Digital Photography and Imaging - Project 2

28.04.2022 - 02.06.2022 ( week 05 - week 10 )
Len Hoi Yee / 0353430
Digital Photography and Imaging / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media
Task 2: Photo manipulation and Double Exposure

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Instruction

Project 2 consists of 3 parts :

Project A : Photo Manipulation

Project B : Recolouring Black and White photo

Project C : Photo Manipulation (surrealism) 

Week 5 (28.04.2022 ~ 04.05.2022)

Tutorial exercises 

Exercise: Photo manipulation (Hearst Mansion + Shazam) 

 Fig 1.1 Practice in class, (28.04.2022)

In class, Mr. Martin taught us about photo manipulation by editing shazam into a picture that looks like a mansion. Tools such as Lasso tool, Brush tool, Blending mode, Gaussian blur effect for shadow and of course, masking as well. 

We controlled the lighting by using the brightness and contrast functions to blend Shazam into the background based on the light source. 

Fig 1.2 Final outcome of hearst mansion + Shazam, (28.04.2022)

Exercise: Double Exposure 

 

Fig 1.3 Final outcome of double exposure exercise, (28.04.2022)

Exercise: Photo Recolouring 

Fig 2.1 Recolouring black and white photo progress, (05.05.2022)

I have watched Mr. Martin recorded lecture on recolouring black and white photo on youtube, it was an on-point lecture and it didn't take me a long time to finish it, which is great!!

Fig 2.2 Recolouring black and white photo final outcome, (05.05.2022)

I really like the combination of the colour and how it blends so well with each other. I guess this task is to also train us in our colour matching skills. 

Week 9 (26.05.2022 ~ 01.06.2022)

Exercise: Blending Mode 

In this class, it was a very relaxing and chill class as the edit and process weren't hard to execute. Plus, we could edit the pictures to our liking as Mr. Martin wanted us to enjoy and play around with the functions to get to know Photoshop settings. 

Fig 3.1 Blending mode 1, (26.05.2022)

For this I have increased the overall brightness to increase the lighting as if the sunlight ray is from the window shining at the girl. 

Fig 3.2 Blending mode 2, (26.05.2022)

I wanted to try out the other settings and i made this picture with a lower contrast and brightness. 

Fig 3.2 Blending mode 2, (26.05.2022)

I have applied a radial gradient so the sunset looks more real. 

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Task 

Week 5 (28.04.2022 ~ 04.05.2022)

Project 2A : Photo Manipulation

Exercise: Photo manipulation (Hearst Mansion + Own picture) 

For this task, we practiced photo manipulation by using Shazam picture and Hearst Mansion, then, we are to use the same skill and edit our own picture into the Hearst Mansion picture, as if we took the picture at Hearst Mansion.

So to find a picture of myself, considering the lighting from the left side and the overall colour of the Hearst Mansion, I needed to find a picture of myself that fits and blends well with the colour of Hearst Mansion. 

Fig 4.1 My pic for photo manipulation - JPEG, (28.04.2022)

Fig 4.2 Masked photo , (28.04.2022)

Fig 4.3 Hearst Mansion + Hoi Yee, (28.04.2022)

So after masking my own picture, I copied it into Hearst Mansion. Then i reduce the quality of my picture so it blends well with Hearst Mansion. Then , creating shadow for myself considering the light ray coming from the left side. I did shadow on the right of my picture, and used gaussian blur and reduce the opacity of the black paint that I used. 

Final part, reflection. Without neglecting the small indoor pool, i have made reflection of myself on the pool and as the pool is in indoor, i did some small water ripples on my reflection.

I realised all these effects have enhanced the photo beauty and it is super easy to do!

Project 2B Part 1: Double Exposure 

In this exercise, we were given materials to learn double exposure on Photoshop during class by using a model's portrait. Then, we are to use our own picture and do another double exposure exercise by applying the same technique we have learnt in class. 

Fig 5.1 Double exposure tutorial outcome  , (28.04.2022)

Visual Research 

To produce a good work, first thing we need to do is to properly understand what we are doing for the task and as a beginner, I definitely need some inspiration and ideas from other people's work, and to open up my vision towards Photoshop.

Fig 5.1 Double exposure tutorial outcome  , (04.05.2022)

So these are the ideas that I find it interesting and I would like to try it out using my own pictures and materials. But it was different from the exercise I did in class, So I had to consult Mr Marin on how to execute this idea. 

Fig 5.1 Chosen picture of myself for double exposure , (04.05.2022)

Fig 5.2 Chosen materials for first double exposure , (04.05.2022)

First double exposure desgin

Fig 5.3 Double exposure , (04.05.2022)

New double exposure design

Before submitting project 2, I realised that my double exposure exercise was not done properly and there is room for improvement, so I decided to redo my double exposure.

Fig 5.3 Materials used in new double exposure design, (04.06.2022)

• Trees
• Rainbow
• Clouds
• A flock of birds

Fig 5.4 New double exposure design, (04.06.2022)

Week 6 (04.05.2022 ~ 11.05.2022)

Project 2B Part 2 : Photo Recolouring 

We were given a black and white model portrait and practice recolouring it, then, pick a photo from the file that was provided for us and recolour it. 

Fig 6.1 Colouring the hair  , (09.05.2022)

Fig 6.2 Masking face  , (09.05.2022)

Fig 6.3 Changing skin tone colour , (09.05.2022)

Fig 6.4 Photo Recolouring Exercise 1 , (09.05.2022)

Fig 6.5 Chosen black and white photo, (09.05.2022)

This is the black and white photo that I have picked. The reason why i picked this photo is that I like the Chinese cheongsam culture, and at first I thought she was Chinese, but turns out she is Japanese which doesn't affect the outcome because I wanted to paint a picture that has the vintage vibe. 

Fig 6.6 masking face and i, (09.05.2022)

First, I masked her face and painted a tan-skinned tone for her. 

Fig 6.7 painting the cloth, (09.05.2022)

Fig 6.8 painting the hair accessory , (09.05.2022)

Fig 6.9 Photo Recolouring Exercise 2 , (09.05.2022)

At first, I wanted to go with an Emerald green kind of colour for the cloth, but it doesn't stand out so I decided to change the colour to make it more sharp and attracts audiences' attention. On top of that, I have chosen a bright background to match the cloth, so in general, I wanted this photo to give a vintage traditional vibe and to show people the beauty of Japanese and Japan's culture. 

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Week 7 (12.05.2022 ~ 19.05.2022)

Project 2C : Photo Manipulation 

For the last task of Project 2, we are to use the same knowledge we have learnt in Shazam and Hearst Mansion and apply on this task. Basically, we have to take a picture of 2 objects and create a surreal picture. 

Visual Research 

Here are some surreal images that I find interesting and inspired me. 

Fig 7.1 First idea, (24.05.2022)

First idea, i wanted to combine the jellyfish head with the Ballerina's skirt, however, Mr. Martin said that we must use picture that is taken on our own, no online pictures are allowed. :( I actually love this idea. 

Fig 7.2 Second idea , (24.05.2022)

Second idea I am using this shampoo, and when I saw this shampoo, I thought about those thick and big candles that churches use, so I tried to combine it and it works!

Fig 7.3 Shampoo + candle outcome , (02.06.2022)

When, I showed Mr.Martin my ideas, he told me to work on the shampoo and candle, but after I have done the edit, I felt that the idea is not creative enough and I had enough time to do a new version, so I tried to figure new things out. 

Fig 7.4 Third idea , (02.06.2022)

For this idea, I thought about skaters and the circular hollow shape that they skate in is similar to the shape of the toilet paper roll, so I was thinking why not edit the person inside. 

       Fig 7.5 Fourth idea , (30.05.2022)

The idea of this combination is like the famous Nike shoes called Nike Air Max, they have air underneath the shoes as the insole, in a way it is comfortable to wear as it is light, so by connecting the air pump tip to the shoelaces of the Nike shoes, I thought it would work. 

Fig 7.6 Fifth idea , (30.05.2022)

While I was dying from thinking of a combination, I thought about the thigns that I have, and I was wondering what i could make out of a violin or a guitar, then I thought about the shape of the guitar and it looks similar to the pear fruit or maybe avocado. Quite interesting. I consulted Mr. Martin about this idea, and he said that I could try. 

Photos taken: 

Fig 7.7 Pear fruit - JPEG, (30.05.2022)

Fig 7.8 Guitar - JPEG  , (30.05.2022)

Fig 7.9 Masking guitar parts, (30.05.2022)

For this combination, I only planned to use the middle part of the guitar which consists of the strings, the head, the fretboard and the saddle, so this looks like it is a pear guitar. First I started off masking the pear fruit out and then the guitar. 

Fig 7.10 Bad masking (left) and After altering (right) , (30.05.2022)

When I was masking the guitar strings, it was the hardest part, as the strings are thin and it's quite hard to see and properly mask them out, so it took me a long time to mask them out. Mr. Martin reminded me to use the brush tool to brush out the unwanted parts. After altering, It definitely looks neater and blend in 

Fig 7.11 Setting up background and shadow , (30.05.2022)

So, I picked a slightly light and cream colour a the background so it wouldn't cause too much contrast. By using Gaussian blur for the shadow, I placed it at the bottom of the pear and reduced its opacity too. 

Fig 7.12 Emboss , (31.05.2022)

Mr. Martin taught me this 'Emboss' setting so that the guitar saddle looks more carved in the pear than just a pure copy and paste the picture. So, I applied it on the saddle, the middle ring-shaped and the fretboard.

Fig 7.13 Final outcome - JPEG, (31.06.2022)

I am not going to lie it looks really cute and I think I can name it as 'puitar'. 

Final Outcome

Project 2A : Photo Manipulation

Fig 8.1 Photo Manipulation ( Hearst Mansion + Hoi Yee ) - JPEG, (28.04.2022)

Project 2B Part 1: Double Exposure 

Fig 8.2 Double Exposure  - JPEG, (04.06.2022)

Project 2B Part 2 : Photo Recolouring

Fig 8.3 Photo Recolouring Exercise 1 - JPEG, (09.05.2022)

Fig 8.4 Photo Recolouring Exercise 2 - JPEG, (09.05.2022)

Project 2C : Photo Manipulation 

Fig 8.5  Photo Manipulation  - JPEG, (31.05.2022)

Feedback

Week 9 (26.05.2022)

Mr. Martin told me that I could work on the shampoo and candle combination, as it was the only idea that works.

Week 10 (02.06.2022)

Mr. Martin said that the toilet paper roll and skater combination is too common, and for my fourth idea, "it doesn't work visually." 

For the "pear guitar", Mr Martin taught me how to use the function Emboss in Photoshop to make the guitar carved on the pear. 

Reflection

Throughout these few weeks, I have learnt a lot and gotten familiar with Adobe Photoshop settings, although sometimes I do forget about the techniques and it is frustrating when I couldn't mask the object our nicely. Thank god, Mr.Martin told me I could improve the masking by using brush tool, which clearly I have forgotten about it. For example, the guitar masking, it took me a long time to select it and mask but I couldn't select it perfectly, and that's when the brush tool come in handy which I had totally forgotten about the setting and thank god Mr Martin reminded me. 

In these 3 projects, I enjoyed photo recolouring the most as I was playing around with colours, and I really love the girl portrait that I did for class exercise. The most frustrating project definitely would be the photo manipulation 'puitar' because it took me so long to come up with a great idea. So, I compared it to the previous work that I have done the 'shampoo and the candle', the 'puitar definitely looks more creative and requires more work than the 'shampoo and the candle'. 

Anyway, I would like to say is that I definitely enjoy these few weeks and I have learnt a lot about Photoshop, there were things that I thought I would never be able to do, but hey I did learnt it in this module which I am pretty satisfied.