artists does...

@eniman123 9 жыл бұрын

the only thing that limits me is my lack of skill in photoshop and the time i need to learn it :)

@opticalriot 8 жыл бұрын

+eniman123 the only thing that limits you is the fact you think you need photoshop

@icrooner74 3 жыл бұрын

who wants is looking for possibilities who doesn't want is looking for causes now is the time to learn it out from five years

@singorez 10 жыл бұрын

This is all about imagination, how far your imagination can go? Erik Johansson one of great Photographer + Imagination + Idea + creativity. Did you know the rainbow that we saw is just about 7 colors, but in heaven there is more colors and one of the color is not same. How can you imagine that?

@SiddhaswarupanandaPal 10 жыл бұрын

Erik is the grandmaster of image editing he rocks .... really i have to believe he is a wonder for Aobe

@liljonbon 12 жыл бұрын

this video is mega inspirational! amazing work Erik Johansson! thanks for this vid!

@TheeWriter4hire 12 жыл бұрын

wow those are some of the most intriguing images i've seen in a while. Wish I had the technoknowledge to do something that cool.

@therwg 11 жыл бұрын

it's not just the imagination it's having the skill and/or skilled friends to pull it off in the first place. Anyone can have an idea, not anyone can make that idea real

@SpeletLost 11 жыл бұрын

Oh yes the photography and creativity is what makes him really good!

@RantKid 12 жыл бұрын

"the only thing that limits us is our imagination" super original bro

@SuperTina8989 10 жыл бұрын

Great job! Thank you for sharing

@pankinche 11 жыл бұрын

So well said !

@INFilms91 5 жыл бұрын

Editing & creativity level 100000000!

@june.bubbles 9 жыл бұрын

That was not what I expected, but really cool. I wish he would show even more photos like that

@artemorbid 10 жыл бұрын

an amazing vision

@maggieiten4204 11 жыл бұрын

Fantastic, it's a mind opener and as said before: inspiring.

@VascoElbrecht 12 жыл бұрын

wow that are really awesome pictures = ) I like the idea behind it. You take a closer look at the picture and try to figure out how it was made. This way you get kind of connected to the picture, and really take a look at it. Also the compositions of the pictures are brilliant!

@mariothepookster 8 жыл бұрын

Interesting. Helpful to hear the artist's perspective and approach to creating interesting, surrealist images. I would add just one more thing to his ending comment on "... the only thing that limits us is our imagination", I would add "hard work", too, as an essential ingredient.

@DrSyedHafeezuddin 6 жыл бұрын

really fantastic creations

@chinookskier 10 жыл бұрын

Excellent Presentation.

@Avidcomp 10 жыл бұрын

It is necessary to point out that he's not doing something different, as he says. I read/viewed various photography magazines during the 1980's; they were the film days, although by '87 a digital future was being spoken about. So, not to take anything away from those 80's film guys... they were doing the kind of work Erik is now doing, back then... and in the darkroom! (pre-photoshop). Finally, I do really enjoy Erik Johansson's work. It's really good.

@leeburkhardt4849 9 жыл бұрын

So he's really good at combining pictures in photoshop. Fantastic.

@TheHornet79 10 жыл бұрын

I need to learn how to do this! I am always captivated by these type of photo's.

@lunaonalfaira 11 жыл бұрын

This man is well spoken and brilliant.

@zwete 12 жыл бұрын

These are the kinds of videos that makes us wish that TEDTalks were in HD.

@SaadMaqsood 7 жыл бұрын

superb video

@mark_girardeau 9 жыл бұрын

Amazing photos!

@drupe0906 11 жыл бұрын

wow! he is such an amazing speaker. I didn't get bored while listening to him. :))

@haradrel82 10 жыл бұрын

Photo editing has been done since the first photograph was being taken. Digital tools are just that, a new set of tools. What makes this guy special? His ideas, it's what he chooses to do with those tools and the way he thinks about the concept.

@TheRealArtofSports 10 жыл бұрын

Awesome!!!

@NextToNothing123 12 жыл бұрын

This was amazing! I loved it!

@firebornliger 12 жыл бұрын

So, Surrealism with photographs. Very nice stuff.

@SudeepChamling 12 жыл бұрын

Thank you sooooooo....... much, its really really, really awesome and good job.

@suhasinisrihari54 10 жыл бұрын

Good interpretation!

@SamVekemans 12 жыл бұрын

"All the tools are out their ... the only thing that limits us is your imagination" Awesome!

@tonfaboy 12 жыл бұрын

This is great!

@Pertamax7-HD 10 жыл бұрын

wow nice ideas

@aicarpool 10 жыл бұрын

These are great...

@artN2design 9 жыл бұрын

Inspiring! Thanks.

@ExcelantePhotography 11 жыл бұрын

Some amazing Photoshop techniques!

@GabieRetana 11 жыл бұрын

SICK! amazing work :D

@brendancasidi 11 жыл бұрын

Nice work!.

@KitLeFou 11 жыл бұрын

he's willing to bring his ideas to the table and talk about them at TED international. he also does pretty good work in my opinion.

@TheRealForrestGeorge 6 жыл бұрын

He is amazing.

@nfrantnik 12 жыл бұрын

awesome !!! I think thats more kinda modern art.

@RelaxCreatorMary 11 жыл бұрын

That's just great,i am a great photoshop artist but i never really created "realities" like these,i used to manipulate different kinds but wow

@anuragchindaliya 7 жыл бұрын

great job

@bannerc105 4 жыл бұрын

awesome talk

@JinxChemik666 11 жыл бұрын

I agree, it is Graphic design using photography as basis. Their defined differently in qualifications. Also taking still shots is field or studio work where is Graphic design is only a desk based position and is more just a way to get artist into a digital world. Excellent Graphic design by the way.

@VMLM3 11 жыл бұрын

I love this kind of photography.

@edilsonbatista 9 жыл бұрын

fantastic!

@MohannadChehade 11 жыл бұрын

That's amazing!

@Jhunior.711 11 жыл бұрын

loved it! nice pictures!

@manikantareddy3789 8 жыл бұрын

Extraordinary Performance!

@khaled_zidan 11 жыл бұрын

wow !! really creative

@HoldLeadersAccountable 11 жыл бұрын

that was great !!!

@MercerPhotography 11 жыл бұрын

Having been into photography for 40 years, and semi-Pro for the last dozen... I *might* have agreed with you previously. However, even in the old days of dark rooms we *tweaked* and *post processed* our work. Changed angles, saturation, colors, temperatures, effects, made compilations, changes to what was (or wasn't) in a given photo. Even Ansel Adams post processed the heck out of his work. Just a thought... he's 'compiling his reality.' We either enjoy it or not.

@nonawinda8150 9 жыл бұрын

wow! awesome!

@rodjoh 12 жыл бұрын

I like his creativity.

@Johanntai97 11 жыл бұрын

Really awesome Guy!

@Phanindra.g 10 жыл бұрын

For me the point to be remembered - be more careful and more planned while taking the photograph itself and be creative while creating :-)

@anikinippon 12 жыл бұрын

Awesome stuff :)

@butchdetablan 11 жыл бұрын

very nice!

@MichaelMirkes 11 жыл бұрын

Inspiring.

@kamanjakaranja 10 жыл бұрын

thanks you good ideas

@imran537 11 жыл бұрын

brilliant idea

@allanmichealsmith 10 жыл бұрын

Excellent :)

@Boodhunnilesh 12 жыл бұрын

he is neither a photographer nor a photoshopper; he is a true artist

@MrBooojangles 11 жыл бұрын

They look wierd but absolutely brilliant at the same time. I must try that out sometime.

@babakritiek 6 жыл бұрын

amazing

@OBmaster 11 жыл бұрын

Fully agree mattbakerg. Just like people do not think that HDR photography is real photography. It is all about composition and capturing the right feel. I have been doing photoshop for almost 20 years and what he has done is amazing. On Erik's blog he shows a time lapse of one of his works "Cut & Fold" and I would like to challenge someone to say that it is "ONLY Photoshop". That piece of art took over 15 effective hours.

@vStreetStruckv 10 жыл бұрын

woww I didn't know he was on TED Talks! I was inspired by his work for years and even gave him feed back 0.o only to find out he's on TED Talks giving folks like me advice...lol Regardless...Erik Johanssons work is beyond phenomenal

@jeanrayful 12 жыл бұрын

Omg, his works - they don't look shopped, even though I looked hard at the pixels and have seen a few shops in my time

@requshei 12 жыл бұрын

Yes, as explained in the video. I apologise if I come off a bit rude but it seems like many people critique about things that has already been stated in the actual things they are critiquing. Ah~ it's one of those days where when I read a comment I get all worked up for no apparent reason...