Digital Photography & Imaging / Project 2 : Double Exposure & Photo Manipulation

27/10/2023 - 10/11/2023 / Week 5 - Week 7

Lim En Yu / 0354452

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

Project 2 / Double Exposure & Photo Manipulation

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Lectures

2. Instructions

3. Practicals

4. Project 2: Double Exposure

5. Project 2: Photo Manipulation

6. Feedback

7. Reflection

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Lectures

Week 5 Lecture Slides:

Fig 1.1 Week 5 Lecture Slides

On week 5 we have learnt about the way of creating double exposure which required several images and one portrait to form. There are some tools that we have applied during this class which are mask tool that neede to mask out the object and person, curve map used for increasing the contrast and gradient fill map that can experiment new colour.

Week 6

On this week, Mr Martin has taught us about displacement map which can apply a specific pattern on an object according to its original shape. We have to apply it using displace tool located in distort filter, and the reference photo of the object must be black and white and Photoshop file. This function can be utilised during double exposure or photo manipulation project, I have applied both either. 

Week 7 Lecture Slides:

Fig 1.2 Week 7 Lecture Slides

This week we have learnt about cyborg which means a human while some parts of the body are taken over by mechanical devices. While going through the process, we have applied pen tool to cut out a small part of limb, apply stroke path and also learn new blending options which are bevel and emboss. These blending options enable to emphasis on the line by structuring and shading.

 

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Intructions

Fig 2.1 Module information

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Practicals

Week 5

In week 5, we are practising double exposure which we are provided with several images and we have to create a double exposure following Mr Martin's instructions. Mr Martin has also provided a video tutorial for our reference.

• Images link
• Video tutorial of double exposure

Fig 3.1 Images for double exposure practice, Week 5 (27/10/23)

First, I have masked out the portrait image using refine edge brush tool in "select & mask" after I imported the image.

Fig 3.2 Mask out the portrait, Week 5 (27/10/23)

After that, I have added forest image and repositioned it. To match the background colour, I used eye dropper to select the colour of the sky in forest image and apply to the background solid colour. Next, I have unmasked the part of face that I wanted.

Fig 3.3 Import the forest and unmask the face, Week 5 (27/10/23)

Besides that, I have duplicated another layer of forest and replaced the body part with it.

Fig 3.4 Duplicate forest, Week 5 (27/10/23)

After completing the portrait part, I continued to add images of flock of birds and several clouds behind and in front of the portrait to create depth. 

Fig 3.5 Added birds and clouds, Week 5 (27/10/23)

Lastly, I have added a blue colour gradient map fill layer and adjusted the contrast between the colours and it is done.

Fig 3.6 Apply gradient map, Week 5 (27/10/23)

Week 6

In week 6, we are practising displacement map which we are provided with three set of images and we have to displace the object with pattern following Mr Martin's instructions. 

• Images link

Fig 3.7 First set of image, Week 6 (3/11/23)

Fig 3.8 Second set of image, Week 6 (3/11/23)

Fig 3.9 Third set of image, Week 6 (3/11/23)

For every images that we are going to displace, we have to make it b ecome black and white photo and apply slightly of gaussian blur to it. Lastly, we have to save it as a psd file so that it could be refer back while applying displacement map.

Fig 3.10 Apply B&W and gaussian blur effect, Week 6 (3/11/23)

 Next, we need copy the layer of pattern that we would like to apply on the specific object and convert the layer into a smart object layer. After that, apply displacement map filter in distort and refer back to the psd file. Lastly, apply suitable blending mode that make the photo looks natural, such as mutiply, darken or overlay blending modes.

Fig 3.11 Apply displacement map and blending mode, Week 6 (3/11/23)

Here are the final outcomes of the three sets of images:

Fig 3.12 Final outcome of first set of images, Week 6 (3/11/23)

Fig 3.13 Final outcome of second set of images, Week 6 (3/11/23)

Fig 3.14 Final outcome of third set of images, Week 6 (3/11/23)

Week 7

In week 7, we are practising on cyborg which we are provided with two images and we have to create a cyborg following Mr Martin's instructions. Mr Martin has also provided a video tutorial for our reference.

• Images link
• Video tutorial of double exposure

Fig 3.15 Images for cyborg practice, Week 6 (10/11/23)

First, I have used pen tool to mask out the part of shank that I would like to transform into prosthetic limb after I have imported it into Photoshop.

Fig 3.16 Mask out left shank, Week 6 (10/11/23)

After removing the left shank part, use elliptical Marquee tool to create a oval in a new layer. Next, fill in colour and use eyedropper to choose colour from shadow. Same method applied to the top part of shank.

Fig 3.17 Make shadow, Week 6 (10/11/23)

Furthermore, I crop the metal skeleton part that I wanted using layer via cut from the image.

Fig 3.18 Cut out metal skeleton part, Week 6 (10/11/23)

After pasting it to the portrait, I have repositioned and transformed it accordingly so that it is matching with the leg.

Fig 3.19 Paste metal skeleton and reposition, Week 6 (10/11/23)

I have removed extra part of the metal skeleton using eraser tool after I have finished adjusting it. 

Fig 3.20 Erase extra part, Week 6 (10/11/23)

In order to create synthetic skin, I used pen tool to draw the pattern that I wanted and apply stroke path after I have finished. Next, before I apply blending option, I have created a layer mask and followed by adjusting the Bevel & Emboss. The style that I have chosen was inner bevel and I have adjusted depth, size, soften, highlight mode and shadow mode.                                     

Fig 3.21 Stroke path, Week 6 (10/11/23)

Here is my final outcome for cyborg pratice:

Fig 3.22 Final outcome for cyborg pratice, Week 6 (10/11/23)

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Project 2: Double Exposure

Research

Before I started with my idea, I have explored and found some inspirations about double exposure on Pinterest and here are two images that I found interesting and get inspired with:

Fig 4.1 Reference images, Week 5 (27/10/23)

After I browsed through all the examples on the Internet, I decided to make a concept with flowers and trees, which I expressed myself as a plant.

Fig 4.2 Images for double exposure, Week 6 (2/11/23)

First, I started with importing the portrait of myself into Photoshop. I have used the select and mask tool to mask myself out.

Fig 4.3 Import my portrait, Week 6 (2/11/23)

Fig 4.4 Ielect and mask, Week 6 (2/11/23)

After that, I have change the photo in to black and white using the adjustment tool in image. I have chosen a black colour background using the solid colour fill layer.

Fig 4.5 B&W adjustment and background colour, Week 6 (2/11/23)

In order to increase the contrast of the photo, I have applied the curve map as clipping mask on top of this photo.

Fig 4.6 Increase contrast, Week 6 (2/11/23)

Next, I started with adding my first element which is the cherry blossoms with an unequal length of trunks at the right side of my head. I have duplicate another layer of this image underneath it and lower the opacity to make the transition smoother.

Fig 4.7 Mask out the flowers, Week 6 (2/11/23)

Futhermore, I have added another image of cherry blossom in order to fill in the blank of my face.

Fig 4.8 Added more flower, Week 6 (2/11/23)

To emphasis on the flower and face at the same time, I have added an image with only one cherry blossom to express it as an eye and place it at the original position of my eye.

Fig 4.9 Add the single flower as eye, Week 6 (2/11/23)

Besides that, I masked out the butterflies in the image and placed them accordingly at different positions.

Fig 4.10 Added butterflies, Week 6 (2/11/23)

Moreover, I have inserted the image of the texture of the tree trunks and placed them at the lower part of my hand. In order to make it looks more natural, I have applied displacement map tool that we haave learned before. One of the tree trunk looked low contrast compared to others so I have increased the contrast of it.

Fig 4.11 Added tree trunk texture, Week 6 (2/11/23)

Fig 4.12 Increase contrast of tree trunk, Week 6 (2/11/23)

Lastly, I have added my last elements which are the mists. The purpose that I added the mists was to express a mystical atmosphere and make the whole image not so empty.

Fig 4.13 Added mists, Week 6 (2/11/23)

I have applied the pink colour gradient map as it suits my theme which is flowers. After I have made some minor improvements of double exposure and it was done.

Fig 4.14 Added gradient map, Week 6 (2/11/23)

Final outcome of double exposure:

Fig 4.15 Final outcome for double exposure, Week 6 (3/11/23)

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Project 2: Photo Manipulation

Research

Before I started to sketch about my idea, I have browsed through some ideas about photo manipulation on Pinterest. Here are some of the examples that I have been inspired by.

Fig 5.1 Example 1, Week 5 (28/10/23)

Fig 5.2 Example 2, Week 5 (28/10/23)

Fig 5.3 Example 3, Week 5 (28/10/23)

Sketching & Ideas

After reviewing multiple examples of photo manipulation, I decided to focus my theme on animal and foods. I have chosen chihuahua as the main idea as it is my favourite dog and also it is easy to have a sample photo as my aunt has one chihuahua pet dog. So, here are my initial sketches of ideas:

Fig 5.4 Sketches, Week6 (2/11/23)

After showing my sketches to Mr Matin, he thinks that the bowling chihuahua looks interesting and I can continue to work on it. However, after I really try it out, the result was not ideal. Therefore, I decided to change it to a chihuahua bread instead of bowling chihuahua.

Below are the images to do photo manipulation:

Fig 5.5 Images for first attempt, Week 7 (12/11/23)

Fig 5.6 Final outcome for first attempt, Week 7 (12/11/23)

After I have shown Mr Martin my final work for the first attempt, he suggested that I should place the chihuahua bread with more bread in a basket so that it create a contrast and more interesting. According to Mr Martin's advice, I have found new image to be utilised.

Fig 5.7 Images for second attempt, Week 8 (16/11/23)

First, I have import the basket of bread into Adobe Photoshop, before I set the solid colour of background, I have masked it out.

Fig 5.8 Images for second attempt, Week 8 (16/11/23)

After that, I have place the bread image that I have used at the start as it suits the colour of chihuahua more. Also, I have select and mask the bread so that it would not block the bread in front of it.

Fig 5.9 Insert another bread, Week 8 (16/11/23)

Next, I have pasted the photo of chihuahua into the project and adjust the size and position of it so that it match with the bread. I have also masked out the bottom part of it so that its legs and body can be removed.

Fig 5.10 Insert chihuahua and mask it out, Week 8 (16/11/23)

Apart from that, I have used brush tool to colour the part that the chihuahua and the bread connected so that it looked soother and connected well.

Fig 5.11 Smoothen the edges, Week 8 (16/11/23)

Moreover, I have increased the saturation of the bread to make it match with the bread surrounding.

Fig 5.12 Increase saturation of bread, Week 8 (16/11/23)

Futhermore, the saturation of chihuahua was also increased to maek it same as the bread which is more yellowish.

Fig 5.13 Increase saturation of chihuahua, Week 8 (16/11/23)

As the chihuahua bread was surrounded by a lot of breads, therefore I have added shadow using overlay blending modeat the bottom part to make it looked more real.

Fig 5.14 Create shadow, Week 8 (16/11/23)

To make the upper part and lower part of chihuahua bread look similar, I have added the texture of the bread on the chihuahua using displacement map method while applying overlay blending mode at the same time.

Fig 5.15 Apply bread texture, Week 8 (16/11/23)

I have sought for Mr Martin's opinion after I done it and he said overall was okay but he suggested that the head of chihuahua could be shrinked down  5%-10%. 

Fig 5.16 Adjust the size of chihuahua, Week 8 (16/11/23)

Lastly, I finished this project by added the shadow underneath the basket and it was done.

Fig 5.17 Added shadow, Week 8 (16/11/23)

Final Outcome

Fig 5.18 Final outcome for second attempt, Week 8 (16/11/23)

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Feedback

Double Exposure

After I shown Mr Martin my work done, he have given me some suggestion to improve on which is decrease the over exposure on the finger part and on the face. Apart from that, other things are fine.

Photo Manipulation

Initially, Mr Martin's choice about my sketches was bowling chihuahua, but after I found out that it does not work, I have changed it into chihuahua bread. Before I have finalised it, I have sought for Mr Martin's advice and he suggested that I could place the chihuahua bread in a basket that full of bread instead of one bread only. After I showed him the changes, he said that overall was good but maybe I could shrink down the head of chihuahua 5%-10%.

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Reflection

Before I tried out these techniques, I could not believe that I can done something that I used to see only, and now I became the creator. The feeling was totally different as I have done and completed the photoshop tasks that I never thought of. During the process of carrying out those tasks, I think it was not as difficult as what I thought of, just that I need some time to practise more and learn about the techniques so I can apply it in the correct way. I actually like this project very much as it was really fun and interesting, it does not really like an assignment, for me, it gave me a chance to try out new things. I really enjoyed this module and it benefits a lot in many ways.