Digital Photography & Imaging - Project 3

6/4/2023 - 6/7/2023 : (Week 1- Week 14)

Ting Wen Yi / 0361799 / Group 3
Digital Photography & Imaging / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Project 3: Portfolio

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LECTURES

Week 1: Subject Outline & Expectations

Mr. Mohd Fauzi gave an introductory lecture on digital photography and imaging, where he specifically discussed the importance of Photoshop and the outcome of leaning. Mr. Mohd Fauzi not only talked about the importance of Photoshop but also demonstrated some examples and possibilities that can be achieved with this software. These examples may have included image manipulation, color correction, image compositing, and other features that are commonly used in digital photography and imaging. He assigned a project, exercise 1 of project 1, which involves collaging and montage pictures. We were briefed about the assignment during the lecture.

Week 2: Introduction to Composition

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 and 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 Element: 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.

2. Rules of Third

Figure 1.1 Rule of Third

The Rule of Thirds involves dividing an image into a grid of nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines. This creates four intersection points. By positioning the key elements of an image at these points, a more visually pleasing and natural composition can be achieved. Additionally, it is often recommended to place the horizon along either the top or bottom horizontal line for optimal results.

Figure 1.2 Example of Applying Rule of Three 

3. Golden Ratio

Figure 1.3 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.
• 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

Figure 1.4 Example of Applying Golden Ratio

4. Composition framing & cropping

Video Link: https://youtu.be/qQNiqzuXjoM

Week 3: Introduction to Photoshop 2

1.Lasso Tool

Figure 2.1 Laser Tool in Photoshop

• The Lasso Tool is a selection tool in Photoshop that allows for drawing and pinpointing specific areas of a document.
• There are three different Lasso Tool options: Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, and Magnetic Lasso.
• The Lasso Tool is great for those who enjoy drawing with a pencil and paper or cutting and pasting objects from a photo.
• When using a graphic tablet, the Lasso Tool can provide a better flow and precision when drawing and making selections.
• To use the Lasso Tool, select the tool from the Toolbar and click and drag around the area you want to select.
• With the Polygonal Lasso, you click to set points and create a selection with straight lines.
• The Magnetic Lasso uses edge detection to automatically snap to the edge of an object as you draw around it.
• After making a selection, you can use various tools and adjustments on the selected area.

2. Pen Tool

Figure 2.2 Pen Tool in Photoshop

• The Pen Tool in Photoshop is used to create paths and shapes from scratch.
• To use the Pen Tool, select it from the Toolbar and click on the starting point of the path.
• Click again to create the second point, and a straight line will appear between the two points.
• To create a curved line, click and drag the Pen Tool to adjust the curve of the line.
• The more points you add to a path, the more detailed and complex it will be, but it can also make it more difficult to edit.
• To create a closed path, click on the starting point of the path with the Pen Tool, and the path will close automatically.

3. Layering

Figure 2.3 Layering in Photoshop

• Layers are different images stacked on top of each other.
• They allow for non-destructive editing, as adjustments can be made without affecting the original image.
• Each layer can be edited separately, allowing for more precise adjustments.
• Layers can contain various types of information and images, including text, graphics, and effects.
• The layers panel in Photoshop allows for easy organization and manipulation of layers.
• When saving a Photoshop file with all layers included, the layers can be accessed and adjusted later if needed.
• Understanding layers is essential for advanced photo editing and graphic design in Photoshop.
• Practice with layers can improve your Photoshop skills and allow for more creative freedom in your projects.

Week 4: Introduction to Photoshop 2

1. Adjustment Layers

Figure 3.1 Adjustment Layer

Adjustment Layers in Photoshop are non-destructive image editing tools that add color and tonal adjustments to your image without permanently altering its pixels, allowing for flexible and efficient workflow with the ability to edit, discard or restore adjustments at any time. When an adjustment layer is added to an image, a new layer will appear over the image and a Properties panel specific to the selected adjustment type will pop up, allowing the user to modify the adjustment layer and subsequently the image.

Brightness & Contrast

Figure 3.2 Brightness & Contrast

The Brightness/Contrast tool adjusts the tonal range of an image by allowing the user to modify highlights using the brightness slider and shadows using the contrast slider.

Levels

Figure 3.3 Levels

Levels is one of the most commonly used tools in the adjustment layer panel, modifies an image's tonal values by adjusting the levels of the shadows, midtones, and highlights, and even a slight adjustment using this tool can significantly improve the quality of an image.

Curves

Figure 3.4 Curves

Curves is a powerful and precise tool used for editing the tones in an image, allowing the user to adjust multiple points throughout the entire tonal range of the image.

Exposure

Figure 3.5 Exposure

The Exposure tool features three sliders - Exposure, Offset, and Gamma - that enable the user to adjust exposure levels in an image. The Exposure slider adjusts only the highlights, the Offset slider adjusts mid-tones, and the Gamma slider adjusts dark tones.

Selective Color

Figure 3.6 Selective Color

The Selective Color adjustment layer selectively modifies the amount of a specific primary color in an image without affecting the other primary colors.

2. Filters

Figure 3.7 Filters

Filters are an essential element of Adobe's graphics editor, used to edit photos by changing color, adding blur, or creating completely new image effects, and Photoshop offers a virtually unlimited variety of filters for this purpose.

Week 5: Digital Photography

1. Exposure Setting

In photography, exposure is the amount of light which reaches your camera sensor or film.

The main parts of the camera: 

• Camera body: Shutter, Image sensor, LCD screen
• Camera lens: Aperture/ Iris

The camera body is a light proof box.

Figure 4.1 Exposure Triangle

There are only two camera settings that affect the actual “luminous exposure” of an image: shutter speed and aperture. The third setting, camera ISO, also affects the brightness of your photos.

Figure 4.2 Iris

Iris

• Iris/Aperture is control the flow of light entering the lens.
•  Iris/Aperture is measured by f-stop, indicated by sequence of f-number: f/1, f/1.4, f/2 , f/ 2.8, f/ 4, f/ 5.6, f/ 8, f/ 11, f/ 16, f/22 , f/32..
• The lower the f-number, the larger the lens opening.

Figure 4.3 Shutter Speed

Shutter Speed

• The shutter is a small plastic sheet that opens and closes to allow light onto the film or prevent light from reaching the film. 
• Shutter speed is measured in seconds: 1/1000 s,1/500 s,1/250 s,1/125 s,1/60 s,1/30 s,1/15 s,1/8 s,1/4 s,1/2 s,1 s, 2 s, 3 s…

Figure 4.4 ISO

ISO

• Originally referred to the sensitivity of film—it's "light gathering" ability. For digital photography, ISO refers to the sensitivity—the signal gain—of the camera's sensor.
• ISO: The common ISO camera settings are: 100, 200, 400, 640, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400….
• The lower the number of ISO the less sensitive your camera is to light and the finer the grain.

2. Lens Perspective

Figure 4.5 Focal Length

Focal Length

• Focal length is the measurement (in millimeters) from the optical center of a camera lens to the camera’s sensor.
• The shorter the focal length, the wider the angle of view and vice-versa. 

Figure 4.6 Depth of Field

Depth of Field

• The proportion of the image that is reasonably sharp and in focus.
•  The smaller the aperture you use, the greater the depth of field.

Wide angle lens is especially useful for landscape photography or street photography. With wide angle lenses, almost everything is in focus, unless your subject is very close to the lens.

3. DSLR V.S Smartphone

Pro

• Familiar with device
• Good quality
• Easy to learn

Cons

• Still limited
• Good but not great
• Non-ergonomic shape

Smartphones vs Cameras = Convenience vs Quality

DSLR cameras are primarily intended for capturing images, whereas mobile phones are designed to serve various functions. Due to their size, phone cameras are limited in terms of the size of the lens and sensor that are used to capture photos. In contrast, even entry-level DSLR cameras are equipped with larger lenses and sensors compared to those found in mobile phones.

Week 6 : Poster Design

The fundamental principles of design are: Emphasis, Balance and Alignment, Contrast, Repetition, Proportion, Movement and White Space.

1. Emphasis

Figure 5.1 Example of Emphasis

It focuses on highlighting specific elements to draw attention and create a focal point within a design.

2. Balance and alignment

It refers to the distribution of visual weight in a composition, aiming for stability and harmony.

3. Contrast

Figure 5.2 Example of Contrast

Contrast creates space and difference between elements in your design. Your background needs to be significantly different from the color of your elements so they work harmoniously together and are readable.

4. Repetition

Limiting yourself to two strong typefaces or three bold colors may require repeating elements. However, repetition can unify and strengthen your design. For example, using only one instance of a blue italic sans-serif font may seem like an error, but employing it for three elements creates a deliberate motif and restores control to your design.

5. Proportion

Proportion is the visual size and weight of elements in a composition and how they relate to each other. It often helps to approach your design in sections, instead of as a whole.

6. Movement

Movement is controlling the elements in a composition so that the eye is led to move from one to the next and the information is properly communicated to your audience. 

7. White Space

Figure 5.3 Example of White Space

White space, also known as negative space, is the only aspect that specifically addresses what you choose not to include. It refers to the empty areas surrounding the elements in your composition. For novice designers, white space can be a challenging territory. However, simply allowing your composition more breathing room can elevate it from being mediocre to achieving success.

Week 7: Double Exposure

What Is Double Exposure Photography?

• Double exposure photography refers to merging multiple images. The goal is to make them surreal, emotional, or humorous. They usually feature silhouettes.
• Double exposure effect may look complicated at first. But it’s easy to make in-camera and in Adobe Photoshop. You don’t need a double exposure camera, as there are a few other ways you can create them.

1. Using the Tilt-Shift Effect

Figure 6.1 Tilt-Shift Effect

If you want to be extra creative, blur one of your photos instead of the entire image. Or blur everything except for one important detail.

To add this feature, go to Filter > Blur Gallery > Tilt-Shift.

2. Create Fake Reflection

Figure 6.2 Fake Reflection

• There are many ways you can create reflections. One of them is creating a double-exposure with the help of a separate window photo.
• This is an example of main subject surface with raindrops and bokeh. This help to add interesting textures to a multiple exposure photography.

3. Experiment with Simple Portraits and Details Textured

Combining something plain with something complicated will give you a balanced result. It will also save a lot of simple photos that you might discard.

4. Convert your results to Black & White

• A lack of colour will strengthen the emotions in your double-exposure images. If you want to express your work in a vulnerable way, experiment with this.
• It gives them a unique depth and allows you to experiment with something interesting just like film photography.

5. Work with Silhouette

Figure 6.3 Silhouette

Many double exposure photographers choose to work with silhouettes. But what if you worked with silhouettes only?

It would give you a fun and doable challenge. And an opportunity to show very creative sides of yourself.

6. Pick two random photo

A lot of  double exposures photography were happy accidents. But they led to great feedback and even greater creative growth. Try and forget about any other double-exposure ideas. Shoot interesting textures, shapes and forms instead.

7. Make Simple Objects Look Fascinating

Take photos of everyday objects you usually take for granted. Try to make them look like something else.

8. Use Shadow

Figure 6.4 Shadow

Outlines and shadows are captivating elements in double-exposure photography. They offer endless possibilities to create compelling visual narratives. By capturing someone's shadow, you can transform it into a unique and meaningful story. With just a few shadow photos, you can unleash your creativity and create something truly beautiful.

Blend Mode

Figure 6.5 Blend Mode

Here’s a quick guide:

1. Select the Layer 1 to be on top of the Background.
2. Go to the Blending Modes option 
3. Select “Screen”

Week 9: Digital Surrealism

 

Realism Versus Surrealism

  

Figure 7.2 Realism Versus Surrealism

Realism:

• Focuses on ordinary and common subject matters of the real world.
• Portrays non-exotic and non-extraordinary themes.
• Seeks to faithfully represent the visible world without embellishments or distortions.
• Emphasizes accuracy, meticulous detail, and conventional artistic techniques.
• Does not typically require thinking outside the box.

Surrealism:

• Offers a twist on realism by exploring the subconscious mind.
• Concentrates on dream-images and aims to distort the ordinary and conventional notions of reality.
• Challenges traditional perceptions and embraces the extraordinary.
• Explores the depths of imagination and the subconscious.
• Encourages thinking outside the box and breaking free from conventional constraints.

What is Digital Surrealism?

Surrealism is a cultural movement focused on type of arts to express about the artist’s idea themselves. In this digital era surrealism is one of the top digital art styles.

Figure 7.3 Example of Surrealism

How to start creating Surrealism artworks?

• Dream-like scenes and symbolic images
• Unexpected, illogical juxtapositions
• Bizarre assemblages of ordinary objects
• Primitive or child-like designs

Capturing Your Dream

1. Sketch It Out

Start by sketching your vision roughly on paper or using a digital tablet. Focus on capturing the key points of your idea rather than refining the details at this stage. This initial sketch will serve as a foundation for further development.

2. Find Reference Images

Collecting reference images is essential for bringing your idea to life. Look for images that directly relate to the concept or elements you have in mind. These references will provide inspiration and guidance as you refine your vision and add more details to your creation.

Mindset During Creation

1. "Does this look real?"

Surrealism aims to create a sense of reality, even with nonexistent subject matter. The goal is to make the unreal appear convincing and plausible. While we know that the creations are not real, the level of detail and craftsmanship should be such that it could be mistaken for reality at first glance.

2. Make it happen to the best of your ability.

Embrace challenges and push yourself to achieve your best work. When faced with a difficult task, approach it with determination and a willingness to learn. Embracing challenges helps you acquire new skills and knowledge, which can be applied in future endeavors. Don't be afraid to take risks and explore uncharted territories; it's through these experiences that true growth and innovation occur.

Week 10: Intro to After Effects

1. What is After Effects?

Adobe After Effects is a 2.5D animation software used for animation, visual effects, and motion picture compositing. After Effects is used in film, TV, and web video creation. This software is used in the post-production phase, and has hundreds of effects that can be used to manipulate imagery. This allows you to combine layers of video and images into the same scene.

2. Compositing Layers in Photoshop

Figure 8.1 Compositing Layers in Photoshop

• Basically Photoshop is a platform to compositing the layers.
• All the layers need to be arrange and rename accordingly so that it will be organize and easy to be animated in After Effects. 

3. Compositing Layers in After Effects

Figure 8.2 Compositing Layers in After Effects

• Adobe After Effects is a digital visual effects, motion graphics, and compositing application. Basically we can import elements such as images, video, vector and more into After Effects. 
• All the layer elements need to be organized and synchronized to the external software platforms such as Photoshop & Illustrator. 
• After Effects files does not embed its media, it links to it.

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TUTORIAL

Week 1 & 2: Composition Studies

Video Link : https://youtu.be/2KqXGMf0HNk

Mr. Mohd Fauzi showed us a video demonstration of how to create a collage. The video was informative and provided us with a step-by-step guide on how to create a collage.

Week 3: Blending Mode, Paths, Masking & Layering.

Figure 9.1 Digital Collage Briefing

Week 4: Match lighting. Adjustment layers, Filters

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b-swzGzOGw&authuser=1

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2brHNadF8Y&authuser=1

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81lAetwbAUs&authuser=1

Week 5: Studio Shooting

Video Link: https://youtu.be/JiVVWiqTnQc

Week 7: Photography Basic

Video Link: https://youtu.be/V7z7BAZdt2M

Video Link: https://youtu.be/ffiJH5fUeN0

Video Link: https://youtu.be/AKXwJbZ7kXQ

Week 9: Moving Imagery

Figure 9.2 Mr. Mohd Fauzi Demo How to Create Loop Animation

Week 10:  Interface, Layer & Tools

Figure 9.3 After Effect LIVE DEMO during Tutorial class.

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PRACTICAL

Week 1: Creating E-Portfolio

Pinterest Board (DPI): https://pin.it/48b8FgQ

List down your 3 favourite graphic design composition work from Pinterest. Explain it on your E-portfolio blog, why do you like the designs?

Design #1: Credit: https://pin.it/3bJTgP5

Description: I like this because his meal poster is visually appealing due to its simplicity and effective use of colors to evoke different emotions. The colors used are vibrant and eye-catching, drawing the viewer's attention to the poster. The clean look of the poster adds to its overall attractiveness, making it easy for people to quickly glance at it and understand the content. The use of simple graphics for the food items is also effective in conveying the message without overwhelming the viewer with too much detail. This Poster highlights :  Deal Meal offers a different set menu every day, delivered freshly to doorstep. The logo was hand-sketched and then vectorized, giving it a playful and friendly appearance. The rounded characteristics of the logo make it appealing to both children and adults. Saturated colors are used in the branding to grab attention and convey the concept of "everyday deals." The colors also imply freshness and appeal to the senses.

Design #2: Credit: https://pin.it/3GSuBRw

Description: This is a photo collage, and I like this artwork because it has a meaningful message. The people in the photo appear to be hiding their faces in the mountains, just like an ostrich hiding its head in the sand. This is a very creative concept that reminds me of how I   avoid or ignore my problems. Background of collage: Julien Pacaud is an artist who blends source images to create seamless and imaginative pictorial scenes. Pacaud's images are re-colorized, giving them a contemporary appearance and making them more visually striking. His art invites viewers to see the world in a new and different way, encouraging them to use their imaginations and think creatively.

Design #3: Credit : https://rossbrownphotographer.com/c/all

Description: This is a commercial photo collage, and I like how the brand (Wither Hills) has been merged seamlessly into the background of mountains, clouds, and fields. This creates an impression of the brand being closely associated with nature and suggests that their products are fresh and organic. Significance of this image a vineyard or winery in New Zealand's Marlborough region. focus on the vineyard's connection to the surrounding landscape. implying that their products are organic and fresh

Week 2: Workshop

Figure 10.1 Workshop

This week, we had a workshop and had a session with another group. We cut and composited our collage, and the lecturer gave feedback.

Week 3: The Bézier Game

Figure 11.1 The Bézier Game

Figure 11.2 The Bézier Game Result

Week 4: Photo Filters

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDSbfx67MLg

Figure 12.1 Adding Filters 

For this week's practical exercise, after the tutorial from Mr. Mohd Fauzi, we added photo filters to our digital collage from week 3 during class.

Week 5: Photo Manipulation 

Figure 13.1 Hearst Mansion and Shazam Digital Collage - Week 6 (11/5/2023)

Figure 13.2 Final "My Reflection"  Digital Collage - Week 6 (11/5/2023)

Week 6: Recoloring Black and White

Figure 14.1 Final Recolored Photo - Week 7 (19/5/2023)

Figure 14.2  Recolored Demo Portrait - Week 7 (21/5/2023)

Figure 14.3 Recolored Harry Styles - Week 7 (21/5/2023)

Week 7: Double Exposure

Figure 15.1 Final Recolored Demo Portrait - Week 7 (21/5/2023)

Figure 15.2 Double Exposure Self-portrait, Week 8 (23/5/2021)

Week 10: After Effects Exercise

1. Download the PSD composition below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/197rXGH_g-lLEt-0K9__mcKrLIYIaXtQp/view?usp=sharing

2. Import the W10_ANIMATE.psd into Adobe After Effects.

3. Create a composition setting 1080 px (Width) x 1920 px (Height), Duration 15 second

4. Create a keyframe animation to the layers using Position (P), Scale (S) & Masking path.

5. Render output: Quicktime (.MOV) or .MP4

6. Upload your exercise into your Youtube Channel.

7. Update your progress and video to your E-Portfolio blog. 

8. Attach your E-Portfolio link on this Submission.

Figure 16.1 After Effects Animate Exercise

First, I imported the given file. Then, I edited the texture to create a blinking effect by adding a background behind it. Next, I animated the elements. I made the fencer move back and forth, simulating a front and back motion. 

Figure 16.2 Fencer Movement

Additionally, I animated the shark to swim from the top to the bottom. Furthermore, I made the projector spin from the top and descend to the bottom, giving it a bouncing movement. Lastly, to make the typewriter appear from bottom to top, I utilized the clipping technique. 

Figure 16.3 Shark & Projector

Figure 16.4 Youtube Shorts for AE Exercise

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REFLECTION

Looking back at my portfolio, it's amazing to see how far I've come on this journey of learning, starting as a beginner and now finding myself somewhere in the middle, on the path to mastering Photoshop and After Effects. The process of learning these powerful tools has been an incredible experience. I recall the hours spent attending lectures, watching tutorials, and immersing myself in the world of digital design. From the basics of image manipulation to animating photos, each step has been a stepping stone towards refining my skills and expanding my creative abilities.