Here are 36 excellent photo manipulation artists and their work. [Note: ExpertPhotography is supported by readers. Product links on ExpertPhotography are referral links. If you use one of these and buy something, we make a little bit of money. Need more info? See how it all works here.]
Photo Manipulation Artists You Should Follow
Let’s dive into our list of favourite photo manipulation artists. Following digital manipulation artists will inspire you. And it’s a great way to get more familiar with the genre.
36. Anna Maghradze
A post shared by annamag (@anna_maghradze) Anna Maghradze is a digital collage artist with a loyal fan base. She is simplistic in her approach and never uses more than two or three photos for her collages. In doing so, her preference is to let the message of her work do the talking. Anna’s artwork is surreal yet emotionally engaging, exploring themes of isolation and loneliness. She uses her compositions to portray her dreams, hopes, and fears as a Photoshop technician of great skill with an eye for narrative-focused image creation.
35. Rosie Hardy
Rosie Hardy is popular in the photo manipulation community. She frequently takes self-portraits in dreamy settings. Her images are conceptual. She often focuses on themes like social media, loneliness, and inspiration. A post shared by Rosie Hardy 🌿 (@georgiarosehardy) on Oct 22, 2019 at 9:29am PDT Rosie is an expert at creating realistic worlds. She can make the most unusual props look very real thanks to her expert skills. The most impressive part? She uses a free photo editing program called GIMP to edit many of her images.
34. Nicholas Scarpinato
Nicholas Scarpinato is a fine art photographer. He often takes images of himself, other people, and objects in surreal locations. His photo manipulations often feature unusual colors and compositions. A post shared by Nicholas Scarpinato (@nicholasscarpinato) on Feb 18, 2020 at 10:46am PST Nicholas shoots digital photography, but many of his photos look like they were shot on film. This nostalgic quality has attracted over 50,000 people to his Instagram page alone.
33. Melania Brescia
Melania Brescia is a fearless photo manipulation expert. She’s also a self-portrait photographer who specialises in conceptual work. A post shared by Melania Brescia (@melaniabrescia) on Mar 21, 2019 at 2:21pm PDT Melanie’s work is dark and ethereal at the same time. She’s not afraid to experiment with all kinds of colors, compositions, and angles.
32. Marcus Møller Bitsch
Marcus Møller Bitsch is an editorial, commercial, and conceptual photographer. His photo manipulation skills are unbelievable. He also creates moving images and animations. A post shared by marcus møller bitsch (@marcus_mb) on Nov 26, 2018 at 1:08pm PST Marcus’ images are both thought-provoking and quirky. Even his still-life commercial images have personality. His portfolio doesn’t disappoint.
31. Kylli Sparre
Kylli Sparre, also known as Sparrek, is a fine art photographer with a powerful gallery. A post shared by Sparrek (@kylli_sparre) on Jan 30, 2020 at 3:23pm PST Her background inspires Kylli’s work in dance. Because of this, she often takes photos of women dancing elegantly. No matter how unreal her photo manipulations are, Kylli always manages to make them look real.
30. Daniel Serva
Daniel Serva is a surreal photographer with a vibrant portfolio. His photo manipulation portfolio is full of meaningful details. A post shared by Daniel Serva (@daniel_serva) on Mar 22, 2020 at 9:20am PDT He often starts with a self-portrait. He then uses different elements to turn it into a thought-provoking work of art. Daniel often shares behind-the-scenes photo manipulation videos with his followers. He enjoys planning his photoshoots and taking spontaneous pictures at the same time.
29. Jared Tyler
Jared Tyler is a conceptual photographer. He often focuses on themes like love, identity, and heartbreak. He achieves this by using smoke, butterflies, illustrations, and water. Jared’s expert photo editing skills allow him to create relatable art. His images capture feelings that we’ve all felt at some point in our lives. A post shared by Lívia Reis (@liv.maria92) on Nov 23, 2019 at 5:06am PST Jared’s photo manipulation work is both dark and hopeful. He adds to the emotion in his work by accompanying his photos with meaningful quotes and song lyrics.
28. Gonzaga Manso
Gonzaga Manso is a photographer and director. His photography manipulation look like surreal paintings from another world. What makes them stand out from other images is the lighting. Gonzaga often shoots in low light conditions. This allows him to experiment with all kinds of interesting themes. A post shared by Gonzaga Manso (@gonzagamanso) on Dec 2, 2019 at 1:15am PST Gonzaga is also an award-winning director. His latest film, ADIVINA, has received over 30 awards. His knowledge of cinematography takes his photo manipulation skills to the next level.
27. Leah Johnston
Leah Johnston isn’t only a well-known photographer. She’s also an actor and filmmaker who has won numerous awards for her work. Her images are cinematic, gloomy, and conceptual. A post shared by Leah Johnston (@leahjohnstonfilm) on Jul 25, 2019 at 7:15am PDT On Leah’s website, you’ll find a full-size gallery of self-portraits with descriptions. Leah explains the story behind each photo and how she took it. It’s a great guide for those who want to get better at planning their photoshoots.
26. Martin De Pasquale
Martin De Pasquale’s mind-boggling photo manipulation work is likely to leave you speechless. He aims to make people feel something intense. Some of his photos can be put in the horror category, while others are simply funny. This versatility has given Martin access to a huge fanbase. Martin captures the impossible using his expert editing skills. A post shared by Martin De Pasquale (@martin.de.pasquale) on Jul 28, 2019 at 11:40am PDT
25. Aleah Michele Ford
Aleah Michele Ford is a conceptual and fashion photographer. She often includes enormous insects or mythical creatures in her manipulation photos. In her portfolio, you’ll see giant spiders, mermaids, moths, and more. A post shared by Aleah Michele Ford (@aleah_michele) on Mar 19, 2020 at 11:50am PDT Aleah’s image manipulation work doesn’t look edited or color corrected. This makes her photos look realistic.
24. Platon Yurich
Platon Yurich is a conceptual photographer and filmmaker. Every image in his portfolio focuses on a different theme and composition. He can make simple landscapes stand out thanks to his image manipulation skills. A post shared by PLATON YURICH (@platon_yurich) on Jul 25, 2019 at 2:54am PDT Not all of Platon’s images are edited, though. He knows when to use props and when to rely on his photo manipulation skills to create seemingly impossible scenarios.
23. Robert Cornelius
Robert Cornelius says that he’s hopelessly addicted to Photoshop in his Instagram bio. This addiction has resulted in hundreds of impressive photos. A post shared by Robert Cornelius (@robertcorneliusphotography) on Feb 27, 2018 at 4:49am PST Mythology, fairytales, and cinematography inspire Robert’s images. Many of his photos feature mythical creatures, wild animals, and ethereal landscapes. All of these elements make his images look like perfect digital paintings.
22. Julien Tabet
Julien Tabet transforms photos of wild animals into fantasy-themed art. In his photo manipulation gallery, you’ll find all kinds of wild and wonderful animals. These are the kinds of creatures you’d see in Salvador Dali’s paintings! A post shared by Julien Tabet (@julien.tabet) on Feb 2, 2020 at 9:00am PST Julien’s editing skills will entertain you and inspire you.
21. Brooke Shaden
A fine art photographer, Brooke Shaden often photographs herself. Then she manipulates the image into another world. She describes her work as looking at the juxtaposition of light and dark within people. A post shared by Brooke Shaden | creative soul (@brookeshaden) on Sep 15, 2018 at 7:53am PDT Her images often look like they could have come from a fantasy storybook. Or even off the walls of art museums. She started with minimal gear and resources. And she often continues to use herself as a model for her work. Hailing from Pennsylvania, she’s also an author and speaker. Follow Brooke Shaden on Instagram to glimpse what’s possible in the genre, even if the only model you have available is yourself.
20. Aydın Büyüktaş
Aydın Büyüktaş earned viral fame for his series of mind-bending aerial drone images, Flatlay. The series takes aerial landscapes and folds them away from you. As if the ground could bend like a sheet of paper. He crafts his images using a mix of planning, composites and 3D software. A post shared by Aydın Büyüktaş (@aydinbuyuktas) on Apr 10, 2018 at 1:28am PDT The Flatlay series earned him viral fame. But his earlier work also includes several successful mind-bending series. These question reality and even the laws of gravity. Büyüktaş is a native of Turkey.
19. Bára Prášilová
Bára Prášilová makes the impossible playful. She uses bright, bold colors and unusual photo manipulation ideas. She is a photographer and art director in Prague. And her work has earned numerous awards and gallery exhibitions. A post shared by Bara Prasilova (@bara_prasilova) on Mar 14, 2018 at 6:45am PDT Her work often draws attention to something missing or similarities between unrelated objects. Images often feature women in unusual poses or photo manipulations. Prášilová is also a Hasselblad ambassador.
18. Erik Johansson
According to his biography, Erik Johansson views a photograph as a moment and an idea. He blends and manipulates several images together to create a surreal scene. A post shared by Erik Johansson (@erik.joh) on Sep 30, 2018 at 9:34am PDT Johansson says he aims to make that scene look as realistic as possible. Even when capturing a physically impossible world. From unzipping a road to installing the moon. His work questions reality while creating an impossible yet inspiring scene.
17. Charlie Davoli
Charlie Davoli is a surrealist photographer. He often uses photo manipulation to juxtapose two different ideas. According to his bio, that juxtaposition stems from a move from Singapore to Italy as a child. A post shared by CharlieDavoli (@charlie_davoli) on May 13, 2018 at 12:53pm PDT His former work also inspires his photography art as a musician. His photo manipulation work includes flip-flopping the ground and the sky, blending opposite places into the same scene, or bringing the sky down to earth (or everyday objects up to the sky).
16. Dmitry Rogozhkin
A post shared by Dmitry Rogozhkin (@r7dii) Dimitry Rogozhkin’s work looks like it could have come straight from an apocalyptic Hollywood hit. He often mixes photo manipulation with portraiture. His work is also inspired by a long-time love of drawing and art. His Instagram is an organised grid that deserves a second and a third look. The Russian photographer also travels often and captures his adventures.
15. Jati Putra
Jati Putra isn’t a photographer but a graphic designer. That background helps the Indonesia-based artist create images that make viewers pause to digest what they’re seeing. A post shared by Jati Putra Pratama (@jatiputra) on Dec 13, 2017 at 5:57am PST His work adapts existing images. But it often makes it difficult to tell which way is up or down. Oceans bend at a 90-degree angle, flat landscapes become three sides to a rectangle.
14. Robert Jahns
Robert Jahns (Nois7) may be a photo manipulation artist, but his work is so well done the images look lifelike. Jahns is an art director, photographer, and digital artist. He creates vibrant painterly images using photo manipulation techniques. A post shared by Robert Jahns (@nois7) on May 23, 2018 at 12:20pm PDT While his work often plays with the impossible, he uses the natural world to give a lifelike quality to his art.
13. Anka Zhuravleva
Anka Zhuravela spent her childhood sketching. As an adult, she realised her drawings and paintings were often inspired by photographs. A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Anka Zhuravleva (@anka_zhuravleva_arts) on Nov 4, 2017 at 5:19am PDT After picking up photography, Zhuravelva became a visual artist. She often mixes her art background with her photographs for inspiring photo manipulation images. The Russian artist has been featured in several gallery exhibitions.
12. Eugenio Recuenco
Eugenio Recuenco is a Madrid-born photographer with a painter background. He creates impossible images using more than just digital manipulation. Recuenco creates his own sets. A post shared by Eugenio Recuenco (@eugeniorecuenco_oficial) on Sep 21, 2018 at 4:49am PDT That, mixed with a background in art and inspiration from historical art periods, creates otherworldly images. His latest work makes real people look like part of a museum exhibit.
11. Frieke Janssens
Frieke Janssens is a surreal conceptual photographer. She creates images from photo manipulation and composing and elaborately planned sets and props. A post shared by FRIEKE JANSSENS (@friekejanssens_photography) on Mar 23, 2017 at 6:43am PDT The Belgian photographer studied drawing and painting. Her work is often controversial, tackling tough subjects. But it’s that controversy that makes her work so memorable.
10. Lara Zankoul
A post shared by Lara Zankoul (@larazankoul) Lara Zankoul is a self-taught photographer. She learned to experiment — a skill that’s still integral to her work. Even now, after several international galleries. According to her biography, Zankoul aims to capture issues in society and everyday behaviour. But also to allow the viewer to draw their own conclusions. Her work is striking and versatile. She follows a series of white with a series of vibrant, colorful images with strong lines and patterns.
9. Tommy Ingberg
Tommy Inberg had always enjoyed photography. But he went to college and started a career as a computer programmer before he started using photography as a therapy. A post shared by Tommy Ingberg (@tommyingberg) on Aug 28, 2018 at 8:26am PDT From there, Inberg mixed his computer background with his passion for photography in fine art. The Swedish photographer uses a series of images to tell a story. He often does it through juxtaposition or by removing something integral.
8. Alberto Seveso
Artist Alberto Seveso’s interest in the CD covers of the 90s sparked a lifelong passion for artwork. An original spark that still shows traces in his work. A post shared by Alberto Seveso (@alberto_seveso) on Oct 26, 2018 at 8:52am PDT Seveso is both a photographer and illustrator. He often mixes the two mediums to create unique, inspiring artwork. He’s also worked with several major brands. These include names familiar to photographers like Adobe, Nikon, and Sony.
7. Ian De Novellis (Unknown i an)
Artist Unknown i an isn’t exactly unknown – he’s Ian De Novellis, a digital artist. Unknown i an haven’t had decades of art experience. But his work encompasses an impressive array of colorful images. A post shared by Unknownian (@unknownian) on Oct 8, 2018 at 11:20pm PDT His work is often an incredible mashup, from a jellyfish carnival ride to a polar bear made from clouds.
6. Kyle J Thompson
An interest in abandoned homes first inspired Kyle Thompson to pick up a camera. This initial inspiration can still be seen in his work today. Much of his work is a self-portrait taken in a forlorn location. While he’s often his own model, his work often hides his face, so it’s easy to imagine anyone in the image. A post shared by Kyle Thompson (@kylejthompson) on Jul 10, 2018 at 3:32pm PDT Not all his images are a result of Photoshop manipulation. But he often uses compositing to create surreal images that feel post-apocalyptic. He also says he only knows the basics for Photoshop composting. His work shows what’s possible even without extensive Photoshop training, if that’s true.
5. Shaun Ryken
Shaun Ryken is a graphic designer based in Ontario. His work, which often looks straight out of a sci-fi movie, has amassed him more than 45,000 fans on Instagram. A post shared by Shaun Ryken | Photoshop Artist (@shaunryken) on Oct 9, 2018 at 2:32pm PDT He says Photoshop helps him escape – and he creates images that help viewers escape into a fantasy world too.
4. Tim El-Helou
A 22-year-old student in Germany. Tim El-Helou’s work shows an impressive understanding of Photoshop techniques. His work often puts something out-of-place, alters scale, or both. A post shared by digital artist – Tim El-Helou (@timhelou) on Sep 28, 2018 at 10:17am PDT The result is often an image that almost looks real until it makes you look twice. El-Helou also shares tips and tricks on mastering photo manipulation on YouTube.
3. Rafy A
Going just by Rafy A, this digital artist is worth following. Not only for the stunning imagery but because he will teach you how to do the same thing with your own work. A post shared by rafy A (@rafya88) on Oct 15, 2018 at 2:51am PDT His Instagram is a feed of fantasy worlds. And his YouTube channel shows just how the image was created.
2. Andhika Zanuar
Another artist that invites fans to see the behind-the-scenes process. Andhika Zanhuar creates fantasy worlds using Photoshop manipulation techniques. A post shared by Andhika Zanuar | Photoshop (@andhikazanuar) on Sep 1, 2018 at 5:05am PDT Besides seeing his work on Instagram, you can see how the image was created on YouTube.
1. Adobe Photoshop
No, Adobe Photoshop isn’t an artist. But what better way to find new, upcoming artists than by following the tool that most of them use? A post shared by Adobe Photoshop (@photoshop) on Sep 17, 2018 at 9:29am PDT Photoshop’s Instagram is full of every type of photo manipulator in every style. It’s a great account to follow if you want photo manipulation examples from many artists.
Conclusion
Photographs most often capture the real world. Seeing a manipulated image makes us pause to think and reconsider how we view the world. Expert photo manipulation artists know that. They spend their time imagining new worlds and creating surreal images. These artists demonstrate what’s possible with a good image, Photoshop, and some imagination. Follow these top Photoshop artists for a steady stream of inspirational edits. Try our Wow Factor Photography course to take amazing photos if you loved these!
