Next Level Digital Artistry

Next Level Digital Artistry

Author: Steve Brazill August 30, 2018 Duration: 30:39

When Frederick Van Johnson first introduced me to the work of Gilmar Smith I knew I had to chat with her. Gilmar (pronounced Hil-marrr) is a photographer and Photoshop artist specializing in creative portraiture. While she does create her art with various subjects, the photo in the gallery below of the man walking the phones is of my recent guest Kirk Marsh, she often includes much more familiar subjects in her work – herself and her children.

Her style is colorful, energetic and humorous, and when she’s not photographing or editing, you can find her writing content for various websites and magazines.

Once I started researching her it became very clear, very quickly, Gilmar is a creative person with an amazing attitude. Her guest blog post for Scott Kelby, from back in 2014, really shows it best. I love this quote, so true:

“Working in a positive creative environment is extremely important to me.  I’ve been contacted several times to collaborate with different kind of artists and when I see their posts on social media I just get completely turned off by erratic behavior. It doesn’t matter how good somebody’s work is, a bad attitude can easily screw up a deal.”

Her more recent appearance on Scott’s blog is an amazing story about her journey through finding herself and her wrist inside. A story about being nice, and finding your tribe. I am excited for this show.

Join digital artist Gilmar Smith and me as we take a deep dive into her image Master Chef Kids, an image of her kids cooking with fire, on this episode of Behind the Shot.

Connect with Gilmar

Portfolio: gilmarphotography.com
Facebook: @gilmarsmithphotography
Instagram: @gilmarsmith
Twitter: @gilmarmsmith

Gilmar Online

Scott Kelby’s Guest Blog (2014)
Scott Kelby’s Guest Blog (2018)
DYI Photography Interview
TWiP Interview – Personal Growth with Photography
TWiP Show – Clowning Around with Photoshop

Photoshop Tools Mentioned in the Show

Infinite Color Panel


Steve Brazill hosts Behind the Shot-Video, a series that goes far beyond gear lists and camera settings. Each conversation is a deep exploration of the creative and technical journey behind compelling images. You’ll hear working photographers unpack the entire process-from the initial spark of an idea and the challenges of the location to the critical decisions made in post-production. This podcast sits at the unique intersection of art and practical technology, offering tangible lessons for anyone looking to improve their visual storytelling. Rather than abstract theory, these discussions provide a real-world look at problem-solving under pressure and the artistic choices that define a signature style. Tune in for honest, detailed breakdowns that reveal how memorable shots are truly built, layer by layer. It’s an essential resource for visual artists seeking both inspiration and actionable knowledge, all grounded in the lived experience of accomplished creators.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 200

Behind the Shot - Video
Podcast Episodes
Help Your Photos Take Flight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:05
I have to admit, I am at a loss for words – something my family would be happy about, but something that’s not great in this situation. This is a “pinch me” situation for me. I first heard of Scott Bourne on Leo Laporte’…
An Oregon Coast Photography Road Trip [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:54
I have had to describe Rick Sammon to people on a number of occasions, and it seems to get progressively harder the more I get to know him. This will Rick’s forth time on Behind the Shot, which is more than any other gue…
Retouch Artistry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:26
I’ve been doing Behind the Shot for a few years now, and I am constantly being introduced to artists that just blow be away. Kelly Robitaille is one of those artists. After my recent “Pixel Alchemy” show with Renee Robyn…
Elevate Your Drone Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:20
I first met Colin Smith a few years ago at WPPI in Las Vegas. We were both at an after hours party and starting about podcasting and YouTube. Colin’s PhotoshopCAFE page has over 143,000 subscribers that watch his Photosh…
Water Droplet Refractions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:21
On this episode it’s the return of one of my most popular guests, Don Komarechka. Don is a nature, macro and landscape photographer from in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, and this will be his third appearance on Behind the Sho…
Pixel Alchemy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
I can’t believe this is actually happening. Renee Robyn is finally on Behind the Shot. Since most people already know who Renee is, I could probably stop here and call a day. I wouldn’t need to write anything long, or de…
WPPI 2019 Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:01
Last week in Las Vegas was WPPI 2019, and I had the chance to check out some new software, some new hardware, and to make some new friends. If you have never been to WPPI, it’s a conference in Las Vegas focusing on Weddi…
Storytelling & Street Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:22
Marco Larousse is a fine art, street, and documentary photographer based out of Hamburg, Germany. With over 30 years of experience his work encompasses the subtle touch only a a seasoned pro can capture, and I find a com…
Photography In The Abstract [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:28
This is our second of a continuing series in conjunction with Red River Paper. Red River Paper’s Education program helps photography students by providing high quality photo papers to photography education programs aroun…
Classic Portraits & Classic Lighting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:21
When I first saw Ian Spanier’s portfolio I immediately noticed one thing… he has a complete understanding of light. Ian began taking photographs at six years old, and that early start lead him to majoring in photography…