december 2014.indd web
TRANSCRIPT
PicsArt Monthly |1
A RETRO FILMMAKER TRAPPED IN A FASHION
PHOTOGRAPHER’S BODY
INSPIRED BY FOG PHOTOGRAPHY
PICSARTIST OF THE MONTH MARIO
LISI’S ECCENTRIC PHOTOS
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TABLE OF CONTENT
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PRO INSIGHT 08| Money Honey Makes The World Go Round
INSPIRATION 16 | Inspired by Fog Photography 54 | The Brilliant Character Drawings of LazerFangz
PICSART IN ACTION 20 | Transform Your Shots at the Push of a Button
TUTORIALS 22 | Should You Be Shooting in RAW? 28 | Honey I Shrunk Myself: How to Miniaturize with PicsArt 38 | How to Draw a Magnificent Owl with PicsArt 46 | Make Your Holiday Card with PicsArt
WHAT’S NEW 66 | Meandering in the Haze
INTERVIEW 72 | A Retro Filmmaker Trapped in a Fashion Photographer’s Body
FEATURE 92 | franz xavier’s View from the North Pole 94 | Moscow in 7 Unforgettable Sights, Discover Russia’s Grand Capital104 | Christmas Poster Polaroid Frame DIY106 | Mario Lisi’s Eccentric Photos
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Editor-in-Chief | Arusiak KanetsyanArt Editor | Cristina GevorgArt Director | Vahan BalasanyanDesigner | Ina SarkoCopy Editor | Madlene MinassianEditorial Contributors | Arto Vaun, Ani Mouradian, Mark GargarianSpecial Contributors | Chris Corradino, Lou JonesIn-House Photographer | ma_lina
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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Cover photo by Kait Robinson
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WELCOME !Approach this holiday season with a creative spirit and peel open our December issue of PicsArt Monthly.
This month’s issue is an exciting package of amazing art, awesome tutorials, and fascinating reads, tied together with a red ribbon and waiting for you to tear into it. The best part is that, at the end, you won’t be left with piles of wrapping paper, just a head full of inspiration.
Learn how to perform magical editing tricks like shrinking yourself down to pocket-size, master the finer points of digital photography, and meet a rising fashion photography star.
Discover our PicsArtist of the Month, get to know some of the PicsArt app’s amazing editing features, learn about what’s new in our latest update, and turn through page
after page of original artwork created by users in the PicsArt community.
We’re also bringing you a special tutorial on how to design the perfect holiday card in just 5 easy steps, so that you can post a custom card that will spread holiday cheer to your friends and family throughout the world.
Find all of this and more in a magazine that's brimming with unique content. This is a time of year when a lot of us get swept up in the magic and stress that the winter holidays tend to bring with them. Art is rewarding and cathartic, letting you channel the holiday spirit into creativity, while also letting you get away from the chaos of shopping by retreating into your imagination.
Put aside your daily tasks, pour yourself a glass of eggnog, and lose yourself in cover to cover inspiration. Just turn the page and see where PicsArt Monthly takes you.
MONEY HONEY MAKES THE WORLDGO ROUND
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MONEY HONEY MAKES THE WORLDGO ROUND
Recently on photographic assignment the exchange rate was 1600TZ for $1US. Just doing the calculations in my head caused several costly mistakes. Being facile in mental conversions is an artform. For certain spots on the globe, negotiating, bargaining are part of the social fabric. How to navigate financial protocol can make or break a photography excursion.
Tourists unfamiliar with transferring money around the world are often confused by local customs. They can be complicated. Money looks different. It is printed in another language. Intricate math is involved.
Many travelers pull out calculators, special devices and cell phone apps to help with the arithmetic. They become mired in the fact that money does not translate one-to-one and fluctuates daily. Retail “sticker shock” can be daunting.
Rate of exchange has little or no bearing on the strength of one currency against another. Leave high finance to the speculators. Your primary quest is to find who consistently offers the most favorable rate. Convenience is expensive. So your hotel may be an easy resource but not the best place to convert. Banks, even ATMs, are usually better. Remember you pay a fee each time you trade back and forth. So do it as rarely as possible.
PRO INSIGHT
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CASHMany commodities: gold, precious minerals, seashells, even animals, have historically been substituted for money. Money was society’s way of making barter more equitable. Eventually taxes and tariffs were levied for almost every transaction. Stocks and bonds have become means of
ownership. Centuries later we still get conflicted about how it all works.
For the average traveler there are mainly two types of money: cash and credit card. Cash is the most liquid instrument for monetary transactions. Therefore it is the most sought after. Roving crowds of malcontents’ sole purpose is to separate you from yours. Beware.
As a photographer, I am always fascinated by how beautiful some monies are. The designs and colors are spectacular and the intricacies of watermarks and engravings make them subjects for my photography. Governments spends millions to make theirs distinctive. So I collect clean bills and shiny coins to create interesting still life photographs when I get back to my studio. Francs, drachmas, kopecks, euros, etc. make wonderful illustrations that highlight stories about economy, finance, and politics.
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CREDIT CARDSCredit cards are becoming ubiquitous around the world. Their convenience and efficiency is astonishing. And they are usually safer than carrying wads of cash. However some societies have not adapted to credit cards. They may not have the technological mechanisms, merchants may not want to pay the high premiums or they simply are not trusted. Know this before you venture out. I have stayed at hotels where the staff would not take my cards and I had to make other arrangements to settle the bill.
Remember credit card companies are in the business to make money on each transaction so you are usually paying extra to use these cards in foreign countries. On the other hand I have traveled to
places that offer a substantial discount if you pay cash--due to inflation.
I make most of my large purchases: airline tickets, rental cars, hotel, with credit cards because I find I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to find local banks that will accept plastic, keeping me away from taking pictures. Most day-to-day buying is done with paper.
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Tipping is traditionally considered a voluntary act where an extra amount of money is gifted to someone who does his/her job well. In many places it has become almost obligatory. Conservative personalities object to rewarding people for doing their jobs. But you can put yourself into untenable situations if you do not “play the game”. On the other side of the coin, there are a few remaining cultures that discourage tipping. It can be awkward if you are not aware. Know before you go.
To get the best pictures, I hire myriads of drivers, guides, translators and assistants. And many people deserve being paid for “insinuating” myself into their lives and making unusual requests. This can amount to just a few coins but many interactions require substantial payments. Negotiations may end in offering a “tip” or promise to send prints of my images.
In some societies most confrontation is a negotiation. Often it is cultural imperative. You are expected to haggle. It may be alien at first but it can become a habit. To not engage means to pay exorbitant prices for merchandise and to lose face. Haggling is an acquired skill.
TIPPING
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A few “business encounters” amount to bribery. They have their own language: baksheesh, dash, la mordida that hide
behind innuendo and code. Paying for favorable treatment, when inappropriate, is a form of public and private corruption, and is illegal. But it is rampant.
Government-to-government it is called graft. Law enforcement officials and civil servants supplement their salaries coercing
bribes from unsuspecting tourists. I traveled for two days recently in an African countryside where every dozen kilometers or so we were stopped by armed guards who demanded credentials. Each time my driver
pressed a few bills hidden behind his license.
BRIBES
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BLACK MARKETMany countries have a vibrant black market in currency exchange. People on the street will offer vastly better rates for your money. They make a profit because their currency is so volatile that they can turn yours for even higher cash or it is a scam. It is an alternate means of increasing buying power but be careful.
Counterfeiting needs to be part of the dialogue. Large bills are often hard to use. Many shop owners will not accept them. Some countries will only deal in new crisp money and reject the older, worn bills. Do not be insulted. They have their reasons.
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EXIT STRATEGIESWhen traveling it is prudent to convert most of your money back to your native currency before you leave. With some nations, it is illegal to take their money out. Also some money has such low esteem it cannot be converted once
outside. I still have several hundred dollars of Ghanaian paper that no one will touch.
A friend of mine invented the strategy where travelers donate their assorted coins. These are collected, collated and shipped back to their respective countries then given to charitable causes.
Some countries still have exit taxes. Be sure you have the right form of money to pay to come back home. I have “lent” many a wayward traveler the requisite amount to get them through customs. Lots of people can experience great adventures. It is these who RETURN with photos who get the glory.
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@tea-redhair
@leakooplalala
@milot2
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When you think of fog, you think film noir: mysterious streets made more eerie by fog’s effervescent glow near lamp posts, and a chill diffusing all around you. As fog is a quiet and versatile traveler, it might also arouse images of peaceful mornings near a secluded lakeside, or levitating boats at a harbor thanks to a condensation of coastal mist.
Capturing foggy landscapes is sort of like packaging the experience of popping a strong mint in your mouth while standing atop a cliffside with cool wind brushing your cheeks. Whether set in the day or night, mountains or seaside,
fog photography carries a rush that is calm yet thrilling in its mystery.
Using fog in photography can work to the benefit of the photographer in more than one way. Fog can serve as the subject that sets the mood in a photograph, the subject itself, the prop, the technique, or the filter in a photo. It seems that fog is also the string that makes the transition between fall and winter quite seamless, seeping through and leaving the scene quietly. Peruse through the path that fog has taken through nature and through PicsArt with these breathtaking shots accumulated during the season.
INSPIRED BY FOG
PHOTOGRAPHY
INSPIRATION : Photo
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@macgirlamy69
@mpeterparker @nitsane
@tea-redhair
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@lena-tambovtseva
@jlazarte
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TRANSFORM YOUR SHOTS AT THE PUSH OF A BUTTON
The Picsart Photo Studio has an extensive collection of transformations that you can apply at the push of a button. Some of the most exciting effects are those that reshuffle the colors in your photo to create some pretty dramatic changes.
Here we can see how one photo looks under 4 different effects: Black and White, Negative, Invert, and Solarization.
Turn light into dark with Negative, which turns every color into its opposite on the light spectrum, or blow out the dark areas with solarization. If you want to mix things up, PicsArt is loaded with all kinds of effects that can turn your photo on its head.
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Should You Be Shooting in RAW?by Chris Corradino
At most neighborhood bulk stores, it’s possible to buy things in large quantities like a jumbo pack of 36 eggs. Unless you
have a huge refrigerator (or family), chances are you don’t have enough space to store all of this. The same concept applies to photographers and RAW files. These massive files do take up more space on your memory card and computer hard drive. Still, there are also benefits that may make it worth your hassle. In this article, I’ll break down the pros and cons to help you decide if this format is right for you.
TUTORIAL : Shooting
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RAW files are like your digital negative. No matter how many copies and edits you make, it’s always possible to go back to this original file and start over. The file is uncompressed, meaning it contains all of the beautiful resolution your camera is capable of. In-camera adjustments like sharpening and saturation are not added. As such, the files can appear somewhat flat straight out of the camera. To get the most out of this file type, you’ll need to first edit the image with special RAW software. While the workflow is more time consuming, the image quality is unsurpassed by even the highest quality JPEG.
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One major benefit to shooting in RAW is the ability to easily change the white balance presets with software. For example, if you shot everything in Tungsten White Balance and the shots all look blue, it can be remedied with one click. Had it been captured in JPEG, this process would be considerably more laborious. For that reason, RAW can be best for situations with a mix of natural and artificial light. This level of after-capture control can make the difference between a successful shoot, and an editing nightmare.
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There are some assignments when shooting RAW is just not feasible. For example, when photographing sports, I prefer the JPEG Large/Fine setting. This affords a bigger buffer size making it possible to shoot more frames before filling up. For example, a modern DSLR can shoot 31 RAW shots consecutively, but a whopping 1090 in JPEG. This is a huge advantage for those who never want to miss a moment. By starting with a JPEG file, you also eliminate the extra step of RAW processing when you get home. This is a key consideration for those working on a tight deadline.
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No matter which format you ultimately choose, a consistent backup system is essential. You want to keep your precious memories around for many generations to enjoy. This in increasingly
challenging with hard drives that fail, and cloud storage solutions being hacked. The best approach comes from the old adage, “don’t keep all of your eggs in the same basket.” Save your favorite images to a number of devices and storage systems. This can include external hard drives, cloud solutions, flash drives, and dvds.
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Honey Myself
I Shrunk
How to Miniaturize with
The Picsart app allows you to master some pretty amazing special effects without having to learn any special skills. Here, we show you how to do something that has probably fascinated everyone at some point in life: how to shrink someone or something down to a tiny size.
What if you could surf a wave of milk on a cookie, or ride a bumble bee? Well once you learn the basics of how miniaturization works in PicsArt, you’ll be able to make as many photos of your tiny adventures as you want. Just follow the steps below.
TUTORIAL : Editing
PicsArt
Upload a close-up photo of something that you could fit in your hands, the environment for your tiny adventure. Make sure it is in black and white. This will be your background photo.
Step 1: Upload
Tap the Add Photo icon from the menu bar. Upload a photo of yourself appropriately posed. Want to sit on something tiny? Then upload a photo of yourself sitting down.
Step 2: Add Photo
When you upload the photo, select the Effect icon in the upper left corner and apply the B&W effect from the FX effects. Apply the effect but do not confirm your upload process yet.
Step 3: Black and White
With your photo still selected, press the Free Crop (scissors) icon on top of the screen. Tap the Brush icon at the bottom left corner and choose the Lasso tool.
Using the Lasso tool trace the shape you want to crop.
Step 4: Free Crop
Step 5: Place Image
Confirm your selection. Position your tiny self on the object in your background image. Tilt the image to make sure it fits the background naturally.
Confirm to get to the editor. From the Tools menu, select Crop and trim your photo to zoom in closer to the area around your tiny self.
Step 6: Crop Photo
Step 7: Final Effects
Tap the Effects icon and select an effect to give your photo a final polish. Find the perfect visual style to finish your shrunken fantasy.
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HOW TO DRAW A MAGNIFICENT OWL WITH PICSARTDraw a wise and gorgeously feathered owl using PicsArt with this simple 5 step tutorial.
PicsArt’s customizable brush set and layer options, give you the freedom to work on details separately, then go back and edit those details later if you see a mistake or want to try something else. This makes complex projects easy, as you can perfect your drawing piece by piece to achieve beautiful artistic final results.
An owl is a perfect start for any amatuer drawer, because its full coat of colored feathers is just the sort of thing that less experienced drawers might wring their hands at. Here, you’ll see that PicsArt takes all of the pain out of drawing, coloring, and shading, so that you’re free to have fun without worrying about ruining your hard work. This way you can get inspired and lose yourself in the creative process.
TUTORIAL : Drawing
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Create a rough outline of your owl. Reduce the opacity, create a new layer, and trace a more precise outline. Repeat this process until you have a final outline. Delete the layers with previous outlines.
Step 1: Draw an Outline
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Step 2: Add Shadings and Shadows
Shade your owl in stages. Use new layers and start with broad black shading, then reduce the opacity to make it a pale shadow. Use black in another layer for detailed shading, then reduce the opacity, but less than in the previous case.
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Step 3: Base Color & Lighting
Create a new layer below all the existing ones and come up with a base color for your owl. In higher layers, use bright-toned colors and brushes with lower opacity to add accents of lighting on your owl’s feathers.
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Color in your owl. Use a broad range of colors to create a magnificent coat of feathers, and color everything down to the tip of your owl’s beak. Make sure you add your color in new layers in the back, just above your base color layer.
Step 4: Add Colors
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Step 5: Color the Background
Add a background layer below your Base Color and Lighting layer and fill it in with the background color. Use a black brush to create your owl’s shadow and reduce the opacity to preference. Use multiple shade tones to give your shadow depth.
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December is the month everyone is preparing for the holidays in one way or another. It’s the ideal time to work your hands at creating your own mementos, gifts, or holiday cards. With so many gifts to buy, it’s also a great way to go easy on the pocket. For originality, creativity, and style, use the PicsArt Photo Studio to make a gorgeous, and professional-looking holiday card to send virtually to your friends and family. It’s simple, it’s classy, and it’s a thoughtful gesture everyone will love.
MAKE YOUR
HOLIDAYCARD WITH
PICSART
TUTORIAL : Design
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CHOOSE A PHOTO
Open PicsArt and go into Photo to
choose your holiday picture from
your gallery.
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CROP AND ADD FRAMECrop your photo as desired and click Frame to choose a holiday themed frame for your card.
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ADD CLIPARTClick Clipart to add festive elements to your card.
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CREATE BACKGROUNDAdd Snowflake clipart and change
them to Lighten blending mode to
create a very subtle background
of snowflakes.
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ADD AN EFFECTClick Effect and choose an effect, for example, the Cinerama effect, to add the final touch to your holiday card.
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INSPIRATION : Drawing
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THE BRILLIANT CHARACTER DRAWINGS OF LAZERFANGZ
The PicsArt community is home to many unique drawing talents, and when you come across users like LazerFangz (@chazdawn), it’s a fun and exciting experience to start flipping through the stacks of art that they have piled up.
LazerFangz is a character artist, meaning she doesn’t just draw people, she gives them a style and personality of their own. Each drawing feels like an introduction to a new character from her world. It seems like each one has clues drawn into their composure that make us feel like we have an idea of what they might be like if we bumped into them on a street corner.
LazerFangz uses the PicsArt app to create her work. You could call her drawing style urban or even anime, because of the style, edgy attitude, and graffiti look that seems to crop up in her drawings.
We think that there is an inner comic book artist in her as well, since any of these drawings could be a momentfrom a story.
Is there a character artist in you? When you see her art, it kind of makes you want to give it a try for yourself. What would your universe look like?
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MEANDERING IN THE HAZEOne of the recent trends in photography is a throwback to the 1970s, when everything from album covers, film posters, and fashion spreads used haze in various creative ways. The haze effect added a lighter, more glamourous element to photography, symbolically making a break from the more social documentary and psychedelic style of the 60s.
Many photographers have recently rediscovered haze as a tool in adding unique textures and depth to their work. The color palette used with haze photography is more muted, lending itself to a radiant, glowing quality. This creates a mix between reality and an other-worldly, whimsical mood.
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The use of haze lends itself to many different uses, from a general filter, to more sophisticated combinations in collages. Speaking of sophisticated, that seems to be the crowd that appreciated and utilizes haze in their work--folks whose tastes call for a more complex, playful, and artful mix in photo compositions.
PicsArt has a dynamic range of texture masks that will add haze effect to your images. These images highlight how striking and potent the use of textures can be.
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INERVIEW
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At the ripe age of 24, when most photographers are still banging on the door of opportunity, Kait Robinson has already shot herself into the front row of Fashion’s rising stars.
In a genre where too many photographers bend over backwards to turn people into wax sculptures, Kait’s photos glow with emotional life. We get the sense that these are not just beautiful bodies in beautiful clothes, but people with conflicts who are not always in control of the moment, even if the lighting, set design, and color pallette are pitch-perfect.
In that sense, her shots recall classic films, pristinely dressed and elegantly mannered people, with personal struggles that are as messy as everyone else’s. It’s still fashion, but that part is woven into something greater, a story in a shot.
Whether it’s a couple in a car who can’t look at each other, or a woman toying anxiously with her bracelet on a motel bed with a man’s shadow darkening the wall behind her, these photos always have something deeper going on than what we see at the surface.
We interviewed Kait to find out how she does it.
Interview with Kait Robinson
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How did you get interested in Fashion photography?
Growing up, I had always appreciated and admired photography as a medium. I began taking darkroom photography classes while I was in high school, with no specific focus really. And around the same time, I really started to fall in love with fashion. Next thing I knew, my-once-flower-macro-shots
had turned into (amateur) fashion shoots complete with hair and make-up.
It wasn’t until I was a sophomore in college studying Advertising and Public Relations that I realized photography was the path I wanted to go. Shortly after, I moved to NYC to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, where I just recently graduated with a BFA in Photography.
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Is there a particular look or feel in photography you gravitate towards?
I typically am intrigued by anything that’s very moody or appears to have some kind of story. Alex Prager, for example, is a huge inspiration for me.
I don’t like when the subjects are too posed. I want it to look effortless and natural yet still have direction. It’s interesting that I recently realized that a good amount of my photographs don’t have eye contact. I suppose I enjoy the almost photographer-isn’t-there kind of feeling.
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What was your most memorable shoot and why was it so memorable?
My most memorable shoot would have to be my ‘Motel Blues’ series. Not only was it the biggest shoot I had produced, but because at the time, I remember feeling like the final product was a true representation of my style in every sense of the form- lighting, composition, mood, etc.
I have an affinity for anything retro or vintage, as well as photography that has a story behind the photographs. I had envisioned this specific project for a while and it was inspiring and self-satisfying making it come to life.
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In what ways do you “direct” the performance of your models?
I get this question a lot, and though it seems like a typical answer, I simply try to make the person feel as comfortable as possible. And I’m talking about from the moment they enter through the door.
When the time comes to shoot, it makes both of our jobs much easier because we’ve already “broken the ice” in a way. I don’t particularly like fashion shots that are obviously pose-y, so making the subject comfortable lends itself to that casual, cool vibe which I much prefer.
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You’re shooting at such a high level, that it is easy to forget you are just 24 years old. To what do you attribute your early success?
When I was around 16 years old and just getting into photography, a family member gave me a book on the basics. I read it front to back probably 6 times in a week span. I think having both an appreciation for the technicality as well as the aesthetics really pushed me to want to photograph.
This might not be the same for every photographer, but I truly loved learning how a camera functioned. So at a young age, I had for the most part learned a great deal about how to properly take a photograph, which allowed me to then focus on concepts and all the visual aspects later on.
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franz xavier’s VIEW FROM THE NORTH POLE
FEATURE : Photo
During the month of December, “The North Pole” becomes synonymous with thoughts and musings of Santa’s hidden home, the occasional reindeer strolling around in the snow, and perhaps the Polar Express making a much-awaited stop. The association of this fascinating and dynamic geographic location with the fantastical often overpowers our tendency to envision the reality.
PicsArtist franz xavier (@a-lexi) lets his travel experiences guide his photography and in doing so, he gives us a unique glimpse into a reality that is far from the everyday eye: a glimpse that became December’s Photo of the Month on PicsArt.
Franz xiavier’s shot is of a lonesome polar bear looking ahead, surrounded by snow and Atlantic waters. It doesn’t have a title, but it does have a satisfying simplicity that comes with the wild nature it has captured. It is a breath of the reality that prevails in the North Pole.
This photo conveys isolation, in a place away from most of our attention and appreciation, where winter wonderland is the forecast all year long.
Although we are more aware of the world we live in thanks to technology, there are still corners of the world that don’t receive the attention they deserve, making this photo a truly rare find.
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Moscow is a goliath of eccentric sights, where you’ll find yourself walking through a labyrinth of wonderously shaped castles, historic museums, ultra-grand plazas, and a ceaseless rhythm of daily life.
Moscow is full of surprises. Its history reaches back a thousand years, and it remains the hub for an entire Eurasian region, overflowing with life and culture in a
way few places can match. Life in Moscow is fast-paced, and the list of things to see and do can easily grow faster than you can check items off.
Thanks to our PicsArt users, however, we can show you 7 of Moscow’s most timeless sights to offer up a small glimpse into this enigmatic Russian capital.
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MOSCOW: DISCOVER RUSSIA’S GRAND
CAPITAL WITH 7
UNFORGETTABLE SIGHTS
@blastococcus
FEATURE : Destination
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RED SQUAREWelcome to Red Square, the grand heart of Moscow. Below you can see the view of Red Square from St. Basil’s Cathedral, the amazing building with the meringue-shaped towers.
There are many cultural treasures you can find in this sprawling square. The bright red State Historical Museum is at the far end, alongside the iconic Resurrection Gate and Chapel, which
lead to the historic merchant quarter, known as Kitai-gorod (Chinatown). To the left, you can see some of the towers of the Kremlin, Moscow’s former royal citadel, which runs along the entire left side of the square, with only Vladimir Lenin’s Mausoleum to keep it company. To your right is GUM (literally translated as Government-owned Universal Store), which currently is a huge western-style shopping mall. You won’t find a better starting point for your journey through the grand capital of the Russia.
@romanov23
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MOSCOW RIVERA great way to take in Moscow on a large scale, all at once, is by soaking it in from across either bank of the Moscow River, or from a boat on the water itself, if the river isn’t frozen solid. This waterway meanders through the city center, passing before some of the city’s most
historic sights. Cathedrals, castles, museums, and opulent layer cake houses will drift by you, letting you admire them one by one as you pass. See the city lit up at night in @fotomika’s shot below, captured from the very center of the river.
@fotomika
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GUM shopping mall is a historical building that extends along the entire North side of Red Square. If you have to get some shopping done, GUM has 200 department stores with top brands from Russia and around the world, packed into a gorgeous structure. Built in 1893, GUM combines Russian Medieval architecture with steel beams and a glass roof. It’s often wildly decorated for various seasons, making it a magical place to see.
GUM SHOPPING MALL
@leiaku
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BOLSHOI THEATERIf you have a taste for high culture, Russian ballet is famous the world over, and the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow is where Russia’s greatest performers can be found.
The Bolshoi Ballet Company is by far the world’s biggest, with more than 200 dancers. The theater was built in imperial times and was recently renovated to get it back to its pre-Soviet form. Whether you’re going to a ballet or to an opera, this is a world-class standard for music lovers everywhere. Attend any performance at the Bolshoi Theater and you will surely get a taste of Russian ballet. @wiwh
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NOVODEVICHY CONVENTThe enormous Novodevichy Convent is so special to Moscow that it was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This enormous fortress, filled with cathedrals, churches, and residences, was started in the 1500s and has remained intact since the 17th century.
Smolensk Cathedral is the oldest and most imposing structure in the Convent, with great silver and golden domes on the outside and 16th-century frescoes on the inside. These castle walls are magical any time of year, surrounded by green pastures in the summer and slopes of snow in the winter.
@yanandersen
102 | PicsArt Monthly
Also known by the acronym VDNKh, the All-Russia Exhibition Center is a permanent trade show, with world’s fair-type pavilions and museums dedicated to national achievements like the Atomic Energy Pavillion and the Cosmonautics Museum.
You’ll probably be most interested in the beautiful statues, parks, and fountains, and of course, Moscow 850, Europe’s second-tallest ferris wheel.
ALL-RUSSIA EXHIBITION CENTER
@tanya12300
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STATE TRETYAKOV GALLERY
The State Tretyakov Gallery is the foremost depository of Russian fine art in the world, with big names like Chagall and Kandinsky gracing its
walls alongside medieval icons. It’s the entire history of Russian art in a single place, on the south side of the Moscow River.
@sabrinarain
104 | PicsArt Monthly
What you need:
Large and small display boardsPencilScissorsSpray paint (green), paint (red)Glue or tapeClothespinsHoliday pictures
Happy Crafting and Happy Holidays!
Christmas Poster Polaroid Frame DIY
Christmas Poster Polaroid Frame DIY
FEATURE : Tips & Tricks
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Draw a template for a polaroid photo frame on your
large display board. Trace a Christmas tree in the frame,
and trace “Merry Christmas” (or any other holiday message)
on the bottom of your giant polaroid. Cut out the area inside
of the frame surrounding your
tree outline. Spray paint your polaroid green.
Paint your holiday wish on the
bottom in red.
Attach your holiday photos with the clothespins and glue on snowflakes for a winter wonderland effect.You can also spray paint your clothespins or add glitter for a more festive touch.
Happy Crafting and Happy Holidays!
106 | PicsArt Monthly
PICSARTIST OF THE MONTH MARIO LISI’S ECCENTRIC PHOTOS PicsArtist of the Month Mario Lisi (@mariolisi) has gotten more and more attention for his unique photography. The images he puts out beautifully capture the world as he sees it, from photography on the streets of Italy, to stunning shots of his pets, to double exposures that fuse different meaningful images together.
Whether he’s shooting a spooky shadow or the elegant profile of a contented face, his photos always promise something special, an unusual visual choice, or a close-up of a moment or particular emotion.
FEATURE : Artist
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