DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY & IMAGING

April 25, 2022

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY & IMAGING - WEEK 3

Week 3(14/4/22)
Student: Tai Ser Yeet (0345798)
Programme: Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Task: Project 1

LECTURE

Fig 1.1 Lecture Slides, Week 3 (14/4/22)

PRACTICAL

COLLAGE EXERCISE 2 - DIGITAL

DIGITAL COLLAGE

After the tutorial session on the basics of masking, Mr.Martin then instructed us to download the images from google drive and masked them all in Adobe Photoshop (Fig XX). Then, we could begin with composing our first digital collage.

Fig 1.2 Downloaded Images, Week 3 (14/4/22)

Fig 1.2.2 Masked Graphical Elements, Week 3 (14/4/22)

A video tutorial was posted in the Google Classroom Group as a reference when creating our first composition.

Fig 1.2.3 Digital Collage YouTube Tutorial, Week 3 (14/4/22)

PRE-COMPOSITION 1

Images describing the steps are arranged chronologically from the start to finish.

I placed the factories in a way which gives the illusion of being in the 17th century, Wild West. So far, juxtaposition between the past and the present can be depicted through the combination of old factory buildings with a modern train station.

Fig 1.2.4 Factory & Train Station, Week 3 (14/4/22)

Trying to merge those two elements together, I blended them using the 'Lighter Color' effect.

Fig 1.2.5 Using the 'Lighter Color' Blending Option, Week 3 (14/4/22)

In order to make the shark stand out, I changed the shark to a red color. Not only that, it is placed at the intersection points of the grid(Rule of Thirds). Fig XX shows my experimentation with the blending functions on the shark such as the 'Linear Burn' & 'Multiply'. Finally, I settled with 'Lighter Color'. Shark is also blended with the moving train and its background using the 'Luminosity' option.

Fig 1.2.6 Trying Out Different Blending Options, Week 3 (14/4/22)

Last but not least, I overlay the composition with the wall brick texture and chose a mint color as the color of the background. As shown in Fig XX, small patches of each color can be spotted in different corners of the composition which provides a sense of harmony to the design.

Fig 1.2.7 Pre-Composition 1 With Rule of Thirds Grid, Week 3 (14/4/22)

Fig 1.2.8 Completed Pre-Composition 1, Week 3 (14/4/22)

PRE-COMPOSITION 2

To begin, I positioned the tree branches perpendicularly so they cross each other at the top intersection point of the grid. Next, I was experimenting with the different blending modes under the 'Properties' panel until I stumbled upon an selection called 'Difference'. It turned the overlapped section to a dark purple color which was very unusual but I loved it so that was a keeper for me.

Fig 1.3 Arranging the Tree Branches(LEFT)// Selecting Blending Mode(RIGHT), Week 3 (14/4/22)

Since the usage of various geometrical shapes brought interest to my physical collage from last week, I thought to incorporate similar elements to my digital collage instead. Also, reusing the similar masked image of the train station from pre-composition 1 was never on my agenda so this was the way to go. I then placed the circle on the top right intersection point which helps emphasize the image further.

Fig 1.3.2 Masked Picture(LEFT)// Fitting Masked Image into Composition(RIGHT), Week 3 (14/4/22)

I wanted the car to be as though it has just driven out from the train station to a whole new dimension, almost like a portal that rarely opens. In order to achieve that idea, I conducted a motion blur on the 'Kancil' vehicle.

Fig 1.3.3 Motion-Blurred Kancil, Week 3 (14/4/22)

I initially wanted the texture wall image to be the background. However, after much contemplation, I deduced that it made the entire design seem very stagnant. Hence, I only allowed a three-quarters space for the textured wall whereas the remaining colorless part was covered with a blue fill to complement the purple from the leaves.

Fig 1.3.4 Adding Textured Wall(LEFT)// Adding Blue Fill Color(RIGHT), Week 3 (14/4/22)

I thought that was the final product but I still was not happy with the outcome because the bottom right corner felt a tad too empty. Since I had a masked 'woman with the stroller' from the train station, why not use her to fill up the space?

Firstly, she was enlarged and duplicated into 3 layers. After that, a blending option called 'Lighter Color' was selected for the layers and then heavy noise was added as well so that she would not stand out as much in the foreground.

Fig 1.3.5 Progress of Filling Up Space, Week 3 (14/4/22)

Fig 1.3.6 Completed Pre-Composition 2, Week 3 (14/4/22)

PRE-COMPOSITION 3

"What if I make the shark look as though it is poking its head out of the television?" First, I remasked the shark head and soften the edges using the blur tool. After that, I positioned the shark in front of the TV Screen.

Fig 1.4 Masking Shark's Head(LEFT)// Shark & Television(RIGHT), Week 3 (14/4/22)

Fig 1.4.2 Masking Projector Wheel(LEFT& MIDDLE)// Masked Image in Composition(RIGHT), Week 3 (14/4/22)

At this point, I was starting to run out of ideas on creating a different type of collage design. So I asked for feedback from my peers and they suggested not only masking the mountain from the mountain image but also random shapes from its sky. And a long rectangle is what I went with.

Fig 1.4.3 Process of Masking Mountain Image, Week 3 (14/4/22)

I then made the strip of rectangle into a different color by again, utilizing the blending option called 'Vivid Light'. That function turned the strip into more of a neon color which is very striking.

Fig 1.4.4 Blending Using 'Vivid Light', Week 3 (14/4/22)

Fig 1.4.5 Masking Fencer's Head(LEFT)// Masked Head(RIGHT), Week 3 (14/4/22)

Fig 1.4.6 Duplicating the Masked Heads, Week 3 (14/4/22)

While covering the background with many fencer's head, I ensured that they were aligned properly and in a repetitive manner so there was not an accidental emphasis on any of the heads. This helped viewers perceived all the heads as a cohesive whole instead of looking at each individual element which can distract their attention away from the main focal point; the shark.

Fig 1.4.7 Filling Up The Background (LEFT)// Playing With Shadows & Highlights(RIGHT), Week 3 (14/4/22)

Evidence that the placement of the shark and the television was not a mere coincidence or a sheer of luck but a planned composition for the purpose of guiding the viewer's eye towards the subject.

Fig 1.4.8 Golden Arch (LEFT)// Rule of Thirds(RIGHT), Week 3 (14/4/22)

Fig 1.4.9 Completed Pre-Composition 3, Week 3 (14/4/22)

FINAL SUBMISSION OF DIGITAL COLLAGE

Despite number 1 being the people's favorite design, I knew that deep down I preferred the second design. The second composition had exotic colors and an asymmetrical balance for the background which gave movement and a dynamic feel to the viewers.

Fig 1.5 Final Submission of Digital Collage, Week 3, PDF (14/4/22)

FEEDBACK

I have created a poll to ask my friends on Instagram to choose which collage they like the best. As deduced from Fig 1.5.2, the majority of my peers really enjoyed the first pre-composition. One of them even commented that aesthetic-wise, without a doubt, it was the first composition. However, Mr.Martin begged to differ. When I asked for his opinion on whether the first or the second composition was more interesting, he said, "Number 2 is way better hands down."

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