Digital Photography & Imaging Mr.Martin Exercises

26.8.20 - 16.11.20 (Week 1 - Week 13)

Sajiya Mir (0340836)

Digital Photography & Imaging 

Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

Taylors University

Exercises

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Week 1:

Today was the very first class for Digital photography and Imaging. We met our lecturers Mr. Martin and Mr. Fauzi, who briefed us on the course layout and the grading system for each assignment. We were also given a general overview of all the assignments to come. Examples done by the last semester students were shown to provide us with a better visual of what is expected.

Present 3 of my most liked Photoshop works here on the blog.

𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩

• Three Photoshop design I like: 
  

  

  Fig.1 "flowers in my head" By Marcos Morales
  

  I like this design because it is simple; not many images or colors are used, yet it's very eye-catching. The man is the focal point as he is made black and white, contrasting with the plain white background and the bright yellow flowers. The paint strokes bind the whole image together as it is the same colors as the flowers. The design as a whole looks effortless, but it's useful to get a message through "Flowers in my head."

  
  

  

  fig.1.1 ‘Beauty In Wonderland’ By Sølve Sundsbø

  This design by Sølve Sundsbø was part of a perfume campaign in Vogue magazine. The flowers and the woman are cut and merged in a way that gives a new shape to the picture. The woman is darker, while the flowers are lighter to first attract the attention of the viewer to the flowers. I love the use of pink and yellow hue in the design that gives it a softer look. The background kept white to maintain the main emphasis on the woman.

  
  

Fig.1.2  'Missing The One, We Left Behind' By Frank Moth

This is one of my favorite projects by Frant Moth. He uses a variety of images to create surreal collages. His use of old images coupled with images of space and planets gives his work a futuristic look. For example, in this piece, the group of people are looking over the railing in space with the earth behind them. The picture is saturated with a lot of yellow and red tones used to establish a nostalgic yet futuristic vibe.

𝐁𝐞𝐳𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞

The Bezier game is used to improve how we manipulate the pen tool that would be heavily used in the coming projects. This game, at first glance, seems very easy, but it's pretty tricky. We are given a limited number of 'nodes' that had to be used to trace the drawing given in its entirety. The complexity of drawing increased at each level. It was a new experience to use a pen to construct a curve by dragging a line. We also had to use keywords like 'shift' and 'alt' to adjust the lines. As I spent more time playing, I needed less time to complete the drawing.

Below is a video of me playing the game: 

Play the Bezier Game: https://bezier.method.ac/ 

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Week 2: Hearst Mansion

For this exercise, we had to combine two pictures, one of the superhero Shazam and the second was the Hearst Mansion. We had put Shazam in the Hearst Mansion leaning against the wall. 

[Cut Image] 
---> Use the selection tool and selected the area you want to use
---> Copy past the selected image into the Hearst Mansion image 
---> Image + adjustment + match colour
[source] : Hearst Mansion + [layer] : background

[Shadow] 

---> Select the brush tool (B)

---> Draw around the figure to give it a shadow

---> Turn down the opacity of the layer 

---> Filter + blur + gaussian blur

[Reflection] 

---> Duplicate the 'Shazam' layer

---> Rotate by changing the height [Hieght]: -100%

---> Select pen tool + select the are in the water to mask 

---> Path + load path as selection + add layer mask 

---> Adustment + blur + gaussian blur 

 

Fig.1.3  Hearst Mansion

 

Fig.1.4  'Shazam' Movie poster

Fig.1.5  Hearst Mansion exercise 

Fig.1.6  Me in Hearst Mansion Exercise 

Week 3: Ghost house 

For week 3 we were introduced to mask, double exposure, and how to use gradients.  Double exposure refers to the merging of multiple images to give a surreal effect. In mask the white reveals and the black conceals. Three masks we will use regularly are multiply, screen, and overlay. 

• The screen hides the dark (black) parts of the image. Black becomes transparent and the white is opaque.
•  Multiply hides the light (white) parts. White is transparent and black is opaque. 
• Overlay is in between. 

We were given three images, of the night sky, a house, and a ghost. We had to combine all three pictures together.

[house image]

---> quick selection to select the area wanted + mask

---> move the selected image to the sky background

---> Image + adjustment + match colour

[source] : dark cloud + [layer] : background

---> another way to select image is using the Lasso tool (L)

[ghost image]

---> drag and drop the image as it is 

---> resize image + screen 

---> Selection tool + select the part you want to keep + mask 

[Gradient]

---> gradient + radial Gradient + (colour): third option black and white

---> drag the mouse to determine the radius of the gradient + screen

Fig.1.7 Ghost house exercise 

Week 4: Cowboy
In class today Mr. Martin explained the blending tools on photoshop in more detail. He demonstrated how to use Screen and multiply using a few examples. He also showed us how we can use the gradient to draw the viewer's attention to the focal point or to give an ambiance to the image. We were also introduced to a new blending mode called 'softlight'.

[Blending mode] Screen:
We had to combine two pictures, one of the smoke and the second of the girl. Screen was added to the smoke so the dark parts became transparent.

 

Fig.1.8 Screen 

[Remove]:
---> lasso tool to select
---> edit + fill + content-aware
using this fill technique I tried to remove the ships in the sea.

Fig.1.9 Before vs. After 

[Blending mode] Multiply: 

1. Using the lasso tool select the birds 

2. Copy past the birds to the sunset picture

3. Apply Multiple 

4. Go to adjustment layers and select 'Levels' ---> command + option + G

5. Using properties adjust how white the back ground should be 

6. apply gradient to the image ---> lower the opacity 

Fig.2.0 Progress

Fig 2.1 Sky exercise Final 

We were given three pictures to combine, one of a cowboy, one of a house, and one of the sunset. We applied the same techniques we learned from the ghost house and the Hearst mansion exercise. 

Fig.2.2 Cowboy exercise progress

Fig.2.3 Cowboy exercise 

Week 5: Recolouring

Today's class was on Recolouring black and white images. Before class, we were given a video to watch where the brush tool was used to recolour. In this class, Mr. Martin demonstrated how to use the selection tool to recolour black and white images. He also suggested we find pictures from google to help us sample the skin and hair colors. 

Fig.1. Exercise 1 Progress 1 

In the video, Mr. Martin shows us how to color the black and white pictures with the brush tool. He coloured one sections at a time with each section having a different layer. So the first layer was the hair which we choose to colour purple. After colouring we applied blending mode {soft Light}.

Fig.1.2 Exercise 1 Progress 2 

This process was repeated with the skin, lips and eyes, clothes, and background. Each painted in a new layer and the blending mode is applied. 

Fig.1.3 Recoloring exercise 1 Final

Fig.1.4 Progress 1 

Step 1 was to use the images of the skin color and hair colour provided by Mr. Martin. We used the dropper tool to select the colors and made some color samples so we can use it later. The right side is the skin color samples and the left are the hair color samples. 

Fig.1.5 Progress 2

Step 2 was to use the selection tool (W) and then click [Select and mask]. Then using the selection tools select the areas you want to color first. I wanted to color the hair first so I selected only the hair section. Then we added a solid color + selected the hair color from the samples + added blending mode. I choose {screen} as my blending mode. 

Fig.1.6 Progress 4

The next are repeated where you select one section you want to colour + mask + add solid colour + blending mode. For the skin I added {Hard Light}, for  lips {Overlay}, clothes {soft Light}, background {color Burn} and for the the eyebrow {multiply} 

Fig.1.7 Progress 5

For the last step, I decided to add some shading to the picture as it was looking too flat. So using the brush tool I choose the soft round brush and with a darker skin color shade some areas. I shaded under the nose, the eyes and added a little blush to the cheeks. AND DONE!

Fig.1.8 Final Exercise 1

For exercise 2 I picked this picture of Willow Smith for color reference. Then I made a few swatches of the skin, lip, and hair colors. 

Fig.1.9 Color reference 

Fig.2.0 Progress 1 

I tried doing her hair first but because her hair is already black, it didn't make a difference whether the picture was black and white or color. Therefore I left the hair as it is and did the skin instead. I use the selection tool to recolor instead of the brush tool as I find it easier to use. Then I applied [overlay] as the blending mode. 

Fig.2.1 Progress 2

Next for the lips, I used the brush in the selection tool as it allowed me to outline the lips more perfectly than the other tools. I first applied a peach color for the lips but when looking through the blending modes, [Linear burn] gave this very nice red which I thought looked better so I used that instead. 

Fig.2.2 Progress 3

Selecting the background was hard as the shirt and the background were both white and it was hard to differentiate it. So once again I used the brush in the selection tool to draw where I thought the shirt ended and the background started. I picked a dark blue but the [color] blending mode gave it this neon light look that preferred better. Some of the hair strands, I let it be colored by the background so it gives an illusion of the light illuminating the hair too. 

Fig.2.3 Progress 4

Fig.1.8 Final Exercise 2

Week 6: Displacement 

[Fabric image]

--> Go to Image + Adjustments + Black and White

--> blur + gaussian blur 

--> Save + Save as psd

This image will be later used for displacement 

Fig.1 Flag displacement progress 1 

[Flag image]

--> Move the flag to the fabric image (not edited one)

--> Go to Filter + Distort + Displace 

--> [Horizontal Scale]: 10  [Vertical Scale]: 10

--> Select the edited image + Ok

Fig.1.2 Flag displacement progress 2

--> Apply Blending mode [Multiply] 

Fig.1.3 Flag displacement progress 3 

--> Make the background color black and white also. 

Fig.1.4 Flag displacement progress 4 

--> Duplicate the flag layer and apply blending mode [screen] and bring the opacity. This will bring back the white of the flag.  

Fig.1.5 Flag displacement progress 5 

--> Make a new layer + Edit + fill + [content]: color 

--> To get rid of the extra fabric pick the quick selection tool + select the flag area and mask. 

Fig.1.6 Flag displacement progress 6 

Fig.1.7 Flag displacement Final 

[Potrait image]

--> Go to Image + Adjustments + Black and White

--> blur + gaussian blur 

--> Save + Save as psd

Fig.1.8 Portrait displacement progress 1

[Liverpool image]

--> Move the flag to the image of the girl (not edited one)

--> Scale it to the size of her face

--> Filter + smart object 

--> Go to Filter + Distort + Pinch [40-50] 

Fig.1.9 Portrait displacement progress 2

--> Go to Filter + Distort + Displace

--> [Horizontal Scale]: 10  [Vertical Scale]: 10

--> Select the edited image + Ok

--> Apply Blending mode [Multiply] 

Fig.2.0 Portrait displacement progress 3

--> To get rid of the extra flag pick the quick selection tool + select the flag area and mask. 

--> Use the blur tool to soften the sides of the face 

Fig.2.1 Portrait displacement progress 4

Fig.2.2 Portrait displacement Final 

Fig.2.3 Portrait displacement Final 2

Blending mode: Overlay 

Fig.2.4 Sphynx displacement 

[Animal Hybrid]

I took a picture of an elephant made it black and white then added Gaussian Blur of about 2.3 and then saved it to use later in the displacement step. 

Fig.2.5 Animal Hybrid Process

Next, I selected an image of a cow's skin to add the elephant. 

Fig.2.6 Animal Hybrid Process

The first layer looked a little dull so I duplicated the layer and turned the opacity down slightly. Then I changed the background color and it was done.

Fig.2.7 Animal Hybrid Process

Fig.2.8 Animal Hybrid Final

Fig.2.8 Animal Hybrid Final Reworked

Week 7: FeedBack 

For week 7 we got feedback from Mr. Martin on our exercise. For my work he suggested I decrease the size of my picture and decrease the blur for the reflection. 

Fig.1 Me in Hearst Mansion reworked 

Week 9: I'm humanoid

This week we had the humanoid exercise where we had to make Kpop idol Bora into a cyborg. First, we started by using the pen tool to select the area we would be working on. 

Fig.1 Bora exercise progress

Next using the clone stamp tool (S) we colored in the white part. Then using the eclipse tool we made a circle for the leg and I used her skin color as a reference to cool it in. Then we applied inner glow and outer glow as blending modes. 

Fig.1.2 Bora exercise progress

After that, we opened the robot image, and using the selection tool cropped out the area we wanted. Then we move the image to the Bora image and placed it in the area we had cut out. 

Fig.1.3 Bora exercise progress

Next using the pen tool again we drew an outline to mimick a cyborg. Once the drawing was done we went to the stroke path and using brushstroke of 5 the lines were colored in black. These lines were then masked and the bora image was duplicated. 

Fig.1.4 Bora exercise progress

The now colored lines were masked into the new duplicated layer and the blending mode of Bevel and Emboss was added. We adjusted the softness and we were done :)

Fig.1.5 Bora exercise progress

Fig.1.6 Bora exercise Final 

Week 11-12: Consultation
For weeks 11 and 12 we had consultation sessions with Mr. Martin for our cyborg project. During class, we showed him our progress and he gave us feedback and what we can improve.


Week 13: Levitation
In today's class, we looked at the work of a Japanese photographer yowa, who takes pictures where it looks like people are levitating. Then on Photoshop, he showed us how to animate it. 

Fig.1.1 Progress

First, we had to duplicate the and then mask out the person. 

Fig.1.2 Progress

Then using the content-aware fill we had to fill in the background so that now the person and the background were in separate layers.

Fig.1.4 Progress

Then we opened timeline and animate the image. The background was made large and the person made smaller. This gave the effect of levitation. 

Fig.1.5  Levitation Video

We repeated the same process with a different image. This time I tilted the background a bit so it looks like the waves are moving up. 

Fig.1.6 Surfing Video 

Fig.1.7 Progress

Once again we repeated the same process but this time we tried using the puppet tool. We had to make a gif so I just tried to make a fun yoga pose by bending the leg.

Fig.1.8 Yoga gif

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[Reflection]

Experience: It helped me to learn a lot about Photoshop by doing these exercises each week. I had never used Photoshop before, but I became more familiar with the tools available through these exercises.

Observation: Designing something in photoshop can end up having a lot of steps. It is important to pay attention to each step because if one step is missed or done wrongly, it can affect the overall outcome. 

Findings: If you learn the basic tools such as the selection tool, you can honestly create anything. Doing this exercise was so beneficial because we learned to strengthen the fundamentals before learning more advanced techniques.