The Hyped Up Realism of Oleg Dou

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OLEG DOU IS A RUSSIAN PHOTOGRAPHER who pushes photoshop to it’s limits. He starts with a photographic portrait, then goes to work. Enlarging and moving the eyes, chaning skin tones—his is an art that closely resembles the digital work found in a movie like James Cameron’s Avatar. It’s real—no it’s not—yes it is! There is a cold, unhuman-like quality to Dou’s work, which is exactly what he wants to achieve. Zombie-like synthetic androids.... this is what mankind’s scientists would end up with if we ever started building humans from DNA. We’d get these “people” — synthetic children for childless couples; sex partners for those willing to go there; soldiers to fight our battles; spouses for those people who prefer someone who will do exactly as they say. Oleg Dou is a master craftsman, an artist making a statement. Is it working? Are these highly-smoothed and manipulated portraits doing something new? Or, is technology leading the horse? You tell me.

What do you think folks?

Check out his site here.

An Extraordinary Photographer

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SCOTT FERGUSON IS ONE OF THOSE PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO SAYS “IF YOU CAN IMAGINE IT, I CAN MAKE IT.” Like a Hollywood producer who brings dreams to life, Ferguson has a natural gift for the theatrical. Let’s say you suggest something easy— like “a fantastic flying machine made of cobbled together bicycles cruising 100 feet over a farm field—populated by 8 actual chefs from local restaurants.” Scott will figure out the scenario, find the props, shoot the chefs, and with a Photoshop file over 100 layers deep, methodically make it happen. You could call Scott the man behind the curtain—the guy behind the scenes pulling the levers and adjusting the dials to give the tin man a heart, the lion his courage, the scarecrow a brain and Dorothy a ride back to Kansas. All in a day’s work.

At the same time, Ferguson is an equally gifted straight photographer who can capture your true personality or maybe the person you’d just like to be. If you’re quirky and fun, he’ll find it. If you are tough, he might make you tougher. And videos? His work is sensitively done, revealing a blend of his talented eye with thoughtful composition and perfect pacing.

With nearly 25 years of experience, Scott Ferguson has captured tons of awards and worked with art directors all over the United States. You can see more of his work at FK Photo. Or email his rep Teenuh at teenuh(at)fosterreps.com.