Digital Photography and Imaging | Project 2A & 2B
26.09.2022 - 24.10.2022 | Week 5 - Week 9
Yap Sze Ying | 0349172
Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) Digital Media Production
Digital Photography and Imaging | Project 2A & 2B
Quick Links
1. Lecture
2. Project 2A
3. Project 2B
Lecture
Week 5: Double Exposure and Imaging Blending Mode
Mr Martin covered double exposure photography & image blending mode in this week's lecture.
Double Exposure
Refer to merging multiple images
Goal: Make them surreal, emotional or humorous (feature silhouettes)
- Using the Tilt-Shift effect: Blur one of photos instead of the entire image
- Create fake reflection: Create with help of separate window photo
- Experiment with simple portraits & details textured: Create balance with combination of plain & complicated
- Convert results to Black & White: Lack of colour will strengthen emotions
- Work with silhouette: Try silhouettes of yourself, other people or random objects
- Pick two random photo: Shoot interesting textures, shapes & forms
- Make simple objects looks fascinating: Take photos & make them look something else
- Use shadow: Take photos of one's shadow & transform into story
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| Figure 5.1 Blends Modes (30th Sep 2022) |
Exposure Setting
Exposure: The amount of light which reaches the camera's sensor or film.
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| Figure 6.1 Exposure Setting (7th Oct 2022) |
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| Figure 6.2 Parts of camera (7th Oct 2022) |
Main Parts of Camera:
- Camera Body
- Shutter
- Image sensor
- LCD screen - Camera Lens
- Aperture / Iris
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| Figure 6.3 Iris, Shutter Speed, ISO (7th Oct 2022) |
- Shutter speed & aperture are the only two camera settings that affect the actual luminous exposure of an image
- The third setting, Camera ISO affects the brightness of photos
- Controls the flow of light that enters the lens
- Measured by f-stop, which is indicated by sequence of f-number. (EX: f/1, f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, etc)
- The lower the f-number, the larger the lens opening
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| Figure 6.4 & 6.5 Iris (7th Oct 2022) |
SHUTTER
- A small plastic sheet that opens & closes in order to allow light onto the film/prevent light from reaching the film
- Shutter speed is measured in seconds: (EX: 1/1000s, 1/500s, 1/250s, 1/125s, 1/60s, 1/30s, 1/15s, 1/8s, 1/4s, 1/2s, 1s, 2s, 3s, etc)
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| Figure 6.6 Shutter (7th Oct 2022) |
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| Figure 6.7 & 6.8 Shutter speed (7th Oct 2022) |
ISO
- Refers to sensitivity of film -Light gathering ability
- For digital photography, refers to the sensitivity (the signal gain) of the camera's sensor
- Common settings are 100, 200, 400, 640, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, etc.
- The lower the number of ISO, the lesser the sensitivity of the camera is to light and finer the grain
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| Figure 6.9 & 6.10 ISO (7th Oct 2022) |
Types of Lens:
- Wide Angle Lens
- Standard Lens
- Tele Lens
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| Figure 6.11 Lens (7th Oct 2022) |
Using the appropriate lenses are important to obtained the desired framing and angle of view
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| Figure 6.12 Camera Lenses (7th Oct 2022) |
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| Figure 6.13 Camera Lenses & Their Shots (7th Oct 2022) |
Each lens is designed for their own specific purpose. They can be characterised by FOCAL LENGTH
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| Figure 6.14 Types of Camera Lenses (7th Oct 2022) |
FOCAL LENGTH
- The shorter the focal length, the wider the angle of view and vice-versa
- The measurement (in millimetres) from the optical centre of a camera lens to the camera's sensor
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| Figure 6.15 & 6.16 Focal Length (7th Oct 2022) |
DEPTH OF FIELD
- The proportion of the image that is reasonably sharp & in focus
- The smaller the aperture used, the greater the depth of field
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| Figure 6.17 Depth of Field (7th Oct 2022) |
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| Figure 6.18 Lens Aperture Chart (7th Oct 2022) |
Wide Angle Lens:
- Ideal for large areas in the frame
- Useful for landscape/ street photography
- In wide angle lenses, almost everything is in focus, unless subject is very close to the lens
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| Figure 6.19 Wide Angle Lenses (7th Oct 2022) |
- Offers a fairly accurate representation of the human eye's view in terms of visual angle & perspective
- Images using this lens are perceived as more natural than other types of camera lenses
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| Figure 6.20 Standard Lens (7th Oct 2022) |
- Isolates a subject that is far away
- Allows to photograph subjects from a distance because of their magnification
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| Figure 6.21 Tele Lens (7th Oct 2022) |
Pros
- Familiar with device
- Good quality
- Easy to learn
- Still limited
- Goods but not the greatest
- Non-ergonomic build
- DSLR cameras are designed to capture images
- Phones are designed to carry out multiple functions
- Phone cameras limit by sizes due to the size of lens & size of sensor
- Entry level DSLR have larger lenses & sensors than mobile phones do
This week, we're tasked to apply the technique and knowledge used in the previous exercise to create a self-portrait. Before that, we conducted some research on Pinterest to develop inspiration. Then, we had a portrait shoot in the photo studio with Mr Martin. In addition to our portrait, we also need to find high-quality images online to insert into this task.
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| Figure 5.1 Inspiration board | Source: Pinterest (30th Sep 2022) |
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| Figure 5.2 Chosen Self-Portrait (30th Sep 2022) |
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| Figure 5.3 Images materials | Source: Pinterest (30th Sep 2022) |
I began by selecting the portrait image using the quick selection tools and clicking the 'select and mask' options. Then, I lowered the portrait and used the refine edge brush tool to brush the hair and jacket. Following refinement, I selected the output to 'select the layer with layer mask' and applied it to the solid color layer as the background. I then created a curve adjustment layer and selected a clipping mask to increase contrast for the portrait layer.
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| Figure 5.4 Select, Mask out & Create adjustment layer (5th Oct 2022) |
Following that, I added and positioned the forest image to my portrait. The forest image was then replicated and kept inverted to add further gloom. Then, I created a clipping mask for them on the portrait layer in order for the forest can be confined within the portrait.
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| Figure 5.5 Add 'forest' images (5th Oct 2022) |
Two bird images were then added to the portrait with the multiply blending mode to remove the white background. To fill in the white spaces around my portrait, I placed them there. In addition, I also added and replicated a few of the cotton candy images. To create the appearance of foggy, I reduced the opacity of a few cotton candies and positioned them underneath my portrait in an up-and-down arrangement.
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| Figure 5.6 Add 'birds & cotton candy' images (5th Oct 2022) |
Lastly, I added a gradient map fill layer with a blue hue to match the portrait and reduced the opacity of my background layer.
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| Figure 5.7 Add gradient background (5th Oct 2022) |
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| Figure 5.8 Final Outcome: Double Exposure (5th Oct 2022) |
Week 6: Photo Manipulation
We're tasked to create a photo manipulation this week. The main objective of this task is to develop imaginative and creative ideas. Below are the instructions of this task:
- Illusion that is created by a combination of two objects
- Pinterest to view lots of photo manipulation works and pin them
- Find objects in your surrounding that you can use for the project
- Sketch your idea
To begin, I created a mood board to gather inspiration and ideas from Pinterest.
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| Figure 6.1 Inspiration board | Source: Pinterest (7th Oct 2022) |
We need to present our ideas to Mr. Martin for approval before moving forward with the implementation. Then I proceed to sketch out various ideas for this task. Below are several idea sketches:
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| Figure 6.2 Idea sketches (7th Oct 2022) |
Mr Martin suggested I experiment with various fruits with the guitar as I prefer to do option four. However, I've another idea to create this photo manipulation that involves a tissue roll and a cup of milo. I then proceeded to my ideas and began photographing the objects.
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| Figure 6.3 Shoot tissue roll & cup (7th Oct 2022) |
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| Figure 6.4 Product Photography (7th Oct 2022) |
Below was my first attempt at photo manipulation:
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| Figure 6.5 Attempt #1 (10th Oct 2022) |
In response to Mr. Martin's comments regarding Attempt #1 (Fig. 6.5), I reworked this task. Below are the steps of this photo manipulation :
To begin, I removed the background from the tissue toll using the quick selection tool and masked the selection afterward. I then placed it on the layer with a solid color as the background. However, the image I captured didn't make it clear that it was a tissue roll. Hence, I used the camera war filter option to adjust the white balance, texture, clarity and etc. Besides, I applied the hard light blending mode and reduced the opacity of the layer.
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| Figure 6.6 Remove background and Adjust white balance (15th Oct 2022) |
Next, I selected the milo drink with the quick selection tool and placed it above the tissue roll. The brightness of the tissue roll was then adjusted by creating a clipping mask on a level adjustment layer and applying it with the soft light blending mode. The steam image was then added to the images with the multiple blending modes to remove the white background.
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| Figure 6.7 Create adjustment layer & Add steam image (15th Oct 2022) |
Following that, I used the quick selection tool to select the cup handle and created a displacement map for it. I started by converting the cup handle to black & white, applying the gaussian blur effect, then saving it as a PSD file. In another photoshop file, the cup handle was then placed on the tissue roll. Then, I converted the tissue roll to a smart object, displaced it, and closed the layer visibility. I then used the quick selection tool to select the cup handle and applied a mask to it. The cup handle layer was then dragged below the displacement layer, blended, created a clipping mask to it, and added to the layer.
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| Figure 6.8 Apply displacement map (15th Oct 2022) |
Last but not least, I added a shadow beneath the tissue roll using the brush tool. In order to make the shadow a more realistic appearance, I applied the gaussian blur effect and reduced the opacity of the shadow layer. I then applied a light brown color in the background layer.
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| Figure 6.9 Add shadow & background (15th Oct 2022) |
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| Figure 6.10 Final Outcome: Photo Manipulation (15th Oct 2022) |
3. Feedback
05/10/2022Double Exposure -Overall, it's fine. It looks simple and nice.
Photo Manipulation -Try to apply the tissue texture more visibly and the cup handler should use the displacement map to blend in with the tissue roll. In addition, the tissue needs to be thicker and I can address it by altering the drink's sizes.
4. Final Outcome
Double Exposure
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Photo Manipulation
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| Figure 1.2 Final Photo Manipulation -JPG (15th Oct 2022) |
5. Reflection
Overall, the whole project process was rewarding to me. Through this project, it has helped me learn more about the brush tool, masking, blending, etc. in Photoshop. It allowed me to create my portrait and add some elements to it. Besides that, I observed that my photoshop skills have greatly increased. I was delighted to get the opportunity to learn how to photograph professionally and develop my photography lighting skills. To develop a photo manipulation task, we have to apply all the knowledge and photoshop techniques that we learn from the previous tasks. It was really enjoyable to learn how to blend two (or more) different photographs so it looks like it’s one picture. In addition to this, I have learned how to use the adjustment layer to enhance my images and I believe that this is a fundamental ability that we need to acquire as it will be useful in our collages and other future works.
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