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PicsArt Monthly | 1 Monthly Issue #05 | February 2014 Scotland Photo Adventure Interview with Amardeep Photography The Landscape Photographer from Sardinia

PIcsArt Monthly Magazine February Issue

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Add a few points to your lens IQ with our feature, written by veteran photographer extraordinaire, Lou Jones. Then, explore the secrets of flower photography with our resident photography teacher Corradino. And after that, strap on some heat-resistant hiking boots and delve into our interview with the man who photographed a ritual you have to see to believe at the base of an Indonesian volcano.

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Page 1: PIcsArt Monthly Magazine February Issue

PicsArt Monthly | 1

MonthlyIssue #05 | February 2014

Scotland Photo Adventure

Interview with Amardeep Photography

The Landscape Photographer from Sardinia

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Based in Mountain View , CA , PicsArt is a fun and full-featured mobile photo-editing and drawing app for Android, iOS and Windows Phone.

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Meet our team...

Editor-in-Chief | Arusiak Kanetsyan

Art Editor | Cristina Gevorg

Designer | Ina Sarko

Copy Editor | Satenig Mirzoyan

Editorial Contributors | Mark Gargarian, Heather Parry, Miki Ross

Special Contributor | Lou Jones, Chris Corradino

In-House Photographer | ma_lina

Address: SocialIn Inc., 800 West El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040

Follow us...

Publisher: PicsArt Photo Studio

Copyright of Socialln Inc. ( PicsArt Photo Studio ) 2013. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be re-used without the written permission of the publisher. The content of this magazine is for informational purposes only and is, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of publication. PicsArt Photo Studio does not claim any ownership right for the photos in the Magazine. All photos,if not mentioned otherwise, are the property of respective PicsArt users. The PicsArt username or photo owner is cited on each photo. PicsArt Photo Studio has a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, limited licence to use, modify, add to, publicly perform, publicly display, and reproduce PicsArt users’ photos, including without limitation distributing part or all of the Magazine in any media formats through any media channels.

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Welcome!

PicsArt is pleased to present its February issue, which contains tips from the pros,

articles that will entice you to try new things, some exciting news and introductions to

some of the most creative PicsArt users in our community.

This month Lou Jones shares his veteran knowledge of one of photography's most

important elements: lenses. He explains why choosing the lens itself is an art, and breaks

down the abundant options available to help you choose the best one for your purposes.

As long awaited spring approaches we anticipate new topics to take photos of. Flowers are symbols of spring and Chris

Corradino, our photography guru, will share his best tips on how to take amazing flower

photography.

You will also want to check out our tutorials this month, as we demonstrate how to create

a new background for your photo using PicsArt and share a brand new DIY for a fun

project in your spare time.

That's not all you'll find in this monthly edition-there's so much more. You’ll also

take a photo adventure through Scotland, meet our Sardinian PicsArtist of the Month,

browse featured galleries and learn about PicsArt’s many features and most exciting

developments!

Enjoy reading and feel free to send us your feedback at [email protected].

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Pro Insight08 | The Secret of Lenses

Inspiration12 | Photo Gallery of Birds

44 | The Abstract Paintings of Paulo Guimaraes

PicsArt In Action18 | Four Transformations

Tutorials20 | A Focus on Flower Photography

28 | Change the Background of a Photo in PicsArt

32 | How to Draw a Bird using PicsArt

38 | Designing a Travel Postcard with PicsArt

New In App52 | PicsArt Hits 100 mln Installs on Android

54 | Android Update

Interview58 | Amardeep's Volcanic Photography

Feature66 | The Painted Shoulder

68 | Scotland Photo Adventure

76 | Make a Flower Vase from a Bottle

78 | The Landscape Photographer from Sardinia

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The Secret of Lenses by Lou Jones

Famous portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh once quipped, “Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.” To that point, our talent and energy create good photographs. And while the camera is the repository of details and data, lenses actually shape the way those images look. Choosing a camera is technical, utilitarian and economic. Choosing the right lens is art. As our tools grow more sophisticated, it is easier for us to fashion more interesting photographs. The differences between amateur point and shoot, prosumer, mirrorless, cell phones and DSLRs cameras are constantly being reduced, but lens choices are ever expanding: autofocus, vibration reduction, variable aperture, etc.

Besides improving our capabilities, lenses have character and personality. You change lenses for simple reasons. If you want to see more, you mount a wide angle lens. The “glass” actually captures more than you can see with your naked eye. If you are trying to shoot a friend on the opposite ledge of the Grand Canyon and you cannot approach closer, you need a telephoto. It produces a much narrower angle than your eyes.

In practice using depth-of-field can dramatically alter the appearance of an image. A wide aperture can be employed to throw a distracting background out of focus and enhance a delicate portrait. While a small aperture will put everybody in focus for a big group photo. Your eyes can’t do that.Artistically, different focal lengths have unique looks. Here I will share the secret lore that is never revealed: lenses “see” differently, i.e. they have personalities. And with a trained eye that character can be exploited by your imagination, to your benefit.

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Long lenses PULL subject and background closer together; they compress a shot. At the same time, telephotos isolate. Short lenses PUSH point-of-interest and the surrounding scene apart. Wide angles integrate. It takes a little practice to become familiar with the effects but it is well worth the investigation.

Usually you select a lens to include just the amount of information you want your viewers to see. That dictates composition. Physically, you use a wide angle up close to your subject. It is intimate. It is aggressive. My friend often said, “A wide angle will make you mean.” On the flip side, a telephoto allows you to be a little aloof.

PRO INSIGHT

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To further muddy the waters, there is another candidate: the zoom lens. It was initially invented to be a multi-purpose device: to cut down on weight and make you more mobile. Zooms give you an infinite selection of focal lengths. They are complicated and expensive but they fill in the “blanks”.

Most photography is committed between 35mm and 100mm. But to round out the roster I have to mention the extreme lenses: fisheyes and ultra telephotos. They are usually specialty items but worthy of consideration once you have mastered the others.

There is a lens to fit every compromise. I carry an assortment on my jobs around the world and I have the bad back to prove it.

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INSPIRATION : Photo

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Photo Gallery of BirdsPerhaps the most common subject of wildlife photography are birds. Professional and amateur photographers alike are always reaching for their camera in hopes of getting a good shot of birds-resting or in flight. This gallery showcases some successful attempts by PicsArt community photographers to capture birds.

Many a child, even some adults, identify with the desire to be able to fly, the ultimate perceived freedom. This may be why we are so inclined to try and document birds in flight while they are exercising what we cannot, but wish we could. In this way, birds and the freedom associated with them are cause for jealousy and admiration. This gallery shows birds taking off in groups and as individuals, gliding through the skies, and resting on land, idling before taking off.

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Many Shades of Black

PisArt effects are transformative, but while there is a lot of excitement in seeing a photo go through a total metamorphosis

with just a push of the button, it is also important to have nuance.

People often make the mistake of thinking that B&W achieves one look when in

reality, it is a category, with its own variety of flavors and styles. This time we

demonstrate how a single photo looks after having several PicsArt B&W effects

applied. The trick to great editing is caring about getting all of the details right, and

with PicsArt, you can always edit with discriminating taste and nuance in your

pursuit for photography perfection.

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A Focus on Flower Photography

by Chris Corradino

As the snow melts and winter fades I grow restless to once again photograph the cheerful colors of spring. The spectacular patterns of flowers and plant life offer a never ending array of photographic opportunity. The experience is peaceful, solitary, and forces one to slow down and connect with the subtle details of nature. Rather than settling for static compositions, my goal is to further accentuate the beauty of these subjects with creative photography techniques. In this issue I share some of my favorite tips for you to try.

Before venturing outside, it's helpful to practice your flower photography at home with a store bought bouquet. With no wind to move and blur your subject, you can focus on making well-lit and sharp images. Expensive studio equipment is not necessary to create stunning results. To start, position the vase near a window with abundant sunshine. Couple this with a basic desk lamp to create rather dramatic light. For an added touch of brilliance, use a silver or gold reflector to soften the shadows. If you don't have a reflector, it's easy to make one by taping an 8x10 piece of aluminum foil to a piece of cardboard.

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TUTORIAL : Shooting

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Don't be afraid to get down and dirty as the most interesting point of view is often that of an insect. I set my camera up very low to the ground on a tripod. Using a camera support system makes the process more deliberate and allows one to focus and compose with great care. If your camera has a "live view" mode with a swivel out screen, it makes for more convenient viewing. In a pinch you can even rest your camera on the ground and angle the lens skyward with a stone, or your lens cap.

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It may seem counter intuitive, but I often search for leaves or flower petals that are positioned in front of my subject. I then shoot through this first element by placing my lens mere inches away from it. Coupled with a very wide aperture of f2.8 this technique will create a beautiful wash of color in both the foreground and background. Just be sure to place your active auto focus point on the part of the flower you want sharpest. This involves a bit of trial and error at first but can absolutely give your flower shots a truly unique look.

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One of the best times to photograph flowers is just after a rain storm. The water drops left behind will add more visual interest to your close up work. In dry areas some photographers even bring a spray bottle filled with water to recreate a similar look. I look for drops that hang precariously from the edge of a leaf, and those that appear just seconds from falling to the ground. To really capture the delicate beauty of the drops move closer to the subject either with your feet, or by zooming in.

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How to change the background of a photo with PicsArt

Have you ever taken a photo and wished that you could somehow change the background of it? Make it seem like you are somewhere else, in a different setting? In this tutorial we will show you how to do just that.

Armed with this knowledge you'll be able to change the background of any photo, virtually taking your subject wherever you want it to go!

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Step 1: Select a PhotoOpen PicsArt and click on Draw. Click on the "Draw on Photo" option and choose the photo you wish to use as your main photo.

Step 2: Crop Your Photo Decide on cropping options and push the checkmark for confirmation.

TUTORIAL : Editing

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Step 3: Add a Layer Click on the bottom right icon to see the layers. Select the "+" button in the top left corner of the layer toolbar to add another layer.

Step 4: Select Photo LayerSelect the "Photo Layer" option.

Step 5: Choose a BackgroundChoose the image you want to serve as your background.

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Step 7: Crop the Background Crop the image if required and confirm it with the checkmark.

Step 8: Rearrange Photos Rearrange the layers so that the foreground image is at the top, and the background beneath it.

Step 9: Start EraseringSelect the eraser tool to begin revealing the new background of your photo.

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Step 9: Adjust Brush Options and Erase Adjust your brush size as necessary and carefully erase any parts of your image that you wish to be replaced with a new background.

Step 10: Return to EditorSelect the checkmark in the top right corner to return to the editor for any final touches.

Step 11: Add an EffectSelect the effect you wish to apply to your new image and voila! Your image appears in a whole new setting.

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How to Draw a Bird Step by Step In this tutorial we show you how to use PicsArt Drawing Tools to draw a bird. Birds have many detailed features- colorful feathers, defined beaks and sharp contrasting eyes , which can seem like a daunting feat to re-produce on a mobile device. The right tools and proper guidance can make drawing birds and all their natural details start to seem less challenging and become a fun creative process.

This tutorial will help you to further familiarize yourself with PicsArt Drawing Tools and break down the process of creating a detailed, vibrant drawing by working in layers.

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Open the PicsArt Drawing Tool

Select “Draw” from the main screen and then select “Draw blank” to start a new drawing from scratch. You have the option of choosing the precise width, height, and orientation of your drawing before entering your work space.

Draw Basic Outline

Draw a rough outline of your bird. Approximate the size and proportions of his body, his position, and maybe even some of your background.

TUTORIAL : Drawing

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Draw Final Outline

Reduce the opacity, and in a higher layer, trace a more precise final outline. Add details like head feathers, shape the beak, and outline patches of feathers. When you’re done, delete previous layers.

Color the Drawing

In new layers, color you drawing. Use a layer just for your sky, another for your background, and another for your bird’s body and feathers.

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Shading and Lighting

In new layers, add shading and lighting. Use darker tones in one layer to darken areas furthest from your light source. In another layer, use lighter tones to brighten areas closest to your light source. You can even use extra layers to add details. Merge layers when done.

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Finish Background

In your background layer, give your sky texture by adding blotches of white for clouds. Use semi translucent brushes to create out of focus objects like branches and leaves in the background.

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Designing a Postcard on PicsArtThe PicsArt toolbox is chock full of treats catered to the creation of all kinds of projects. This tutorial will show you how easy it is to use PicsArt to create an amazing looking postcard. In minutes, you’ll have your very own original postcard that will have others dreaming of long voyages, and you wondering why you ever bothered to buy one when you can do so much better yourself. Take a look at this step by step tutorial and get your creative juices flowin’!

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TUTORIAL : Design

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Upload a Photo

From the main screen, upload the photo that you want to use as the base for your postcard. It works best if you use a photo of a wonderful and exotic place where you are on vacation!

Insert Clipart Stamp

Select the Clipart icon from the bottom of the screen, and choose “Retro Travel” from the pop-up menu. Select a stamp of your preference and reduce the opacity for extra style.

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Paper Effect

Select the Effects icon, and choose a Paper effect to give your card a paper look. Don’t forget to adjust the effect settings to your preference before applying.

Add Mask

Select the Mask icon, and choose“Texture” from the pop-up menu. Select a texture mask to give your card a worn look, as if it has suffered through a long flight on a postal company plane.

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Add text to Your PostCard

Add text to your PostCard to indicate the location you are sending it from, and maybe inspire your recipient to plan a visit of their own.

You now have a gorgeous, custom postcard all set for mailing!

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The Abstract Paintings of Paulo Guimaraes

Paulo Guimaraes (@buddha3074) is PicsArt’s resident abstract painter. Using only PicsArt Drawing Tools, he creates true works of impressionistic art, colors sewn and stitched together, indistinct shapes that exhume feeling and expression. Paulo does this with his fingertips and a touch screen, but many of these would be at home on a canvas or hanging on display at galleries of modern art.

His style is his own, and that style is one with its own variety. Some of his paintings are formless clouds of color and texture, others are abstracted scenes that almost seem to become tangible shapes, while others still recall primitive cave paintings. Have a look for yourself and draw your own conclusions. His work is thought-provoking and hard to describe, but when viewing his art one word comes to mind instantly without hesitation, and that is “beautiful”. His paintings are just that.

INSPIRATION : Drawing

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PicsArt Hits 100 mln Installs on AndroidJust over two years since it’s launch in late 2011, PicsArt Photo Studio has become the first app in the photography category to surpass 100 million installs on Google Play. This is a huge milestone for any start-up, as there are only 40 apps to ever reach this number. PicsArt is also one of the very few apps with 100+ installs with a consistent high user rating of over 4.6, which it shares with less than 5 other apps on Google Play.

What makes PicsArt unique and successful is its ability to pack a comprehensive photo editing and drawing features into the easy-to-use and intuitive interface of a mobile app. PicsArt is not just an app, it’s the largest mobile art community currently at 11 million users, where artists are inspired to share, learn, and create together. Users have the option to share their art with the world, either via outside networks or within PicsArt’s ever-growing social network of artists. Thus, it is the only photo editor that offers the complete creative package, providing the tools and the inspiration to ensure that everyone can unleash the great artist within.

PicsArt’s user-base ranges from total beginners and amateur artists to professional photographers summing up to over 110 mln users on Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. What is particularly impressive is that PicsArt's massive growth was generated almost entirely from word-of-mouth, with users spreading the word like wildfire, telling their friends and family about the one-stop photo app that has it all.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication of the users. PicsArt returns the favor by crowdsourcing its decisions, listening to its community at each major junction and responding by developing PicsArt in step with the opinions and wishes of the ever- growing user base. As a result, user contribute to creating a place where everyone sees their potential to become a great artist and the place where this comes true.

PicsArt was born from a bootstrap mentality. It was the company’s ambition from the start to create an all-in-one app with an arsenal that could rival the best desktop editors and to make it available to everyone by keeping it free and easy to use. PicsArt appeals to the inner artist inside of everyone, and strives to be present on every smartphone and tablet , thus providing the chance to become a great artist and share their art with the world.

NEW IN APP

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Android Update

Offering New and Cool Effects and Features

This creative package has some of the most exciting additions to PicsArt effects. These new and trendy effects come in a diverse group which will have you experimenting and playing for hours on end.

Also new, is the improved Shape Crop tool, loaded with new options, and the Save Draft option in the drawing section, which will give you the freedom to save projects that are still in progress so that you can work at your own pace. Save Draft will free you from the constraints of time, so that you can create and take a break, without ever losing your progress.

Discover the awesome new features of the Android Update, and to give it a test drive yourself, make a pitstop at the Google Drive for a free tune-up, courtesy of our developers.

Water Effect

With the new Water Effect you can add a ring of ripples to your photo, making it look like you took it on a lake, river, or maybe a puddle reflecting city skyscrapers.

Film Effect

Make your photos look like they came out of an old school Hollywood movie with our new Film Effect.

Film B&W

For an even more nostalgic look of old Hollywood, add the Film B&W option to turn your photos into black and white images harkening back to the days of colorless film.

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Radial Blur

Add blur in a circular formation to your photos with our new Radial Blur option in the Effects menu. This effect chooses an automatic focal point and blurs everything around it. But don’t worry, you can adjust the focal point according to your photo!

Save Draft in Draw

If you are in the middle of a drawing, Save Draft let’s you save a work in progress so that you can put it down for a while and get back to it later, without having to finalize your drawing. It also automatically saves any additional changes to your image, so you can continue at your own pace.

Artistic Shear

Add chaotic strokes of movement into your photo for an interesting new look. This new effect can be found in the Artistic section of the effects. It provides for a number of variations, you can choose from five different stroke types and adjust their size.

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New Shape Crop Options

The new and fun shapes give you even more artistic freedom with the Shape Crop tool. New shapes added include cloud, star, heart among other fun shapes.

Color Gradient

Color Gradient is a trendy new effect with endless possibilities to enrich a photo. Create a gradient from one color tone to another. Choose from one of five preset color combinations or select whatever two colors you like.

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INERVIEW

All photos by Amardeep. Find him at amardeepphotography.com or on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/photographyamardeep

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Amardeep's Volcanic PhotographyArmadeep is a photographer who was born in India but is based in Singapore. His education background, is mixed with an engineering degree from Manipal Institute of Technology, in South India, as well as an MBA from the University of Chicago, and he works in the corporate world. In spite of this, however, he pursues his passion for photography with a full heart.

We asked him about the photos he took at the Mount Merapi volcano in Indonesia.

To start off, can you tell us where these photos were taken and why the faces in these pictures are dark blue?

These photos were taken at the Hindu Boko temple in the outskirts of Yogyakarta (Indonesia). The ruins of the ancient temple stand close to the Mount Merapi volcano, at a distance of around 25 kilometers. The blueness on the face is because of the volcanic ash which the villagers have smeared for a dance performance.

What is the meaning behind the event that is taking place here?

When opposites collide, it results in conflict and hostility. In their embrace, there is love and friendship. The law of creation is nothing else but a dance of celebration!

Mankind and nature can be seen in a state of conflict and embrace. Time and again, the energy from volcanic eruptions of Mount Merapi continues to destroy the region. When the going gets tough, the villagers abandon their homes for shelters far away. However it is the eruption that also provides fertility as well as minerals, creating a wealth of earning opportunities.

When eruptions subside, like a magnet, the villagers return to the region and make the most of the new environment. Living at the edge, they embrace the volcano, for its destructive and generative powers.

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This is a live volcano, is this a dangerous place to live for these villagers?

Mount Merapi is the most active volcano in Indonesia, with a history of regular eruption since 1548. It erupts every 3-4 years, with the last devastation caused on the 25th of October, 2010. The volcanic ash and stones destroyed many villages falling within a radius of 25 kilometers.

It is unpredictably very dangerous but that doesn't deter the thousands of villagers from continuing to live in its periphery. They embrace living with the risk of destruction in exchange for land fertility opportunities created by eruptions.

Merapi is translated as 'Mountain of Fire', Etymology of Merapi comes from Meru-Api. In Indian Hinduism, Meru refers to a mythical spiritual mountain that remains elusive, and Api is fire in Javanese.

How did you personally find out about this event?

It was a chance witness during a visit to Boko temple. My photography pursuits are intuitive and my mental state with a camera in hand is like a white cloud. “The being of a white cloud, it's pathless way, is a mystery. It moves not with a fixed mind – but without a mind.”

I look for an experience, that can only be achieved by moving without a mind. The opportunity that arises before me, is the essence that I aim to capture.That's exactly what happened in the creation of this series.

What impressions did you take away from this experience?

This dance of celebration at Boko temple was an experience that reinforced the need to accept creation, with both, fear and joy, striving to find a balance in our lives.

What kind of equipment did you use to shoot these photos?

Canon 5D Mark II and Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens.

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Here is what Armadeep had to say about this photo:

“These stairs lead to a volcanic ash protection bunker. In ash expelling emergencies, when people are not able to evacuate immediately, then these bunkers can provide temporary relief. These bunkers are not capable of protecting from lava expulsion. Two people tried many years back to test the bunkers ability to protect from lava flow, though the scientists at the base station advised them to retreat immediately. The heat from lava around the bunker, roasted them inside.”

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FEATURE : Photo

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The Painted Shoulder

The Photo of the Month this February is not just a photo, but a hybrid of lens and brush work. User Toni (@i-not) used PicsArt to take a photo and make it extraordinary, by elegantly blending drawing and photography into the image you see here. PicsArt is about unleashing your inner artist, and that means being inventive and blurring the boundaries of the way we are used to seeing things done. Here, Toni, literally blurs boundaries, by blending her brush into the naked shoulder of a woman, and continuing it outside of the photo’s frame.

Toni has long been one of PicsArt’s most skilled drawers, and here she applies her understanding of texture, shape, and shading to craft this creative image delicately and fuse drawing and photography together. Toni also understands how less is more, and by focusing on just a single piece of the photograph, a simple finished shoulder, this piece achieves an elegant clarity and sense of purpose. The result is a beautiful Photo of the Month, that merits a pause of admiration.

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FEATURE : Destination

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Scotland Photo Adventure

The most unique shots of Scotland and where to get them

Many visitors to Great Britain find that they barely make it out of London, even when they have a week or more to discover this island. However, the photographers amongst that group might know that there are some amazing images to be captured north of the border of England. This time we shed light on the fascinating land of Scotland so you don’t miss any of the best places to get pictures on your visit to Great Britain.

Edinburgh

For a city of less than half a million people, Edinburgh certainly has a lot of personality. Populated with some absolutely astonishing examples of old architecture, Edinburgh enjoys many old churches, landmarks and, of course, the 12th Century Edinburgh Castle, which sits atop Castle Rock and looks over the whole city.

Even the streets and the houses seem to be lifted out of another age entirely, and if you’re lucky, you’ll find where the city gates used to keep people out at night!

Edinburgh is absolutely swimming in literary history and folk tales, so whether you’re wandering through the graveyards, going on a ghost tour or simply wandering the streets on a cold but sunny morning, you’ll have no shortage of things to photograph.

Of course, if you’re lucky enough to spend Hogmanay, the Scottish celebration of New Years in Edinburgh, then you’re going to have an incredible night. Don’t forget your camera!

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The Isle of Skye

Although it’s easily mistaken for the top part of Scotland on a map, the Isle of Skye is in fact the largest island of the Inner Hebrides, right at the top of Great Britain. Dominated by the famous Cuillin mountains, the Isle of Skye is a treat for landscape photographers and tourists alike with its brooding, intense nature and its ability to catch you completely off guard with its majesty and beauty. Portree Harbour is a bustling port just perfect for a Scotland photography tour, but there’s really nowhere you can go on Skye that won’t make for an absolutely thrilling adventure photo tour. The Isle is also known for its long history of scotch distilling, so be sure to sample some of the local tipple–but not before you’ve got a day’s worth of images, because you might not be able to focus afterwards, with or without your camera!

Page 74: PIcsArt Monthly Magazine February Issue

74 | PicsArt Monthly

Ben Nevis

The famous Ben Nevis is Britain’s highest summit, offering unparalleled views of the stark and stunning beauty of Scotland, and landscape photographers would be crazy to miss such an opportunity for some truly gorgeous pictures of Scotland from anywhere along its vast height. Situated deep into the highlands, Ben Nevis isn’t easy to get to, but an adventure photography trip to its summit will always be worth your while.

At over 1300 meters above sea level, Ben Nevis and the surrounding Grampian Mountains are a mecca for landscape photographers not just from the UK, but from all over the globe. It really is true that driving north into Scotland can feel like you’re entering ancient land, and Ben Nevis is the cherry on the top of this stunning vista.

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76 | PicsArt Monthly

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Page 78: PIcsArt Monthly Magazine February Issue

78 | PicsArt Monthly

Why limit yourself to the vases available in flower shops or at Home Depot? Get creative, and make your own, unique DIY flower vase! In order to do this, you will need:

1. An empty wine bottle or a regular glass jar2. Masking tape3. Acrylic paint (for glass)

Step 1You will be painting the vase so the first step is

to protect the areas you don’t wish to paint with masking tape. We have designed our vase with stripes, but feel free to design your own paint-

free areas.

Step 2Paint the un-taped area of the vase in

different colors, shapes, designs-

whatever you like.

Make a Flower Vase from A Bottle

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Step 3Wait for the paint to dry and remove the masking

tape from the vase.

Step 4If you wish to add small images, a message, or

anything else to the newly exposed area you may do so. If you do add anything else be sure to wait for it to dry

before using your vase!

Your vase is now ready! All it needs is a nice

flower to complete it’s look and purpose.

Page 80: PIcsArt Monthly Magazine February Issue

80 | PicsArt Monthly

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FEATURE : Artist

Page 81: PIcsArt Monthly Magazine February Issue

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The Landscape Photographer from SardiniaAndrea (@rublev1360) is a Russian PicsArtist living currently in Sardinia, who loves photographing the natural side of life. He uses his mobile camera to capture the marvelous landscapes from a perspective many would not even consider. In everything Andrea does there is taste and a unique approachw. He has a keen eye for form and composition, and he manages to emphasize the beauty of the natural world in his framing as well as in his choices of lighting.

The types of landscapes that inspire him are vast and varying, ranging from buildings, to raging waves, to the wide open road. He is a dedicated PicsArt user and mobile photographer, demonstrating that you can use mobile tools to create unique and recognizable art. Though his landscapes change, his style remains the same and PicsArt has allowed him to discover and develop it. He is a great example of what it means to be a mobile artist/photographer and we acknowledge this by choosing him as PicsArtist of the month.

Page 82: PIcsArt Monthly Magazine February Issue

82 | PicsArt Monthly

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Page 86: PIcsArt Monthly Magazine February Issue

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