Digital Photography & Imaging: Task #1 Exercises (Mr. Fauzi)

Seerat Tayyab Mukhtar Qureshi - 0345576 (BDCM)

Digital Photography & Imaging

Task 1 Exercises 

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 1. Tutorial: Paths, masking & layering

This week Mr. Fauzi taught us about the various blending modes on Photoshop and how we can use them to create various different effects and compositions. Our task was to create 3 compositions from a set of images provided. 

Fig 1.0: Image bank

For my first composition, I used these images.

Fig 1.1: Original pictures

I used the ellipse tool to cut a circle out of the background texture. I arranged them into a composition like this.

Fig 1.2: Progress

I then used the Screen blending mode on the ellipse to make it a bit more softer.

Fig 1.3: Composition 1, final

For my second composition, I wanted to be a bit more experimental. I used the pen tool to cut out the people from the original image.

Fig 1.4: Using pen tool

I used the mountain and circle from my previous composition and came up with this. 

Fig 1.5: Composition 2, final

The blending modes I used were Hard Mix and Linear Burn.

For my third composition, I experimented with the blend mode Exclusion. 

Fig 1.6: Exclusion blending mode 

Fig 1.7: Composition 3, final

2. Tutorial: Match lighting, adjustment layers & filters

In this lecture/tutorial Mr. Fauzi taught us about the various adjustment layers that exist in Photoshop and how we can use them to manipulate images. We were given a similar task to come up with three compositions using a given image bank.

For my first composition I tried the Solid Colour adjustment layer. 

Fig 1.8: Adjustment layer

I made a clipping mask but this simply coloured in the desired object so I set it to overlay so it would add a nice lighter tint. 

Fig 1.9: Adjustment layer

Fig 2.0: Composition 1, final

Reflection: I used the solid colour adjustment layer and changed the blending mode to overlay to recolour the buildings and the moon. I wanted to create a sort of dystopian world so I exaggerated the recolouring and played around with the proportions. I cropped the composition a little to create a sort of polaroid look. I think it gives the composition a more dreamy and surreal look

For composition 2 I wanted to try the Black & White adjustment layer and keep it simpler. I used the Exclusion blending mode as well.

Fig 2.1: Adjustment layers

Fig 2.2: Composition 2, final

Reflection: I used the exclusion blending mode on the building and solid colour adjustment layer set to overlay for the moon. I made the person black and white using the adjustment layers as well. I really like the contrast the red moon creates and the negative effect the blending mode creates. I also like the visual hierarchy in this composition, the way the building leads up the eye to the moon and then the man. 

My last composition was a bit more complex with more elements and less adjustment layers and blending modes.

Fig 2.3: Elements in my composition

Fig 2.4: Composition 3, final

Reflection: I felt my previous compositions were a bit simple and clean so for this one I wanted to experiment with something a bit more complex. I mostly used the blending mode exclusion because I really like the negative/positive contrast it creates. I used the topography instead of a plain white rectangle because I wanted it to be a bit more visually interesting. 

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Feedback:

Overall, Mr. Fauzi was pleased with my work throughout and gave me positive feedback on my compositions and use of various features of Photoshop.

Reflection: I really enjoyed these exercises because I got to learn quite a few useful things about Photoshop, I think I have become quite familiar with Photoshop after these exercises and future projects will definitely be a lot easier if you know you're way around Photoshop.