Digital Photography & Imaging // Project 2

21.04.22 - 02.06.22 (Week 4 - Week 10)

Emelyne How Sok Hing (0352938)

Bachelor of Design (Hons) Creative Media

Digital Photography and Imaging // Project 2

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Project 2 (A&B)

• Project 2A: Exercise 1 (Photo manipulation)

Double Exposure

Our first task consists of creating our own double exposure edit by using our own images.

Week 5: 

Visual Research

When I understood what double exposure was, I remembered that in Taylor Swift's music video called 'Style' there was a lot of double exposure cinemagraph. For my visual research, I decided to watch the video again and use these images as source of inspiration.

Figure 1.0 Visual Research, 28th April 2022

Figure 1.1 Visual Research, 28th April 2022

Figure 1.2 Visual Research, 28th April 2022

Process 

This is the image that I have decided to use for the double exposure exercise.

Figure 1.3 My own portrait, 8th May 2022

First trial

I have decided to use two images for the double exposure that is one of my own photograph and one that I have seen on the internet.

Figure 1.4 My own photograph of the sunset, 8th May 2022

Figure 1.5 Image that I found on the internet, 8th May 2022
Credits to Eliseo H. Zubiri, @eliseohz on instagram

So after trying to do the double exercise this is what I came up with. Honestly, I was struggling a bit with the tools and did not understand much how to blend both images since they had a lot of colors in both of them. I would say that it is not one of the best double exposure that I did but I decided to try again and keep this as an experience and learn from it so as to avoid doing the same mistakes.

Figure 1.6 First trial , 8th May 2022

This time I decided to use only one image so that it would be simpler for me to start. I chose the picture of a forest during the autumn season as I really like this season and I thought that working with trees could be interesting.

Figure 1.7 Image that I found on the internet. 8th May 2022
Source: https://fullhdwall.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Beautiful-Autumn-Forest.jpg

Figure 1.8 Image of butterflies, 8th May 2022
Source: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/56/a2/98/56a2986bdbb3cf42a9c49f73a28a10c6.jpg

I started by selecting and masking my portrait. Then, I desaturated it and tried to adjust the curves so as to increase the contrast of my image.

Figure 1.9 Adjusting curves, 8th May 2022

After that, I copy pasted the image of my forest and added a black and white effect on the image. I also tried to find the best position to put the image so that it would look visually appealing.

Figure 2.0 Adding the second image into my work, 8th May 2022

So as to blend both images I used the special effect brushes mostly the Kyle's spatter brushes as I thought that they gave off the same effect as the trees and it would make the blending process easier. 

Figure 2.2 Using the Kyle's Spatter brushes to blend in the image, 8th May 2022

Figure 2.1 Using brushes so as to blend both images, 8th May 2022

After blending in both my images until I felt satisfied with the outcome, I tried to add a gradient and wanted to use some colours which would give off a vintage vibe to my work.

Figure 2.2 Outcome after blending and adding the gradient, 8th May 2022

However, after some thought I wanted to add some more elements in my composition so that it would look less empty. I chose to add the images of butterflies and cloud as I thought it would give off a fairy/magical like effect. I also think that the clouds added some lightness to my work.

Figure 2.3 Composition 1, 8th May 2022

Figure 2.4 Composition 2, 8th May 2022

Adding the clouds on my eyes, I think was kind of a good idea as I think it created more mystery.

Figure 2.5 Composition 3, 8th May 2022

I tried using different colours for the gradient which coincidentally gave off a more flesh like colour which is not a bad thing, I think.

Figure 2.6 Composition 4, 8th May 2022

Tried another gradient and also layouts of my elements. However, I'm not sure of the position of my butterfly on the right hand side near my face as after much thought, I think that it looks like it is floating in the air in an empty space and is too isolated.

Figure 2.7 Composition 5, 8th May 2022

I'm pretty much satisfied of this composition. I find the gradient more subtle but still contrasting and attractive. Additionally, I think that in this one the elements are more balanced and even in terms of contrast I think that it is quite balanced enough.

1.Practical Exercise

Figure 2.8 Double exposure tutorial outcome, 8th May 2022

Final Submission for the Double Exposure

Figure 2.9 Final Submission called 'Head in the clouds' for the Double Exposure, 8th May 2022

For my double exposure composition, I wanted to have a vintage-dreamy kind of vibes since I like to daydream a lot. I chose this one as my final as I think that the overall look of this one is the best from the others in terms of colours, tones and arrangements. This one feels more close to what I wanted to create even though it does not perfectly look like what I imagined, I'm still satisfied of the outcome.

• Project 2B (Part 1) - Hearst Mansion

Week 6: 

This exercise consists of taking our own photography and editing ourselves into this mansion. Before doing this, we were asked to practice with Shazam in order to be more at ease when doing the assignment.

Figure 3.0 Before Edits, 5th May 2022

Figure 3.1 After Edits, 5th May 2022

Process

I started this assignment by taking my own photograph. This is the photo that I used to do my work.

Figure 3.2 Own photograph (credits to my roommate), 5th May 2022

Figure 3.3 After selecting and masking, 5th May 2022

After choosing the photo that I would use for this exercise, I proceeded to do the same steps as in the video that we watched, that is selecting and masking my picture.

Before Edits

Figure 3.4 Before editing, 5th May 2022

Afterwards, I copy pasted the picture into the heart mansion's image. 

Figure 3.5 Before adjusting the colours, 5th May 2022

Figure 3.6 After adjusting the colours, 5th May 2022

Then, I started to adjust the colours of my image in order to match with the mansion. I also adjusted the brightness & contrast, hue and saturation and the exposure of my image.

Figure 3.7 Correcting the opacity and blurriness of my shadow, 5th May 2022

I moved on by creating my shadow with the brush tool and adjusted its opacity and blurriness so that it would look more natural.

Figure 3.8 Adding my reflection, 5th May 2022

To finish, I added my reflection and also did some modifications in order to make it more credible.

Final Submission for the Hearst Mansion

Figure 3.9 Final Submission for the Hearst Mansion exercise, 5th May 2022

• Project 2B (Part 2) - Recoloring Black and White

Week 7: 

This task consists of recoloring a black and white photography of a portrait. Mr. Martin demonstrated to us the various steps that we have to go through by means of a video that he recorded. The picture below is the one that we learned about in his tutorial video and we also had to repeat the same steps so as to get some practice before doing the task by ourself. 

Before

Figure 4.0 Portrait of a woman in the tutorial video, 10th May 2022

After 

Figure 4.1 After trying out the exercise based on the tutorial, 10th May 2022

After giving a try to this recoloring exercise, I proceeded to choose an image from the file provided by Mr. Martin and give it a try by myself. I choose the portrait of this woman as I liked the expression on her face but also her pose. To do this exercise, we were to use Adobe Photoshop. 

Figure 4.2 Before recoloring, 10th May 2022

Figure 4.3 Image reference that I used for the skin tone, 10th May 2022
Source: https://www.banana-retouch.com/asian-poetry/

Using the picture above as a reference for the skin tone, I proceeded to recolor her skin using a middle tone shade. However, instead of using the quick selection tool for her face, I preferred to select a solid color then apply a mask to then use the brush tool as I found this way more quicker and easier to get the details. After that, I also increased the saturation and contrast for the skin tone so as to make it more vibrant. Additionally, I continued by doing her lips and using a dark shade as I liked the contrast of colors between her skin tone, lips and hair. 

Figure 4.4 Process, 10th May 2022

After that, I proceeded with her hair and then also decided to slightly change the colour of her eyes to a dark brown.

Figure 4.5 Process, 10th May 2022

For the finishing touch and after editing her shirt, I also played with the selective colours so as to give a more realistic touch to my work.

Figure 4.6 Finishing touch, 10th May 2022

Final Outcome for the recoloring exercise 

Figure 4.7 Final Recoloring, 10th May 2022

• Project 2C - Photo Manipulation Ideation

Visual Research

Figure 4.8 Visual Research. credits @Stephen McMennamy, 11th May 2022
Source: https://www.ignant.com/2015/07/31/stephen-mcmennamy-combines-photos-into-quirky-images/

Figure 4.9 Visual Research, 11th May 2022
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/AdPorn/comments/5nwtzp/strawberry_jam_anyone_557x787/?utm_source=ifttt

Figure 5.0 Visual Research, 11th May 2022
Source: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e7/72/82/e77282a61cd33ec00ee39ad440c92c8b.jpg

Sketches 

Figure 5.1 Sketches & Ideas for my photo manipulation, 11th May 2022

Week 10: 

Below are the photos that I have used for my photo manipulation. My idea was to combine the picture of a cup and a toilet paper roll as I thought that since they both have circular shapes, it would be more easy for me to combine and make them match. I also wanted to make as if the cup was filled with toilet paper. 

Figure 5.2 Photo of cup, 1st June 2022

Figure 5.3 Photo of cup, 1st June 2022

Figure 5.4 Photo of toilet paper roll, 1st June 2022

Figure 5.5 Photo of toilet paper roll, 1st June 2022

First trial 

Figure 5.6 Before editing, 1st June 2022

Figure 5.7 After editing, 1st June 2022

Second trial 

Figure 5.8 Before editing, 1st June 2022

Figure 5.9 After editing, 1st June

Final photo manipulation

After making the necessary modifications given by Mr. Martin that is to lower the contrast and crop the picture, this is my final result. In order to blend the toilet paper roll with the cup, I played a lot with the different brushes and the different effects like darken, overlay or subtract. I'm quite satisfied of my blending as I think that both of the objects merge well together. 

Figure 6.0 Final photo manipulation, 2nd June 2022

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FEEDBACKS

Week 9: 

Mr. Martin told me that I should go on and try my sketch number 4 as it would be an interesting composition to see. 

Week 10: 

After showing my work to Mr. Martin he said that I should crop my picture and reduce the contrast but on the overall it looked okay and the blending was good. 

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REFLECTIONS

Week 6: 

Doing the double exposure exercise was a challenge for me. It was difficult at first since I'm not used to Adobe Photoshop, I found it hard to remember how to use the different layers and the multiple tools. Still, so as to get more practice I watched different tutorials on the double exposure so as to get more tricks and tips which I could use when doing my work. After that, since my first trial was pretty much a fail I felt a bit discouraged but I still wanted to improve so I tried again. I felt a bit more at ease when I was doing my second trial since I remembered a bit more better the steps on how to blend or add another layer and also use the clipping mask. I learned a lot of different things such as how to use the curves or levels to adjust the brightness/ highlights/ contrast of an image. Additionally, I got to learn how to use the brushes in Photoshop which was a new experience for me. On the overall, I do realise that using Photoshop is one thing but having an outcome which looks good is another thing and requires way more practice than I had thought. I do know that I still have a long way to go in order to improve my techniques and also develop my critical thinking but I'm willing to continue on trying in every exercise and will try to learn from my mistakes so as to do better.

Week 7: 

Doing the recoloring work was a bit confusing at first. However, since I got to practice before-hand with the tutorial video, I felt like I was getting the hang of it. After that, when I was doing my final work it felt easier . I was able to remember the steps in order to add the colors and I didn't get much problem. I would say that the hard part was only when I had to do the hair and mostly the roots were a bit tough to retouch as it was very detailed. I found this exercise actually quite fun as we get to choose the different tones and colours that we want to for the model. I learned a lot about photoshop and the layer mask and I feel like I understood more about the concept and utility of those tools. 

Week 9: As we learned about digital photo manipulation, I found it quite hard how to understand the tools used in order to make both images match. 

Week 10: 

I did not really enjoy the photo manipulation exercise as I found it hard to know which tool to use in order to make both images combine and look like one. The hardest part was to make both of them not look weird or awkward and it was quite hard to find the perfect balance for both of my images. However, on a more positive note I could say that I liked the concept of this exercise as we could pretty much do anything that we felt like using. We could make funny combination or contrasting ones but the practical part was indeed hard.