Digital Photography and Imaging

1.5.2022 - 2.6.2022 (Week 6 - Week 10)
Tan Yi-Tyng (0353327)
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Digital Photography and Imaging
Project 2

QUICK LINKS

Exercises: Weekly lecture note & class exercise

Project 1: Physical & Digital Collages

Project 2: Conceptual Product Photoshoot

Final Project: Cinemagraphs Self-tilted (still & animation)

INSTRUCTIONS

PROJECT 2A

Part 1: Shazam

In this exercise, we were asked to place a photo of Shazam in another different photo of Hearst Mansion, and we also needed to do some colour corrections to make Shazam look like he belongs in that environment. We need to follow step by step with the YouTube tutorial given by Mr Martin and then download the images provided on google drive to create our own work.

Fig 2.1 Hearst Mansion

Fig 2.2 Shazam Poster

Fig 2.3 Process of editing in Photoshop

Fig 2.4 Process of editing in Photoshop

Fig. 2.5 Final Hearst Mansion and Shazam digital collage (JPG)

Fig. 2.6 Final Hearst Mansion and Shazam digital collage (PDF)

Part 2: My Reflection

For the second exercise, we are tasked to use the same method we learned from that tutorial and digitally insert ourselves into the provided photo of Hearst Mansion. We are required to take a full-body photo of ourselves with technique lightning and eye-level shots.

Fig 2.7 Full Body Portrait

Fig 2.8 Process of editing in Photoshop

Fig 2.9 Process of editing in Photoshop

Fig 2.10 Final "My Reflection" (JPG)

Fig 2.11 Final "My Reflection" (PDF)

PROJECT 2B

Part 1: Double Exposure (Class Exercise)

For this exercise, we have learned a new technique of combining two images into one where one image is overlaid onto another at less than full opacity. Double exposure can create a surreal feeling for the photos and the two photographs can work together to convey deep meaning or symbolism. To begin, we have to download the images and follow the tutorial given by Mr Martin.

Fig3.1 - downloaded the images provided in google drives

Fig3.2 - Process of editing in Photoshop

Fig 3.3 - Final Double Exposure (JPG)

Fig 3.4 - Final Double Exposure (PDF)

Part 2: Double Exposure (Self Portrait)

For the second exercise, we need to apply the technique and knowledge used in the previous exercise to create a self-portrait. Below are the instructions that we need to follow:

Take your own portrait photo (portrait mode).
Collect background images online (high resolution).
Import all images to Photoshop and convert to black & white/ monochrome (Can be mixture of colour with B & W).
Make your own double exposure photo!
Image can be landscape (1920x1080) or portrait (1080x1920)

First, I went on Pinterest to search for some inspiration and watched some tutorials on YouTube. I was amazed at how creative they are creating double exposure artwork, and they are so skillfully in photoshop, which helped me to learn a lot from them. I enjoyed the moment of observing the technique they used and understanding the message they wanted to convey to the viewer.

Fig3.5 - Inspiration Board

Option 1

I got the idea of creating a double exposure with the theme of mother nature, symbolic of the environment from which life thrives. It can also address pressing environmental issues and topics about conservation, preservation, and threatened habitats. With that in mind, I went on to a website (Unsplash) to search for some high-quality images for this exercise.

Fig3.6 - Images used for option 1

Fig3.7 - Remove the background

Fig3.8 - Adjust the images self-portrait to black and white & masking the images of branches

Fig3.9 - Masking the images of forest & touch up some details with brush tool

Fig3.10 - Final Outcome of option 1

Option 2

For the second attempt, I found a photo showing how a busy street scene crowds of pedestrians, shoppers and others can be seen walking along the pavements outside the shops or trying to cross the road. Besides, the roads are filled with cars, trucks, and buses. I’m glad to find this photo that has the potential for me to incorporate my self portrait with applying the double exposure technique. The main message that I want to convey is living in a bustling and fast-paced city, don’t forget to breath and never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.

Fig3.11 - Images used for option 2

Fig3.12 - Remove the background

Fig3.13 - Adjust the image into black and white

Fig3.14 - Clipping mask the image of city

Fig3.15 - Used brush tool to unmask some area

Fig3.16 - Final Outcome of option 2

After getting feedback from Mr Martin, he suggested that I could choose this design as my final submission, however he felt like there were too many empty spaces on two sides, he suggested me to change the orientation of artboard from landscape to portrait.

Fig3.17 -Image in Portrait

Fig3.17 -Images added with birds and clouds

After making the adjustment, I felt like there is still too many empty spaces on top of the composition. So, I decided to add some of the birds and clouds to the empty area. I shared what I am concerned about this layout with Mr Martin and he suggested that I choose the third option as my final submission.

Option 3 (Final Submission)

For the 3rd attempt, I used the same theme as the previous work, which was based on the natural environment. I wanted to express in a way that the trees grow on my body and up to the cloudy sky.

Fig3.11 - Images used for option 2

Fig3.12 - Remove the background

Fig3.13 - clipping mask the trees on face

Fig3.14 - adding the image of clouds on top of the head

Fig3.15 - adjust the levels of the whole image

Fig3.16 - layer panel

Fig3.17 - Final Submission of Self Portrait exercise (JPG)

Fig3.18 - Final Submission of Self Portrait exercise (PDF)

PROJECT 2B

Part 1: Recolouring B&W photo (Class Exercise)

In this exercise, we were taught to recolour a black and white photo. It was exciting and fun to recolour it because Mr Martin has provided a very clear and detailed video tutorial for us to step by step learning.

Fig4.1 - Original Black and White Photo

Fig4.2 - Hair Colour Reference

Fig4.3 - Face Colour Reference

Fig4.4 - Progress

Fig4.5 - Progress

Fig4.6 - Progress

Fig4.7 - Layer Panel

Fig4.8 - Final Outcome of Recoloured Photo (JPG)

Fig4.9 - Final Outcome of Recoloured Photo (PDF)

Part 2: Recolouring B&W photo (My Reflection)

Next, we were tasked to choose one original black and white image from the google drive folder provided by Mr Martin, and then we needed to use the same techniques and recolour it on our own.

Fig4.10 - Photos provided in Google Drive

Fig4.11 - The original black and white photo that I choose

Fig4.12 - Reference

Fig4.13 - Progress

Fig4.14 - Progress

Fig4.15 - Progress

Fig4.16 - Layer Panel

Fig4.17 - Final Outcome of Recolored photo (JPG)

Fig4.17 - Final Outcome of Recolored photo (PDF)

PROJECT 2C

Photo Manipulation Ideation

For this exercise, we are tasked to create a photo manipulation, as well as a creative photo montage with the usage of additional or surreal objects. The main objective of this exercise is to develop our imaginative and creative idea, photo shooting skills and photoshop editing skill. Below are the instructions for this exercise that we need to follow.

Fig5.1 - Instructions of this exercise

At first, I felt lost and had no idea what I should do with this exercise as I was new and unfamiliar with this term of photo manipulation. So, I begin by searching for some inspiration on Pinterest. When I came across looking through all the interesting works of photo manipulation for the first time, I would always question myself “how did the author create this?”. They possess creative ideas and professional editing skills which I was so impressed. Besides, I have watched some photography and photoshop tutorials to improve my editing, shooting and lighting skills.

Fig5.2 - Inspiration Board

Next, I proceed to sketch out several ideas for this photo manipulation exercise.

Fig5.3 - Sketches

After getting feedback from Mr Martin, he suggested that I choose the sketch #1 as he thinks the idea was very interesting. Then, I proceed to shoot the objects and edit them in Photoshop.

Fig5.4 - Preparation of objects used for shooting

Since the objects are mainly in light colour, I decided to shoot the object with a black background, making it easier for me to edit on photoshop. However, I didn’t have any dark background for me to shoot the object. Hence I used a black shirt to replace it. And I also used a tripod shoot to shoot it. Surprisingly, the outcome turns out very great.

Fig5.5 - Set up camera

Fig5.6 The outcome of product photography

Fig5.7 - Adjust the brightness and saturation of the image

Fig5.8 - Used the spot healing brush tool to remove the black spot on banana

Fig5.9 - Editing progress

Fig5.10 - Final outcome of 1st attempt

Fig5.11 - Final outcome of 2nd attempt

Fig5.12 - Final outcome of 3rd attempt

After completing this photo manipulation work, I'm not satisfied with this outcome, it doesn't look so impactful. Hence I wanted to recreate another photo manipulation exercise based on the idea of sketch #4.

Fig5.13 - Sketch

A summary of my idea (same as uploaded at google docs)

I decided to choose poster #3 as my main reference, I like the idea of incorporating the camera lens, mug and a coffee with bubbles on top. The other reason I chose this idea is because the objects used for this poster are also convenient for me to prepare for my exercise. I would always take note of the exercise requirement and plan ahead all tasks to make sure the workflow would run smoothly. I have planned to shoot the three objects with a white background as they are mostly based on dark colour, so when it comes to the editing part, I can easily remove the background. After observing and analysing the reference, I found out that paying attention to the lighting and shadow is a key element in creating a great photo manipulation artwork. Then, I have planned that when shooting the objects, I would make sure that the lighting source is from the left, so when it comes to editing in photoshop, I will create a shadow sitting at the right bottom of the object.

As mentioned on the top, the objects are all based on dark colour, so I need to shoot them on a white background. At first, I used an A4 white paper as the background, but it seems like too small, I can’t film it at a long distance, so I came up with the idea of using a white pillow as a background.

Fig5.14 - shooted on A4 white backgroud

Fig5.15 - behind the scenes photography (shooted on white pillow)

Fig5.16 - The outcome of product photography

Fig5.17 - Remove the background

Fig5.18 - Used Pen Tool to clean some edges

Fig5.19 - Add background colour

Fig5.20 - Remove unnecessary part of the mug image & only shown the part of the mug handle

Fig5.21 - Adjust the blending mode of the mug layer to darker colour

Fig5.22 - Used Pen tool to cut out the shape of the coffee

Fig5.23 - Adjust the brightness and saturation of each layer

Fig5.24 - add gradient to the background and add shadow for the product

During the feedback section, Mr Martin approved my work and thanked my classmates for voting this work as my final submission. However, Mr Martin suggested I add some smoke effect on top of the coffee to look more realistic. As the smoke effect is difficult for me to capture, Mr Martin allowed me to get the image online and use it for this work.

Fig5.25 - image of smoke

Fig5.26 - Adjust the blending mode of the smoke image to screen, only the smoke effect will be shown

Final Submission

Title:

Lens Coffee Mug

Description:

It's hard not to like this cool coffee mug. A special unique design made from the lens of a camera that has been fashioned into a mug. Kick start your day with a coffee in your professional camera lens cup.

Fig5.27 - Final Submission of photo manipulation (JPG)

Fig5.28 - Final Submission of photo manipulation (PDF)

Feedback

Week 9: Sketches of Photo Manipulation & double exposure exercise

Good Exploration! You did a great job in researching the ideas for photo manipulation. I would suggest you choose sketch #1 for this exercise. The idea of it is very interesting.

For the double exposure exercise, I like the option 2, simple and nice, I like the idea. However, I suggest you to change the orientation of the artboard into portrait.

Week 10: Photo Manipulation exercise

Mr Martin and my classmates vote for the second idea ( Lens coffee mug ) as my final submission.

Reflection

Overall, the whole exercise for this project 2 is very fun and interesting! I observe that my photoshop skills have improved a lot. Besides, I was delighted that I got the opportunity to learn how to photograph professionally and develop my photography lighting skills. To choose one of my favourite exercise will be the last task. We have to apply all the knowledge and photoshop techniques that we learn from the previous task to create photo manipulation work. I really enjoy the process of developing the ideas and I’m very satisfied with the outcome.

TAN YI-TYNG (0353327)