7/4/2023 - 28/4/2023 (Week 1 - Week 4) Katelyn Tan Kye Ling (0354148) Bachelor Of Design In Creative Media (Digital Photography & Imaging) Project 1 / Exercise 1a & 1b
LECTURES
WEEK 1 - Lecture 1 (7/4/2023)
During our first lecture of Digital Photography & Imaging, Mr. Martin mostly did introductions and briefings. Firstly, Mr. Martin instructed us to join the Microsoft Teams group where all announcements will be posted on. He then proceeded with sharing about Photoshop with us, some history about it and lastly some tips to become a successful graphic designer.
Why do you need to learn Photoshop?
Adobe Photoshop is the reason why numerous professionals from graphic designers to web designers prefer using this application. Graphic style and also digital photography are one of the most typical. There are numerous reasons that you must find out about Photoshop.
Understanding Photoshop is necessary if you operate in a visual style, website design, or individual experience function. Yet it is additionally similarly vital to find out Photoshop for those operating in hands-on advertising and marketing functions.
Fig. 1.1 Adobe Photoshop
The Importance of Photoshop for Graphic Designers:
Express your creativity
Create graphic design
Restoration of old images
Integrate graphics with text artistically
Make use of brushes
Change photo color
Rectify mistakes in photographs
Photography Manipulation: Photograph manipulation involves the transformation or alteration of a photograph using various methods and techniques to achieve desired results.
Digital Imaging: Digital imaging converts printed text, artwork, and photographs into digital images using a digital scanner or another imaging device.
What is Digital Imaging?
Fig. 1.2 Technique & Purpose of Digital Imaging
Top 10 Tips of Successful Graphic Designer:
Follow The Tutorials
Experiment
Memorize all keyboard shortcuts
Try to Replicate Others Work
Do participate in design competitions
Subscribe to online galleries
Smart Objects for Smart Designers
Scaling Artworks and Proportions
Use Actions to Personalize Work
Organize the Files Properly
Next, Mr. Martin briefed us about our future projects to come. He showed us videos and examples so that we could get a rough idea of the projects. Lastly, we were asked to play "The Bezier Game' which helps students to master the pen tool in the Adobe app.
Week 1 - Practical
-Attach your score below
Fig. 1.3 The Bezier Game Score (7/4/2023)
- List down your 3 favourite graphic design works done by Photoshop from Pinterest. Explain why you like the designs?
Design #1
Fig. 1.4 De Facto: Nicotine Addiction
Description: I personally like this design because it is very straightforward and tells exactly what it wants to portray to its audience. It is also very “clean”, meaning that the work was very well done and impressive.
Design #2
Fig. 1.5Graphic Design
Description: I believe this design is very relatable to most people as this is what we feel when we’re hungry and looking for food. This design also tells the audience what it’s trying to portray right away. The photoshopping is very well executed which really amazes me.
Design #3
Fig. 1.6 Strange Animal Graphic Design
Description: This design caught my eye because I think it’s very smart. It used wordplay and combined two things into one. The photoshopping is once again very clean and well done.
WEEK 2 - Lecture 2 (14/4/2023)
For our 2nd lecture, we had it online as Mr. Martin had covid. Nevertheless, we started the class off by learning about the Photoshop app. (Tools and its terms, and how to use them)
Lecture
Selection & Layering
Fig. 2.1 Example of Selection & Layering
Tool Box
Photoshop provides several tool sets in the Toolbox, and you can expand the tool sets to reveal additional tools.
Fig. 2.2 Tool Box
Marquee Selection Tools (Select & Mask)
Fig. 2.3 Marquee Selection Tools
Lasso Tool
The Lasso Tool is great to use with a graphic tablet because it is similar to a pencil. Unlike a mouse or trackpad, a graphic tablet can give a better flow when drawing and making selections. There are 3 options in total.
Lasso
Polygonal Lasso
Magnetic Lasso
Fig. 2.4 3 Different Lasso Tools
Pen Tool
When it comes to actually creating a path from scratch, the pen tool is the most common option. The pen tool is the way that you add these points and the way you drag the tool as you create the points determines how they will look. Remember, the fewer points, the smoother a path will be.
Fig. 2.5 Terms When Using Pen Tool
Layering
Layers are different images stacked on top of each other. You can use each layer without affecting another one to make adjustments. Together they form one final image.
Fig. 2.6 Example of Layering
After all the explanations, Mr. Martin gave us an actual live tutorial of him doing it while we could do it along with him.
WEEK 3 - Lecture 3 (21/4/2023)
It was a holiday today (Hari Raya), therefore there was no class. Our next task was assigned through Microsoft Teams with a video tutorial as well.
Week 3 - Practical
Preparation for Project 2.
Research 01:
1a.What is Poster Design?
A poster design is a visual representation of information and ideas intended to be displayed in a public
place. It aims to grab the attention of viewers and communicate a message effectively through the use
of images, typography, and color. Poster design can be used for various purposes, such as advertising,
promoting events, sharing information, or simply as decoration.
1b.What is good poster design?
• Clear and concise messaging
• Eye-catching visual
• Readable fonts
• Balanced composition
• Effective use of color
• Proper use of white space
• Straightforward layout
• Appropriate use of graphics
• Proper branding and logotypes
These elements may vary depending on the context, concept, or target audience of the poster.
1c.What is a photographic poster? What is an illustrated poster?
A photographic poster is a poster that features a photograph or a series of photographs as the main
graphic element. These posters often aim to capture and showcase a specific moment, scene, or subject
matter through the power of photography.
An illustrated poster, on the other hand, is a poster that features illustrations or artwork as the main
graphic element. These posters can be created using a range of mediums, including painting, drawing,
digital art, and more. Illustrated posters can be very effective in conveying a message or storytelling
through the use of visual art.
1d. Share 3 good photographic posters.
Fig. 3.1 Good Photographic Posters from Pinterest
Research 02:
2a. What is Double Exposure?
Double exposure is a photographic technique in which two separate images are captured and
superimposed onto each other in a single frame. This technique can be achieved by either double
exposing the same film frame or merging two different digital images using photo editing software. The
resulting image usually features overlapping and blended elements from both images, creating a surreal
or abstract effect. Double exposure is often used in creative and artistic photography to convey a deeper
meaning or symbolism.
2b. What is Digital Double Exposure?
Digital double exposure is a photographic technique where two different images are superimposed over
each other to create a single image. The technique is achieved either by manipulating two images in
photoshop or in-camera, by taking two separate images and blending them together using overlapping
techniques. The result is a visually stunning and creative image that blends the two images together in a
seamless way to create a unique visual story.
2c. Share 3 good Double Exposure.
Fig. 3.2 Good Double Exposure
WEEK 4 - Lecture 4 (28/4/2023)
Lecture
1. Introduction To Basic Composition
Focal Point
- A key element to any good composition is a strong focal point, as it helps your viewers’ eyes
naturally settle on the important pieces of your design first.
Scale & Hierarchy
- Scale is often used to help communicate hierarchy by drawing attention toward and away from certain elements, thus signifying their importance to the communication.
Balance The Elements
- A good technique for mastering asymmetrical balance is to think of each element as having a
‘weight’ to it.
- Smaller objects might ‘weigh’ less than larger objects, and heavily textured elements might
‘weigh’ more than flatly colored elements.
White Space
- White space is mostly known as “empty space” to balance up the main focus of a composition.
- White space when used strategically can help boost your design’s clarity and overall look by
balancing out the more complicated and busy parts of your composition with space that helps
your design to breathe.
Fig. 3.3 Good White Space (left) VS Bad White Space (right)
2. Rule Of Thirds
- The Rule of Thirds is the process of dividing an image into thirds, using two horizontal and
two vertical lines. This imaginary grid yields nine parts with four intersection points.
Fig. 3.4 Rule Of Thirds
- When you position the most important elements of your image at these intersection points, you
produce a much more natural image. It is also suggested that any horizon is placed on either
the top horizontal line or bottom horizontal line.
Fig. 3.5 Example of Good Rule Of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a way to:
Use composition techniques that are in line with what’s naturally pleasing to the eye.
Creatively use negative space.
Create conversation between the subject and background
3. Golden Ratio
- The Golden Ratio is a mathematical ratio. It is commonly found in nature, and when used in a
design, it fosters organic and natural-looking compositions that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Fig. 3.6 Golden Ratio
- In design, the Golden Ratio boils down to aesthetics — creating and appreciating a sense of
beauty through harmony and proportion. When applied to design, the Golden Ratio provides a
sense of artistry
- The Golden Ratio is a useful guideline for determining dimensions of the layout. One very simple way to apply the Golden Ratio is to set your dimensions to 1:1.618
Fig. 3.7 Example Of Golden Ratio In Mobile UI
4. Composition (
& Cropping)
Tutorial - Blending Mode
1. Screen
Fig. 3.8 Girl with Coffee & Steam
Final:
Fig. 3.9 Girl With Coffee + Steam (28/4/2023)
2. Multiply
Fig. 3.10 Seaside & Flock Of Birds
Final:
Fig. 3.11 Seaside + Flock Of Birds (28/4/2023)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. PROJECT 1A - Physical Collage Design
For our first project, we are required to collect magazines, brochures, etc. to design our very own
PHYSICAL collage. The aim is to develop a theme/idea with layers of images with design principles, as well as familiar with the fundamental of composition.
Design compositions
Fig. 5.1 Pre-composition #1 (11/4/2023)
Fig. 5.2 Pre-composition #2 (13/4/2023)
Fig. 5.3 Pre-composition #3 (13/4/2023)
Fig. 5.4 Pre-composition (15/4/2023)
Final Collage
Fig. 5.5 Final Collage
2. PROJECT 1B - Digital Imaging Exercises
There are 2 parts to this project. The first part is to photoshop yourself in The Hearst Mansion. The second part was to recolour a black and white picture.
Fig. 6.5 Step By Step/Progress of Recolouring Exercise
FEEDBACK
Week 3:
Physical Collage - "Out of all the collages, 2nd one is best!"
Week 5:
Me in Hearst Mansion Exercise - "Reflection can darken a bit more"
Recolouring Exercise - "Background can change to a more dull colour, when doing photoshop we try to hide the imprefections."
REFLECTION
Experience
Throughout Project 1, I've learnt many things like recolouring, double exposure etc. I struggled quite a bit at the start as I'm totally new to the Adobe Photoshop App. However, thanks to Mr. Martin's pre-recorded video tutorials, I was able to follow and learn. The first part of the project (physical collage), thought me how important placement of different objects are. It can play a huge role on whether the collage comes out nice or not. For exercise 1 (Me in Hearst Mansion), it was pretty easy going as it was a simple exercise. Lastly for the second exercise (Recolouring Exercise), I struggled a lot here because I wasn't familiar with the tools. Furthermore, there was quite some details to focus on as well.
Observations
The first thing I noticed is that when photoshop-ing, you have to pay very close attention to details. The shadows, reflection etc. makes a very huge difference to a picture. Though there are many rules to follow, each of them are very important as it makes one's work better.
Findings
I found myself looking at details of pictures more when scrolling on social media. I noticed how beautiful different pictures are and how expressive a picture can be. I now find and know that photoshop isn't an easy job, it takes lots of time and effort to create one masterpiece.
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