DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND IMAGING - Project2 :

 4/JUN/2024 - 1/JUL/2024（WEEK 7-WEEK 11）

 LIU YITONG （0370907）

Group：1

Digital Photography & Imaging/Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

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Lectures :

Week 7 

This week, we learned about Double Exposure and Image Blending Mode in Photoshop. These two effects are to create images that are unlogical, surreal and emotional. 

DOUBLE EXPOSURE 

Double exposure photography refers to merging multiple images. The goal is to make them surreal, emotional, or humorous. They usually feature silhouettes.

1. Using the Tilt-Shift Effect

Photoshop has a great tilt-shift tool that will transform your photos into soft works of art.(blur one of your photos instead of the entire image)

2. Create fake reflection

One of them is creating a double-exposure with the help of a separate window photo.

3. Experiment with simple portraits and  details textured

4. Convert your results to Black & White

It gives them a unique depth and allows you to experiment with something interesting just like  film photography.

5. Work with silhouette

6. Pick two random photo

7. Make simple objects look fascinating

8. Use Shadow

PHOTOSHOP : Blend Modes

Working with blend modes is almost always an experimental process. Because it’s nearly impossible to predict the results, you always seem to end up experimenting with different modes and Fill Opacities until you get the results you’re looking for.

Fig.1.0  Blend Modes

Week 8

This week is independent study week, no lectures.

Week 9

Digital Surrealism

Realism Versus Surrealism

Realism:

Takes subject matters of the ordinary and common world which we call "reality." It almost always takes a non-exotic and non-extraordinary subject matter and theme. There is no need to think outside of the box as that is not "real."

Surrealism:

A twist on Realism. It explores the subconscious mind with subject matters concentrating on dream-images and often aims to distort the ordinary and what we call reality.

Fig.1.1 Realism Versus Surrealism

Surrealism

Definition:

o Surrealism defies logic. Dreams and the workings of the subconscious mind inspire surrealistic art (French for "super-realism") filled with strange images and bizarre juxtapositions.

o Fueled by the teachings of Freud and the rebellious work of Dada artists, surrealists like Salvador Dalí promoted free association and dream imagery.

Dadaism:

o An anti-war art movement with artworks that are satirical and nonsensical in nature.

What is Digital Surrealism?

Definition:

o Surrealism is a cultural movement focused on types of arts to express the artist’s ideas themselves. In this digital era, surrealism is one of the top digital art styles.

How to Start Creating Surrealism Artworks?

1.Dream-like scenes and symbolic images

2.Unexpected illogical juxtapositions

3.Bizarre assemblages of ordinary objects

4.Primitive or child-like designs

Creation Steps

1.Sketch It Out:

o Take a piece of paper and pen/pencil or a tablet and start to sketch. Draw your vision out roughly. Don't finesse any details yet, just lay out the key points of your vision.

2.Find Reference Images:

o Gathering reference images will greatly help you realize your new idea. Gather images that directly relate to what you have in mind.

Capturing Your Dream

1.“Does this look real?”:

o Surrealism is at its best when it's convincing enough that it could be real, however, we obviously know that the subject matter you are creating is nonexistent and thus not real.

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

o When you try to approach something challenging, you will learn the skills you may need for next time to make it work. The worst thing you can do is be afraid and back off from your idea because you would never learn that way.

Role of Photoshop.

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Instructions :

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Practical :

Project1A: Double Exposure - Base Image & Layer Image

PART 1: Double exposure following tutorial

We have to watch the double exposure tutorial video made by Mr Martin first and download the images needed. Then we should follow the steps in the video to create the same artwork as demonstrated. 

Fig.2.1 Process

I have done this exercise following the steps in the video and here is the outcome of the double exposure exercise:

Fig.2.2 Final outcome of Double Exposure exercise followed the tutorial - JPEG

PART 2: My own double exposure

In this part, we are to create our own double exposure using our own portrait and other images to create the effect of double exposure. 

I looked for a photo taken before in the album to complete this assignment, and searched for a cherry blossom photography on the Internet.

Fig.2.3My portrait (right); Cherry blossom (left)

After that, I began to work as required.

Fig.2.4 Process

Fig. 2.5 Final outcome of my own double exposure

PROJECT 2B: POSTER DESIGN 

I have two thoughts on the subject of equality.

1. I intend to interpret equality from the perspective of occupation——Occupational equality, whether it is a labor worker or a brain worker, no matter how much money they make, everyone is equal.

I think my poster should have two representatives of labor work and brain work, and find a way to show that the two are equal.

2.I want to express gender equality,The idea was to use the apple in the mythical story of the Garden of Eden, which was bitten by Adam and Eve, as the main intention, and to express equality with a balanced bite mark.

Based on these two ideas, I started my sketch.

Fig.2.6 Skeches

I drew two simple sketches and began to photograph.

I started shooting apples for the first sketch.Inspired by the sketch, I took a bite on each side.

Fig.2.7 Bitten apple

I couldn't get a picture of a snake, so I searched the Internet for a picture of a snake and used the Magic wand tool to pull it out.

Fig.2.8 Process

I tried to bring them together and add shadows. Then, I created a new document in the Ai to edit the font layout and put it on.Finally, the whole is adjusted.

Fig.2.9 Draft poster1

Then I started working on the second sketch. This time there are more things to shoot, I chose a hammer and nails and my mouse. The balance is found on the Internet material.

Fig.2.10 Process

As with the first poster, I designed the layout in Ai and imported it into Ps to continue.

Fig.2.11 Draft poster2

After your feedback,I chose the Draft poster 1 and I decided to revise the composition.

Fig.2.12 Attempt 1

However, as I tried, the rule of thirds would distort the figure and not fit well.

So I simply used vertical composition, centering all images and text. It looks much better and fits the theme of equality.

Fig.2.13 Attempt 2

I didn't think the shadow was realistic enough, so I added a small shadow to the chain of the balance, without the Gaussian blur because I wanted the shadow of the chain to look more realistic. Then I made it my last poster to turn in.

Fig.2.14 Final poster

Fig.2.15 Competition registration screenshot

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Reflection

The project freedom this time is higher than the previous several times, which makes me feel very challenging. I need to be skilled enough in operating software and have a good knowledge of composition.Especially the task of preparing posters for the competition, I needed to express my ideas clearly while taking care of the harmony of the composition, which was a bit difficult but very interesting! But at the same time it gives me exercise and makes me feel very fulfilled.