Photo-realistic tattoos: the pros and cons

Even for people who don’t like or are actively against tattooing, photo-realistic tattoos still command respect.

Whereas anyone can tattoo with some basic training, photo-realistic tattoos can only be done by bone fide artists.

So if they’re so amazing, why isn’t ever tattoo a hyper realistic one? We go through the pros and cons here:

Pros of photo-realistic tattoos

First of all, the obvious reason people would choose a photo-realistic tattoo; they look awesome.

Genuinely, a high-quality, hyper-realistic tattoo looks incredible, and can literally catch people’s breath. 

They’re a talking point with people, and usually makes the bearer the centre focal point of a party. 

Because of their detail, they are usually a portrait of a loved one, usually kids, or maybe even someone who’s passed. This also makes them unique, meaning that tattoo isn’t on a flashcard somewhere.

Cons of photo-realistic tattoos

As awesome as they are, photo-realistic tattoos do have their disadvantages.

Firstly, because of the level of detail, they take ages to do. Many sessions are usually required, probably at hours at a time.

Another reason some people might be put off is the price. 

Because they take so long, this is reflected in the final cost, so they are something that need to be thought over before taking the plunge.

As stunning as they are at first, tattoos fade over time, and photo-realistic ones are no different. 

As the body changes and the ink fades, details can go missing, meaning that in a decade from now, the image won’t look anywhere near as good as it first did.

No matter what type of tattoo you’re after, come and chat to us first. Our experienced artists will be happy to have a chat and give you friendly advice.

5 of the best tattoos inspired by album covers

Art is art, and album covers can sometimes bring out the very best in artists. 

Choosing an album cover is important for a band, because getting it right might bring with it iconic status, making the cover more memorable than the actual songs within.

The really memorable ones take on a life of their own, and of course, many people will have them as tattoos.

We’ve picked 5 of our favourites from the internet to you to admire, and of course, all credit goes to the original artists.

Joy Division - Unknown treasures

You’ve probably seen this one on a T-shirt, but having a back piece takes dedication!

Nirvana - In Utero

Not exactly the same as the album cover, but with some additional details, this tattoo smells like teen spirit.

The Beatles - Abbey Road

Possibly the most recognisable album cover of all time, this masterpiece recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, with thousands of people walking across the famous zebra crossing.

The Clash - London Calling

It may not be the most famous album cover of all time, but the Clash’s London Calling photograph might just be the coolest.

David Bowie - Aladdin Sane

We all miss Bowie of course, but for those of us who want to remember him with a tattoo, then there are plenty of options to choose from. The Aladdin Sane cover lends itself to a great minimalist tattoo.

Sunset’s Misery has teamed up with Blunt Umbrellas

Our very own artist Misery has teamed up with the amazing Kiwi Company Blunt Umbrellas to create this beautiful limited edition line of umbrellas. 

Blunt Umbrellas

Blunt are not playing around in the umbrella market. They plan on revolutionising it. Through bold, forward-thinking, they are challenging the status quo and changing the game in the process.

Blunt started when Kiwi engineer Greig Brebner was living in London. Dealing with rainy commutes everyday, Greig noticed how unsafe umbrellas were - being so tall, the spikes often poked him in the eye! He also noticed how umbrellas had become a throwaway commodity, mainly due to poor-quality materials and flimsy, outdated design.

Reinventing the Umbrella

To to save his eyes and reduce the number of broken umbrellas that end up as landfill each year, Greig set out to do something no one had done since 1928 - to re-invent the umbrella. And he began by re-designing the mechanisms.

Going right back to the drawing board, Greig married engineering innovation with no-fuss design styling to create something that exceeded even his own expectations: a ridiculously strong umbrella that could handle seriously wild weather.

After pushing countless prototypes to the limits in wind tunnels and on the blustery hills of Auckland, Greig finally did it. He'd re-invented the umbrella. And it just so happened to become the best umbrella in the world.

Misery in the rain

Sunset’s very own Mama Bear Misery has teamed up with Blunt Umbrellas to create a gorgeous, limited edition range.

"My husband breeds tropical fish, and for the past year our studio has been shared with quite a few aquariums, which is lovely to be surrounded by, and has definitely had some influence in creating this work. I wanted the design to be watery and dreamy but also quite graphic with eye-popping colour so it would really be noticed when coming down the street."

If you would like one the best umbrellas in the world, with a design from one of New Zealand’s top artists, then head on over to www.bluntumbrellas.co.nz to score one !

Ten of the best movie tattoos

Today sees the New Zealand International Film Festival kick off, a celebration of film on the finest screens in Aotearoa.

Now in its 51st year, the festival showcases over 150 different features in Auckland and Wellington over 2 weeks, with a further programme travelling around a dozen other towns around the country.

We all love a good movie, so to celebrate the festival, we’ve scoured the internet for 10 of the best movie tattoos we could find to inspire you to pay us a visit!

Monty Python

While there are plenty of iconic moments to choose from when it comes to Monty Python, the black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail has got to be the best!

The Crow

Brandon Lee tragically died on the set of this movie, making this tattoo even darker.

Toy Story

Why get a single small tattoo of your favourite character when you can get the entire cast done!

Pulp Fiction

Certainly Tarintino’s best movie, and arguably the best movie of the 90s, Pulp Fiction was that rare mix of critically acclaimed, a blockbuster, and a cult movie.

A clockwork orange

Stanley Kubrick’s movie version of Anthony Burgess's novel drew criticism from pretty much everyone when it was first released, resulting in a ban in the UK until the director’s death.

Harry Potter

No list of movie tattoos would be complete without a Harry Potter addition! This gorgeous Deathly Hallows tattoo is an elaborate version which would fit in with any Victorian jewellery box!

Back to the Future

Yep, we know what you’re all thinking - we’re well past 2015, so where’s our hoverboards?

Reservoir Dogs

Back to Tarantino again and his Directorial debut is one of his most iconic. The shot of the bank robbers walking along after planning their heist is burned into the memory of every art student from the 90s!

Alien Vs Predator

Two great movie franchises meet in the Alien Vs Predator series, but this mash up with Disney’s The Fox and the Hound is too cute!

Batman: The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker won him an much-deserved Oscar for 2008’s Batman sequel, but unfortunately, as we all know, he never lived to see it.

On the fridge or on your arm? Kids drawings and tattoos

The latest trend has hit the tattoo industry and it’s adorable.

More and more parents are getting their kids artwork tattooed on their bodies as a way to keep those memories forever.

From adorable love notes to questionable portraits and crude stick figures, it doesn’t matter. In the eyes of these devoted parents, these are masterpieces that deserve to be frozen in time.

Twitter has hundreds of examples, including the awesome one below:

Even celebrities are doing it! This is David Beckham’s one from his daughter Harper:

And, of course, it’s not just for parents. Cool Aunties and Uncles can get in on the act too!

So if you would like something deeply personal and not just your average run-of-the-mill ink, get your kid to draw your next tattoo… and who knows, maybe one day they’ll work here at Sunset!