Digital Photography and Imaging : Project 1

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23.8.2021 - 20.9.2021 (Week 1 - Week 5)
Chung Yi Ki / 0345014 / BDCM
Digital Photography and Imaging
Project 1

Quick links

Lecture

Week 1 / Introduction and briefing 
This week was an introductory week to the module. Mr. Martin provided an introduction on Photoshop and the things that we can do with it which includes graphic designing, photo editing and photo manipulations, which are all essential for graphic designers and photographers. Other than that, we were also given some tips on how to be a successful graphic designer. These tips include having good organization of own works, study from others and practice our own skills, and joining online galleries and design competitions. 

Week 2 / Introduction to composition 
1. Introduction to basic composition 
  • A good composition has a strong focal point.
  • Using scale and hierarchy to create focal points: The bigger the scale, the more attention it draws. Elements that are at the front has a higher hierarchy. 
  • In asymmetrical balance composition, it is helpful to think of the "weights" of each element and balance them equally. (e.g: 1 heavy element vs 2 light elements) 
  • White spaces can help to create strong focal points and make a design look clean.
2. Rule of Thirds 

Fig 1.1 Rule of Thirds grid in graphic layout 
Source: https://artplusmarketing.com/winning-composition-using-the-rule-of-thirds-in-desin-41bb6d48b409

Fig 1.2 Rule of Thirds grid in photography
Source: https://blog.westerndigital.com/improve-your-photos-with-the-rule-of-thirds/

  • Position the most important element at one of the intersection points of the grid to achieve a more natural look and also helps to draw in focus to the subject. 
  • It is recommended to have the horizon line at either the bottom or top of the grid.
  • Rule of Thirds helps to creatively utilize the negative space in a composition.
3. Golden Ratio 

Fig 2.1 Golden Ratio spiral in graphic layout
Source: https://wpamelia.com/golden-ratio/

Fig 2.2 Golden Ratio spiral in photography
Source: https://expertphotography.com/golden-ratio-vs-rule-of-thirds/

  • A mathematical concept. When applied in design, in can create an organic and natural-looking composition. 
  • A guideline on how to arrange multiple elements.
4. Composition (Framing and cropping)

1.Single shot: one character alone in a frame 
  • clean single: no other characters are in the frame 
  • dirty single: limited appearance of other characters
2. Two shot: two characters, both faces must be visible 
  • used to create relationship between two characters
  • the terminology changes according to the amount of characters (e.g: three shot, four shot, crowd shot)
3. Over the shoulder: hybrid between single and two shot 
  • Used to create focus on a character but also communicate the relationship with the other character at the same time
4. Point of view (POV) shot: used to show the perspective of a character

5. Insert shot: close up of objects, to convey important information 

Week 3 / Introduction to Photoshop 2

In this week's lecture, we were introduced to layering and making selections using the pen tool and lasso tool in Adobe Photoshop. 

Lasso tool
Regular lasso tool: Used to make freeform selections 
Polygonal lasso tool: Similar to regular lasso tool but this tool uses straight lines instead. Good for making geometrical selections 
Magnetic lasso tool: Using the software to detect boundaries of an object to make selection 

Pen tool 
Useful in making precise selections by creating paths 

Fig 3.1 Pen tool technique
Source: https://marekszkudlarek.wordpress.com/2015/09/21/what-is-a-path-what-is-an-anchor-point/

Layers
Layers act like different sheets of papers. It can be used to layer different images on top or below an image and it is used for a non-destructive workflow. 

Tutorial work
In this week's tutorial class, we've tried out the different selection tools and layering through making collages. For our first activity, we focused on the methods of removing backgrounds in a picture and putting the isolated objects in a background. 

Fig 4.1 Isolating objects from their
backgrounds using wand tool/pen tool/polygonal lasso tool 

Fig 4.2 Provided background

Fig 4.3 Isolated objects inserted into the background

For our second activity, we tried out on making a digital collage and focused more on layering, resizing, layer blending modes and composition.  We used the images that were given to us for our digital collage exercise in this in-class activity. 

Fig 4.4 All the given images

Fig 4.5 Collage done in class with Mr. Martin

Week 4 / Introduction to Photoshop 3

In this week's lecture, we were introduced to the use of adjustment layers and filters in Adobe Photoshop. 

Adjustment layers
Adjustment layers provide a non-destructive method to edit images in Photoshop. Since they are shown as a layer in the layer panel, it can be changed or removed anytime without affecting the original picture. But knowledge about masking and the brush tool is needed for selective editing using these layers. 

Fig 5.1 A summary of the types of adjustment layers
Source: https://www.thephoblographer.com/2020/01/30/photography-cheat-sheet-adjustment-layer-types-101/

Few extra notes on adjustment layer types:-

Levels
The histogram in the property menu shows the luminance value of the image. In other words, it shows how dark and how bright each pixels are. Editing the slider below the histogram will result in different shades of tint to the photo. 

Vibrance
A more subtle property compared to saturation. It has less noticeable effect on skin tones. 

Exposure
Exposure adjust the highights, offset adjust the midtones and gamma adjust the dark tones. 

Filters
Photoshop provides a variety of filters that can be used to apply distortion, stylization, or texture to an image. It can also be used to correct an image by sharpening, blurring or changing the colour of a photograph. 

Tutorial work
For this week's tutorial activity, we've tried out the different adjustment layer types with Mr. Martin by using them to edit a photograph provided to us. 

Fig 5.2 Provided photograph

Fig 5.3 Screen recording showing the editing done in-class

Tasks

Week 2 (30/8/2021): Physical collage 
In our practical class, we were given 2 hours to create 3 physical pre-composition collage using found materials (magazines, books, newspapers etc.). Printed materials were allowed too. The elements in each collage can be the same elements or different elements. 

Fig 1.1 Material cutouts used for the physical collages

Fig 1.2 First collage pre-composition

For my first collage pre-composition, I tried to follow the golden ratio rule to create a flow of elements starting from the bottom to the top. I wanted to show the concept of exploration and traveling and hence "origin" and "enter the earth" is positioned below which leads to the airplane and phoenix above behind a starry background. 

Fig 1.3 Second collage pre-composition

In my second pre-composition, I used the same concept in my first composition but through a different arrangement of elements. I followed the rule of thirds grid and put the subjects of focus on each intersection points. But it turns out to look rather empty and rigid. 

Fig 1.4 Third collage pre-composition

In my third pre-composition, I tried out a different approach in which I included pattern cutouts and used them for texture in the background. I added two large quotes to balance out the composition more and positioned the human model on one of the intersection points in the rule of thirds grid. The concept in this collage is to show the excitement of wanting to do everything that we're interested in although not having enough time, whether it be traveling, sightseeing, making music or other hobbies. 


Week 3 (6/9/2021): Digital collage 

For our practical class activity this week, we were tasked to make 3 different digital collage compositions in Adobe Photoshop using only the images that were given to us. (Fig 4.4 in Week 3 lecture) 

Fig 2.1 First digital collage composition

In my first composition, I followed the rule of thirds in positioning the building and the dark grey "join operation" paragraph cutout on the intersection points of the grid. I then positioned the fish at the middle of the composition because I want it to grab the attention of the viewers first. I also applied different blending modes to each of the elements used to create a "translucent" effect on the collage, and also to add a subtle texture to the background so it wouldn't look plain. There wasn't an exact concept in my mind when I'm making this collage but I wanted to include the theme of news documenting our everyday lives, no matter how mundane it is. 

Fig 2.2 Inspiration for second digital collage
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CRB5D91MAgn/

Fig 2.3 Second digital collage composition

For my second composition, I was inspired by a collage done by Graham Tolbert (Fig 2.2). I really like the overlay layering effect in the collage so I wanted to try incorporating that idea in my second digital collage composition. I used 2 pictures from the 10 given to us and applied different blending modes while stacking them on top of each other to create a "glass paper" effect. I didn't want the background to look too chaotic so I left the top right section to look more plain than the part below. The theme I was going for in this collage is man-made vs nature, so I wanted to contrast those two subject matter by focusing on using and merging nature and man-made elements. 

Fig 2.3 Third digital collage composition

In my third composition, I wanted to show the concept of opposite sides. So I used pictures of the old projector, liquid texture and typewriter to create an axis in the composition. I then mirror the two building image across the axis and changed the blending mode for the one at the top. The two collaged words are to give a bit of narrative for the two sides of the mirror image. The black and white circles and rectangles are to balance out the composition. A section from a newspaper image is at low opacity to add texture to the background. 

Week 4 (13/9/2021): Adjustment on first digital collage 

Fig 2.4 Adjusted version of first digital collage composition

After receiving feedback from Mr. Martin, I went to adjust the position of the two word element by rotation so that the composition will look more interesting. But I think it made the composition somewhat off balance and a bit too all over the place.

Final outcome

Physical collage
After receiving feedback from Mr. Martin, my third pre-composition (Fig 1.3) is chosen for my final physical collage submission as the composition in there is better than the other 2, which I thought so too. 

 
Fig 3.1 Final physical collage composition

Digital collage
After making comparison between my second composition and the adjusted version of my first composition, I've decided to choose my second composition as my final outcome as I think it's more interesting and the composition is better. 

Fig 3.2 Final digital collage composition

Fig 3.3 Process of final digital collage composition

Feedback

Week 3 (6/9/2021) - Physical Collage
The first pre-composition is too messy as the elements are too clustered together. The elements are arranged better in the second pre-composition than the first one but the squarish composition makes the collage loose visual interest. The overall composition in the third pre-composition is better than the first 2, the arrangement of the elements are not too sparse or cluttered.

Week 4 (13/9/2021) - Digital Collage
The two rectangular word elements on opposite corners made the composition look predictable, rotate them to see if it'll add interest to the composition. As for the second composition, a lot of layering work can be seen in the composition, which adds to a collage nature of the outcome. The third composition overall looks very clean but not as strong as the first two. Choose between the first and second composition after making adjustment to the first one. 

Reflection

This project was enjoyable because it was fun creating collages without a set limitation, which means there are endless possibilities in what we can create. I found that rules and guidelines, such as rules of third and golden ratio are helpful in creating our composition but we don't necessarily have to follow them strictly. We could deviate a bit and add our own twist to it to create a more interesting outcome. I also learnt that collage is abstract and chaotic by nature, a clean composition may be pleasing to the eyes but it often doesn't give the feeling of spontaneity that collages hold. To me, making collages is like finding order through chaos. 

Other than that, I also found Photoshop to be very fun to learn too. It is a very powerful software and with the right understanding of its function, we can create edits and manipulations that are interesting and in a much more faster way than done physically. 

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