DPI WEEK 4

October 12, 2024

DPI WEEK 4

✩ 14/10/24 - 20/10/24 (Week 4)

✩ WONG MEI YEE 0367857

✩ DPI / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

✩ Week 4

Lecture
Practical

Lecture

ꕤ WEEK 4 INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOSHOP: ADJUSTMENT LAYER & FILTERS

Adjustment Layers
✧ Definition → Non-destructive image editing tools in Photoshop that allow color and tonal adjustments without permanently changing the image's pixels.
✧ Advantages
→ Allows editing, discarding adjustments, or restoring the original image at any time.
→ Essential for a flexible and efficient Photoshop workflow.
✧ How it works
→ When added, a new layer appears over the image with a Properties panel specific to the adjustment type.
→ The Properties panel is used to modify the adjustment layer, which then modifies the image.
✧ Types of Adjustment Layers
→ Brightness/Contrast
: Adjusts the tonal range of the image.
: Brightness affects highlights, Contrast affects shadows.

Figure 1, Brightness and Contrast.

→ Levels
: Modifies tonal values by adjusting shadows, midtones, and highlights.
: Widely used to correct images.

Figure 2, Level.

→ Curves
: Allows adjustments at various points across the tonal range for precise editing.

Figure 3, Curves.

→ Exposure
: Adjusts exposure using three sliders: Exposure (highlights), Offset (midtones), and Gamma (dark tones).

Figure 4, Exposure.

→ Selective Colour
: Modifies a primary colour in the image without affecting other primary colours.

Figure 5, Selective Colour.

Filters
✧ Definition: Essential tools in Photoshop that modify images by adding effects like color changes, blurs, or new visual effects.
✧ Variety: Photoshop provides a vast range of filters to create unique effects and improve image quality.

Practical

To create my digital project, I followed these steps:

Download the Images: First, I downloaded all the images from this Google Drive link to my computer.
Use a Reference: I watched this tutorial video for guidance on how to create my digital collage.
Create Three Collages: Using the images I downloaded, I crafted three distinct digital collage compositions.
Set Up the Canvas: I opened Photoshop, created a vertical A4-sized canvas, and started working on my compositions.
Document My Work: After finishing, I took photos of my three collages and inserted them into the designated section below.
Submit My Work: Finally, I submitted the completed file through Google Classroom.

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." – Edgar Degas

Here is my three compositions :

Composition 1

Figure 1, First Composition.

Repetition and Rhythm: The subway station and train, with repeated forms like signs and people walking, create a rhythmic backdrop, which contrasts with the larger central figure in the elevator, giving a sense of narrative—perhaps of transit or reflection.

Balance and Asymmetry: While the collage feels balanced due to the visual weight of the central figure and the overlapping leaves, it remains asymmetrical, maintaining a sense of dynamic movement as the train rushes by in the background.

Colour Harmony: The green tones of the plant leaves at the top echo the muted urban tones, while the red accent from the subway train provides a pop of colour that draws the eye across the composition. The textured background and rough surfaces lend a sense of materiality and depth.

Process:

I used the Pen Tool in Photoshop to cut out the material I wanted and pasted it into the layer. For the round circle shape, I also used the Elliptical Marquee Tool to cut out the given texture image into a round shape.

Figure 1.1, Process of Composition 1.

Figure 1.2, Process of Composition 1.

Figure 1.3, Process of Composition 1.

Composition 2

Figure 2, Second Composition.

Contrast and Juxtaposition: The serene, flowing movement of the fish contrasts sharply with the rigid architecture and bustling activity of the train station, highlighting the tension between nature and urban environments. The vibrant blue tones of the fish create a strong focal point, drawing the viewer’s eye amidst the otherwise neutral, industrial setting.

Layering and Perspective: By overlaying the fish in the foreground, there’s a dynamic layering that creates depth, suggesting an interplay between natural elements and human-made spaces. The angled perspective of the station adds to the sense of motion and life.

Organic vs. Geometric Forms: The organic, curved shapes of the fish and plant are juxtaposed against the structured, geometric lines of the building and station, emphasizing the coexistence of the natural and constructed world.

Process:

Figure 2.0, Process of Composition 2.

Figure 2.1, Process of Composition 2.

Figure 2.2, Process of Composition 2.

Figure 2.3, Process of Composition 2.

Figure 2.4, Process of Composition 2.

Figure 2.5, Process of Composition 2.

Composition 3

Figure 3, Third Composition.

Scale and Focus: The disproportionately large fish compared to the building creates a surreal atmosphere, emphasizing the fantastical or dream-like aspect of the collage. The blurred figure walking in the foreground adds a sense of human scale and motion to the scene.

Texture and Visual Interest: The textured background, resembling rough stone, contrasts with the smoothness of the building and fish, adding layers of visual interest. The crispness of the fish against the blurred figure creates a tension between clarity and movement.

Surrealism and Storytelling: This composition gives a strong sense of surrealism, with its juxtaposition of objects that wouldn’t typically coexist. It could be interpreted as a metaphor for navigating through an environment where the line between reality and imagination blurs.

Process :

Figure 3.1, Process of Composition 3.

Figure 3.2, Process of Composition 3.

After Mr. Fauzi checked my work and gave me feedback, he said that my second composition was the best. So, he tasked us to improve our digital collage by using Adjustment Layers and Filters in Photoshop.

Figure 4, Best Composition.

Desciption: In creating the first collage, I focused on using the Pen Tool in Photoshop to cut out various elements, such as the fish, leaves, and architecture. This tool allowed me to make precise selections with clean, smooth edges, which helped integrate the objects seamlessly into the composition. Working with the Pen Tool taught me the importance of accuracy and control when making cutouts, as well as how to manipulate anchor points to create curves and angles that follow the shapes of the objects closely.

Figure 5, Best Composition after Adjustment Layers & Fillters.

Description: For this collage, I expanded my skills by using Adjustment layers and Filters. I applied Hue/Saturation adjustments to enhance the colors of the fish and plant, making them more vibrant and eye-catching. Additionally, I used Brightness/Contrast adjustments to balance the lighting across the composition, bringing out details in the background while keeping the focus on the foreground elements. Filters were applied to add subtle texture and alter the tone of specific areas; for example, the subway scene was modified to create a cooler color tone, enhancing the overall mood and consistency. This process taught me how to manipulate color and tone to create a harmonious and polished final design.

Process:

For this collage, I focused on enhancing the visual elements using Adobe Photoshop's adjustment tools. I started by applying a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer, modifying the overall hue to bring a subtle color shift that enhances the composition’s mood. The saturation levels were reduced slightly to avoid overly vivid colors, making the elements blend better. I also tweaked the Brightness and Contrast to balance the lighting across the entire image, ensuring the key elements stood out while still retaining a cohesive look.

Additionally, I fine-tuned individual color channels. For instance, in one step, I adjusted the Reds channel to give a cooler tone to the background, contrasting the warmer tones in the rest of the collage. This selective color adjustment helped create visual separation and added depth to the design. Throughout this process, I utilized layer masks to selectively apply adjustments, ensuring certain parts of the image retained their original characteristics while others were modified. This combination of techniques allowed for a polished and intentional composition.