Featured Photographer - Morag Forbes

Photo by Morag Forbes

I wondered recently about the dividing line between “visual artists” and “traditional photographers”. The presenter on an RPS workshop I attended this week is decidedly in that former camp, though her portfolio does show a transition from traditional photography to where she is now.

Morag Forbes has become well known for her “urban composites” which rely upon extensive editing in Photoshop though she only uses a few basic editing techniques. Even if complex composites and artistic blending aren't typical of our club's day-to-day shooting and editing style, there is so much to admire in Forbes's vision so I, nevertheless recommend taking a view at her portfolio to admire how far it is possible to push those photographic creative boundaries.

My editing skills may be equal to hers but I lack the artistic vision to achieve what she does. She operates much more like a digital visual artist with a camera, proving that photography can be just the starting point for creating striking, moody, and deeply atmospheric worlds.

Her standout collection, Layers of the City, is a brilliant case in point. The series dives into the myriad unique, beautiful, and contrasting elements that define modern and ancient urban environments. Blending ancient architecture, modern structures, dark, light, transient crowds, and permanent stone, these pieces capture the true essence of what she calls the "Layers of the City".

Take a look at her work on the Morag Forbes Photography site and let us know what you think using the comments section (below). Did you enjoy looking at it. Do you think it is photography? Is there any part of you that thinks you might like to try it?