Ric Matkowski Photography

Here's one of the latest in my composite portraits. By intent, a grungy look...

"Ship Wreck Cove". A dreamy composite with a mockup showing a 30x40" canvas. If you're looking for a special print for your wall, let me know if I can help create that unique image!

I think it's been a while since I posted a link to the monthly publication of "Living the Photoartistic Life". Here's the link to this month and if you enjoy art, grab a beverage, find a comfy spot and enjoy! https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticli/docs/issue70-final/104

"Santa's Storm" ...a quick bit of photography on the weekend and then some PS time to create the composite. I've included a behind the scene shot to show how it all starts!

'Sleeping With the Bears'....the mockup is a 40"x30" canvas.

'Reflections on the Bow'....a long exposure photograph that captures the reflection of a walking bridge while at the same time turning the water and floating ice crystals silky smooth! The mock up is framed at 24" x 30"

A Saqqara Sunset .... mocked up on a 40" x 30" canvas. It brings back fond memories of the many years we spent in Egypt. #sunset #Egypt #saqqara

It's time to watch a sunset. The composite is presented as a 60 x 30" canvas.

Personal images for your unique viewing...a 30x40" canvas

Feeling down....then it's time to dance!

Remembering our pets....created with your photos and my editing for a unique photographic memory of your pet.

Late November when a bit of snow adds to the texture of the landscape. On the Bow River south of Calgary. The mockup shows a 30x40" canvas.

Memories on the Alberta prairies..

"Winter's Edge"....on the first visit of 'old man winter'. Thankfully, it was a short visit and we've seen warmer weather since....plus that snow is gone!

In the streets....ghost town Alberta.

''Winter Reflections'....there's something special about those lone trees on the prairies...especially if they have a lot of character! Mounted in the show case framed at 20 x 30.

'Last Colors' and exhibited as a 40" x 30" canvas print. Looking for that special Holiday present? How about a piece of art?

I hope you are all ready for a scary night!

Trees in Color .... A bit of landscape photography in the past few days.

Earlier in the week at in Calgary's Edworthy Park.....a bit of Canadiana! Just a group of 3 beavers gathering branches for a bit of house repair....getting the place ready for winter!

Only a few days to go before the 'horror show'!!

Scary nights coming!

When you take a break to watch a bit of baseball, then get bored....pick up the camera, a speedlite, a snout, a bit of white cardboard as a reflector for fill and gels. Then, have some fun shooting small figurines juxtapositioned to larger elements. In this case, I set up a simple scene with a small Nordic figure on the end table next to the recliner! Keeping the skills fresh for some dramatic, single light portrait photography!

Just a simple observation...the clientele seeking portraits has changed a bit this month! #photomanipulation #digitalartistry

Canadian Thanksgiving weekend and some fun time with the family!

Looking for some fine art representative of the prairies. This is a winter scene and of course, I'd had to think that the 'white stuff' is not too far off! The presentation shows the piece as a 20" x 40" gallery wrap canvas with a panorama perspective.

The power of family photos...a legacy for future generations. Here's a mock-up of a few of the canvas prints that were purchased by a client including a composite of the entire group. Photos were taken of each individual family unit and then brought together to create the full family composite. The background was expanded in photoshop. We photographed in a small area of the backyard respecting current protocols.

It was time to get out and capture some of the beautiful fall colors. A short trip down to the Bow River and a couple of hours of soaking up Nature's beauty was in order. Here's a few of the images I captured and I've presented one as a 30" x 40" canvas to give you an idea of what it would look like in the home. Would love to hear your thoughts.

'River Cruise'....more of my digital art created as feature pieces. This mock-up shows the art framed and matted at 30" x 20". If you're looking for a special piece to adorn your wall, I'd love to discuss it with you!

As bad as things can go, we can always turn that around by dancing....just find the right tune!

A walk through the city with a mockup to show how it would look at 40x30.

I've been working up some wall mock-ups to give the viewer an idea of how it might look on their wall. These are done to scale. I plan to post these on occasion sharing my photography and digital artistry. Would love to receive your feedback....what do you think?

A bit of fun bringing the b&w sketch work of the artist 'ten hundred' to life in color. Ten Hundred (Peter Robinson) is an artist and designer from Seattle, WA.

A revisit and a bit of color correction & color grading on images of our daughter and her cousin from a photoshoot we had some time back....before things changed!

It ain't easy drying these crying eyes of mine...Eric Clapton

I've been busy creating a number of digital art pieces and thought I'd share one series that features children in a number of iconic locations around the world. See if you can guess the locations!

A series of painterly composite photos of sports cars edited with an impressionistic finish.

The monthly publication of AWAKE Photography was just published. This includes photos from photographers from across the USA, Canada and Internationally. I'm humbled to have a couple of my photographs in the publication. Take a minute and enjoy!

A series of B&W 'ladies'.

It's the middle of the month and time for the latest publication of the digital magazine, "Living the Photoartistic Life". If you like art, then grab a beverage of choice and enjoy. Yours truly has an image posted on page 20. https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/issue66-final

I've been busy on a couple of client projects but continue to create digital art. Here's one of my latest..."View for Knowledge Then Speak With Authority"!

Here are some photos from a trip through Saskatchewan and edited with an 'ethereal' effect. Dreaming of what once was!

Wouldn't it be handy right now if we could 'time travel'!

The Power of Prints! Unfortunately, in today's world, most people have forgotten that the power of a photograph is when it's in print and not left on a memory card in camera or included with so many others that get 'lost' on a hard drive. That was not the case with one of my favourite clients who ordered 8 canvases for her family wall. We captured these while honoring the importance of social distancing and masks. ... The large family portrait was actually a composite made up of 6 separate images that were brought together in post-editing. This is technique that can be used very effectively to create unique group photos where everyone can be their best.

If you enjoy abstracts, here's a sample of 'twirls'. Think hotel lobbies, conference rooms, etc.

Calgary sunset...from our back door! A brilliant display of color!

The monthly publication of 'Living the Photoartistic Life' has just come out. You may enjoy viewing the art. Yours truly has a piece on page 39. https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/issue65-final

A great photoshoot with model Adrienne Victoria, in early March...just before the lockdown!

A little steampunk on a Saturday morning....'Punky Wasp'! A piece from my recent photoartistry creations.

Memories on the Saskatchewan prairies...

The bridge at Lundbreck Falls, Alberta

Low key portraits...photo session pre-pandemic.

Different interpretations of this morning's breakfast orange!

A triptych....'Backyard Trees'

The latest issue of 'Living the Photo Artistic Life' has just been released. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy some digital art created by artists around the world. I'm grateful to have one of my works included (page 28). https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/issue64-final

Going back through some of my previous client images, I thought I apply a bit of photoartistry to a 'high key' photo to create a more unique steampunk portrait.

Something about trees...

If you enjoy photography, you may find some inspiration in the images in this publication. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy! Humble and grateful to have a couple of my images included. https://issuu.com//awake_photo_mag_special_edition_weekly_

A Grateful Day Grateful to have two images featured in this, the latest issue of "Living the PhotoArtistic Life". If you enjoy viewing art, you'll likely enjoy the creativity in this issue. https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/issue63-final/6

Back door art....'Bird in a Tree'. From the backdoor of our home here in Calgary.

Another take on an old nursery rhyme!

Remember those old nursery rhymes?

Hang in there Canada! We can 'ride' these strange times out together!

Alberta backroads!

Wonders of the world....the power of the great pyramids of Giza.

Pulling together...let's do this!

Now might be the time to 'Catch a Moon'!

I very much enjoy restoring and sometimes coloring old photos that may even include old newspaper clippings. Here's a before and after comparison of a newspaper clipping during WWII, the last time our country was required to 'pull together'!

Another in my 'isolation' series....Paris!