Digital Photography and Imaging Task 1

25.9.2023 - 20.10.2023(Week 1 - Week 4)

Lew Guo Ying / 0365721 / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media

Digital Photography and Imaging

Task 1 : Exercise

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1. Lectures

1.1 Week 1: Briefing

1.2 Week 2: Introduction to Photoshop

1.3 Week 3: Blending Mode

1.4 Week 4: Recoloring

2. Instructions

2.1 Week 1: Pinterest

2.2 Week 2: Digital Collage

2.3 Week 3: Heart Mansion Me Version

2.4 Week 4: Recoloring

3. Feedback

4. Reflections

5. Further Reading

LECTURES

Week 1 : Briefing

Firstly , Our lecturer give us briefing about digital photography and imaging. And also introduct us the basic knowledge about application Photoshop.

Afterthat, giving us the pratical of week 1 ( play the Bezier game , register Pinterest and list three design favourite).

Express your creativity

Photoshop provides endless opportunities for creativity and self-discovery.
Understanding its features helps in improving design capabilities.

Create graphic design

Photoshop can be used for creating eye-catching graphic designs and website layouts.
It is beneficial for transitioning from photo editing to graphic design careers.

Restoration of old images

Photoshop's tools can be used to restore and enhance old images.
It allows for the revitalization of old, worn-out photos.

Integrate graphics with text artistically

Photoshop enables the combination of images and text to create compelling graphic designs.
It offers flexibility in manipulating and enhancing both text and images.

Make use of brushes

Photoshop provides a variety of brushes with unique effects and capabilities.
It allows for the quick and efficient creation of complex visual elements.

Change photo color

Photoshop facilitates the transformation of coloured images into monochrome or adds unique effects.
Numerous built-in effects are available for altering the appearance of images.

Rectify mistakes in photographs

Photoshop tools are effective in hiding flaws and improving the overall appeal of photos.
It provides the ability to adjust lighting, remove red-eye effects, and crop images as needed.

History of Photograph Manipulation

Photograph manipulation dates back to the 1850s, captivating the curiosity and creativity of photographers.
It involves the transformation or alteration of photographs to achieve desired results.

MyTIGER Values Art and Design Competition

Maybank Foundation's art and design competition focuses on 12 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The poster design brief includes creating artwork related to these goals.

Final Project for Students

Students are required to create an experimental video using Adobe Photoshop and After Effects.
The process involves developing ideas, creating digital photography artwork, and animating it for Instagram's IG stories format.

Camera and Tripod Recommendations

Recommended cameras include Nikon D3500, Canon EOS 800D, Sony A6100, Fujifilm X T200, and Canon EOS M50 Mark II.
Recommended tripods include lightweight and durable options for smartphones and DSLRs.

Fig1.1 Introduction Photoshop PDF

Week 2 ：Introduction to photoshop

Mr. Martin introduced the use of Photoshop tools such as the lasso tool, pen tool, and layering. He provided four practice pictures to aid in learning these tools. Res to aid in learning these tools.

Introduction to Photoshop Lasso Tool

The Lasso Tool in Photoshop allows you to draw and pinpoint specific areas of a document
It offers three different tool options: Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, and Magnetic Lasso

How to Use the Lasso Tool

The Lasso Tool is great to use with a graphic tablet because it is similar to a pencil
It is useful for drawing and making selections, offering a better flow compared to a mouse or trackpad

Introduction to Photoshop Pen Tool

The Pen Tool is a common option for creating paths from scratch in Photoshop
The way you add and drag the tool determines the appearance of the points and paths

How to use Layers in Photoshop

Layers in Photoshop allow for non-destructive editing and stacking different images
Adjustments in Photoshop will never destroy the original image when using layers

Fig2.1 Pictures Provided 1

We need to make 3 collage as this week exercise , using these picture.

Fig2.2 Pictures Provided 2 for collage

Fig2.3 Week 2 lectures

Week 3: Blending Mode

Screen: Black turns transparent, and white turns opaque.
Multiply: white turns transparent, and black turns opaque.
Softlight: Balck become darker, white becomes brighter, and 50% grey becomes transparent.
Ctrl J is duplicate layer
Learn also gradient tool and adjustment levels to increase contrast

DPI Blending Mode

Use the Screen blending mode with a 20% opacity to blend images seamlessly.
Create a new radial gradient layer and adjust the opacity to 20% for a smoother finish.

Multiply Blending Mode

Apply the Multiply blending mode and adjust the opacity to achieve the desired effect.
Utilize the soft light mode to enhance the contrast of the images.

Fig3.1 Blending Mode PDF

Fig3.2 Blending

Shazam

Use the Quick Selection tool to subtract the background and apply layer mask using Photoshop.
Drag and drop Shazam to Hearst Mansion, resize, and reposition using Free Transform mode.
Adjust color correction and match image quality by adding the noise filter to Shazam.
Create shadow for Shazam by drawing a black shadow on the background layer and applying Gaussian Blur.
Reduce the shadow's layer to 66% opacity and create a new layer for Shazam's reflection.
Adjust color correction for the reflection layer and apply the ripple filter.
Ensure the composition has only 4 layers and replace Shazam's layer with your own photo.
Take a photo of yourself using the right lighting techniques and match the angle from eye level.

My Reflection

Use the smartphone standard camera angle and choose a clean, plain wall for taking the photo. Create a distance between the subject and background, and avoid shooting in low light conditions.

Fig3.3 Heart Mansion PDF

Fig3.4 Heart Mansion Shazam

Week 4: Recoloring

In this lesson, we will learn how to use a reference photo to recolor a black and white photo.

Selecting Skin Color

Use the MARQUEE TOOL to select skin color and COPY the selected area
PASTE the selection onto the B&W PORTRAIT and rename the new layer to skin color

Color Adjustment Process

Select the EYEDROPPER TOOL and change the SAMPLE SIZE to 5 by 5 AVERAGE
Use the EYEDROPPER to pick up highlight, mid tone, and shadow and paint on top with the BRUSH TOOL

Refining Hair Color

Roughly select hair with the QUICK SELECTION TOOL and REFINE the selection in SELECT & MASK
Create a NEW SOLID LAYER and use the COLOUR PICKER to choose hair color

Finalizing the Image

Repeat the process for the FACE, LIPS, TEETH, and EARRING
Add a LAYER MASK to the NEW SOLID LAYER and choose the background color and BLENDING MODE

Fig4.1 Recoloring PDF

Fig4.2 Recoloring 1

Fig4.3 Recoloring 2

INSTRUCTIONS

Week 1: Pinterest

For practice for week 1, I need to go to Pinterest find 3 favourite pictures and write a description of why I like them.

Fig1.2 Practise 1

Week 2: Digital Collage

Try to use the provided picture to do my digital collage.

Using the central part of the image to create a sense of opposition between top and bottom.

Fig2.4 Collage 1

I am trying to create the feeling of projection.

Fig2.5 Collage 2

There are sharks in the mountains, and there is a sense of a waterfall flowing downwards, with someone gazing into the distance.

Fig2.6 Collage 3

I attempted to make the image appear more complex, but I dislike the cluttered feeling. So, I arranged the factories neatly to create a sense of people walking along the streets.

Fig2.7 Collage 4

Due to the teacher's feedback stating that the previous images were too simplistic, I was asked to make the visuals more complex. I attempted to alter the background and incorporate additional elements.

Fig2.8 Collage 5

Final Submission of Digital Collage:

I began experimenting with complexity by focusing on the background and creating a sense of space. I placed buildings within it to evoke a three-dimensional sensation, then repeated patterns to simulate the feeling of a flowing river.

Fig2.9 Collage 6

Week 3: Heart Mansion Me Version

I positioned myself outside the window, ensuring that the perfect silhouette cast by the sunlight was accurately depicted on the ground.

Fig3.5 Heart Mansion 1

I adjusted my proportions based on the reference in the image, replacing the statue with my own likeness.

Fig3.6 Heart Mansion 2

I positioned myself on the second floor, and due to the angle, leaning against the wall on the second floor seemed like a good choice.

Fig3.7 Heart Mansion 3

Final Submission of Heart Mansion Me Version:

Since the teacher mentioned preferring the simplest option, I chose this one.

Fig3.8 Heart Mansion 4

Week 4: Recoloring

I discovered that Photoshop has numerous effects, so I experimented with applying some of these effects to this image.

Fig4.4 Tyndall Effect

Fig4.5 Luminescence

Fig4.6 Saturation

Fig4.7 Double Exposure

Final submission of Recoloring:

Since the teacher mentioned that the colors of the mouth and nails were too vibrant, I reduced the opacity to create a more subdued overall look to the photo.

Fig4.8 Recoloring

Fig4.9 Submission Of Task 1 PDF

FEEDBACK

Week 1:

General Feedback: Everyone, remember to download Adobe Photoshop and open Blogger. When you get home, go on Pinterest to find three images you like and explain why you like them.

Week 2:

General Feedback: The Collage exercise is to be done digitally, using the provided images to create three different designs.

Week 3:

General Feedback: Take photos using an eye view, then follow the steps of Shazam Heart Mansion to incorporate yourself into the image.

Specific Feedback: Collages 1, 2, and 3 are a bit simple; try to add complexity. Collage 4 is good but could be strengthened; there's space for improvement. Collage 5 has a sense of image division. Collage 6 is good.

Week 4:

General Feedback: The submission document for Task 1 has been sent; you can include the steps for Exercises 1 and 2 in it, but do not submit them. There is also one more exercise. Specific Feedback: Heart Mansion 1, 2, and 3 are creative and well done. Submitting the simplest original version is sufficient.

REFLECTIONS

Experiences

Photoshop is a very entertaining software with a multitude of features. It provides excellent restoration effects for photos with imperfections in real life. For instance, during recoloring, exploring double exposure and incorporating dappled light can significantly enhance the visual impact of photos. Additionally, the software allows for the combination of effects to create unique and special outcomes.

Observations

In the process of using Photoshop, keyboard shortcuts indeed play a significant role in enhancing efficiency. By avoiding the need to navigate through the cumbersome steps in the top control bar, one can directly employ keyboard shortcuts, thereby saving a considerable amount of time.

Findings

I've come to realize the importance of what the teacher emphasizes about learning Photoshop and practicing consistently. This skill is not only beneficial in the present but also proves valuable in future professional endeavors. The knowledge gained in Photoshop, even if forgotten over time, doesn't entirely disappear. When the need arises, the memory resurfaces in our minds.

Another crucial aspect is the ability to search for information online. Many shortcuts that can save time may not be covered by the teacher, perhaps because they are unaware of them. However, having a solid foundation is essential. Without a stable base, one cannot construct a tall building. The internet provides numerous methods to enhance one's knowledge, saving time, increasing efficiency, and elevating one's perspective.

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Lew Guo Ying (0365721)