In week two of Introduction to Digital Imaging I continued to explore ways to use Photoshop to manipulate images with the use of adjustment layers, selection tools and clipping masks. I also began to evaluate the definition of composition in photography and digital imagery.
Tutorials
The tutorials for week two were divided into three tasks. In the first task, we were provided with two images and used a clipping mask and adjustment layers to alter brightness, contrast, curves and colour. The aim was to create a synchronicity between the two images to appear as one. In the second task, we examined the difference between images in RGB and Greyscale. This was a simple bit of information that I had not realised before. You can’t add colour to a Greyscale image unless it is in RGB mode. In the final task, we examined the selection tool and how it can be used to select specific elements within an image.
The tutorials provided more insight into the workings of Photoshop and ways to achieve many different effects.
Composition
Composition is a fundamental component of this unit and photography as a whole. To understand the principles of composition in photography allows you to create imagery that connects to the audience and share an image to it’s fullest potential.
Thomas Clark defines composition as “how various parts come together to create a harmonious whole” (2011, 10) and declares photographic composition “represents the decisions you make when creating an image” (2011, 10). The choices involved in creating good composition cover a range of technical, aesthetic and personal choices which are reflected in the final work. Some of these include; lines, shapes, patterns, repetition, framing, frame division (such as rule of thirds), golden ratio, colour, light, perspective, order and the selection of the most important features of the subject (Harold 2010).
There is a lot to remember when aiming for the ‘perfect picture’ and sometimes following ‘the rules‘ can be a helpful reminder of the basics you need to be familiar with.
The following video also provides some great advice!
The learning of good composition will be an ongoing experience. I hope by the end of the unit I am able to design and take photographs with a natural instinct to select, arrange, point and shoot with a refined eye and knowledge.
Photoshop Practice
I created two photo manipulations, both in black and white. This time I decided to spend some time simply editing the lone image.
In the first, I modified the facial features to create an alien effect. I wanted the subject to look unnatural. The eyes were enlarged, and nose, facial shape and mouth altered.
This could have been improved with more consideration of composition. I placed the subject directly in the centre and could have tried other arrangements. The eyes could have been matched a bit better, and perhaps the shadows a bit darker.
Photograph Credits: Painting photo by Luke Braswell (@lukebraswell) on Unsplash
In the second I spent more time considering the composition. I used a division of thirds and placed a feature within each section. I wanted to provide space to the right of the frame.
Obviously, there could have been more improvements on the inside edge of the reversed landscape. 😂
Photograph Credits: San Francisco 1.4 photo by pine watt (@pinewatt) on Unsplash
References
Clark, Tom. 2011. Digital photography composition for dummies, For dummies. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.
Davis, Harold. 2010. “Creative composition digital photography tips & techniques.” In Creative composition digital photography tips & techniques, 158-228. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley.