Digital Photography and Imaging

July 29, 2018

Digital Photography and Imaging - EXERCISES

30/03/18 - 25/5/18 (Week 1 - Week 9)
Mohmamad Irfan Mohamad Zaim (0326620)
Digital Photography and Imaging
Exercises

Week 1 (30/03/18)

For the first class, Mr. Jeffrey explained the module outline and the tools and techniques we will be learning over the course of the semester. We then went on to do our first assignment which was to crop a person into a background image and make it look as realistic and 'unphotoshopped' as much as possible.

In this exercise we learnt how to use a layer mask and use the quick selection tool with it. At first I had trouble selecting around the person but then I got the hang of it by deselecting areas by holding alt while using the quick selection tool. We also learnt that on a layer mask that black hides and white shows.

Fig 1.1 - Background image of mansion

Fig 1.2 - Person to be cropped into background

Fig 1.3 - Final Outcome

We then had to crop our self into the mansion, however me and my partner JQ decided to include both of ourselves doing a funny pose.

Fig 1.4 - Extra activity final outcome

Week 2 (06/04/18)

This week we learnt a number of different tools in Photoshop from Mr Hafiz, particularly playing with dodge and burn tool, colour, tone, exposure, brightness and contrast, and levels. We photoshopped 3 different images:

Fig 2.1 - Vintage photo before edit

Fig 2.2 - Vintage photo after edit

Fig 2.3 - Bridge photo before edit

Fig 2.4 - Bridge photo after edit

Fig 2.5 - Smoker photo before edit

Fig 2.6 - Smoker photo after edit

After the exercises Mr.Vinod conducted a workshop on the camera and exposure.

Exposure consists of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.

Mr Vinod also mentioned to use window light or ambient light when taking these photos.

Aperture

Controls the amount of light entering the lens.
3 clicks on aperture adjustment = 1 stop
Fl / F Stop / Focal length stops are 2/2.8-4-5.6-8-11-16.

Depth of Field / DoF

affects the foreground and background blur
higher aperture = higher clarity
lower aperture = shallow
Landscapes / geometric shots = high fs
Portrait of a person = small fs

Shutter speed

The duration of time the shutter remains open to allow light to reach a digital camera sensor.
Measured in seconds or fraction of a second
1/30 of a second is OK for handheld static shots
Fast shutter speed (>1/250) for freezing fast-moving objects
Slow shutter speed = blur
Bulb = opens shutter for as long as you want

ISO

Number indicating a digital-camera-sensors sensitivity to light.
The higher the sensitivity, the less light is needed to make an exposure.
Lower ISO = more light required
Higher ISO = more visible grains / high contrast

Mr Vinod then went on to explain the zone system.

The Zone System - Assumes all scenes have the same tonal value = Middle grey (Zone 5)
Used to determine the right exposure.

Fig 2.7 - The Zone System

Week 3 (13/04/18)

This week was all about the blending tool, blend modes, recolouring, and opacity. The first exercise was to use a layer with different shades of white to black and change the blending mode. We then had to add a logo over it. We learnt that the Multiply blending mode removes all white pixels and the screen blending mode removes all black pixels.

Fig 3.1 - Exercise 1 before edit

Fig 3.2 - Exercise 2 after edit

For the next exercise we had to change and image from looking day to night. We also had to photoshop a ghost figure on the background.

Fig 3.3 - Background image used

Fig 3.4 - Ghost image used

Fig 3.5 - Day image used

Fig 3.6 - Final Outcome

We the had to recolour a vintage photo using blending modes, brush tool, and changing the opacity. I found it was necessary to make a different layer for different parts of the image that are going to be recoloured.

Fig 3.7 - Before recolour

Fig 3.8 After recolour

Week 4 (20/4/18)

This week we learned how to merge two images by using blending modes, create a displacement map and how it works, and use smart objects for non-destructive editing. We had to use the flag of where we are from. We had to place embedded the displacement which was saved as a PSD, and then Multiply. Then Filter > Distort > Displace.

The Pits (hole) and grooves (hill) of the cloth weren't defined enough so I had to add gaussian blur to the background image, save PSD, and redo the distort.

Fig 4.1 - Flag image used

Fig 4.2 - Cloth image used

Fig 4.3 - Final Outcome of displacement

Week 5 (27/04/18)

This week was similar to last week as we had to use a displacement map to blend two images together. This week was blending a pattern such as snake scales onto a persons face. For this exercise I used a brick texture and blended it to my own face. The original portrait image used had to be black and white by using Image > Adjustments > Desaturate the enhance the levels of depth on my face when applying the texture.

Fig 5.1 - Texture used

Fig 5.2 - Portrait used

Fig 5.3 - Portrait after adding texture

Week 6 (04/05/18)

The exercises done this week was to recap what we learnt about blending and displacement from the previous weeks. Our first exercise was to add a texture on an animal. I used a brick texture again because I thought the colour of bricks would fit nicely on an orange fox.

Fig 6.1 - Fox before texure

Fig 6.2 - Fox after texture

Mr. Jeffrey then showed us how to tile a texture to create a pattern using the offset too, to merge and smooth unwanted lines by selecting using the rectangular marque tool > Fill > Content Aware until it looks good. Then Edit > Define Pattern. This pattern is saved as a PSD and is then put over the displacement map image.

Fig 6.3 - Zebra stripe pattern

Fig 6.4 - Pebbles image sued

Fig 6.5 Final Outcome

Week 8 (18/5/18)

We had to use everything we learnt leading up to this week by recreating a surrealistic image using images from pexels or any other non-copyright image search engine. Mr.Hafiz said that we didn't have to recreate every detail and implement different images and colours.

Fig 8.1 - Original Image

Fig 8.2 - Castle image

Fig 8.3 - Beach image

Fig 8.4 Sky image

Fig 8.5 - Rock Image

Fig 8.6 - Final Outcome

Week 9 (25/05/18)

This week was learning how to use the puppet warp and perspective warp tool. I found this tool to be a very useful tool but also can be difficult to alter something significantly and make it look natural.