Digital Photography and Imaging Task 1

30/03/2022 - 21/04/2022 (Week 1 - Week 4)
WONG JUN ZHE / 0353613
Digital Photography and Imaging / B' Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 1 - Project 1 (Exercises 1 & 2)

LECTURES

Week 1

I was introduced to the module and tasks that I would have to complete throughout this module. Our lecturer showed us a couple of past students' work so we'll have an idea on what designs we are going to produce.

We covered a little bit about the origin of photograph manipulation, and how it evolved over time, which eventually turns into digital imaging aka Photoshop.

Week 1 - Lecture 1: Introduction to Digital Photography and Imaging

1. The importance of Photoshop for the Graphic Designer:

Express your creativity
Create graphic design
Restoration of old images
Integrate graphics and text artistically
Make use of brushes
Change photo colour
Rectify mistakes in photographs

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

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

Fig. 1 Techniques and Purpose of Photo Imaging

Fig. 1 shows four useful techniques of digital imaging and their purpose.

2. Top 10 Tips to become a Successful Graphic Designer

Follow the tutorials
Experiment
Memorize all keyboard shortcuts
Try to replicate others' work
Do participate in design competitions
Subscribe to online galleries
Smart objects for smart designers
Scaling artworks and proportions
Use actions to personalize work
Organize Files Properly

Week 2 - Lecture 2

1. Introduction to basic composition

Fig. x Focal point, sequence of seeing

Focal point: Helps the viewers’ eyes naturally settle on the important pieces of your design first.

Fig. x Scale and Hierarchy, sequence of seeing

Scale and Hierarchy: Scale is often used to help communicate hierarchy by drawing attention toward and away from certain elements, thus signifying their importance to the communication.

*Eye contact always attract the viewer's attention first.

Fig. x Balance the elements, sequence of seeing

Balance the elements: Think of each element as having a ‘weight’ to it. Smaller objects might ‘weigh’ less than larger objects, and heavily textured elements might ‘weigh’ more than flatly colored elements.

Fig. x White space, sequence of seeing

White space (aka "empty space"): Help boost your design’s clarity and overall look by balancing out the more complicated and busy parts of your composition with space that helps your design to breathe.

2. Rule of thirds

Fig. x Rule of Thirds

Fig. x Example of a photo taken using the Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds: 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.

Intersection points: When important elements of an image is placed on the four interception points, a much more natural image will be produced.

Placement of the horizon: It is suggested that any horizon is placed on either the top horizontal line or bottom horizontal line.

Fig. x Percentages of how much an object dominates each intersection points

Fig. x Cyclist as the focal point

Interestingly, objects on the left side of the design tend to attract the viewer's attention first, according to a finding of the western culture. People have the habit to look from left to right, top to bottom. In the second photo, majority of people would immediately be attracted to the cyclist because of this.

The Rule of Thirds is a way to:

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.

3. Golden ratio

Fig. x The Golden Ratio

Fig. x The Golden Ratio in nature

The Golden Ratio: The Golden Ratio is a mathematical ratio and can be commonly found in nature. When applied in a design, it allows organic and natural-looking compositions that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Fig. x Application in design 1

Fig. x Application in design 2

Application in design: In design, the Golden Ratio boils down to aesthetics — creating and appreciating a sense of beauty through harmony and proportion. When applied to design, the Golden Ratio provides a sense of artistry

*The Golden Ratio is a useful guideline for determining dimensions of the layout. One very simple way to apply the Golden Ratio is to set your dimensions to 1:1.618.

Week 3 - Lecture 3 - Introduction to Photoshop 2

Fig. x Lecture exercise, Week 3 (14/04/2022)

This topic is about selection and layering. In class, we tried out to select and mask layers using the lasso tools. Then we copied the masked layers into another image.

Layer interface

Fig. x Layer interface

Tool box

Fig. x Tool box

Photoshop provides several tool sets in the Toolbox, and you can expand the tool sets to reveal additional tools.

Marquee Selection Tools

Fig. x Marquee Selection Tools

1. Lasso tool

Fig. x Three types of Lasso tools

The Lasso Tool allow you to draw and pinpoint specific areas of a document. When we click on the Lasso tool on the toolbar, three types of lasso tools can be seen: Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, and Magnetic Lasso.

2. Pen tool

Fig. x 'Anatomy' of the 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 fewer number of points, the smoother the path will be.

Variations of he pen tool

Fig. x Straight line path

Fig. x U-shaped curve

Fig. x Simple S curve

Fig. x Complex S curve

3. Lasso vs Pen tool

The pen tool is a versatile tool in Photoshop that can be used to create extremely precise shapes and paths, using manually placed anchor points. Although commonly used to make selections, the pen tool was not natively made as a “selection tool”

4. Layering

Layers are different images stacked on top of each other. Each layer are used without affecting another one to make adjustments. Together these layers form one final image. It could look something like this in real life.

The advantage of using Layers is that you can save a Photoshop file while having all the layers included. This means you can use layers for non-destructive editing. Any adjustments made in Photoshop will never destroy the original image. The layers contain all the extra information and / or images you want to add to the original file.

Week 4 - Lecture 4 - Introduction to Photoshop 3

1. Adjustment layer

Fig. x Adjustment layer

The Adjustment Layers in Photoshop are a group of useful non-destructive image editing tools that add color and tonal adjustments to an image without permanently changing its pixels.

The adjustment layers allows editing and discarding adjustments or restoring the original image at any time. This will make one's workflow in Photoshop more flexible and efficient, and is an absolute must-know.

Fig. x Some basics of the adjustment layer

When an adjustment layer is added to an image, a new layer will appear over the image and a Properties panel specific to the type of adjustment selected will pop up. The Properties panel allows modification of the adjustment layer, which in turn will modify the image.

i. Brightness / Contrast

Fig. x Brightness / Contrast

Brightness / Contrast makes adjustments to the tonal range of your image.

The brightness slider is for adjusting the highlights in an image and the Contrast slider is for adjusting the shadows in an image.

ii. Levels

Fig. x Levels

Levels modify the tonal values in an image by adjusting the levels of the shadows, midtones, and highlights.

It’s one of the most useful tools in the adjustment layer panel, and using just a touch of levels will go a long way in correcting your images.

iii. Curves

Fig. x Curves

Curves allows adjustments of as many points as one wants throughout the entire tonal range of image, and is the most powerful and precise tool for editing the tones in an image.

iv. Exposure

Fig. x Exposure

Exposure allows adjustments of the exposure levels with three sliders: Exposure, Offset and Gamma.

Exposure will adjust only the highlights of the image, Offset adjusts the mid tones and Gamma will adjust the dark tones only.

v. Selective Colour

Fig. x Selective Colour

The Selective Color adjustment layer selectively modifies the amount of a primary color without modifying the other primary colors in your image.

2. Filters

Fig. x Filters

Using filters to edit photos is an essential element of Adobe’s graphics editor.

There are filters to change colour, add blur or create completely new image effects. Photoshop offers a virtually unlimited variety of filters for this purpose.

3. Exercise

In this exercise, I am required to select and mask Shazam from its poster. Then, take the masked image of Shazam and insert into a background image of the Hearst mansion.

Fig. x Hearst mansion

Fig. x SHAZAM! poster

Process

1. Shazam

Fig. x Step 1: Selection of Shazam, Week 4 (21/04/2022)

Step 1: Using the object selection tool and the quick selection tool, I carefully selected Shazam from the poster. Then I clicked on the Add vector mask button.

Fig. x Step 2: Solid colour added, Week 4 (21/04/2022)

Step 2: Added a new layer underneath the masked layer. In that layer, I clicked on Create new fill and adjustment layer > Solid colour. For that, I chose a blueish grey hue.

Fig. x Step 3: Hue/Saturation adjustment layer added, Week 4 (21/04/2022)

Step 3: Create new fill and adjustment layer > Hue/Saturation. Then, I played around with the sliders a bit to produce this result.

2. Editing Shazam into Hearst mansion

Fig. x Steps 1 & 2: Matched colour & added noise, Week 4 (21/04/2022)

Step 1: The goal of this exercise is to make Shazam look real in the mansion setting. First, I went to Image > Adjustments > Match colour to match the colour of Shazam to the background.

Step 2: Added noise to Shazam, Filter > Noise > Add noise.

Fig. x Step 4: Shadow with gaussian blur added at 66% opacity, Week 4 (21/04/2022)

Step 3: Add shadow using the Brush tool. Added Gaussian blur to the shadow, Filter > Blur > Gaussian blur. Change opacity of shadow to 66%.

Fig. x Steps 4 & 5: Reflection, Week 4 (21/04/2022)

Step 4: To add reflection, reflect the image vertically. Perfect selection using Polygonal lasso tool.

Step 5: Match colour of reflection with pool. Added ripple effect, Filter > Distort > Ripple.

Final outcome

Fig. x Digital Imaging Exercise 1, Week 4 (21/04/2022)

INSTRUCTIONS

MIB:

Week 1

Activity 1: The Bezier Game

Score: 1st try - 15 nodes to spare, 2nd try - 28 nodes to spare

Activity 2: List down your 3 favourite graphic design work from Pinterest. Explain why you like the designs?

Design #1:

Fig. 1 Not Another

Description: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/851813717034102074/

To me, I find this design very aesthetically pleasing. At first glance, the repetition of shapes, objects, and colours immediately caught my eye. I think the designer did an amazing job at making the different objects look harmonious and united as a whole. Thin lines all around the design also add a lot of details to the design, which makes it look less simplistic and more interesting. The wording at the bottom is simple yet fits nicely to this design.

Design #2:

Fig. 2 City Lights

Description: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/851813717034102072/

I really like this design, especially how nicely and smoothly the two images merged together. The colours of the city lights are very well adjusted, making them look vibrant and intense. I like the fact that this design has very contrasting colours (blue vs orange), which promotes contrast. Although the design looks very complicated, it is well balanced out with the simple background, which I really like.

Design #3:

Fig. 3 Skull

Description: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/4433299625529190/

I really like this design as it looks very chaotic and complicated. However, it is not overly complicated to the point where it is messy. According to my observation, this is be achieved by balancing out the chaos using only one colour. I also like the way the designer compiled the objects into one that complimented each other, as the objects are somehow related.

Task 1 - Exercise 1 - Physical collage

Week 2

Process

Fig. x Cut outs from magazines, Week 2 (07/04/2022)

Fig. x Magazines, Week 2 (07/04/2022)

Fig. x Types of paper, Week 2 (07/04/2022)

Above are all the materials I selected to use for this composition design, including three Calibre magazines, a piece of brown coloured paper, black manila card, and an English novel that I got for a very cheap price which I use for my design works.

Tools I use include scissors, cutter, and glue.

Fig. x Final chosen pieces, Week 2 (07/04/2022)

When I was about to start composing, I realized that I have too many objects, as I remembered empty space is also as equally important as occupied space. So, I cut down the number of objects and left with the objects above.

Fig. x Physical collage pre-comp 1, Week 2 (07/04/2022)

Fig. x Physical collage pre-comp 3, Week 2 (07/04/2022)

After finishing the second pre-composition, I took a break and went on Pinterest to look at other people's work.

Fig. x Physical collage pre-comp 3, Week 2 (07/04/2022)

Then, I came up with the third pre-composition, which is quite different than the previous ones. This one looks messier, and I made the human figures the centre of attraction.

Final Artwork

Fig. x Final physical collage composition, Week 3 (14/04/2022)

PDF file - Exercise 1 - Physical collage

Task 1 - Exercise 2 - Digital collage

Week 3

Fig. x Digital collage pre-comp 1, Week 3 (14/04/2022)

Fig. x Digital collage pre-comp 2, Week 3 (14/04/2022)

Fig. x (Chosen) Digital collage pre-comp 3, Week 3 (14/04/2022)

I had a lot of fun when thinking about ideas for these digital collage compositions and during the hands on experience. Honestly, I was just playing around with different arrangements with the design principles in mind.

For the first pre-composition, I have included elements of emphasis and contrast. Emphasis can be seen through the two people on top of the mountain which is the main focus. The dull/grey coloured objects at the foreground and the brightly coloured background suggests contrast.

For the second pre-composition, I used the element of repetition to create an interesting design. I duplicated the objects and arranged them in a way that looks interesting to me. It kind of has the 'glitchy' effect.

As for the third pre-composition, I played around with inverted colours and reflections, which creates a mirror-like effect. Emphasis can also be seen here with the two fencers at the centre of the design.

Week 4

Fig. x Improved version of my digital collage composition,
Week 5 (28/04/2022) (replacement for week 4)

Final Outcome - Digital collage

Fig. x Final digital collage, Week 5 (28/04/2022)

PDF File - Exercise 2 - Digital collage

REFLECTION

Experience

For the physical collage, i had a limited choice of printed materials to use for the composition. All I had were a few magazines, a novel that I use for creating artworks, brown coloured paper, and black coloured paper. I tried to maximize the use of each material to create a visually appealing composition. When it comes to thinking about how to arrange each piece, it was quite a challenge to me. I want to produce three completely different looking compositions so that I can choose accordingly.

As for the digital collage I did in Photoshop, most of the time I was just playing around with the objects and their placements. There are infinite numbers of possible compositions I am able to effectively select and remove the backgrounds of each object from their original image using the various selection and lasso tools.

Observation

Throughout this project, I have observed that I was learning when playing and messing around with various objects to come up with a final composition.

Findings

By arranging the pieces/objects into a composition in both the physical and digital collage, I have discovered that producing a good composition is not as easy as I think. Though the technical part of things were manageable for me, the true challenge is when thinking about the best way of designing. In my opinion, this will only come with patience, time, practice, and experience.

Besides, throughout this project, I am able to further sharpen my skills of using Photoshop (e.g. shortcut keys, tool, etc.), as well as my understand in composition study.

Oh yeah, I've also discovered that accidents can be beautiful sometimes, in design. I have made tiny accidents while completing this project and some of them turned out looking good.

FEEDBACK

Task 1 - Exercise 1 - Physical collage

Week 2 (07/04/2022)

General feedback: After completing the first collage, take a break and see how good designers compose their artworks on Pinterest. Search for new ideas.

Specific feedback: Mr Martin commented that the first composition is very neat.

Week 2 (07/04/2022)

General feedback: 'Do you have OCD?', Mr Martin asked, as the first pre-comp looks too neat. All three pre-compositions are quite different, but the second and third are the more interesting ones in terms of composition wise.

Specific feedback: The second one looks slightly more interesting than the third. The way the images are arranged make the eyes mingle around the plane more, especially with the arrows. Go for composition 2.

Week 4 (21/04/2022)

General feedback: The first pre-composition looks the best. Definitely go for the first one.

Specific feedback: The first pre-composition shows clear foreground, middle ground, and background, which makes the composition looks much more interesting. The first and second compositions look quite simple in contrast with the first one. They look like they can be done within minutes.