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PROJECT 2_ DOUBLE EXPOSURE AND PHOTO MANIPULATION
30 September 2022 - 28 October 2022
(Week 5 - Week 9 )
Christine Tan Yuen Yan / 0344039, Digital Photography and Imaging, GCD
61204 / Bachelor of Design (Honors) in Creative Media
PROJECT 2_ DOUBLE EXPOSURE AND PHOTO MANIPULATION
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LECTURES
WEEK 5_DOUBLE EXPOSURE
Double Exposure photography refers to merging multiple images by layering one on top of another to create a single image. The goal is to create surreal, emotional, or humorous art. They usually feature silhouettes by using tools from Photoshop to create an effect that can be made through digital manipulation.
To achieve double exposure using Photoshop, blending modes are essential, it is necessary to experiment with many blending modes before achieving the result that we want.
STEPS to create Double Exposure
Step 1: Choose two or more stock images
When beginning the process of the double exposure effect, we will need one portrait image and at least one other image that will merge with the portrait (can environmental. or cityscape image.)
Fig 1, Stock Images
Step 2: Extract the Main Image
When extracting the image, no matter what method we choose, make sure to use Layer Masks as we will be using the subject's mask in a future step. Once done extracting, create a Colour Fill layer below the subject.
Fig 1.1, Main Image
Step 3: Adjust Base Portrait
Do some basic layer adjusting to prepare for the double exposure effect.
Image > Adjustments> Levels and bring the left and right toggles. Will make the image darker and as well as contrast.
Fig 1.2, Adjust Base Portrait
Create a new group over the subject layer. Copy the layer mask from the subject onto the new Group by holding Alt, dragging and dropping the layer mask. Secondly, add the foggy forest and set the layer mode to Lighten so that it blends well with the mountains.
Fig 1.3, Align the Secondary Images
Step 5: Adjust Secondary Images
Make some basic adjustments to our secondary images, starting with creating a Black and White Gradient Map adjustment layer. Place the Gradient Map above both the mountains and forest layers, keeping it inside of the group. Secondly, above the gradient map layer, create a colour balance adjustment layer.
Fig 1.4, Adjust Secondary Images
Step 6: Duplicate the Main Images
Duplicate the main subject image and bring it above the group holding out environmental layers, Set the duplicate to Screen.
Fig 1.5, Duplicate the Main Images
Step 7: Adjust the Duplicates Main Image's Exposure
Adjusting the setting will change from image to image, with skin tone playing a significant part. Lighter skin tones will likely have to be darkened, while the highlights in darker skin tones will be brightened. We want the facial features to be distinct.
Fig 1.6, Adjust the Duplicates Main Image's Exposure
Step 8: Adjust the Final Composition
Try and line things up logically. curve the mountain matched the angle of the subject's brow. I also made sure the highlights of the mountain matched the highlights of the face.
Fig 1.7, Adjust the Final Composition
Step 9: Enhance facial features
Create two layers. Set the first layer to Overlay and clip it into the upper subject layer. Use this layer to enhance the subject's highlights. Paint whites on the area you want to make more prominent. Secondly, there's a layer set to Soft light, use this later to paint black on areas of the face you want to appear more solid such as the eyes, nose and lips by using the quick selection tools.
Fig 1.8,Enhance facial features
Step 10: Final Masking
Finished the subject by masking out any details on them that may be distracting. Turning off the original base subject layer resulted in ina cleaner effect.
Fig 1.9, Final Masking
Step 11: Final Colour Grade
Bring the image together with a quick colour grade with a single curve adjustment layer. Increased the contrast using what is often called an 'S' curve. This image is creating a blue and yellow duo-tone effect.
Fig 1.10, Final Colour Grade
WEEK 6_DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Fig 2, images
The camera body is a light-proof box, and the exposure setting includes the iris, shutter speed and ISO. There are only two camera settings that affect the actual luminous exposure of an image, the being shutter speed and aperture. ISO affects the brightness of photos.
Fig 2.1, images of a camera (Canon)
The Iris controls the flow of lights entering the lens, also it is measured by f-stop, indicated by the sequences of f -numbers: f/1,f/1.4,f/2.8,f/4,f/5.6,f/8,f/11,f/16,f/22 and f/32. The lower the f-number, the largest the lens opening.
Fig 2.2, images of f-stop
The shutter speed is a small plastic sheet that opens and closes to allow light onto the film or prevent light from reaching the film. Shutter speed is measured in seconds: 1/1000, 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, and 3.
Fig 2.3, images of shutter speed.
WEEK 7_ PHOTO MANIPULATION
Fig 3, images of photo manipulation
Photoshop can be used to manipulate photos to create surreal-looking objects. This can be achieved by masking out certain parts of the photo and replacing them with different objects. Certain effects such as creating robot-like synthetic skin can be achieved using the pen tool to create intricate lines. Adding shadows, using bevel and embossing, adjusting colours, etc, can help to make the effect look more realistic.
WEEK 8_N/A
No lecture in Week 8 due to is a self-independent week.
WEEK 9: INTRO TO AFTER EFFECTS
Fig 3, images of the logo of AfterEffect
Adobe After Effect is a 2.5D animation software used for animation. visual effects and motion picture compositing. It is used in film, TV and web video creation. It is used in the post-production phase and has hundreds of effects that can be used to manipulate imagery. This allows us to combine layers of video and images into the same scene. Motion graphics animation work by manipulating vector and rasterized art to create and tell a story. After-effects files do not embed their media. Instead, it links to it.
INSTRUCTIONS
Module Information Booklet
PROCESS FOR DOUBLE EXPOSURE
We first need to take a portrait of ourselves to use in the project. I decided to select this image as the subject of my self-portrait among the other image.
Fig 1, A portrait of myself
The first task was to create a layer and mask me out of the image and reposition the image in a more focused composition by using the selection tools. And after it, I did some colour grade and saturation adjustments.
Fig 2, After adjustments
The main theme that I want to include in the double exposure project is the flower as personally I like flowers, and I picked this image from my photo album which was taken during an event.
Fig 3, An image of flowers.
Fig 4, An image of clouds.
After collecting relevant that I want to add to my double exposure project by adding the effects.
Fig 5, My composition after adding the flowers element.
FINAL DOUBLE EXPOSURE
Fig 5, Final double exposure composition
I decide to pass on this image and I did some final adjustments such as saturation and contrast. And the work is completed.
PROCESS FOR PHOTO MANIPULATION
The objective is to manipulate images of two objects to combine them into something surreal. The first thing I did was visual research to at least get an idea and then sketch it out.
Fig 5.1 Visual Research, sources: LittleRedBook
Fig 5.2 Visual Research, sources: LittleRedBook
Fig 6, First sketch about the eye and clock
My very first idea is to create an image by combining my eyes and the clock together. However, after receiving feedback from Mr Martin, he mentioned that art is too common so he suggested that can try to search for other ideas.
Fig 6.1, Second sketch about the lime and lizard eyes.
My second idea is that search for objects that are similar in colours so I thought of combining a fruit that is green lime and lizard eyes, as it is mentioned in the class, that we can take one picture of ourselves and another image can be taken from online sources. So I went to grocery store and took a picture of lime.
Fig 7, An Image taken at the grocery store (lime)
Fig 7.1, An Image taken at online sources (lizard)
Fig 7.2, After the composition
First, I readjust the colour of the lime to make it brighter then secondly I used the selection tools to crop out the eyes of the lizard and mask it then readjust the colour.
Fig 7.3, An Image taken at the grocery store (avocado)
FINAL PHOTO MANIPULATION
Fig 7.4, Final Photo Manipulation
After receiving the feedback from Mr Martin I changed the objects into Avocado, and readjust the colour the lizard's eyes was masked out by using the selection tools and mask it, and then I continued to readjust the colour and lighting. I am satisfied with the work.
FEEDBACKS
Week 6: The background is a bit too plain, the colour of the flower can be softer.
Week 7: No feedback.
Week 8: No feedback.
Week 9: The lime and lizard eyes do not fit that well as, the shapes of the lime are very different the shape of the lizard eyes is oval but the shape of the lime is rounded, hence is kinda forcing them together which does not present out well-balanced photos. Try to search for other fruits such as green lemon, as the shapes os oval shapes so they will be more suitable and more matched. The idea is good just the shapes and texture need more improvement.
REFLECTIONS
I found project 2 quite fun and at the same time quite challenging for me, double exposure and photo manipulation task does help me to get to know better and deeper about how Photoshop works, and how to use the tools efficiently. Tried to apply the skills that have been taught during Project 1 and improvise them. Overall, the complexity of this project 2 I would say that is average as all the steps and theory are all taught during class and we did exercises for it, hence it was not too difficult to do, however, the only challenging part is sometimes I am not sure does the photo fits the expectation hence it will be quite frustrating.
I do gain more knowledge about Photoshop through Project 2, not only the technical tools but also expanding the creativity of our own ideas and combining them together in Photoshop.
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