Dylan Merlos — amazing photo manipulation in 3 hours

© Dylan Merlos
Photographer and digital artist from Switzerland Dylan Merlos travels, runs marathons, makes photos and amazing collages.
— Some months ago on your Instagram page there start to appear incredible and fabulous photo collages that catch imagination, but before this time there were just great pictures of nature. Tell us, when did you feel that you want and ready to make such photos?
— The Photomontage has always been a hobby and I’ve always been studying it on my own. While I was studying IT (8 years ago), I was earning a bit of money by working for night club (Do some flyers, drink menu, picture and photomontage for some DJs). The graphic artwork has always been a passion of mine.
Now 3 years ago, I started amateur photography and I created an Instagram account to share all my works. My goal was (and are) always to be as innovative as possible, always trying to do a unique picture. The photomontage allows us to roll away from the real-world and enable us to be more original. Is that thing I like. This is why I decided some time ago to go back in this creative and fantasy universe.
© Dylan Merlos
© Dylan Merlos
© Dylan Merlos
— In every post where you show already finished work, you add video with the process how you make it. So how many hours or days do you need to make one of your image?
— Just mounting an image can take me 3 hours. It’s all depends of the details and the montage to do. But before starting this, I am looking for fresh ideas and attach great importance to the original photo that will use for the artwork. I may go many times on places to take the perfect shot.
— Watching your video, it is not hard to understand that you have good skills on Photoshop. Where did you develop it?
— Like I said before, I have all learn it on my own through YouTube videos and by buying some design magazines. Over the years, creation after creation I have acquired extensive knowledge and I am always continuing learning new skills.
— Do you make sketches / ideas for your collages beforehead? How do you do it? And where do you get your inspiration?
— No, I don’t always have sketches, just a conductive line and an idea to follow. Sometimes in the middle of a creation I can change the all thing for a better composition. It’s not an exact science. To be inspired I am surfing a lot on different Instagram account and illustration website. Watching films, series and music videos is also a source of inspiration. Sometimes when I see something that I very like, I try to do it on my own with my personal touch.
© Dylan Merlos
© Dylan Merlos
— Where do you get photos which you make the whole picture?
— For the most part of the photomontages, I take it form a free stock of images. But now I am trying more and more to combine this images with my own shot.
— Whom of the modern digital artists inspire you? Whom do you follow?
— Jordan Taylor Wright is definitely my favorite digital artist. It’s a photographer, videographer and editor with his own brand “Taylor Cut Films”. Go watch his incredible work.
© Dylan Merlos
© Dylan Merlos
— Tell us about your hobbies and how do you spend your free time.
— One of my hobbies is of course the photography and the digital creation. But I spend the most part of my free time to do sport. I am a member of an athletic club where I am running the 800m. Watch films and series it is also a hobby.
— You live in Switzerland. Tell 3 things that you like in your country.
— Switzerland is a wonderful country, we have so many amazing landscape with lakes, mountains, campaign and great city. It offering a diverse playground for photograph and there is always something to see or do. Second thing is cheese Fondue! What a great meal when the weather is cold. And thirdly, is the daily lives despite some difficulties it is very great and acceptable.
© Dylan Merlos
© Dylan Merlos
© Dylan Merlos
— Have you ever been to Ukraine? Would you like to make exhibition in our country?
— Not yet, but as I love to travel all around the world, I have to come one day.
— What blogs or YouTube channels can you recommend to watch for novice artists?
Alex Koshelkov is amazing digital creator who post impressive speed art with Photoshop. Go check is channel YouTube. A great blog to keep up to date or learn new skills with graphic design and illustration content: design.tutsplus.com.