Digital photography and imaging

 

NABIL JULIUS DORN (0370978)

Digital photography and Imaging | Bachelor of Design in Creative Media | Taylor's University
Task

Project 1

 List

1. Lectures

2. Tutorial

3. Practical

4. Reflection

This is the Module Information Booklet for this module

Lectures

Week 1:

Project brief and exmaples

Mr Fauzi briefed us on the course outline during the first week of class. He showed us what we were required to do throughout our semester and the outcomes he was expecting from us.

We were shown that during the first task, we are required to make a physical collage as our first practical exercise. He then proceeded to show us examples of collages.

He then showed us a video on composition guides for collages.

Week 2:

Introduction to composition

We were taught on the different types of compositions in imagery and photography.

This is what I have learnt:

Rule of thirds (ROT): One of the most basic and frequently used yet effective composition techniques. It involves dividing the image into a grid of nine equal parts using two horizontal and vertical lines. The main subject is then placed at the intersections of those lines to create a more balanced and dynamic composition.

Fig 1.1 Rule of thirds

Leading lines: This composition technique involves using lines within the image to lead the viewers eye towards the main subject or focal point. These lines can be straight, curved or even implied by elements like roads, fences or walls. This helps create depth and guide the viewers eye through the image.

Fig 1.2 Leading lines

Symmetry: Symmetrical compositions feature balanced arrangements on either side of the image. This creates a sense of harmony and order. By also using repetitive imagery, it also creates rhythm and unity.

Fig 1.3 Symmetry

Golden ratio: Similar to the rule of thirds, the golden ratio is a composition principle based on a mathematical ratio (prox 1:1.618). This involves positioning the main subject or focal point at specific points within the fram to achieve a visually stunning and organic composition. The golden ratio is also found naturally in nature.

Fig 1.4 Golden ratio in imagery

Fig 1.5 Golden ratio in nature and imagery

Composition: Framing and cropping

We were also provided a video that breaks down the use of framing and cropping in cinematography.

1. Framing: Framing in cinematography refers to how elements within the scene are arranged and positioned within the frame of the camera. It involves selecting what is included in the shot and how its arranged to convey meaning, focus attention and evoke emotions.
• Types of framing:
• Wide shot
• Medium shot
• Close up shot
• Macro shot
• Over the shoulder shot
• Point-of-view shot
2. Cropping: Cropping in cinematography involves adjusting the boundaries of the frame during post-production to alter the composition of the shot. It allows the filmmakers to refine the framing, remove distractions and emphasize specific elements in the scene
• Purposes of cropping
• Refining composition
• Removing distractions
• Emphasizing detail
• creating visual impact

By mastering framing and cropping, cinematographers can create visually stunning compositions that enhance the experience for the viewer

Week 3:

Introduction to Photoshop

During week 3, we learnt about Photoshop and the tools it had. More specifically, we started with learning how to use the lasso tool, masking, layer management, and the pen tool which is a very common tool in multiple image editing application.

Mr Fauzi shared a video with us, showing us how to create a composition that were supposed to replicate for our composition task.

 

Week 4:

During this weeks lecture, Mr. Fauzi taught us on the Adjustment layers in photoshop. 

Adjustment layers in Photoshop are a group of non-destructive image editing tools that add colour and tonal adjustments to your image without permanently changing its pixels. With adjustment layers, you can edit and discard your adjustments or restore your original image at any time. This will make your workflow more efficient.

When an adjustment layer is added, a new layer will appear. After adding, the properties of the adjustment layer will also appear. 

Hue/Saturation:

Adjusts the overall hue of the image and saturation of the image. Lowering the saturation completely will turn the image into a black and white picture.

Brightness/Contrast:

The brightness slider is for adjusting the highlights and the contrast slider is for adjusting the shadows of the image.

Level:

Another means of tweaking the colour balance, exposure and tone of the image

Curves:

Lets you adjust as many points as you want throughout the entire tonal range of your image. It's more powerful and precise for editing the tones in an image.

Exposure:

Adjusts exposure level using three slides; Exposure, Offset and Gamma. Exposure adjusts the highlights, Offset adjusts the mid tones and Gamma adjusts the darker tones only.

Selective color:

Selectively modifies the amount of a primary colour without modifying the other primary colours in your image.

Filters:

Filters change the colour, add blur or creates completely new image effects.

Week 5:

During this week, Mr Fy taught us on the the basics of photography shooting and the do's and don's of photography.

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

Exposure settings:

Tutorial

Week 1:

We were briefed on the module outline and the tasks required to complete. 

Week 2: 

During this week, we were taught about composition guides.

Week 3:

During this week, we were taught about the tools Photoshop provided.

Week 4:

Week 5:

 

During this week, we were taught on how to blend two images together using layer masks, image adjustments, scaling and filters

Practical

Week 1:

We were told that we needed to set up our e-portfolio and keep track of our progress for our tasks as well as what we've learnt during lectures and tutorials.

The first task was to pick 3 graphic design artworks from Pinterest and explain it in design principle terms and our own opinions on them.

Fig 1.8 Graphic design poster

The reason I chose this poster is because of the contrast of the greyscale cityscape against the yellow elements of the poster. The way they blended the typography with the elements of the pictures also make it a very visually stunning poster.

This poster also includes the design principles of leading lines as the road in the centre of the image lead the viewers eye towards the text on the top of the poster. It also has emphasis which is the principle of emphasising the centre of the image. This is done by the bright yellow sun and the text in white, placed at the centre of the poster.

Fig 1.7 Graphic design poster

This poster stood out to me due to the usage of complementary colors in the poster. The striking mint green along with a vivid red on the dull grey background make it a very stunning poster.

This poster also includes the design principle of closure. The bear is cut off at the centre but is made to seem like its still hugging a tree. It also has repetition as there are more than one tree, spaced evenly amongst each other.

Fig 1.8 Graphic design poster

This poster has very high contrast. It uses dark blacks along with a vivid red and an unsaturated blueish color.

This poster uses the rule of thirds by putting the important text information on the intersecting grid. It also has emphasis as the main subject in the center of the image is in high contrast and placed on a contrasting, dull blue background.

Week 2:

During class, we started to work on our physical collage.

He gave us some tips on creating a better collage:

• Follow the rule of thirds (ROT)
• Put the portrait on the intersections of the ROT
• Best to try apply asymmetry
• Try create more than one versions

Fig 1.9 Version 1 Physical collage

In this version, I wanted to rebuild a face using elements from different magazines. I used yellow elements to give it a bit more contrast and framing in the collage. I found it difficult to get the proportions right for each element of the faces as they were originally all from different sizes and perspectives.

Fig 1.10 Version 2 Physical collage

In this playful version, the focus of it was Marijuana. I found an old National Geographics magazine that talked about Marijuana, the farms around US and what it does to your body.

Fig 1.11 Version 3 Physical collage

In this version, I stuck with a more monotonous collage piece as I wanted to emphasize the subject in the middle more. I used black and grey pieces to frame the subject in the middle and left the subject as the only colored piece in this collage.

Week 3:

We were required to make a digital collage using knowledge we've learnt about photoshop and compositions. We needed to make the collage using the selected pictures that were provided by Mr Fauzi.

Fig 1.12 Version 1 Digital collage

I wanted to use the 2 mirrored image as a way to lead the eye towards the upper right corner of the image where our subject was sitting. The way the golden ratio was placed also helps lead the eye around the composition, starting from the bottom right, leading to the middle left and finally ending at the top right.

Fig 1.13 Version 2 Digital collage

In this version, I again used the metro walkway picture as a way to lead the eye towards the middle. I duplicated it several times and lowered the opacity giving it the illusion of it never ending as it blends into the back of the collage. I then used the pictures of the office buildings to frame the center further. I then duplicated the entire thing vertically to mirror it. I used the metal picture to give it a bit of color in the center and the outer rings. I used Fig 1.8 as inspiration.

Fig 1.14 Version 3 Digital collage

In this version, I kept it simple and again used the golden ratio lines to lead the eye through and around the collage. 

Week 4:

Adjustment layer on digital collage

Week 5:

Digital imaging exercise 

In this exercise, we are taught to use:

1. Quick selection

2. Layer mask

3. Color correction

4. Filters

We need to blend two pictures together and make it look like the subject belongs in the environment.

Fig 1.15 Image of subject

Fig 1.16 Environment

We were then required to use quick selection to mask out the subject.

Fig 1.17 Masked out Shazam

Fig 1.18 Final composite 

We then needed to blend the subject into the environment using the noise filter, scale the image down to the appropriate size, image adjustment to colour correct and match the lighting.

Ive decided to add a few more copies of the subject around the given

Now we were required to use our own image and blend it into the environment like we did with the subject above

Fig 1.19 My own image

After using the same steps to blend the image into the environment, this is my outcome:

Fig 1.20 My own image composite

I found this exercise quite easy as I have had prior experience doing photo manipulations. This experience has been nothing new to me. However, ive had a good refresher when helping my friends out with their composites.

Week 6:

Recolor

Exercise 1:

In this weeks task, we were told to recolor the black and white pictures provided using the overlay blending mode 

Below are the images provided:

Fig 1.21 B&W image 1

Fig 1.22 B&W image 2

Fig 1.23 B&W image 3

Fig 1.24 recolored image 1

Fig 1.25 recolored image 2

Fig 1.26 recolored image 3

Reflection

I found that a lot of the things ive learnt, I already knew from my previous years of knowledge. However it was nice to have a refresher and help my classmates where I could, in using the program.