Digital Photography & Imaging: Project 1

26/09/2023 - 20/10/2023 / Week 1 - 4

Lim Yu Xuen / 0359676

Digital Photography & Imaging / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Project 1: Digital Collage Design + Digital Imaging Exercise 1 & 2

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Project 1:
Project 1: Digital Collage Design
Project 1A: Digital Imaging Exercise 1
Project 1B: Digital Imaging Exercise 2

Feedback
Reflection
References

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LECTURES

Module Information Booklet

29 September 2023

Lecture 1
Introduction to Digital Photography & Imaging

In Week 1 of lectures with Mr Martin, he gave an introduction to our module and give a short brief about the projects we will be completing in this module. Besides that, he gave some advice and mentioned about the importance of using Photoshop and what Photoshop can do. Lastly, we were advised to download Photoshop on our respective laptops, and read through the Module Information Booklet during our free time.

Importance of Photoshop for the Graphic Designer: Express creativity by creating graphic designs. Restoration of old images. Integrate graphic with text artistically. Make use of brushes. Change photo colour. Rectify mistakes in photographs.

Definition of Digital imaging: Convert printed text, artwork, photographs into digital images using a digital scanner or other imaging devices.

Technique of Digital Imaging: Removing and Inserting details, Photomontage, and False captioning.

Week 1 Lecture Slides

6 October 2023

Lecture 2
Introduction to Photoshop

In Week 2 of lectures with Mr Martin, he explained to us what is Photoshop and how to use it. He introduced a few tools and layouts of Photoshop, but mainly taught us on the Lasso tool, Polygonal Lasso Tool, and Magnetic Lasso Tool. After that, he taught us how to use the Object Selection Tool, Smart Selection Tool, and Magic Wand.

These tools will be used for our Project 1: Digital Collage Design.

Lasso Tool: Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, Magnetic Lasso

Pen Tool: Straight line paths, U shaped curves, Simple S curves, Complex S curves

Layers: enables non-destructive editing and keep additional information into a new file without modifying it

Week 2 Lecture Slides

13 October 2023

Lecture 3

Digital Imaging Exercise 1

In Week 3 of lectures with Mr Martin, he taught us on some Photoshop skills which includes Blending Mode and Exercise 01: Shazam edit. Some of the new tools we learnt from today's lesson is Adjustment layers, Blending Mode (Removes black parts), Multiply (Removes white parts), Soft-light (Increase contrast).

Quick Selection Tool: Subtract background

Layer Mask: Right click later to apply layer mask

Filters: Noise (match image quality), gaussian blur (blur shadow layer), ripple (ripple reflection)

Colour Correction: Choose Match Colour or Hue/Saturation (Image -> Adjustments)

Week 3 Lecture Slides (Blending Mode)

Week 3 Lecture Slides (Shazam- Digital Imaging Exercise 1)

20 October 2023

Lecture 4
Digital Imaging Exercise 2

Mr Martin guided and taught us ways to recolour Black & White photos using EASY and ADVANCE methods. We learned how to use Blending Modes such as soft light and overlays.

Marque Tool: Select specific area in shape
Eyedropper Tool: Sample size 5 by 5 average to pick up colour
Select and mask: Focus on create and refining mask
Refine Edge Brush Tool: Select complex shapes, any part of an image with edges
Overlay: combines Multiply and Screen blend modes (base layer)
Soft light: darkens/lightens the colours depending on the blend colour (without harsh contrast)
Hard light: combination of Multiply and Screen (top layer)

Week 4 Lecture Slides (Recolouring Breakdown)

Week 4 Lecture Slides (Recolouring- Digital Imaging Exercise 2)

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PRACTICALS

29 September 2023

Practical 1
Bezier Game

Mr Martin gave us some tasks to do on Week 1 which will be listed below.

Bezier game
link to it here ♡

After the lecture class, Mr Martin instructed us to tryout this game called 'Bezier game' when we have free time. It is a game which mimics the Pen Tool from Photoshop. It took me a few tries to get the hang of it, but I finally got comfortable with using this tool.

The Car Stage in Bezier Game

Figure 1.1 Bezier Game (Car Stage)

Set up E-Portfolio & Pinterest Account
link to my E-Portfolio here ♡
link to my Pinterest here ♡

Favourite Graphic Designs on Pinterest
link to Google Docs here ♡
link to Google Drive Submission Folder here ♡

We were assigned to fill in this Google Document where we have to paste the links to our E-Portfolio and Pinterest. Besides that, our assigned 'homework' was to list 3 favourite Photoshop Artworks and the reasons why we like them.

Somebody to Love (Typography)
I love the concept of this poster. The colours match and blend together very well. Besides that, the ‘liquidity’ font catches my attention, and is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

Figure 1.2 Favourite Graphic Design 1
Taste the notes (Photo Manipulation)
The description and information are well written, straightforward and easy to understand. Love how the editor added a musical instrument in the middle of the poster, which grabs everyone’s attention and shows what the poster is about. Love the colours and how they contrast each other well.

Figure 1.3 Favourite Graphic Design 2
Movie Poster (Photo Collage)
I love the monotone and pop of colours in between. The sudden change between a portrait photo in real life, and the hand drawn version, makes this edit special.

Figure 1.4 Favourite Graphic Design

6 October 2023

Practical 2

After the demo done by Mr Martin, I have tried using both EASY and HARD methods to mask the solid photos (furniture) into PNG.

Link to Google Drive Folder here ♡

Table Solid Photos turned into PNG

Figure 2.1 Tables turned into PNG, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

Final Outcome

Figure 2.2 Final Draft Outcome, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

Besides that, Mr Martin instructed us to give a try on using the given photos in a folder, to make Digital Collages. I have selected a few photos from the folder and combined them together using different tools I have learned for Photoshop.

link to Google Drive Folder here ♡

Final Draft Artwork

Figure 2.3 Final Draft Collage Artwork, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

13 October 2023

Tutorial 3

After learning how to use several tools to blend, we applied the knowledge of different blending modes to edit some images provided by Mr Martin. I also referred to the Blending Mode Slides prepared by Mr Martin.

Artwork 1: Girl with coffee steam

Figure 3.1 Girl with coffee, Week 3 (13/10/2023)

Blending mode was used for the smoke to remove the black background. A new adjustment layer was then added to adjust the contrast of the photo. Besides that, radial gradient is added too.

Artwork 2: Birds at Sunset

Figure 3.2 Birds at sunset, Week 3 (13/10/2023)

The background for the birds was removed using the lasso tool. Blending mode and linear gradient effects were then applied.

Artwork 3: Girl with low contrast

Figure 3.3 Girl with low contrast, Week 3 (13/10/2023)

The photo was duplicated to adjust the contrast of the photo. Radial gradient was then added.

20 October 2023

Practical 4

Recolouring Photo

After following along with Mr Martin and his helpful slides, the class were instructed to recolour a few photos provided by Mr Martin. We learnt to recolour B&W photos using the EASY and ADVANCE methods.

Norman Lindsay Recoloured Photo

Figure 4.1 Norman Lindsay Recoloured Photo, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

This photo was recoloured from B&W using the easy method taught by Mr Martin. It does not look as neat compared to the advance method we have learned.

Idol Recoloured Photo

Figure 4.2 Idol Recoloured Photo, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

In this photo, the advance method was used to recolour it from B&W. There were reference photos needed to create swatches for the desired colour needed. Afterwards, each part of the photo were selected and masked, It was then filled in with the colours that are suitable for the photo.

FIRST METHOD (EASY)

Recolouring Male Model Black & White Images

Recolouring the SKIN:

Figure 4.3 Design Process of Exercise 2B Skin, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

The brush tool was used while colouring over the face. After that, blending mode (soft light) was then applied to the same layer in order to blend with the photo well. The same process was then applied to other parts of the photo such as HAIR, EYES, LIPS, and so on.

Recolouring the HAIR:

Figure 4.4 Design Process of Exercise 2B Hair, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Recolour the LIPS:

Figure 4.5 Design Process of Exercise 2B Lips, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Recolour the EYES:

Figure 4.6 Design Process of Exercise 2B Eyes, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Recolour the CLOTHES:

Figure 4.7 Design Process of Exercise 2B Clothes, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Adding the Background:

To achieve this, a new solid colour layer is added. Afterwards, I pressed Control + Shift and click on all the layers to create a mask.

Figure 4.8 Design Process of Exercise 2B Mask, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Next, to make sure the colour is on the background instead of the mask, I hit Control + I to invert

Figure 4.9 Design Process of Exercise 2B Background, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Final Outcome of the FIRST METHOD:

Figure 4.10 Final Outcome of the First Method, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

SECOND METHOD (ADVANCE)

Recolouring Female Model Black & White Images

For the second method taught, it is slightly more advanced compared to the first method above. Some tools were used again, but there are new tools being learnt and applied during the process of editing the photos below.

STEP 1: Identify the colours suitable for the skin and hair

Figure 4.11 Colour Swatches for Skin and Hair, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

STEP 2: Mask the Hair and Refine Using Quick Selection Tool

Figure 4.12 Masking the Hair, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

STEP 3: Solid coloured layer and Blending Mode (Soft light) is added

Figure 4.13 Hair Mask is recoloured with Solid Colour Layer, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

STEP 4: Step 1-3 is repeated for all parts of the photo

Figure 4.14 Completed Recolouring for all parts, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

STEP 5: Mask whole portrait to add background

Figure 4.16 Mask whole portrait except background, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

STEP 6: Background colour is added and inverted

Figure 4.17 Background colour is added, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Final Outcome of the SECOND METHOD:

Figure 4.18 Final Outcome of the Second Method, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

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PROJECT 1: DIGITAL COLLAGE DESIGN

We have learned to use different tools in Photoshop. Mr Martin assigned the first project to us. We have to create three of our digital collages creatively. This project is to create our own digital collage using the pictures given in the Google Drive Folder by Mr Martin. We have to come up with 3 Digital Collages. Attached below are my takes on this project.

Figure 5.1 Materials for Project 1

link to Google Drive Folder here ♡

Digital Collage 1: The materials utilised in this digital collage mainly consist of action movie style. I placed the fencer in the middle and mini people around different big elements, creating a strong contrast with the other elements. In order to reduce the opacity of the texture in the background , I applied different blending modes to selected layers.

Figure 5.2 Final Collage 1

Figure 5.3 Draft Collage 1

Digital Collage 2: The main idea for this collage is to have a Red theme which was inspired by the album cover by the artist Lamp. It is inspired by the colour contrast and how well each element blended well together. I used the tail of the fishes to create illusions of plants at the foreground. The background was then blended with metal scratches texture.

Figure 5.4 Final Collage 2

Figure 5.5 Before Blending Mode Collage 2

Digital Collage 3: The whole idea for this collage is to have different sizes of items floating around. There were many elements used for this collage. For the positions, I reflected and duplicated some of the elements. Besides that, I also masked the shark to position it behind the mountains. For the staircase, I masked it from the television. Lastly, I applied blending mode for the final digital collage 3.

Figure 5.6 Final Collage 3

Figure 5.7 Before Blending Mode Collage 3

Progress of Final Digital Collage

For final digital collage, I decided to work on collage 2. For the few changes that I will make is to make the background more interesting, and add more fish and sharks so that the whole collage reflects on a "futuristic life". I also integrated other relevant elements into the composition.

Final Digital Collage (JPG)

Figure 5.8 Final Digital Collage- JPG

Final Digital Collage (PDF)

PROJECT 1A- DIGITAL IMAGING EXERCISE 1

13 October 2023
Week 3

After completing our practical class in Week 3, we were assigned to edit our self-portrait photos into the Hearst Mansion. The self-portrait had to be taken at a specific angle with the light source coming from the left side. After inserting my self-portrait photo in Photoshop, I resized, recoloured, and added shadows to the image as taught by Mr Martin in Practical 3 class.

Shazam in Hearst Mansion (Practical 3)

Figure 6.1 Shazam in Hearst Mansion, Week 3 (13/10/2023)

Figure 6.2 Noelle to be used in this exercise, Week 3 (14/10/2023)

Progress of Final Digital Imaging

Final Digital Imaging (PNG)

Figure 6.3 Final Outcome Submission- PNG, Week 3 (14/10/2023)

Final Digital Imaging (PDF)

Figure 6.4 Final Outcome Submission- PDF, Week 3 (14/10/2023)

PROJECT 1B: DIGITAL IMAGING EXERCISE 2

We were assigned to pick one photo to recolour from the folder given by Mr Martin. There were many photos to choose from, but Mr Martin featured one of the photos and mentioned that it is harder to edit compared to the rest of the photos. I decided to pick that photo to test my limits.

Figure 7.1 BNW Image Selected, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Progress of Final Digital Imaging Exercise 2

Final Digital Imaging Exercise 2

Figure 7.2 Final Outcome Submission

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FEEDBACK

13 October 2023
Week 3

Specific Feedback: My Martin mentioned that my Digital Collage #1 was too plain and basic. He gave suggestions to apply textures and make use of blending mode. For Digital Collage #2, it is recommended to make the cutouts blend nicely rather than having it look blotchy. Besides that, can make the colours blend together more. Mr Martin said that the last Digital Collage #3 would be the most ideal to submit with. A few changes that colour be made would be to apply Blending mode and add more textures and backgrounds.

20 October 2023
Week 4

Specific Feedback: Final Digital Collage is well done. Just have to make a few adjustments. For Digital Imaging Exercise 1, it is nice but Mr Martin recommended to make the colour blend together with the background more.

27 October 2023
Week 5

Specific Feedback: Digital Imaging Exercise 2 is good enough, just have to fix some minor edits to improve it's quality work.

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REFLECTION

Overall, I am happy to say that I have learnt a few basic tools and the usage of Photoshop. What I learned from the class is that I have to complete the assigned tasks on time so I would not be behind schedule. I am very thankful that Mr Martin is very understanding and kind, without his patience and guidance, I would not be able to enjoy the class as much.

This is one of the courses that I am interested in. I have learnt different tools that can be used in basic photo editing which sparks my interest. Besides that, I am glad to be able to enhance my Photoshop skills. The slides and tutorials provided by Mr Martin really helped me to finish my tasks as I could replay the video endlessly. Mr Martin provided enough tutorials and assistance and even encourages us to think outside of the box and step outside of our comfort zones.

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REFERENCES

Tutorials of Composition Studies using a Collage Technique: