Digital Photography and Imaging | Project 1
29.08.2022 - 26.09.2022 | Week 1 - Week 5
Yap Sze Ying | 0349172
Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) Digital Media Production
Digital Photography and Imaging | Project 1
Quick Links
1. Lecture
- Week 1: Introduction and Briefing
- Week 2: Introduction to Composition
- Week 3: Introduction to Photoshop
2. Project 1
Lecture
Week 1: Introduction and Briefing
To start off, Mr Martin introduced the class and covered two simple but crucial topics. Besides, Mr Martin briefed us on the assignment projects and gave us some camera and tripod recommendations for our Digital Photography & Imaging journey. He then showed us the collages created by previous students in order to help us understand this module in depth.
The Importance of Photoshop
- Expression of one's creativity
- Creation of graphic design
- Restoration of old images
- Artistic integration of graphics with text
- Making use of brushes
- Change of a photo's colour
- Rectify mistakes in photographs
Top 10 Tips of a Successful Graphic Designer
- Follow the tutorials
- Experiment
- Memorize all keyboard shortcuts
- Try to replicate other's work
- Participate in design competitions
- Subscribe to online galleries
- Smart objects for smart designers
- Scaling artwork & proportions
- Use actions to personalise work
- Organise the files properly
Week 2: Introduction to Composition
Mr Martin shared with us the basic composition, the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, and composition (framing & cropping) during this lecture.
Introduction to Composition
- Focal Point: Allows viewers' eyes to naturally settle on the important pieces of design
- Scale & Hierarchy: Helps communicate hierarchy by drawing attention toward and away from certain elements, thus signifying their importance to the communication
- Balancing the Elements: Thinking that each element has 'weight' to it when mastering asymmetrical balance. Smaller objects might 'weigh' less than larger objects, and heavily textured elements might 'weigh' more than flatly coloured elements
- White Space: Known as 'empty space'. Balances up the main focus of composition. Helps boost design's clarity & allows it to breathe
Rule of Thirds
- Dividing an image into thirds
- Position important elements at the intersection points = produces a more natural image
- Rule of Thirds is used to compose to be naturally pleasing to the eye as they are in line, creatively use negative space as well as creating a conversation between the subject and background
Golden Ratio
- A mathematical ratio
- Fosters organic & natural-looking compositions
- Creates harmony & proportion
- Provides a sense of artistry
- Determines dimensions of a layout
- Dimensions: 1:1.618
Framing & Cropping
- Single shot
- Two -Five shot
- Crowd shot
- Over the shoulder (OTS)
- Point of view (POV)
- Insert shot
Week 3: Introduction to Photoshop
Mr Martin introduced us to the basics of Adobe Photoshop during this lecture. He started by explaining the importance of using layers when editing. It consists of several images stacked on top of one another. Adjustments can be made to each layer without affecting another, and they form one final image when all the layers are combined.
- For non-destructive editing
- Never destroy the original image
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| Figure 3.1 Layers (16th Sep 2022) |
The Adobe Photoshop toolbox was then showed to us. It provides several tool sets in the toolbox which can expand the tool sets to reveal additional tools.
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| Figure 3.2 Toolbox (16th Sep 2022) |
He then showcased the Marquee selection tools (select & mask) which would come in handy in the future.
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| Figure 3.3 Marquee Selection Tools (16th Sep 2022) |
Then, Mr Martin explained to us with the lasso tool. It basically allows one to draw and pinpoint specific areas of a document. It's works great with a graphic tablet as it allows for a better flow when drawing and making selections. Below are three different tool options:
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| Figure 3.4 Lasso Tool (16th Sep 2022) |
Mr Martin then explained with the pen tool. It's the most common option when creating a path from scratch. Using it, one can add points and the way the tool is dragged when creating points determines the look. It's to note that the fewer points, the smoother the path will be. It can create extremely precise shapes & paths. However, it was not natively made as a 'selection tool'.
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| Figure 3.5 Pen Tool (16th Sep 2022) |
We were instructed to take three photo of collage pre-composition. Composition is the term used to describe the arrangement of the visual elements. A collage can aid in determining the colour palette of the product ideas and concepts. Besides, collages are very suitable to present a particular atmosphere or context that you want to capture in the form of the new design ideas and concepts.
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| Figure 1.1 Composition #01 (2rd Sep 2022) |
'This was my first pre-composition. I wanted to show the concept of art and hence I used the same tone of colour to create a retro theme of pre-composition. I placed the red car and the subject in the middle of the composition to ensure they were the central focus, and I placed several text elements and artworks to accentuate them.'
Composition 02:
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| Figure 1.2 Composition #02 (2rd Sep 2022) |
'In my second pre-composition, I used the same concept as in my first composition but I used different elements to create a retro theme. I placed more vibrant and complex graphics to it, giving it more intriguing appearance. However, it turns out to look rather colourful but it doesn't take on to the retro theme.'
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| Figure 1.3 Composition #03 (2rd Sep 2022) |
'I choose to experiment with another retro theme style in my third pre-composition. I tried to incorporate a figure which was a dancing girl into the composition and applied a variety of graphic and text elements to emphasise the girl. However, I found it was very complicated and I struggled to decide where items should go.'
We were instructed to create three different digital collages from the images downloaded. With that, I begin working on the collages in Adobe Photoshop.
Composition 01:
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| Figure 2.1 Composition #01 (9th Sep 2022) |
'In my first composition, I attempted to use the most of the images provided to create an interesting, yet complex composition. In order to make the shark the composition's focal point, I positioned it in the centre. Besides that, I incorporated each elements both and kept them inverted to make the shark stand out in this composition.'
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| Figure 2.2 Composition #02 (9th Sep 2022) |
'Compared to the previous composition, I decided to remove a few elements for the second composition. I added the texture background to provide some visual intrigue. In order to fill in more empty space in this composition, I arranged the elements and increased the sizes between them. However, it appears empty and rigid.'
Composition 03:
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| Figure 2.3 Composition #03 (9th Sep 2022) |
'I wasn't sure what kinds of concepts I wanted to do in my third composition. Therefore, I just placed the elements provided into this composition and make arrangement between them, especially the composition's colour contrast is brighter at the top and darker at the bottom. But it appears too colourful and complex.'
Following the tutorial & practical tasks that given to us in this week, we're tasked to use the same steps we learnt from the lesson and digitally insert ourselves in a given image of Heart Mansion. We're required to take a photo using the right lighting techniques & applied suitable colour correction to complete this task.
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| Figure 3.1 Given picture of Hearst Mansion & Picture of myself (16th Sep 2022) |
To begin, I remove the background from myself using quick selection tool and mask the selection afterwards. Then, I positioned the isolated image of myself into the Hearst Mansion image and resized it to create a realistic sense of scale.
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| Figure 3.2 Isolated myself & Inserted in Hearst Mansion (16th Sep 2022) |
Next, I adjust the colour correction in the 'match colour' option which allowed for me to blend in with this background more naturally. In addition, I also applied the colour balance on myself to balance out the colour differences.
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| Figure 3.3 Added adjustment layers (16th Sep 2022) |
Following that, I used the brush tools to create a shadow behind myself. In order to make the shadow a more realistic appearance, I apply the gaussian blur effect and reduce the opacity of the shadow layer.
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| Figure 3.4 Added shadow and Applied effect (16th Sep 2022) |
Lastly, I ended up by working on my reflection. I duplicated the layer of myself, turned it horizontally to match as a mirror image of the layer above and then I used the pen tool to mask off the excess reflection feet. I then adjusted the colour of my reflection to create a realistic reflection effect by using the gaussian blur effect, Hue/Saturation and Brightness/Contrast.
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| Figure 3.5 Created reflection & Applied adjustment layers (16th Sep 2022) |
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| Figure 3.6 Final Outcome: Me in Hearst Mansion (16th Sep 2022) |
We're tasked to recolour a black and white image using the technique we learned during this week's tutorial & practical. We're then given the option to select one image from a collection of B&W images, and we have to find reference images to use in the process of recolouring.
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| Figure 4.1 Chosen Black & White picture (23rd Sep 2022) |
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| Figure 4.2 Hair & Skin Reference | Source: Pinterest (23rd Sep 2022) |
To begin, I selected skin and hair colour with marquee tool. Highlight, midtone & shadow colours are extracted using the eyedropper tool set in 5 by 5 average sample size, while the brush tool is used to apply the colours to different layers.
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| Figure 4.3 Extracting colours from references (23rd Sep 2022) |
Then, I used the quick selection tool to select the hair and the refine brush tool in the 'Select & Mask' option to further refine it. After refining, I selected the output to Layer Mask and applied it to the solid colour layer with soft light blending mode.
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| Figure 4.4 Hair recolouring (23rd Sep 2022) |
The same process are repeated for recolouring the skin, lips, shirt & background. Hue/saturation adjustment layer is used to make some further adjustments to the skin's colour.
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| Figure 4.5 Skin recolouring (23rd Sep 2022) |
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| Figure 4.6 Shirt recolouring (23rd Sep 2022) |
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| Figure 4.7 Lip & Background recolouring (23rd Sep 2022) |
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| Figure 4.8 Final Outcome: B&W Photo Recolouring (23rd Sep 2022) |
3. Feedback
02/09/2022Physical Collage -It's a good pre-composition that's interesting. However, the concepts and conversations between three of them are similar. Mr Martin will select option number one because the car has a striking visual impression. Thus, I'll have to retake this picture without the camera's flash light.
Digital Collage -Overall, it's fine. Try to apply the blending mode in a way that emphasises contrast.
Digital Imaging Exercise 01/ Me in Hearst Mansion -The shadow should be darker. In addition, the image needs more brightness/contrast.
4. Final Outcome
Physical Collage
After receiving Mr Martin's feedback, I chose option one as my final result, and I retake this picture without camera's flash light.
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| Figure 1.1 Final Physical Collage -JPG (9th Sep 2022) |
Digital Collage
I chose option one as my final result after receiving Mr. Martin's feedback. Besides that, I also applied the blending mode in a way that emphasises contrast in this composition.
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| Figure 1.2 Final Digital Collage -JPG (9th Sep 2022) |
Digital Imaging Exercise 01 | Me in Hearst Mansion
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| Figure 1.3 Final Me in Hearst Mansion -JPG (23rd Sep 2022) |
Digital Imaging Exercise 02 | B&W Photo Recolouring
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| Figure 1.4 Final B&W Photo Recolouring (23rd Sep 2022) |
5. Reflection
Throughout these physical and digital collage tasks, I have learned a lot about incorporating multiple images or materials to create a cohesive composition. Especially in the starting process of thinking about the theme or story for the composition. Besides that, this task was enjoyable as it was interesting to create collages without any predetermined limitations, which means there are endless possibilities in what we can create. Other than that, it was intriguing to get to learn an effective technique to recolor a black-and-white picture while keeping the color realistic for the recoloring task. It was something like giving life to a dull photo and making it more realistic than it already looks. All in all, I found Photoshop to be incredibly enjoyable to learn as I learned a lot of photoshop fundamental skills from this module, including how to crop images, perform color grading, and others.
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