01/02/2014
The Guardian, one of the images from the Winged Women series, is on exhibit at Beacon Artists Union in Beacon, NY in a group show titled Saints and Sinners. The print is a 16″x20″digital archival pigment print in a 20″x24″ frame. There is a show closing party on Saturday, January 4, 2014 from 6-9pm at BAU gallery, 506 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508. Please join us for music, conversation and a great exhibit.
11/11/2013
I’ve been advertising in The Workbook since 1996 and they have honored me with an informative, image-rich, interview on their blog titled 5 Things You Didn’t Know About James Porto. If you are curious about the history of my photo illustration work and career, it’s a brief tour of some of the highlights and well worth the read, click here.
03/28/2013
This beautiful art showcase book from Adobe Press, entitled Adobe Photoshop Master Class, features 30 established and emerging Photoshop artists, their masterful work, and tutorials demonstrating their techniques for using Adobe Photoshop. Curated by renowned photographer and educator Ibarionex Perello, this book features an inspiring collection of innovative Photoshop artists and their amazing artwork. The images represent a mix of techniques and styles and are field-defining works that demonstrate technical excellence and awe-inspiring aesthetics. I am honored to be included as one of the featured artists. I highly recommend this book if you have an interest in manipulated imagery. If you follow this link you can buy this book at a 35% discount by entering the coupon code-PHOTOMASTER. Enjoy!
02/19/2013
What a wonderful and challenging assignment to combine a global array of landmarks into my beloved NYC, right at Washington Square Park. The image illustrates their cover story about how NYU is creating campuses all over the world but is getting a backlash from the students who are footing the bill.
12/01/2012
Don’t miss the epic showdown tonight at 9pm, Dec. 1, 2012, between Miguel Cotto and Austin Trout on Showtime! I met both of these gentlemen to do their portrait and tonight they will meet in the ring in Madison Square Garden. Anything can happen so don’t you dare miss it! I turned the corner at 33rd St. and 10th Ave. and happened upon this billboard. I have to say, even after 27 years of shooting, I still get a thrill seeing my pictures reproduced this massively.
11/14/2012
Back in 1996 I was commissioned by Daniel Carter at Wired Magazine to illustrate a Science Fiction story that takes place 100 years in the future after sea levels rose from Climate Change and flooded New York City. At the time we decided on this playful image with a Jet Ski messenger blasting up the rivers of water between the skyscrapers. The last thing I expected was to see this occur in my lifetime, let alone a mere 16 years later. The photos in the gallery below show the reality that Hurricane Sandy brought to New York, eerily similar to our fantastical sci-fi illustration.
11/07/2012
Another great assignment working with the Showtime creative team to photograph the poster for the epic, upcoming boxing match, Miguel Cotto vs. Austin Trout. “Showdown: Cotto vs. Trout” is a 12 round battle between Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin Trout taking place on December 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Meeting and photographing these talented and fearsome athletes was exhilarating but I’m glad they were scheduled separately; wouldn’t want them to engage in a pre-match altercation in my studio. I recommend tuning into Showtime at 9pm on Dec. 1 to witness the action.
09/12/2012
Premiering tonight on Showtime is Inside the NFL. Legends in their field Phil Simms, Cris Collinsworth and James Brown are the hardest-hitting team in sports and deliver expert insight, exclusive commentary and special on and off the field features you won’t find anywhere else. I was fortunate to meet them and photograph the key art for Showtime. Another great project with the creative team at Showtime, and it was wonderful to meet these three talented and illustrious commentators. Phil Simms in particular is a personal hero whose career I followed very closely back in the day. If you like football, tune in to Inside the NFL Wednesday nights at 9PM on Showtime and get the best analysis in the business.
09/05/2012
After much dedication and hard work, I am proud to announce the publication of Photoshop Masking & Compositing 2nd edition, which I authored with Katrin Eismann and Sean Duggan. This is a comprehensive guide to professional compositing in Photoshop and it’s a must have if you are interested in seamlessly combining images. The sections which I authored detail strategies and techniques for photography for compositing as well as a chapter on advanced Photorealistic compositing. It was a privilege to collaborate with Katrin and Sean on this venture; their combined experience in writing and teaching served to push me to more clearly articulate the techniques I’ve been exploring for many years. The book is available in bookstores and on Amazon.com.
07/31/2012
This image resulted from a collaboration with Hannah Thiem and Lily Blue. Hannah is a musician, photographer, and flame-haired beauty and she’s seen here wearing Lily Blue Designs. Lily Blue creates unique clothing that accentuate a woman’s feminine spirit as well as her form. The make up was done by Kayla Jo. The image was not made for any assignment but will be appearing in the upcoming book which I co-authored with Katrin Eismann and Sean Duggan, Photoshop Masking and Compositing. It will be released at the end of August and will encompass virtually every aspect of professionally combining images with Photoshop.