DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY & IMAGING (EXERCISE)

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2 September 2022 - 
(Week 1 - Week 14) 
Digital Photography and Imaging, GCD 61204 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media. 
Exercises  
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Instruction 
WEEK 1_LECTURES_EXERCISE
1. Go through the slides and watch the recorded video to understand the basics of composition slides. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tEbOcalVMxuMrwMqdY5pMNiUhmzhIFjDRfb1iwTO5Zg/edit#slide=id.p
2. Video - https://youtu.be/gGivEBJAO7o
3. Choose and identify your collage's design elements to be cut out and compose it into your own concept & story. 
https://fauziyusoff.com/dpi/
4. Collage from Insta:
4.2 https://www.instagram.com/stephen_sheffield_collage 
4.3 https://www.instagram.com/lasantapatrona_collage
4.4 https://www.instagram.com/cut.and.collage
5. Pre-compositing your collage's design elements into a composition. https://youtu.be/2KqXGMf0HNk

WEEK 2 _LECTURES_EXERCISE
1. Mastering the selection in photoshop: The Lasso Tool  https://bit.ly/3uIrIUN
2. Drawing paths with the Pen Tool https://bit.ly/3e0uspY
3. Bezier Game https://bezier.method.ac
4. How to start using Photoshop Layers https://expertphotography.com/photoshop-layers
5. How to Open Images as Layers in Photoshop https://youtu.be/0dOvqYO5nfg

WEEK 3_LECTURES_EXERCISE 
1. Read the article provided below (5 minutes read): https://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-editing/layer-blend-modes/intro/ 
2. Watch Video:
2.1, Photoshop BLENDING MODES - https://youtu.be/EroAHgpsP_8-Minute CRASH COURSE!
2.2, 5 Most useful LAYER BLENDING mode in Photoshop. https://youtu.be/NS-MAHzPO60
5. Video: https://youtu.be/b6XqlUP-MUA

WEEK 4_LECTURES_EXERCISE 
1) In-class practice: Brush, Layer, Fill in colour.

Week 1 _ EXERCISE  

Bezier Game & 3 Favourite Graphic Design
On 2nd September, during our lecture, Mr Martin explained the MIB and assignments for Digital Photography and Imaging. He also appointed us to create an e-portfolio; a blogger as a platform to place our work in it, furthermore, Mr Martin also assigned, firstly we need to complete a game called 'bezier game' to master our pen tools. Secondly, find 3 favourite graphic designs from Pinterest and describe them. Thirdly, take 3 photos of our own collages pre-composition as a warm-up for our final project, the 3 photos of collage pre-composition can be the same or different collages. 

https://bezier.method.ac, figure 1.1, Bezier Game Result, (Week 1, 2.9.2022)
I think the game allows me to improve my pen tools and helped me to understand better the bezier curve, besides the game is free for us to learn and to practice.


                                               3 Favourite Graphic Design

figure 1.2, favourite design #1, (Week 1, 2.9.2022)
Design 1 
Descriptions
While I  was doing my visual research on Pinterest, this image that captured my eye is one of the pages from the book “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse". 
The boy says: “ I can’t see a way through" 
The horse replied, “Can you see your next step?” 
The boy replied: “Yea”.
The horse said: “Just take that”.  The art brings out a message for overthinking people, to tell them to stop worrying about the future and ought to focus on what is in front of them. The art itself is simple but it brings a powerful message to the audience.
figure 1.3, favourite design #2, (Week 1, 2.9.2022)
Design 2 
Description
I picked this graphic design because I felt the art look normal yet it has a deep meaning. “Death is approaching”, a man’s chapter is coming to an end, and a doctor and a nurse are here to check the agonal breath. A guy is holding a flower as the man’s family is here to say a final goodbye, and the priests behind are praying for the man. Lastly, a ghost reaper is here to take the man’s soul. I feel that life is like that,  a new chapter begins, and the first person who welcomed us with both hands is the doctor, thus we begin to write our own chapters with family, friends, and a lover and slowly build a family, becoming a husband, a parent, a grandparent.

When a chapter is coming to an end, the first person who takes care of us is our family and the last person we contact is the doctor and he is here to announce our death. And a full stop by the ghost reaper. In the art, the man’s eye is wide open but not looking in the direction of the doctor, the nurse, his family, or the priests but the ghost reaper.

Once said, when our life comes to an end we will see a ghost reaper and he is here to take our life however he will accompany us to go through life after death, personally, I think it’s actually not bad at least we know that we are not alone although it’s not a ‘human’ at least you are not alone.

figure 1.3, favourite design #3, (Week 1, 2.9.2022)
Design 3 

Description:

While I was scrolling for my third design on Pinterest, this graphic design is very colourful but yet it looks balanced together. I feel the model in the picture is cool and probably that’s what people will visualize as her ‘hard approach’ however the sticker makes her look like she is actually funny and warm. And the stickers represent that’s her ‘true colour.’ which is inspiring audiences to be themselves.

Week 2 _ EXERCISE 
LAYERING 

figure 2.1, Layering, Blurry tool, (Week 2, 9.9.2022) 
We learned how to layer 3 different coffee tables in the background also we also obtained how to use the 'Lasso Tool', 'Polygonal Tool' and 'Magnetic Tool'. And we also learned how to use the 'Brush Tool' to create a shadow effect for the table by using the filter 'blur'.  
Lasso Tool: Makes free hand selection. 
Polygonal Tool: Make a selection by connecting straight lines. 
Magnetic Tool: Make selections that snap the edges in an image you drag.
Brush Tool: Paint custom brush strokes. 
Filter - Blur - Gaussian Blur 


figure 2.2, the number of layers, (week 2, 9.9.2022)
Week 3 _ EXERCISE 
BLENDING MODE, Reflection 

figure 3.1, Shazam Reflection (week 3, 16.9.2022)

We were assigned to learn how to create reflection and the steps given by Mr Martin, so I followed the slides and try them step by step.

figure 3.2, the numbers of the layers, (week 3, 16.9.2022)

Only 4 layers are allowed. No more than 4 layers.  

figure 3.3, My own Reflection, (week 3, 16.9.2022)

After having a trial on 'Shazam', we were assigned to create a 'Reflection' of ourselves. 

figure 3.2, the number of layers, (week 3, 16.9.2022) 

Only 4 layers are allowed. No more than 4 layers.  
Week 4 _ EXERCISE 
COLOURING

We are introduced to using the Brush, Layer, Fill in colour, Quick selection tool and the Marquee Tool. Quick Selection Tool: Make a selection by finding, and following the edges in an image. Marquee Tool: Make a selection in the shape of the triangle marquee tool. 

figure 4.1, Before Colouring 

figure 4.2, After Colouring

figure 4.3, Before Colouring 

figure 4.4, Another recoloured image, after colouring 

This image was completed by following the lecturer's step-by-step tutorial. The method to use this time was more detailed and accurate, we use the quick selection tool and refined it by using the Select and Mask interface using the refine edges tool as well. We applied different solid layers and the colour was picked from the actual reference images in order for us to achieve a more realistic look. Then lastly, like the previous method, blend modes were used. 
Week 5 _ Exercise 
DOUBLE EXPOSURE  

The topic of this week's class is a double exposure. we are assigned to watch a pre-recorded lecture video about Double Exposure, whilst we are doing it, we need to show Mr Martin of our progression of Project 1. We created this by creating and fading layer masks, using curves and adding a gradient map over the entire black-and-white image to create an interesting colour effect. A few elements are added at the end such as the birds and the clouds to complete the final look. 

Below are the exercises that have been completed for the day: 

Fig 5, Double Exposure
Week 6
Displacement Maps and Digital Photography 

For Malaysia, the tutorial for it is to import the fabric image first, then changed it into Black & White > click filter > click the effect blur > select gaussian blur > adjust it based on our own preferences and save it as PSD. 

Continuing, open the fabric image again and this time change the colour > copy the flag image and paste it into the fabric image > right-click the flag layer convert into a smart object > filter it and then distort (to create the wavey effect) > displace > select the previous PSD folder that was been saved > change the blending mode (either choose hard light or pin light) 

Use the quick selection tool to select the flag > proceed to the fabric layer and click and mask it. Create a new layer below the fabric layer > under edit > select fill > then choose contents: colour > choose any colour based on your own preference. Then lastly, use the gradient tool and click on the image to adjust. 

Below are the exercises that have been completed for the day: 

Fig 6.1 A photo-manipulated image of Malaysia's flag. 

First, open the image and under the selection of 'Image' choose 'Black & white' > then filter > select blur and pick gaussian blur > made some adjustments and save as PSD. Continuing open the fabric image again with colour and copy the logo image and paste it on the face image then right-click the logo layer convert it to smart object > filter it and distort > displace > select the previous PSD folder that has been saved > change it int the blending mode. 

Below are the exercises that have been completed for the day: 

Fig 5.2, A photomanipulation image of a woman with face paint. 

First, open the image and under the selection of 'Image' choose 'Black & white' > then filter > select blur and pick gaussian blur > made some adjustments and save as PSD. Continuing open the fabric image again with colour and copy the logo image and paste it on the cat image then right-click the logo layer convert it to smart object > filter it and distort > displace > select the previous PSD folder that has been saved > change it int the blending mode. Proceed to the cat layer and use the quick selection tool to select it and go to the skin layer and click mask it. Go to the mask layer and use the brush tool to erase the eyes and nose. 

Below are the exercises that have been completed for the day: 
Fig 5.3, A photomanipulation image of a sphynx cat with giraffe skin 
Week 7
Spot Heal, Heal patch, content-aware fill, dodge and burn 

On week 7, For fig 3.1 and 3.2, we learnt how to use several brushes for touch-ups and for these girls, we used the spot heal to get rid of the pimples, but some areas were still noticeably red thus for those red areas, I used the dodge tool to brighten them up and matches the rest of the skin tone.

Below are the exercises that have been completed for the day:  

Fig 7.1  before using the spot heal and dodge tool

Fig 7.2, after using the spot heal and dodge tool

Moreover, for Fig 7.3 and 7.4 we also learnt about how to use the healing brush tool which works similarly to the spot heal but with a greater range of control. 

Below are the exercises that have been completed for the day: 

Fig 7.3, Before using the healing brush tool 
Fig 7.4, After using the healing brush tool

For fig 7.5 to 7.8, we learnt to use the patch tool and there is a slight difference it involved copying an element from elsewhere in the image and placing it wherever I want to be replaced. The patch tool is primarily used to repair larger areas of an image, or get rid of any distractions or blemishes. 

Below are the exercises that have been completed for the day: 

Fig 7.5, Before using the patch tool 

Fig 7.6, Before using the patch tool 

Fig 7.7, After using the patch tool 

Fig 7.8, After using the patch tool

The content-aware move tool are slightly challenging to do so, it involved copying element from elsewhere in the image and we need to place them in the place that we want, but Photoshop will automatically generate the parts that were left behind. 

Below are the exercises that have been completed for the day: 

Fig 7.9, Before using the content-aware move tool.

Fig 7.10, After using the content-aware move tool.
Week 8 
Independent Learning Week 
Week 9 
Introduction of Adobe After Effects & Final Project 

In Week 9, we learned a few basic knowledge about After Effects and learned how to import Photoshop files to create animation in After Effects. 
Week 10 
Introduction to Parallax 

We were introduced to the Parallax photo effect and how to animate GIFs in Photoshop. However, the animation will continue for the next class, on week 10, our focus is on how to crop the object we want and separate it into different layers. 

Below are the exercises that have been completed for the day: 

Fig 10.1 Cropped it out and convert it into a smart object. 

Fig 10.2, After reverting, the person was removed. 

Duplicate the layer > Mask the girl (select quick selection tool) > Select the girl and Mask it. Remove the girl from the background. Go to the background layer > Use the quick selection tool and roughly select her. Select and Modify and Expand and Expand it by 5 pixels. Next, Edit > Fill > Content - Aware, 
Remove the grass now and repeat the same steps as we did for the girl. Convert all layers into smart objects and lastly create the video. 

Below are the exercises that have been completed for the day: 

Fig 10.3, Original picture

Fig 10.4, The girl cropped out 

First, repeat the same process as above (referring to Fig 10.3  & 10.4 ) Create Frame Animation > Change the time to 0.5 seconds. Duplicate the frame, In Frame 1 shut off the yoga 2 layers, and in frame 2 shut off the yoga 2 layers. Next select frame 2 > Edit > Puppet Warp > Pin the shape. 

Below are the exercises that have been completed for the day: 

Week 11
Introduction to Parallax 

 Steps on making animation in After Effects. 
First > Open File > Select the yowa PSD file (referring to Fig 10.3 & 10.4)  that has been done last week > import kind: Composition > Layer options: Editable Layer styles. Setting all layers to 3D layer, then Create a 3D layer (Right click > Camera> Create a camera from 3D view and proceed to select the background layer > position 1000 for the last value and > scale to drag a bigger to fit the layer. 
Week 12 
No Class 
Week 13
No Physical Class. Only online session for feedback regards to the Final Project. 
Week 14
No Physical Class. Only online session for feedback regards to the Final Project. 
Reflections 

Personally, I feel that these exercises played a crucial part throughout the whole journey of this module, as it is important for my learning process as each week, we learnt new topics, new skills, and new tools and techniques in both Adobe Photoshop and After Effects. The process, it helps me to enhance my own creative brain structure. 

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