Digital Photo Imaging - Task 1: Collage & Digital Imaging

25/9/2023 - 24/10/2023 / Week 1 - Week 5

Cindy Clarissa Leslie / 0367677
Digital Photo Imaging / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 1: Collage & Digital Imaging

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LECTURES 

Week 1: Lecture 1

The Importance of Photoshop for the Graphic Designer

Photograph Manipulation

Figure 1.1 Example of photo manipulation

Photograph manipulation involves the transformation or alteration of a photograph using various methods and techniques to achieve desired results.

Digital Imaging

Figure 1.2 Image of digital imaging

Digital imaging converts the printed text, artwork, and photographs into digital images using a digital scanner or another imaging device. 

Tips for improvement:

• follow tutorials
• experiment
• memorize all keyboard shortcuts
• try to replicate other works
• participate in design competitions
• subscribe to online galleries
• smart objects for smart designers
• scaling artworks and proportions
• use actions to personalize artworks
• organize files properly

Week 2: Lecture 2

Introduction to Composition

Introduction to Basic Composition

Focal Point - helps your viewers’ eyes naturally settle on the important pieces of your design first.

Scale and Hierarchy - draws attention toward and away from certain elements, thus signifying their importance to the communication.

Balance the Elements - A good technique for mastering asymmetrical balance is to think of each element as having a ‘weight’ to it.

White Space - mostly known as “empty space” to balance up the main focus of a composition.

Rule of Thirds

Figure 2.1 Grid of rule of thirds

The Rule of Thirds is the process of dividing an image into thirds, using two horizontal and two vertical lines. This imaginary grid yields nine parts with four intersection points. Placing important elements of the image into the intersections would produce a much more natural image.

Figure 2.2 Use of rule of thirds in an image

• Use composition techniques that are in line with what’s naturally pleasing to the eye. 
• Creatively use negative space.
• Create conversation between the subject and background.

Golden Ratio

Figure 2.3 Grid of golden ratio

Golden ratio refers to a mathematical ratio, commonly found in nature that fosters organic and natural-looking compositions. This creates harmony and proportion to the image

Figure 2.4 Example of an artwork using golden ratio for its composition

Week 3: Lecture 3

Introduction to Photoshop 2

Lasso Tool

The Lasso Tool allows you to draw and pinpoint specific areas of a document. 

Pen Tool

The pen tool is the way that you add these points and the way you drag the tool as you create the points determines how they will look. The lesser the points are, the smoother the path will be.

Week 4: Lecture 4

Introduction to Photoshop 3

Adjustment Layer

Figure 3.1 Example of utilizing adjustment layers to manipulate the looks of an image

Adjustment layers are used as a non-destructive image editing tools that add color and tonal adjustments to your image without permanently changing its pixels. 

Filter

Figure 3.2 Before and after of using a filter on an image

Filters are used to change colour, add blur or create completely new image effects.

Week 5: Lecture 5

Digital Photography

Exposure Setting

Figure 4.1 Different exposure settings on an image

Exposure is the amount of light which reaches your camera sensor or film. 
Camera settings that affects exposure:

• iris - controls the flow of light entering the lens.

• shutter speed - small plastic sheet that opens and closes to allow light onto the film or prevent light from reaching the film. 

• iso - the sensitivity—the signal gain—of the camera's sensor.

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INSTRUCTIONS

Task 1: Exercise 1 [Collage Design Elements]

Pre composition

For our first exercise, we were required to find images from magazines, cut them out and combine them in a collage.

Figure 4.1 3 different compositions made

Figure 4.2 Final composition chosen

Since I didn't have access to magazines, I had to search images and printed them out. Cutting them individually and create a collage.

Digital Collage

In this task, we were only limited to the images provided, where we learn using photoshop and manipulate certain elements to create harmony and eventually create an artwork.

Figure 5.1 first attempt of composition

During my first attempt, I utilized the golden ratio to create my artwork. However, I was left dissatisfied with it overall since it turned out to be messy instead of harmonious, although I learned from it, this attempt wasn't my best choice.

Figure 5.2 Second attempt of composition

I eventually learned more about layering and utilizing it to create the illusion of different depths.

Figure 5.3 Third attempt of composition

This time I tried a different and more creative approach in the designing. However I ended up choosing the second composition as it was able to tell more of a stories and how the elements were designed worked with each other better.

Figure 5.4 Using adjustment layers to add filters

After I finished putting together the positions of each image, I added the finishing touches mainly by using adjustment layers (curves, hue/saturation) to edit the colours of certain elements. After that, using other images I added texture by using overlay.

Final Task 1: Exercise 1 - Collage Design Elements

Figure 5.4 Adding filters and adjustment layers onto the composition

In the end, for the elements to be able to work with each other better, I was able to use the adjustment layer tool to manipulate the colours and texture of certain aspects. This helped me create an atmosphere while also setting the emphasis onto the blue fishes that contrasts strongly in comparison to the buildings.

Task 1: Exercise 2 [Hearst Mansion]

Shazam

Images were provided, where initially we had to put shazam into a certain background picture and make sure the composition blends well in together and create a believable situation.

Figure 6.1 Process of editing shazam

Using the quick selection tool, I was able to remove the background of the original shazam picture and place it into the background. Using the match colour tool, I edited the hues of the image in order to blend in and match the atmosphere of the background before adding in a shadow behind him. At the end I was able to create a reflection of him in the waters by copying, pasting, flipping him upside down and using the adjustment layer by using brightness/contrast.

Figure 6.2 Final composition of shazam

As a result, I was able to create this image. Using the same processes, I attempted to set an image of myself to the same background.

Figure 6.3 Original image of myself

This was the original image taken.

Figure 6.4 Process of editing the image of myself

I repeated the same exact steps of the process I initially used, using the same tools and settings. Adding in the reflection in the end to top it off.

Final Task 1: Exercise 2 - Hearst Mansion

Figure 6.5 Final composition of editing myself in

Task 1: Exercise 3 [Recoloring Black and White]

Practical

Figure 7.1 Original BNW picture

Before starting with my own image, it was required for us to recolour pictures in the simpler way, which is explained thoroughly in the tutorial. Using this picture as a base.

Figure 7.2 First process of recolouring skin

I started out with colouring in the skin, to which after picking my colour, using the brush tool I made sure to use the soft airbrush to create a softer effect all over his face.

Figure 7.3 Second process of recolouring BNW picture

Using blending styles on the layer I have the blot of colour on, I chose the overlay blend and let it into the skin on the layer underneath it. I repeated this process for each of the different colours (eyes, skin and hair).

Figure 7.4 Final result of recolouring BNW picture

In the end, I created a mask layer of the background and coloured it in with soft light blending.

Recolouring Chosen BNW picture

Figure 8.1 Chosen BNW picture to recolour

The chosen picture presents Willow Smith in no colour.

Figure 8.2 Colour picking from reference images

Before starting to colour the image, I chose 2 reference pictures for the skin and the hair. Using the colour picker tool, I chose specific areas of the picture in order to gain 3 colours: highlight, mid-tone, and shadow.

Figure 8.3 Creating mask from image

Using the quick selection tool, I selected around the area I wanted to mask. After pressing select and mask, I was able to touch up with the selected area, leaving out the areas I did not want to colour and further refined the edges using the refine edge brush tool to make the masking as detailed as possible.

Figure 8.4 Adding colour to masked areas

Next, I created a solid colour fill layer and selected the colours that I have initially picked out from the reference images. Then, move the masked layer to the solid layer to link them both together.

Final Task 1: Exercise 3 - Recoloring Black and White

Figure 8.5 Final outcome of coloring Willow Smith

Lastly, I repeated the same process for each of the areas, adding colour into her skin, hair, eyes, mouth and background one by one.

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REFLECTION

Overall, during these tasks I have learned the importance of composition in creating a collage and the process of layering. One of the strengths I had in this class was that I have prior knowledge and experience in using Adobe Photoshop, therefore I didn't have much struggles in figuring out which tools would be appropriate to use in order to design my idea. The class and tutorials have definitely helped me in exploring more tools that I could find useful in the near future. One of the struggles I have faced was definitely coming up with ideas of the design itself, I initially did not have any visions however I quickly was able to refresh my mind and be inspired simply by surfing the internet. From these tasks, I look forward to learning more about the functionalities of using Photoshop and the premise of digital photo imaging.