05/05/2022 - 19/05/2022 (Week 6 - Week 8)
WONG JUN ZHE / 0353613
Digital Photography and Imaging / B' Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 2 - Project 2B (Part 1 & 2)
LECTURES
Week 7 - Recolouring (Tutorial exercise)
For this exercise, I am required to recolour a BnW image in Photoshop. Similar to projects before this, I would have to make it look as surreal as possible.
Original images and reference
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| Fig. 1.1 BnW portrait |
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| Fig. 1.2 Hair reference |
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| Fig. 1.3 Skin tone reference |
Process
*Forgotten to take screenshots of Steps 1 - 3.
Step 1: Firstly, I extracted a few tones of the skin and hair from the reference images.
Step 2: I used the quick selection tool to make a good enough base selection of the hair. After masking the selection, I went into 'Select and Mask' to refine the hair strands that were not properly selected. I used the 'Refine brush tool' to select the loose strands of hair carefully.
Step 3: I created a new 'Solid colour' adjustment layer for the hair, and used the eye picker tool to select the sampled midtone from the reference image. Once that's done, I dragged the masked layer of the hair into the 'Solid colour' adjustment layer and set the blending mode to 'Soft light'.
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| Fig. 1.4 Skin selection, Week 7 (15/05/2022) |
Step 4: Once the hair is complete, I moved on to colouring the skin. Similar to the hair, I briefly selected all the areas that are in skin tone using the 'Quick selection tool' and further refine my selection using the 'Refine brush tool'
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| Fig. 1.5 Coloured in skin tone |
Step 5: Next, I created another 'Solid colour' adjustment layer for the skin. This time I picked the midtone from the palette of colours I extracted earlier. Again, I dragged the masked layer of the skin into the 'Solid colour' adjustment layer and set the blending mode to 'Soft light'.
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| Fig. 1.6 Increased saturation |
Step 6: I created a 'Hue/Saturation' adjustment layer and increased the saturation (+53) of the skin colour a little so it looks better.
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| Fig. 1.7 Coloured in background |
Step 7: For the background, I also used the same method as before. I chose a baby blue sort of colour for the background as it adds some contrast with the browns and beige colours.
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| Fig. 1.8 Coloured in furry clothing |
Step 8: Next, I used a light pink colour for the piece of clothing in contrast with the blue background.
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| Fig. 1.9 Coloured in lips |
Step 9: I coloured the lips and teeth. I first created a 'Solid colour' adjustment layer of a colour and inverted the layer. I then used a white brush to colour the lips and teeth, and the colour set in the 'Solid colour' layer would appear.
Step 10: Last but not least, I made some final amendments: changed lip colour, increased intensity of teeth colour, coloured earing.
Final Outcome - Recolouring exercise with tutorial video
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| Fig. 1.10 Final Outcome |
INSTRUCTIONS
MIB:
Task 2 - Project 2B (Part 1) - Hearst Mansion
1. Week 5 - Photo taking
For this project, I am required to take my own photos and edit them into the Hearst Mansion. The catch here is that everything must look realistic and believable.
When I was taking photos and trying to figure out the best pose, I wondered, why only put one photo of myself in the picture? Why not multiple pictures?
Photos taken
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| Fig. 2.1.1 Photo 1 |
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| Fig. 2.1.2 Photo 2 |
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| Fig. 2.1.3 Photo 3 |
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| Fig. 2.1.4 Photo 4 |
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| Fig. 2.1.5 Photo 5 |
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| Fig. 2.1.6 Photo 6 |
2. Editing in Photoshop
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| Fig. 2.1.7 Insert and arrange all images |
Step 1: Using the object selection tool and the quick selection tool, I carefully selected my photos one by one and clicked on the Add vector mask button. Once that's done, I moved the masked images into the Hearst Mansion and arranged them accordingly.
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| Fig. 2.1.8 Matched colour |
Step 2: I clicked on Image > Adjustments > Match colour to match the colour of my photos with the background.
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| Fig. 2.1.9 Added noise |
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| Fig. 2.1.10 Noise close-up |
Step 3: Added noise to my photos, Filter > Noise > Add noise.
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| Fig. 2.1.11 Added shadows |
Step 4: Add shadow using the Brush tool. Added Gaussian blur to the shadow, Filter > Blur > Gaussian blur. Change opacity of shadow to around 65%.
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| Fig. 2.1.12 Added reflections |
Step 5: To add reflection, reflect the image vertically. Perfect selection using Polygonal lasso tool and Pen tool.
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| Fig. 2.1.13 Added ripple effect |
Step 6: Added ripple effect @ 106%, Filter > Distort > Ripple.
Final Outcome - Hearst Mansion
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| Fig. 2.1.14 Final Outcome |
PDF File
Task 2 - Project 2B (Part 2) - Recolouring BnW Portrait
For this Project 2B, I am required to recolour a BnW image in Photoshop. Similar to projects before this, I would have to make it look as surreal as possible.
Original portrait and references
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| Fig. 2.2.1 Original portrait |
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| Fig. 2.2.2 Reference image |
Process
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| Fig. 2.2.3 Extract colours from reference image |
Step 1: Firstly, I extracted a few tones of the skin from the reference images.
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| Fig. 2.2.4 Skin selection, Week 5 (15/05/2022) |
Step 2: I used the quick selection tool to make a good enough base selection of the hair. After masking the selection, I went into 'Select and Mask' to further refine the areas that were not properly selected using the 'Refine brush tool'.
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| Fig. 2.2.5 Coloured in skin tone |
Step 3: I created a new 'Solid colour' adjustment layer for the skin tone, and used the eye picker tool to select the sampled midtone from the reference image. Once that's done, I dragged the masked layer into the 'Solid colour' adjustment layer and set the blending mode to 'Soft light'.
Step 4: I also created a 'Hue/Saturation' adjustment layer and increased the saturation of the skin colour a little so the colours look less dull.
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| Fig. 2.2.6 Coloured in collar |
Step 5: I made a selection of the collars and added a solid colour adjustment layer with 'Soft light' set to it.
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| Fig. 2.2.7 Coloured in suit colour |
Step 6: Next, I coloured his shirt.
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| Fig. 2.2.8 Coloured in lips and background |
Step 7: For the lips, I actually used two different colours for the upper and lower lip. A brown colour was applied for the upper lip, and a pinkish colour was applied for the lower li. As for the background, I also used the same method as before. I chose a brownish colour for the background.
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| Fig. 2.2.7 Coloured in eyes |
Step 8: Finally, I added in some minor details to the eyes using the colours I extracted from the reference photo.
Final Outcome - Recolouring Portrait
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| Fig. 2.2.10 Final Outcome |
PDF File
REFLECTION
Project 2B (Part 1)
In my opinion, this project was very interesting. Since I was young, I have always looked at Photoshop-ed images and have always wondered how they were edited to become so realistic. Today I have finally created a realistic image in Photoshop myself. In addition, I have further sharpened my understanding of adjustment layers as well as making selections through this practice.
Overall, I think the result came out hilarious. Throughout the process, it sure was a lot of work and very time consuming. But I think it was all worth it. A bunch of me-s walking around the Hearts mansion is just silly, I know. But hey, at least they make the photo less empty.
Project 2B (Part 2)
My first reaction when I saw the example work was, Wow, Photoshop really can do anything huh? The fact that a single software enables one to recolour BnW images with insane accuracy and detail is simple mind-blowing. Throughout the project, I get to use the skills I learnt in previous lectures as well as newly learnt skills such as the different blend modes.
Overall, the result is great. It looks extremely believable, and honestly if I didn't do it myself, I wouldn't know it was recoloured in Photoshop.
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