Bending Reality – The Works of Photo “Retouch” Artist Erik Johansson

There are many types of art… so many, in fact, that I’m not going to go through the entire list. Suffice to say that some types of visual art look realistic, and others less so. There’s also a type of art that transcends both into the world of the surreal. A world where fish are islands, bed sheets are sweeping frozen landscapes, and people can row boats across grass fields. That’s where photo retouch artist Erik Johansson comes in.

If you’re a lover of photography, but find that the real world just isn’t strange enough, then I think that you’re really going to enjoy this collection of photo manipulations. Through great photography, and hundreds upon hundreds of layers of editing and tweaking, Erik Johansson has created a world that’s familiar, and yet strikingly different.

Master Retouch Artist, Erik Johansson

I don’t know whether it’s the beautiful landscapes, the inspiring metro system, or something they put in the water, but the Swedes are a talented bunch, and Erik is no exception. Join me now on a photo adventure of awesomeness, and let’s meet up on the other side.

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Sorry to interrupt, but my childish side just had to jump in here… imagine, if you will, that instead of this fellows knees raising the sheets… yeah, I went there. Might be a bit chilly for that, though.

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I think this might just be my favorite of the bunch. It’s pretty brilliant if you ask me, especially the sun shining through the picture frame. It’s a nice little touch that really helps drive home the “portal to another world” motif.

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Pretty neat, huh? I know this is a bit cliche, but they’re so well done that they almost look real – a testament to Erik Johansson’s incredible skill with both photography and Photoshop.

Finding Erik Johansson

So, here’s the deal… this is actually only a handful of Erik’s total collection. The master photo retouch artist has created a metric shit-ton of these photo manipulations, and you know what the best part is? You can view them all on his website, and even order prints. If you ask me, this stuff is way better than some stuffy painting that cost you thousands.

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Chad

Chad is the co-founder of Unfinished Man, a leading men's lifestyle site. He provides straightforward advice on fashion, tech, and relationships based on his own experiences and product tests. Chad's relaxed flair makes him the site's accessible expert for savvy young professionals seeking trustworthy recommendations on living well.

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