DPI/Task 1: Exercises
DPI; TASK 1
23/8/2021 - 13/9/2021 (Week 1 - Week 4)Diane Lim En Wei / 0345187 / B'Creative Media
Digital Photo and imaging
Task 1 / Exercises
LECTURES
Week 1 (23/8/2021) Introduction to Digital Photography and Imaging
This week, we learned about the industry secrets to being a good graphics designer, naming the ones I found to be the most important, or that I've already applied (in no specific order);
- Memorizing shortcuts
- Organize files properly
- Scaling Artworks and Proportions
We were also shown the need to learn Photoshop and the tools it provides, listing the ones I find the most important, it being (in no specific order);- Restoration of old images
- Brush variety and customization
- Rectifying mistakes in photographs
Week 2 (30/8/2021) Introduction to composition
Focal Point - A strong area of which viewer's eyes naturally settle, preferably an area of importance on the design.
Scale and Hierarchy - Scale used to help communicate hierarchy, draws attention toward and away from certain elements. Signifies importance.
Balance - Balancing of elements asymmetrically/symmetrically based on their 'weight.'
White space - Negative space. Boosts design clarity and helps design to breathe.
Rule of thirds - A 3x3 grid in which subjects/elements fall on the four intersection points in the middle of the grid. Results in a much more natural image. Positioning important elements along the lines.
When utilizing the Rule of Thirds; use composition techniques that are already naturally pleasing to the eye, have a creative use of negative space, and create relationship between the subject and background. Centering the dominant eye in the middle of the photograph. Having patterns, it is best when the pattern is interrupted.
Golden Ratio - Mathematical Ratio, when used in design, produces an organic and natural-looking compositions. Creates a sense of beauty through harmony and proportion. When applied, provides a sense of artistry, however it boils down to aesthetics. It is also useful in determining dimensions of the layout. Golden Ratio dimensions are set to 1:1.618
Framing - Single shot, a shot that features one character, the character is the primary focus. 2 ways to frame a single, a clean single is when no other character is visible, a dirty single shows a limited shot of another character. - Memorizing shortcuts
- Organize files properly
- Scaling Artworks and Proportions
We were also shown the need to learn Photoshop and the tools it provides, listing the ones I find the most important, it being (in no specific order);
- Restoration of old images
- Brush variety and customization
- Rectifying mistakes in photographs
Week 2 (30/8/2021) Introduction to composition
Focal Point - A strong area of which viewer's eyes naturally settle, preferably an area of importance on the design.
Scale and Hierarchy - Scale used to help communicate hierarchy, draws attention toward and away from certain elements. Signifies importance.
Balance - Balancing of elements asymmetrically/symmetrically based on their 'weight.'
White space - Negative space. Boosts design clarity and helps design to breathe.
Rule of thirds - A 3x3 grid in which subjects/elements fall on the four intersection points in the middle of the grid. Results in a much more natural image. Positioning important elements along the lines.
When utilizing the Rule of Thirds; use composition techniques that are already naturally pleasing to the eye, have a creative use of negative space, and create relationship between the subject and background. Centering the dominant eye in the middle of the photograph. Having patterns, it is best when the pattern is interrupted.
Golden Ratio - Mathematical Ratio, when used in design, produces an organic and natural-looking compositions. Creates a sense of beauty through harmony and proportion. When applied, provides a sense of artistry, however it boils down to aesthetics. It is also useful in determining dimensions of the layout. Golden Ratio dimensions are set to 1:1.618
Two shot, two characters in a shot, both faces must be clearly visible. This shot is so create relationship between two characters. When there are three characters, it's called a three shot, etc.
If there are a lot of characters, it is called a crowd shot.
Over the shoulder shot is used to frame conversation between characters.
Week 3 (6/9/2021) Lasso Tool, Pen Tool, and Layering (on Photoshop)
As a full time Commissioned digital artist, I already have knowledge of most of these things, however I have taken note of things that are new to me or things that I should remember.
Tool box - On photoshop, you can expand the tool sets to reveal additional tools.
Lasso tool - Magnetic Lasso in photoshop quick snaps to borders of selection.
Pen tool - When using the pen tool, start at the center of gravity of the object u are tracing.
Layers - To add multiple images into different layers, go to File > Script > Load files into stack.
Lasso tool - Magnetic Lasso in photoshop quick snaps to borders of selection.
Pen tool - When using the pen tool, start at the center of gravity of the object u are tracing.
Layers - To add multiple images into different layers, go to File > Script > Load files into stack.
Week 4 (13/9/2021) Adjustment Layer and filters
Adjustment layer - A group of non-destructive image editing tools, adds color, and tonal adjustments to image without permanently changing its pixels. You can edit and discard your adjustments or restore your original image at any time. Makes work flow in Photoshop more efficient and easier.
Adjustment layer is considered a new layer, a properties panel specific to the type of adjustment you've selected will pop up. Brightness/contrast - Adjustment for tonal range of image. Adjusts highlights and shadows.Level - Adjust the levels of the shadows, mid-tones, and highlights. Also the most commonly used adjustment layer.Curves - Allows you adjust as many points as you want throughout the entire tonal range of an image. The most powerful and precise tool for editing tones in an image.Exposure - Adjust exposure levels with three sliders; Exposure, Offset, and Gamma. Exposure adjusts only the highlights, Offset adjust the mid tones, Gamma adjust only the shadows.
Selective Color - Selectively modifies the amount of a primary color without modifying the other primary colors.
Adjustment layer is considered a new layer, a properties panel specific to the type of adjustment you've selected will pop up.
Selective Color - Selectively modifies the amount of a primary color without modifying the other primary colors.
INSTRUCTIONS
TASK 1: EXERCISES
Week 1 (23/8/2021) Practical 1
We had to choose at least three collage designs through Pinterest, and describe what we liked about them.
Week 2 (30/8/2021) Practical 2
We had to choose at least three collage designs through Pinterest, and describe what we liked about them.
Fig 1.1 ; First collage design (3/9/2021)
I really like the colors used in this design. The Focal Point of this design is the head, with conflicting elements that some how tie everything together. Even with the head being the focal point, there is no visible face, and I think that's beautiful.
Fig 1.2 ; Second collage design (3/9/2021)
I love the elements used here, it ties all of it together well as they each correlate with one another; the sky, flowers, butterflies, and birds. I also like the mystery of the meaning behind this. The meaning behind this design, if there even is one, can only be felt and understood by the creator themselves, I like it that way.
Fig 1.3 ; Third collage design (3/9/2021)
Much like the last two designs I had picked, I tend to gravitate more towards the mystery side and something with lots of natural elements. I like this design due to the very few colors used and the all the vastly different natural elements and shapes used.
Week 2 (30/8/2021) Practical 2
We were tasked with choosing and identifying design elements for our collage. We then had to print, and compose a concept. However, I was not graced with a colored printer, so everything had to be done in grayscale.
Fig 2.1 ; First concept (3/9/2021)
Fig 2.2 ; Second concept (3/9/2021)
Fig 2.3 ; Third concept (3/9/2021)
Fig 2.4 ; Final Collage (5/9/2021)
In the final composition, the idea was to have the butterflies look as if they are escaping the vial, into the night sky. Due to this household not owning a colored printer, I had decided to use lined paper to create cartoonish clouds to go with the cartoonish butterflies, and also to add variety. Week 3 (6/9/2021) Practical 3
This week we were given a certain amount of images to work with, to try and create 3 compositions/collages, and with feedback, from my lecturer and my own opinion, I decided to go forward with Concept 3 (Fig 3.4)
Fig 3.1 ; Images that were given to us (7/9/2021)
Fig 3.2 ; First composition (7/9/2021)
Fig 3.3 ; Second Composition (7/9/2021)
Fig 3.4 ; Third Composition and Final (7/9/2021)
Fig 3.5 ; Final PDF (7/9/2021)
When tackling this practical exercise, I learned how to utilize the pen tool, and it also opened my eyes to how useful it is as compared to most other art softwares that are available in the industry and to the general public. I also learned just how much Photoshop has to provide, along with that, this exercise gives an explanation on why the software is such an industry staple. Week 4 (12/9/2021)
The Exercise this week was to learn about adjustment layers and filters, and apply them to the chosen compositions done last week. 
Fig 4.1 ; Composition from the week before (16/9/2021)
Fig 4.2 ; Composition with Adjustment layers and filters (16/9/2021)
Fig 4.3 ; Final PDF (16/9/2021)
Before this exercise, I had no idea about the adjustment layer feature on Photoshop. When using the software, I had edited and added filters onto the layers itself. Due to Photoshop's limited amount of undoes, I had to be super careful, and if I changed my mind on something, my fate was basically sealed. That was unless I went back and did the edits all over again. The Adjustment Layer features makes things more flexible and I could readjust everything whenever I pleased. Once again, explains why Photoshop is an industry staple.
Fig 4.4 ; All the adjustment layers and their settings
This week we were given a certain amount of images to work with, to try and create 3 compositions/collages, and with feedback, from my lecturer and my own opinion, I decided to go forward with Concept 3 (Fig 3.4)
Fig 3.4 ; Third Composition and Final (7/9/2021)
Week 4 (12/9/2021)
Fig 3.1 ; Images that were given to us (7/9/2021)
Fig 3.2 ; First composition (7/9/2021)
Fig 3.3 ; Second Composition (7/9/2021)
Fig 3.5 ; Final PDF (7/9/2021)
When tackling this practical exercise, I learned how to utilize the pen tool, and it also opened my eyes to how useful it is as compared to most other art softwares that are available in the industry and to the general public. I also learned just how much Photoshop has to provide, along with that, this exercise gives an explanation on why the software is such an industry staple.
Week 4 (12/9/2021)
The Exercise this week was to learn about adjustment layers and filters, and apply them to the chosen compositions done last week. Fig 4.1 ; Composition from the week before (16/9/2021)
Fig 4.2 ; Composition with Adjustment layers and filters (16/9/2021)
Fig 4.3 ; Final PDF (16/9/2021)
Before this exercise, I had no idea about the adjustment layer feature on Photoshop. When using the software, I had edited and added filters onto the layers itself. Due to Photoshop's limited amount of undoes, I had to be super careful, and if I changed my mind on something, my fate was basically sealed. That was unless I went back and did the edits all over again. The Adjustment Layer features makes things more flexible and I could readjust everything whenever I pleased. Once again, explains why Photoshop is an industry staple.
Fig 4.4 ; All the adjustment layers and their settings
Fig 4.1 ; Composition from the week before (16/9/2021)
Fig 4.2 ; Composition with Adjustment layers and filters (16/9/2021)
Fig 4.3 ; Final PDF (16/9/2021)
Before this exercise, I had no idea about the adjustment layer feature on Photoshop. When using the software, I had edited and added filters onto the layers itself. Due to Photoshop's limited amount of undoes, I had to be super careful, and if I changed my mind on something, my fate was basically sealed. That was unless I went back and did the edits all over again. The Adjustment Layer features makes things more flexible and I could readjust everything whenever I pleased. Once again, explains why Photoshop is an industry staple.
Fig 4.4 ; All the adjustment layers and their settings
FEEDBACK
Week 1 (23/8/2021)
Mr. Fauzi had stated that I had done a good job and that I had a good start.
Week 2 (30/8/2021)
I was suggested to choose Fig 2.2, and to keep up the good work!
I potentially would like to further develop Fig 2.2, including adding more elements, perhaps planets
Week 3 (11/9/2021)
Mr. Fauzi thought that Fig 3.4 was the best composition and that I had done a good job.
Week 4 (17/9/2021)
I was told that my Fig 4.2 was done well, and that I may use that exercise in my Project 1 (Digital collage), that will be discussed in Week 5.
REFLECTION
These exercises were a good introduction to Photoshop as well as a good way to learn about the tools that it has to offer. It definitely has opened my eyes and explained why Photoshop is such an industry staple. I enjoyed doing these exercises and I am quite satisfied with their outcome.
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