Digital Photography and Imaging - Weekly Task
29/03/21 - 02/07/21
Week 1 - Week 14
Tan Jiaxuan 0339598
Bachelor of Mass Communication (Public Relations and Events Management)
Week 1 : Introduction to Digital Photography and Imaging
31/3/21
I had my first class of this module today. Since we are still in the MCO, so we meet our lecturer, Mr Martin online. Mr Martin gave us a basic idea of Adobe Photoshop and briefly explain to us how to use it and what are we going to do throughout this semester.
Task :
- Practice and play the Bezier Game : https://bezier.method.ac
- Create E-portfolio blog
- Register Pinterest and Behance
Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/jasiratan/ Behance : https://www.behance.net/tanjiaxuan - List down my 3 favourite graphic design work from Pinterest and explain why do I like the designs
Bezier Game
It is a game for the user to master their pen tool. We have to draw the given object with the amount of nodes given. After drawing, it will show how many nodes you used and the ideal amounts of nodes, encouraging us to try again.
At the beginning of the tutorial, there is a heart shape required us to draw. The tutorial it shown how to draw it surprised me well. I have never thought that we can draw a heart shape in this way. This game requires not only dozens of practices but also our critical thinking mindset (which I am very poor at QAQ).
Figure 1.1 Bezier Game
I completed the game with 28 nodes left, but I'm already satisfied with the result :b
Overall, I think this game is useful and I would definitely play it again when I'm bored next time. Hopefully there will be more tutorials to show how they completed those stages too!
Figure 1.2 Bezeir Game
3 Favourite Graphic Design Work
The moment I saw this design, I could feel the dancing vibe. The typography of the design has a very 'soft' feel, just like the ballerina. Both hands are above and across the word, making the design more 3D. Although it is just a photoshoot with typography on it, it caught my eyes successfully.
I like the concept of merging the dress into a 2D object. We can imagine the dress is long and maybe a little puffy through the clouds in the design. The colour of this design makes me feel warm. The shadow is making the dress look realistic.
I really like those kinds of designs which have some basic graphics in them. I like the minimalism of this design. The colour is satisfied which is matched to the colour of its products, making me want to have further discovery on it. The font is minimalist as well. Besides, I like the idea of it only using those simple tools (lines) but it still can perform a certain level of aesthetic.
Week 2 : Introduction to composition
7/4/21
In today's lesson, I have learned about basic composition including focal point, scale & hierarchy, balance, rule of thirds, golden. ratio and so on.
Task :
- Choose and identify your collage's design elements to be cut out and compose them into your own concept & story.
- Pre-compositing your collage's design elements into a composition.
The task for this week is actually our Project 1A, physical collage. We have to find different elements such as images and typography from newspapers and magazines or print the design elements out. We have to precompose 3 designs out. As I don't have any newspapers and magazines, so I chose to print the elements I need out.
My main challenge is that I didn't notice the size of my printed image and the design I have drafted earlier is different. Some of the elements should be smaller but they turned out larger than what I've expected. So, I have to play along with my creativity. After many hours of trying, I really feel that doing collage is not easy as it looks, it is fun but it also has to rely on some design principles and at the same time has to make the design interesting.
PRE-COMPOSITION #1
PRE-COMPOSITION #2
PRE-COMPOSITION #3
Week 3 : Introduction to Photoshop
14/4/21
In today's lecture, we learned about the basic tools of Photoshop which are Lasso, Pen, and Layering.
I also learned some shortcut keys to use in Photoshop such as Command '+' is Zoom In; Command '-' is Zoom Out; Command '0' is fit to screen.
Task :
- Download all of the images given by Mr. Martin.
- Create 3 different composition digital collages from the images that you’ve downloaded.
Now we have to proceed to Project 1B which is digital collage. We have to create 3 different designs using the images given by Mr. Martin in Photoshop. We were introduced to use Pen Tool and Lasso Tool to cut our design elements out.
Figure 3.1 Elements that using Pen Tool to cut out
Figure 3.2 Elements that using Lasso Tool to cut out
Figure 3.3 Elements that using Quick Selection Tool to cut out
PRE-COMPOSITION #1
PRE-COMPOSITION #2
PRE-COMPOSITION #3
Week 4 : Introduction to Photoshop
21/4/21
In today's lesson, I've learned about adjustment layers and filters. Mr. Martin goes through each of the features and functions to show us the difference. For example, Brightness, Contrast, Vibrance, Saturation, and so on. I also learned about color adjustment and know that designers see color in 6 color wheel.
Task :
- Download the Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1018HEDcOHp9SCjia9eEE91Ur9eTWynwd?usp=sharing
- Follow the step-by-step video to edit it in photoshop: https://youtu.be/b6XqlUP-MUA
According to the video, Mr. Martin guided us step-by-step to edit Shazam into Hearst Mansion. There are basically three steps in total: Quick Selection, Shadow, Reflection. Besides, we have to make some adjustments to the color and apply Gaussian Blur effect to make the reflection more real.
After finishing this task, we are required to take a photo of ourself and crop ourself into the Hearst Mansion.
Figure 4.1 Hearst Mansion and Shazam
Figure 4.2 Cropping out Shazam using Quick Selection Tool
Figure 4.3 Final result of editing
Figure 4.4 Photo of myself
Figure 4.5 Final result of editing
Week 5 : Poster Design Development
28/4/21
In today's lesson, Mr Martin brief about our Project 2B. In Project 2B, we have to create a poster about the Refugee in Malaysia. Before we start to design our poster, we have to do some research on this issue.
Task :
- Study and gather all related information about your topic.
- Write a summary about your topic
- Highlight the key points of your summary
- Define the Title
- Define the Slogan
- Define the Details
- Define the Call For Action
Figure 5.1 Poster Reference 1
Figure 5.2 Poster Reference 2
Figure 5.3 Poster Reference 3
Week 6 : Recolouring Black and White
5/5/21
In today's lesson, we have to recolour a black and white photo using Photoshop. We need to use Brush Tool to colour the area we wanted and apply Blending Mode on it. Mr Martin recommend us to use Overlay or Soft Light to make the image more real.
Figure 6.1 Before and after recolouring
Week 7 : How to apply colour
12/5/21
This week, Mr Martin teach us to perform our recolour to a more advanced level. We have learned how to make the selection of hair accurately without selecting the background.
Task :
- Demo video: https://youtu.be/Tye0ULqK9SQ
- Download images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18lnIazWaZSUfBkzgWhSocbJAoLKEByI8?usp=sharing
Figure 7.1 Before and after recolouring
Task :
- Select ONE B&W photo from the folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1czJ0D44XGRTp8gVCHxqcuArBfLZqWK5-?usp=sharing
- Search photo online for skin/hair references. Recolour the photo for submission.
Figure 7.2 Before and after recolouring
Week 10 : Intro to After Effect
2/6/21
This week, we have learned about the basics of After Effect. After Effect is a 2.5D animation software that is used for animation visual effects. We have to design all the elements using Photoshop and create movements for the design by using After Effect.
Figure 10.1 PSD file given by Mr Martin
Figure 10.2 I start to create movements for the Fencer first
Figure 10.3 I used Easy Ease for my Keyframe
Figure 10.5 I made a Position movement for the typewriter as I want it looks like the fencer is standing on it.
Figure 10.6 Movements for the Shark
Figure 10.7 I also added some movement for the background.
Video 10.1 Final result
Week 12 : Double Exposure and Image Blending Mode
16/6/21
This week, Mr. Martin teach us about Double Exposure. Double Exposure is the process of combining two or more different images together. I have learned that we can simply edit a double exposure image by applying different blending modes in Photoshop such as Screen, Multiply, Soft Light and so on.
Task :
- Practice both Double Exposure and Blending Mode exercises given by Mr. Martin
Blending Mode Exercises
Exercise 1: In this exercise, we are required to blend the 'smoke' with the girl holding a cup of coffee.
Figure 12.1 Images provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 12.2 I applied Screen Blending Mode and added an adjustment layer to make the girl more contrast
Figure 12.3 Final result of editing
Exercise 2: In this exercise, we'll need to blend a flock of birds into the sunset.
Figure 12.4 Images provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 12.5 I used Lasso tool to crop the birds out
Figure 12.6 I placed the image inside the sunset view
Figure 12.7 Make adjustment on the Level adjustment layer
Figure 12.8 Applied gradient and lower down the opacity
Figure 12.9 Final result of editingExercise 3: In the final exercise, we were introduced to adjust the image's contrast by applying Soft Light blending mode.
Figure 12.10 Image provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 12.11 Duplicated the image and applied Soft Light blending mode on it.
Figure 12.12 Radial gradient was added and I applied Soft Light blending mode on it as well.
Figure 12.13 Final result of editing
Double Exposure ExerciseAfter practicing Blending Mode exercises, we have to move on to the exercise for Double Exposure.
Figure 12.14 Images provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 12.15 I used Spot Healing Brush to remove the blemishes on the model's face
Figure 12.16 Applied some adjustment on Brightness/Contrast 
Figure 12.17 Used Quick Selection Tool to select the model and masked it out.
Figure 12.18 Applied B&W
Figure 12.19 Added a Solid Colour layer as background
Figure 12.20 Insert the Layer Image
Figure 12.21 Reduce the opacity
Figure 12.22 Make selection on the model's area and masked it out
Figure 12.23 Using Brush Tool to masked the area I wanted to remain
Figure 12.24 Final result of editing
- Practice both Double Exposure and Blending Mode exercises given by Mr. Martin
Blending Mode Exercises
Exercise 1:
In this exercise, we are required to blend the 'smoke' with the girl holding a cup of coffee.
Figure 12.1 Images provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 12.2 I applied Screen Blending Mode and added an adjustment layer to make the girl more contrast
Figure 12.3 Final result of editing
Exercise 2:
In this exercise, we'll need to blend a flock of birds into the sunset.
Figure 12.4 Images provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 12.5 I used Lasso tool to crop the birds out
Figure 12.6 I placed the image inside the sunset view
Figure 12.7 Make adjustment on the Level adjustment layer
Figure 12.8 Applied gradient and lower down the opacity
Figure 12.9 Final result of editing
Exercise 3:
In the final exercise, we were introduced to adjust the image's contrast by applying Soft Light blending mode.
Figure 12.10 Image provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 12.11 Duplicated the image and applied Soft Light blending mode on it.
Figure 12.12 Radial gradient was added and I applied Soft Light blending mode on it as well.
Figure 12.13 Final result of editing
Double Exposure Exercise
After practicing Blending Mode exercises, we have to move on to the exercise for Double Exposure.
Figure 12.14 Images provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 12.15 I used Spot Healing Brush to remove the blemishes on the model's face
Figure 12.16 Applied some adjustment on Brightness/Contrast
Figure 12.17 Used Quick Selection Tool to select the model and masked it out.
Figure 12.18 Applied B&W
Figure 12.20 Insert the Layer Image
Figure 12.21 Reduce the opacity
Figure 12.22 Make selection on the model's area and masked it out
Figure 12.24 Final result of editing
Week 13 : Digital Surrealism
23/6/21This week, Mr. Martin teach us about Digital Surrealism. Digital Surrealism is combining different images together to express an idea. It does not have to be following the logic, we can add any elements to it.
23/6/21
This week, Mr. Martin teach us about Digital Surrealism. Digital Surrealism is combining different images together to express an idea. It does not have to be following the logic, we can add any elements to it.
Task :
- Practice Parallax Exercises and GIF Exercise
Parallax ExercisesWe have to animate a still image with some movements to make it looks interesting.
Exercise 1 - Yowa 1
Figure 13.1.1 Image given by Mr. Martin
Figure 13.1.2 Duplicated layer and select the subject area out
Figure 13.1.3 Used Refine Brush Tool to refine the masking
Figure 13.1.4 Expand the masking selection
Figure 13.1.5 Fill it with Content Aware
Figure 13.1.6 Convert the both layer into Smart Object
Figure 13.1.7 Open the timeline window and start animating it
Figure 13.1.8 Render the video once done
Video 13.1 Final result of editing
Exercise 2 - Surfing
Figure 13.2.1 Image provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 13.2.2 Duplicate layer
Figure 13.2.3 Make Selection for the subject
Figure 13.2.4 Expand Selection
Figure 13.2.5 Fill the background with Content Aware Effect
Video 13.2 Final result of editing
Exercise 3 - Yowa 2
Figure 13.3.1 Image provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 13.3.2 Make Selection on the grass
Figure 13.3.3 Refine Edges
Figure 13.3.4 Total number of layers
Figure 13.3.5 Content Aware the grass area
Figure 13.3.6 Content Aware the subject area
Figure 13.3.7 Added keyframes to animate
Video 13.3 Final result of editing
GIF ExercisesWe have to make a still image into a GIF for this exercise.
Figure 13.4.1 Image provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 13.4.2 Mask out the subject area
Figure 13.4.3 Applied Content Aware Effect to the background
Figure 13.4.4 Used Puppet Wrap to pin the joint for the subject
GIF 13.1 Final result of editing
Reflection:Experience: The weekly exercises help me get familiar with Photoshop. With the help of tutorial videos and lecture slides, I was able to follow up on each of the steps.
Observation: I observed that we have to keep on practicing our editing skills in order to create the design outcome we’ve always wanted. Most of the editing process is quite similar, which is to crop the design elements out from different photos. But the most important thing is are we able to compile everything together to create a very comfortable view of design. I am still very weak in this part so I should put more effort into discovering inspiration on Pinterest.
Findings: I was really impressed and amazed with the last exercise which is creating simple animation and GIF using Photoshop. Besides, I also found that the Puppet Warp Tool is really awesome, it even can change the movement of the main subject. I feel there are still a lot of features in Photoshop for me to discover.
- Practice Parallax Exercises and GIF Exercise
Parallax Exercises
We have to animate a still image with some movements to make it looks interesting.
Exercise 1 - Yowa 1
Figure 13.1.1 Image given by Mr. Martin
Figure 13.1.2 Duplicated layer and select the subject area out
Figure 13.1.3 Used Refine Brush Tool to refine the masking
Figure 13.1.4 Expand the masking selection
Figure 13.1.5 Fill it with Content Aware
Figure 13.1.6 Convert the both layer into Smart Object
Figure 13.1.7 Open the timeline window and start animating it
Figure 13.1.8 Render the video once done
Video 13.1 Final result of editing
Exercise 2 - Surfing
Figure 13.2.1 Image provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 13.2.2 Duplicate layer
Figure 13.2.3 Make Selection for the subject
Figure 13.2.4 Expand Selection
Figure 13.2.5 Fill the background with Content Aware Effect
Video 13.2 Final result of editing
Exercise 3 - Yowa 2
Figure 13.3.1 Image provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 13.3.2 Make Selection on the grass
Figure 13.3.3 Refine Edges
Figure 13.3.4 Total number of layers
Figure 13.3.5 Content Aware the grass area
Figure 13.3.6 Content Aware the subject area
Figure 13.3.7 Added keyframes to animate
Video 13.3 Final result of editing
GIF Exercises
We have to make a still image into a GIF for this exercise.
Figure 13.4.1 Image provided by Mr. Martin
Figure 13.4.2 Mask out the subject area
Figure 13.4.3 Applied Content Aware Effect to the background
Figure 13.4.4 Used Puppet Wrap to pin the joint for the subject
Reflection:
Experience: The weekly exercises help me get familiar with Photoshop. With the help of tutorial videos and lecture slides, I was able to follow up on each of the steps.
Observation: I observed that we have to keep on practicing our editing skills in order to create the design outcome we’ve always wanted. Most of the editing process is quite similar, which is to crop the design elements out from different photos. But the most important thing is are we able to compile everything together to create a very comfortable view of design. I am still very weak in this part so I should put more effort into discovering inspiration on Pinterest.
Findings: I was really impressed and amazed with the last exercise which is creating simple animation and GIF using Photoshop. Besides, I also found that the Puppet Warp Tool is really awesome, it even can change the movement of the main subject. I feel there are still a lot of features in Photoshop for me to discover.
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