Digital Photography & Imaging / Project 1

29/09/2023 - 20/10/2023 / Week 1 - Week 4

Lim En Yu / 0354452

Digital Photography & Imaging / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor’s University 

Project 1 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Lectures

2. Instructions

3. Practicals

4. Project 1: Digital Collage 

5. Project 1: Digital Imaging Exercises

6. Feedback

7. Reflection

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Lectures

Week 1 Lecture Slides:

Fig 1.1 Week 1 Lecture Slides

For week 1, Mr Martin has explained about what is Adobe Photoshop and its importance to us. Other than that, Mr Martin also explained about what digital imaging is and brief us about our projects and e-portfolio.

Week 2 Lecture Slides:

Fig 1.2 Week 2 Lecture Slides

During week 2, Mr Martin has taught us how to use the lasso tool, which include lasso tool, polygonal lasso tooland magnetic lasso tool in Adobe Photoshop. Other than that, we have also learnt to use pen tool and layering functions. 

Week 3 Lecture Slides:

Fig 1.3 Week 3 Lecture Slides

On this week's lecture, we learnt about different types of bending mode. Each of them has different function while applying to different pictures. For example, screen blending mode can remove the black part in a picture while mutiply blending mode can remove white part in a picture.

WEEK 4 Lecture Slides:

Fig 1.4 Week 4 Lecture Slides

On week 4, we learnt about the technique of recolouring which is included in our project 1, digital imaging exercise 2. We have demonstrate the practice during practical session. Here is the video tutorial of digital imaging exercise: Video tutorial of digital imaging exercise.

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Instructions

Fig 2.1 Module information

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Practicals

Week 1 

Due to the issue that most of us still have not gotten the access of Adobe account, Mr Martin have gave us some practices to do. Firstly, in order to familiarize ourselves with the pen tool in Adobe Photoshop, we play and practice on Bezier Game.

Fig 3.1 Score for the Bezier Game

Other than that, we are required to set up our e-portfolio link and also pinterest link:

• E-portfolio link
• Pinterest link

On the other hand, Mr Martin has also assigned us some tasks which we need to find three graphic design works done by Photoshop from Pinterest.

1. First Deisgn

Fig 3.2 First Design I Chose

Description:

This kind of style is not my favorite style but I think it is a nice and attractive design based on the combination of color with the components, which is pink and purple matched with the skeleton. Especially I like the Japanese word element and the drawing pattern.

2. Second Design

Fig 3.3 Second Design I Chose

Description:

This design is a retro style design that has a television in the middle. This is a party theme design with dark green which I think is easy to match with other colors and this theme also seems like a unique theme.

3. Third Design

Fig 3.4 Third Design I Chose

Description:

This is my favorite design out of these three graphic designs because I am addicted to anime style of drawing and design, and this is also an old style of anime drawing which is special and interesting. Beside that, I am always interested in Japanese style of design because it looks lively and cute.

After that, I have tried out using the elements in these picutures to create a digital collage. I have changed some colours of the elements and composed it together. Here is the work that I have done using the photos that I have chosen.

Fig 3.5 Digital collage design

Week 2

In week 2, we are practising how to use the lasso tool using the tables below. We are required to mask the tables out and put it in the living room.

Fig 3.6 Tables that need to be masked out, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

Fig 3.7 Living room, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

Fig 3.8 Final Results, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

After trying out the lasso tool, Mr Martin has given us the image of shazam and hearst mansion which further introduce us the  selection tool. Selection tool included quick selection tool, obeject selection tool and magic wand which are faster and easier than the lasso tool.

Images of project 2 exercise 01 

Fig 3.9 Images of project 2 exercise 1, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

Next, we started to select shazam using quick selection tool and apply layer mask to mask it out.

Fig 3.10 Quick selection tool, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

After drag and drop shazam to hearst mansion, we resize and reposition it in an appropriate place. To make the colour of it match with the surrounding, we need to adjust colour correction through match colour in adjustments of image.

Fig 3.11 Adjust colour correction, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

To match the image quality, we have to add noise into it and we also add shadow to it to make it looked more real.

Fig 3.12 Add noise and shadow, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

We have applied gaussian blur to the shadow and lower down the opacity of it to make it spread out and looked more natural.

Fig 3.13 Add gaussian blur and lower down opacity, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

Lastly, reflection is need to be added. First, duplicate shazam layer and position it proportionally under shazam. After that, adjust hue and saturation of it and apply ripple filter to reflection layer and it is done.

Fig 3.14 Adjust hue and saturation and add ripple filter, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

Week 3

This week we have learned to use blending modes to remove the background of certain objects and also increase the contrast of a photo.

To remove black colour background, we can apply screen blending mode on the photo. For example, we have practice using a photo of steam and we need to photoshop it above the coffee.

Fig 3.15 Steam and coffee, Week 3 (13/10/2023)

Fig 3.16 Final Result of applying screen blending mode, Week 3 (13/10/2023)

Other than that, we have also learned to use mutiple blending mode which only show the black colour objects in the photo.

Fig 3.17 Mutiple blending mode, Week 3 (13/10/2023)

In order to increase the contrast of a low contrast photo, we can also duplicate low contrast photo, apply softlight mode to increase contrast. After that, we have to create radial gradient in new level and apply multiply blending mode. As a result, the contrast of the photo will increased.

Fig 3.18 Low contrast photo, Week 3 (13/10/2023)

Week 4

On week 4, we have learnt about the technique of recolouring a black and white photo using softlight blending mode.

Here is the sample photo given by Mr Martin:

Fig 3.19 Black & white that need to be recoloured, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Fig 3.20 Colour reference image, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Reference image is used to pick up the colour for skin and hair using eyedropper tool, we need to pick up highlight, midtone and shadow for each.

After that, we need to mask out the person using refine edge brush tool so that the hair can also be masked out.

Fig 3.21 Refine edge brush tool, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Fig 3.22 Layer mask for hair, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Fig 3.23 Layer mask for skin, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Fig 3.24 Layer mask for clothes, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Next, we need to use picker choose the colour and create new solid layer to replace layer mask and select softlight blending mode for each part of the person. Thus, recolouring of a monochrome photo is done.

Fig 3.25 Final result, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Fig 3.26 Another black & white image that need to be recoloured, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Fig 3.27 Final Outcome, Week 4 (20/10/2023)

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Project 1 : Digital Collage

For the first part of project 1, we started with digital collage design which we needed to create 3 digital collage designs using the photos given by Mr Martin. Here is the link of photos to google drive: Photo Folders.

Here are my first trial of designs:

Fig 4.1 First composition, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

Fig 4.2 Second composition, Week 2 (8/10/2023)

Fig 4.3 Third composition, Week 2 (8/10/2023)

After getting feedback from Mr Martin, he suggest me to use the first digital collage design as my final work and conitnue to improve on it. He also give me some guides to make it better by adding some elements and changing the direction of the elements. 

Here are the steps that show how I created the design.

First, I start with adding the mountain as the base and background of the design. I have inserted three mountains as it can provide a perspective with greater depth.

Fig 4.4 First step, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

Next, I placed the shark at the middle and put an old factory on shark. This is because I wanted to make an effect that the shark was carrying the building on the sky which is like a vehicle. After that, I have duplicated the number of old factory so that it looks like a tall  and complicated building.

Fig 4.5 Added shark and old factory, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

Fig 4.6 Duplicate old factory, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

Other than that, rubber plant are added underneath of the shark as a decoration of it and also express a meaning that flora and fauna can combine together with technology which achieved a harmonious balance of it. Besides that, I have also added several airplane behing and also in between the building so that it shows several layers which are in front and behind.

Fig 4.7 Added rubber plant, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

Fig 4.8 Added airplane, Week 2 (6/10/2023)

During week 3 classes, I have shown Mr Martin my first try of digital collage. He has give me some feedbacks for me to improve. First, he has mentionex that my whole digital collage looks too neat and straight, I should insert inverted the moutains at upper part of the collage and changing the direction and position of each of the old factory building.

Fig 4.9 Duplicate mountain at upper part, Week 2 (13/10/2023)

In order to emphasize on the motion of the shark, I have adjust the angle of the shark which face more upwards and express the image that it is moving.

Fig 4.10 Adjust the position of shark, Week 2 (13/10/2023)

Fig 4.11 Added more rubber plant, Week 2 (13/10/2023)

By making each of the building facing different direction and having different angles and heights, I have created a dynamic balance in it.

Fig 4.12 Adjust the position of old factory, Week 2 (13/10/2023)

Lastly, I have repositioned the position of airplanes and increased the number of it. I have enlarged one of the airplanes at right bottom so that it act as a frontview of the whole digital collage and make the whole digital collage has a design flow.

Fig 4.13 Adjust the position of airplane, Week 2 (13/10/2023)

Fig 4.14 Final artwork for digital collage, Week 2 (13/10/2023)

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Project 1: Digital Imaging Exercises

Part 1 - Hearst Mansion

In first part of digital imaging exercises, we are required to photoshop ourselves into the hearst mansion using the same steps as we photoshop Shazam into hearst mansion which apply the skills of blending, color matching, quick selection tool and layer masking. 

First, I have taken a photo of my full body shot outdoor so that I could have good lighting of my potrait. Other than that, I have also find a clean background so that I could easily mask myself out of the photo.

Fig 5.1 Full body shot of myself, Week 3 (14/10/2023)

After that, I have masked myself out using the layer mask tool and I have copied this layer to the layer of hearst mansion and resize the photo of me until it suits the scale.

Fig 5.2 Mask myself out, Week 4 (18/10/2023)

Fig 5.3 Insert and resize the photo in Hearst Mansion, Week 4 (18/10/2023)

Besides that, the layer of me is adjusted through match colour function in adjustments of image. I have adjusted the luminance and colour intensity from the source of hearst mansion to match the colour with the surrounding.

Fig 5.4 Match Colour , Week 4 (18/10/2023)

In order to match the image quality with hearst mansion, I have also added noise filter to me so that it was not too clear compared to the background.

Fig 5.5 Add Noise Filter , Week 4 (18/10/2023)

After completing the image, I proceed to the shadow of me. By using the brush tool, I coloured black underneath the layer of me. Next, I have added gaussian blur to the shadow so that it look smoother and natural. At the same time, I have also lower down the opacity of shadow layer so that it would not look too contrast.

Fig 5.6 Add Shadow , Week 4 (18/10/2023)

Fig 5.7 Adding gaussian blur to shadow , Week 4 (18/10/2023)

Furthermore, in order to create reflection on the water surface, I have duplicate the layer of me and rotate it 180 degree under me. Hue and saturation of reflection layer are adjusted because reflection in water should be darker. Ripple effect is added to make it looked like a reflection on ater surface.

Fig 5.8 Duplicate to become reflection , Week 4 (18/10/2023)

Fig 5.9 Adjust hue and saturation of shadow, Week 4 (18/10/2023)

Here is the final outcome of me in hearst mansion.

Fig 5.10 Me in Hearst Mansion , Week 4 (18/10/2023)

Fig 5.11 Digital Imaging Exercise 1 , Week 4 (18/10/2023)

Part 2 - Recolouring Breakdown

In the second part of digital imaging exercises, we proceed to recolouring black and white image which we have to choose one from the images given by Mr Martin.

Folder link: Black & White Photo 

Here is the photo that I have chosen to recolour:

Fig 5.12 Recolouring Photo , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

First, before I started by masking out the separate body parts, I have used the eyedropper tool to extracted out colours for skin and hair from reference photos so that I could apply the colours that are more suitable.

Fig 5.13 Reference colours using eyedropper tool , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Secondly, I started to progess with the hair part by masking it out detailedly using the refine edge brush tool so that I could masked out the every part of hair. After that, I apply the solid colour layer with a suitable colour and apply soft light blending mode at the same time.

Fig 5.14 Masked out the hair , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Fig 5.15 Recoloured the hair , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Next, I started to progess with the skin part. I masked out all the parts of body excluded eyes and lips. I have also chosen a suitable colour for it refer to the reference colour.

Fig 5.16 Masked out the skin , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Fig 5.17 Recoloured the skin , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Following the next part, I select and mask the lips part and recoloured it by appling solid colour layer and soft light blending mode.

Fig 5.18 Masked out the lips , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Fig 5.19 Recoloured the lips , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

I decided to choose green colour for her eyes therefore I masked the area out and create a solid colour layer filled with green.

Fig 5.20 Masked out the eyes , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Fig 5.21 Recoloured the eyes , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

For her clothes, in order to match with her eyes, I applied dark green colour on it so that it looks more coordinated.

Fig 5.22 Masked out the clothes , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Fig 5.23 Recoloured the skin , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

After finishing other minor changes, I finish with the recolouring process of black and white photo and below are my final outcome.

Fig 5.24 Final Outcome , Week 4 (20/10/2023)

Fig 5.25 Final outcome of recolouring (PNG), Week 4 (20/10/2023)

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Feedback

Digital Collage: After I finished with my first attempt of digital collage, I have shown it to Mr Martin for feedback. Mr Martin suggest me can improve on the dynamic balance on the whole structure which means that I should not arrange the whole things so neat and tidy. He adviced me to duplicate and invert the mountains on upper part of digital collage and the buildings on the shark can be disarrayed and arranged in different direction as it already something that not in accordance with logic, therefore the buildings no need to be arranged so nicely. Other than that, I have also got a feedback from Mr Martin that I should position a bigger size of airplane at front view and some of the airplanes placed behind the buildings in order to construct a layered and structured image.

Digital Imaging Exercise 1 - Hearst Mansion: Overall feedback of this assignment from Mr Martin is good, he think that I have did a great job and nothing much to improve.

Digital Imaging Exercise 2 - Recolouring: Mr Martin has also give me good feedback about this and overall it was fine.

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Reflection

This project is really fun and I am really enjoying doing this, I feel like I am not just finishing assignment and only work for marks, I am actually learning new things and knowledges through explorations. For every single tasks, I gained mutiple techniques and skills that help me learn more about photoshop and the ways to apply it. Other than that, I was also really grateful because of Mr Martin's helps and guides on every tasks. He leads us on every steps and gave us brief explanations on everything. This module is really useful and interesting as I would not know I could do such things by using Photoshop before I try.