This document discusses an experimental photography project exploring the themes of nature and fear. The student began by creating multiple exposure images merging faces into tree bark. They then experimented with 3D effects in Photoshop, creating images that incorporate human body parts like hands into natural landscapes in surreal ways. The student feels they have found clear themes and ideas to develop, and will now focus on taking more relevant photos and improving technical quality as they work to produce a set of high-quality art pieces meeting the project requirements.
3. Multiple Exposure
(Used in
slide 11)
Here are a collection
of images to
demonstrate the use
of multiple exposure.
They are based on
some of the original
images taken and the
first thoughts at this
early stage.
4. Image 1 This idea came about when looking at the themes Nature and Fear.
I was trying to merge two ideas as well as using the different experimental
photography techniques.
Multiple Exposure is used here because I felt that it would be the best way to
show the fear in the piece. Fear is shown through the face being visible through
the tree bark, something of which is not seen as the norm.
Having something so surreal will make the person looking at it think and intrigue
them more than they would with another piece.
The process was made using Adobe Photoshop. The idea behind multiple
exposure is the altering of the layers and merging the two images together.
The two images I took were both imported onto the software. I Then placed the
image of the face behind the other picture but above the original background.
Then I changed the tool above on the right hand side from âNormalâ to âOverlayâ.
The idea of using an elderly person was brought into light when experimenting
and finding out that the wrinkles an older person possesses can be used with
the bark of a tree and look very effective.
The taking of the image was premeditated so that the person in question would
have a certain facial expression. This is to tie in the theme of fear.
This piece will be considered developed upon even further and I will consider
making multiple faces or body parts through the natural objects I find when
taking more images.
5. I feel that I have indeed produced what I had imagined and pictured beforehand in the planning stages of this experimental photography unit. When looking at the
mood board and mind map, it is clear that the theme of nature and using that to combine the idea of fear has remained the same throughout.
Jerry Uelsmannâs work was an influence in the making of this particular piece because he demonstrated that Fine Art can come in any forms and using the simplistic of
techniques can produce very unique pieces.
The idea beforehand was to produce a set of images to tell a story and link the images, now after I have made this piece, I share that idea but have moved towards
having a set human body parts merged into natural subjects.
When comparing both my work and Uelsmannâs it is clear that he has used more older techniques compared to my contemporary ways of production, however, I feel
that the themes become clear through the surrealism of the work in both.
My intentions now involve using this idea as a platform to produce much greater advanced pieces and have a set of images with the same style photographs but
produced on Photoshop in different ways to multiple exposure.
The idea of using an older person in the work is to try show the idea of fear and that fear of dying at that age in their life.
When looking at the work in an aesthetic way I would consider it to be of a professional piece that focuses on two images and remains to the brief given. The aspects I
like about the piece are that of the bold bark, had this been poor image or of a different tree I believe it wouldnât bring the same effect. Using a tree bark that stands
out gives the impression of the work being more life like.
I also like the way the eyes and mouth merged well into the other image and did not ruin the composition. To be more specific I like the face itself. The expression on
the model used is what makes this piece stand out.
However, I feel that the image could have been developed further and maybe built a full body on a tree instead of just the head.
As it was just an experimental stage, should the piece be seen as a good technique and a good use of the equipment then this is an idea that can be explored later. If,
after spending a lot of time on developing this idea further and then it was not seen as a good way to portray the theme, then it would have been seen as time and
resources that could have been used, exploring further ideas.
Having the original image of the face put in black and white helped bring out the bark and make the image look more realistic.
The technical qualities of the images themselves I believe are up to a good standard for the project. As this topic is all about experimenting with images and all types
of media, I took the two photographs for this piece on a phone and therefore did not have to set the shutter speed or aperture. If I was to use these I would make
sure that I had a low paced shutter to capture all light in the picture and make sure the facial features were clear.
I felt that I did not need to use a DSLR on this particular piece because there was going to be a lot of post production and as long as the images were not out of focus
and relevant then it would work for developing upon.
In the planning stages I did mention I was to use a camera of that type, however for the purposes of the first experimental stage, I felt that the resources were not
needed. Should this piece be a success then I would have to use a much more professional camera.
This unit is all about understanding photography and looking into all the realms hat are involved. Experimenting is about producing some bad images and learning
from them to understand and get a grasp of how the camera works. Making abstract pieces can make the viewers think as it is so different to what they are used to
seeing.
6. The ways in which I could improve the work would be using the piece as a slight platform to work upon. I could make a collection of images with human
body parts merging into natural surroundings. Such as I have looked into before in the images (Slide 3). I have started developing a human hand but using
the same multiple exposure technique to make it look very peculiar.
To advance from this, I would explore further by taking more images and also brainstorming more ideas of how I can merge the two themes together.
When Looking at the other pieces I made I believe that I can produce much more then the minimum of three final pieces in the brief. I can produce a
Surreal Nature/Fear collection of work that is of a professional style.
All the work made share some of the same ideas, and many are just developments from each other, such as the hand turning the page of the two images
being worked upon since the first post production on the hand.
I believe that not only does the work have a hidden meaning, it uses shapes and patterns to entice the viewer more. With the image (Slide 4) it includes
the pattern of the bark to merge in with the elderly persons face and their facial appearance. It also produces lines coming across the work in an almost
life like manner. The images can suggest (The Face on the bark) that there is a fear towards life and nature. With the world always changing, the wildlife
changes and alters, the same can be said to people and the pieces are trying to portray the fear behind getting older and dying.
The pattern remains similar in all the multiple exposure pieces that involve the bark of a tree and a human body part, that of a grainy type style that
works well and blends in the skin due the wrinkles and the veins.
I found that using a black and white shade for the images with the face work better because it is more realistic and therefore produce more of a reaction
when seen. The developed hand however is better to be in a light contrast so it can show all the detail behind the double exposure.
Should a collection of pieces be made of these then I would produce both black and white and coloured versions of both. When talking about
composition I believe that the image of the hand turning the page would be the best image to explore.
Not only does this use a variety of techniques, but it explores into the surreal way of thinking again. (A pattern starting to emerge for all the work I
produce).
Using the multiple exposure hand to turn the âTurned page effectâ page is a good idea. This turned page of the image was made through using the free
transform tool and pulling the bottom right of the page forward. I then used another image I had taken to place underneath that layer to give the
impression of a book and again telling a story (Another pattern throughout my work)
The images I produced, in my eyes met the requirements on the brief. My work in fact went above and beyond what was asked, It did not mention that
two of the themes could be picked instead of one so thinking outside of the box should be commended. The images therefore did meet the theme and
are all starting to produce a similar style. Saying that two of the themes were going to be used was easy, however making sure they worked together and
finding appropriate images to correspond with it was another aspect. An aspect, in believe I made work.
I believe that they are experimental because they are taken using a different type of camera to what is usually used, altered using different methods on
Photoshop and of different objects with still keeping one theme throughout.
7. Here I am starting to explore the
technique of 3D.
I took some further images,
uploaded them to Adobe Photoshop
and then applied the effect that I
learnt for this technique.
The effect involves moving layers and
having both cyan and red to go in
opposite directions in order to create
the visual technique.
The images are in relation to the
themes fear and nature. The picture
of the grave is to represent both,
however leans more towards the
fear aspect.
The image on the right of it is the
total opposite and holds no fear to it
whatsoever.
The image on the right is one
I feel I can use as a potential
final piece.
This is because I have already
added work from the
previous set of ideas (The
hand) and feel the pre
production was done well.
The last image here in the collection is exploring the use of the
camera angle and the opposite to the top right image. Rather than
a high angle close up it has a wider view and looking up with a low
angle.
8. Here is an image from the original set of photographs I took. This image was taken before I had a clear vision on what
I was planning to create. I imported the image into Photoshop and then used the 3D effect to create the same image
but in a much more unique fashion.
I was experimenting to show that the most normal looking of images can be edited to look more life like and
appropriate to your theme(s).
I will use this idea of 3D imaging and merge it together with the fear aspect in later experiments. I will not use this
image as a final piece, however I feel that it is important to experiment with the technique before going into more
complex imagery and related to the actual themes.
The second image here is the one adjusted by the â3D effectâ from a first glance you cannot see much difference and
that is the look some aspects of my work will have. Subtlety creates the best pieces in my opinion, making sure that
work has the detail and appropriate techniques are vital but it is how to portray them which I believe has as much
importance. Giving the viewer the chance to spot the work is a great idea as it allows them more time to enjoy the
piece and explore the theme you are trying to create.
9. Alter levels and colour
saturation in
Photoshop to make
the image look more
relevant to the theme.
Turn both 3D
Here is more development to the
experimental photography unit. I am
attempting to show a little more detail to
the process and how the composition is
formed.
Merge both together.
Have one 3D image and one normal to
show the difference and make the hand
stand out more.
Having the grave 3D with another image
would not work. The idea of having two
dimensions was to correspond with the
two themes (Fear and Nature) Here. Fear
being on 3D with the natural side being
an original 2D photograph.
Development
Here on this idea I have gone away
from the subtle effect mentioned
on the last slide as again I want to
explore every idea and every
possible outcome to my work.
10. I chose this particular 3D piece as it stood out from the rest I had made. Here I incorporated the familiar
image of the hand I had taken in my previous shoot.
I used this image from a high angle looking down to portray the hand as it is in the ground and a person
trying to get out, hence the grasping movement.
The 3D effect was used on these images to bring out the theme further. It can be seen as obvious due to
the bushes and hand, however it does not hurt to be more clear to the audience.
I consider this piece to be surreal and a development from the original set of photographs.
Using Photoshop to alter the images to 3D was a good
method as the audience is made think yet again, not only
with the two themes and imagery but now with their sight
and what they see as reality.
Using Red and Cyan colours and moving them in opposite
directions created this image. The hand itself remained
neutral to give more clarity to the image.
The Second stage of development was taking what had
been created from the first and improving them or using it
as a platform for similar ideas.
The idea of using human body parts to feature in nature
where you would not expect is a current idea that has been
looked at thoroughly, however could be adapted on later in
the production process.
Image 2
11. Here is another image I have altered on Photoshop to tie in with my themes. I am using this here to compare it with
the one I have chosen on the right.
The idea behind these similar pieces is that I consider the hand as almost a house style and as it may change in shape,
size and position it will still feature in many of the images I produce should I want to go down that route for the
designs.
This is to not only make sure all the criteria is met for the brief as I chose two themes, but to keep an identify in the
work I create and have a unique side that others may not have.
The hand symbolises the evil side of nature (hence why it is merged in with photographs of less beauty such as litter
and nettles instead of Bright colourful flowers. The hand can suggest the human beings choices and that of dropping
litter or destruction to nature.
The 3D aspect is to make the message more clear and to psychologically tell you that if the image looks real then the
piece itself has to be and makes the viewer question it which all great pieces of Art do.
12. I feel that I have realised what I want to achieve in this project now. I have a clear theme and idea set out and all that is left is to produce
what I believe will be very professional images.
When I compare the second stage of images and start to look at how I have moved on it is very strange. The first stage was about looking at
many ideas and choosing which particular one would work and which techniques could help bring the theme across best.
As now I have a better understanding on what needs to be done, I can take much more accurate photographs and so much more relevant to
the theme rather than a broad collection of images.
The qualities I believe my work possesses are that of looking very surreal as well as keeping a natural look to them. With many images such
as the last one, the second theme of fear is seen later to the original one of nature.
This is exactly how it was meant to be seen, the idea was that the longer you look at something which you believe to be the norm, the more
you start to see something that does not quite look right and almost out of place.
I believe that the 3D aspect makes the work look very unique as it shares many components. The theme being of two parts, the images also
of two parts and now with the use of both red and cyan to manipulate the viewers thoughts.
In particular I like the camera angle itself, the way I have taken the photograph makes the hand harder to notice at first glance and brings
the natural surroundings out more.
I believe the strongest elements of the piece are that of the simplicity and surrealism combined to make a very unusual piece of Fine Art.
Weaknesses however I think could be that of the image quality. As this topic was all about Experimental photography I chose to take the
images on my Android Phone rather than a much greater pixel camera. Using an DSLR may have produced a much more clear image to help
see the hand better.
The technical qualities of the images and especially the one chosen on slide 9 are that of being well thought through and developed on
Photoshop. A good use of tools have been used from Rotoscoping and cropping to the hands tool. I have also used the magic Eraser tool to
remove unwanted background colour and the use of the Levels and saturation to adjust the colour in the photographs, this was to help
make the images look more appropriate to the theme of fear.
I believe that images and their development has been done well so far and that with more time on the production stage I can produce more
and use these experiments as a platform to produce a set of good quality pieces of Art.
13. I could improve my work my taking many more images on both themes, from this I can start to get a much greater
understanding of what I will produce.
I could also improve my work by spending time researching previous work made for the ideas I have looked into and
take a lot of encouragement from what has been made and then potentially try to emulate or even strive to produce
better pieces of work in the style of a certain artist or photographer.
In addition I would also use the images I had taken of much more relevant pieces and then use a variety of
Experimental techniques not just the Multiple Exposure and 3D then try to produce one which will look good for the
themes and brief in hand.
When looking at my work I like to think that I have spent a lot of time looking into the topic and researching what was
involved in the themes. This can be seen through my work.
The piece seen here on the right shares many aspects with the
other images taken.
The colour of the work has remained similar in each due to the
3D effect and only changed when looking into double exposure
and exploring facial features on natural substances.
I believe that the images do meet what I wanted to produce as
they are still linking to the original idea thought about in the
mind map and proposal.
When answering the question of âAre the images experimental?â
I have to explore this image in particular.
Yes, they are. When looking at the image you can see a variety
of mediums used. Not just the two contrasting themes but the
way in which the images are of the same style but can still be
adapted from double exposure to 3D.
14. Further Development/Ideas
Incorporating the âhandâ idea to the design.
Having images within images gives a
surreal look to the piece.
3D Background of a natural object.
When exploring the techniques used in manipulating the photographs
I came to the understanding of using a variety of methods in one
image.
This is showing progression through my work as all the recent images
I have taken all play a part in the composition of this piece of Art.
Using a 3D Background adds that extra look to the work which makes it look very peculiar. This piece I made on Photoshop is a collection of
all my ideas and thoughts as well as merging all the themes and techniques that I have considered during the experimental photography
unit.
I wanted to keep to the theme of telling a story through my images, also keeping along the idea of both nature and fear together.
Here on this particular piece of work I believe that it shares all the qualities and ideas. The bark of the tree being incorporated as the
background rather than for the multiple exposure, The hand being used as the main attraction that appears from the background to the
front. (The 3D effect attempting to make this look more life like)
The reason behind the Ellipse shape in the hand is that I wanted to portray the fear more clearly. Having an unusual image(s) makes the
piece more interesting to look at. The idea is that the hand is looking at a journey of life (Hence the image above being a path) and the
second being of a grave. All these include nature and fear. The fear would be the fear of dying (Hence the old persons hand holding the
Ellipse shape.
15. More Images- (Fear & Nature)
Here I have taken more images to relate to the
themes, many in my own time to show a further
understanding to what was needed.
The images are trying to show some abstract objects
that can use the nature to demonstrate the other
theme of fear.
The trees are unusual and perfect for the themes. The
image on the right however uses the trees to block the
light and the main focus is where the light breaks
through and shoes the dog used.
16. Here is another image I have
taken to further explore the
themes of both Fear and
Nature.
I decided to move away from
the human aspect and turn to
the animals.
Having a wild animal coming
from the horizon suggests
that fear of not knowing what
might happen and the use of
the surroundings enhances
this.
I have used a 3D effect to
make the piece come to life
and make the viewer believe
what they are seeing.
I wanted the dog here to be close enough to be visible
but a good way back to not see the facial expression.
Using the path again in this image links to the previous
photographs and stays with the proposal of creating a
story or journey.
17. Developing the images to the chosen technique
Here I wanted to explore into the two themes I
chose but to keep the image simplistic.
Instead of using Body parts or animals to suggest
the theme of fear I wanted to experiment taking
photographs of nature itself but looking rather
peculiar.
The many branches coming out of the tree may
suggest both themes together.
Using a so called simple technique as 3D is
appropriate for this particular image and other ones
taken as it brings out the Art. It takes what is seen
as an ordinary picture, to an extent and then made
to relate to the theme with the extra dimension.
Again, looking into the realm of 3D. I Want to make all the images I took into another dimension because it makes it
stand out as well looking more life like and therefore professional.
Having the camera at a low angle looking up can also enhance the theme and suggest the idea of fear to the audience.
It may be seen as this is too simplistic and not a good use of resources of the time given but I would argue that this is
experimental photography and anything that can be justified or has a reasoning behind it should be considered as Art.
This is just further development to my thoughts and ideas and will not be used as a final piece but is a good way to
gather some knowledge on what works and what does not.
18. Here I have returned to multiple
exposure and back to the idea
of a face behind the natural
subject of a tree.
I have taken the advice from the
first set of images and tried to
take a better set in this stage of
the experimental Photography.
I was told to try find a better
image of a tree, with many
different shades and tones as
well as having multiple areas of
bumps and grains.
I like this particular image as
you can see some of the
background in the face.
The top right of the image gives
a much greater sense of what is
incorporated in the face.
I also like the way that the bend
in the branch has altered the
look of the eye and made it
squint.
The way in which the image of
the elderly person is positioned
behind brings the best out of
both themes.
Using the circular shaped tool at
the rear of the right hand side
to change the colour into black
and white was a good way to
make the images look more
realistic.
Using the dodge tool to bring
the features out further was
also very useful as it provides
more clarity. This can help the
viewer when they are looking at
the piece of Art made.
This is showing more
understanding of the themes
chosen as again the multiple
exposure idea has been worked
upon after taking advice.
This piece is developing
from the original ideas
from the first set of
images.
19. Design 3
I have chosen this image as
the third design to the set
of images collected and the
themes.
This is because I feel that it
shows development from
the earlier designs.
The first design was about
exploring which path I was
deciding to go down.
I chose that of a face to
represent fear in a natural
object such as a tree, this
was then developed on in
the second design and was
changed to a hand. The
hand replaced the face and
was incorporated in nature.
This design I feel has moved from the human side to an animal
aspect. This is because I feel they can represent much more
fear as they have an unpredictable stigma that goes with them.
This is what I tried to get through. The 3D is used again to try
make it feel more life like. Also, as I used this image through
different techniques, I felt 3D was the only one suitable.
20. I feel that I have produced what I set out to in the planning stage. I feel I have also produced what was wanted by the brief
and gone above and beyond the theme given.
The results I have found were not exactly what I thought they would be, however did remain in the topic and initial ideas I
came up with.
I wanted to produce a set of images that related to the two themes I had chosen. This was to be in the style of a journey
and portrayed as a story.
I feel this has happened in the images and more so in the last one (Slide 19). The parts where I felt I may have strayed away
from the ideas was the development stage leading to the second image.
The human aspect was incorporated in the image, however it was very hard to see and could have been made more
obvious. To compare the three I believe that the development can be seen and that the images got better the further the
production process went on.
The qualities the work has in a aesthetical sense would be that they all share the same theme and can all be related to each
other. The use of the experimental photography techniques have been made to a high level and the two chosen I believe
were the best for the themes I chose.
The strongest elements of the work I would consider to be the Pre Production, in each of the three final pieces they have
advanced editing done to them. The multiple exposure one using the layering and Rotoscope tools well and the 3D ones
using the colours to an advanced level.
The weakest parts I would consider to be the actual photography itself. As a lot of freedom was given, the images were
taken using a normal android phone and a low megapixel camera. The images would have been of better quality if I had
used an DSLR.
The technical qualities I believe would be the use of the tools on the images. The 3D effect was made by having a grasp on
how the layers work and using the colours cyan and red in a way to make the work stand out.
21. I could improve the work further by going back to the original images I took and taking more relevant ones to the
themes. Using a DSLR Camera to retake images would produce better quality images as well.
To improve the work again I would have to consider using a wider variety of experimental techniques such as Harris
Shutter or the Joiners.
This would show more development and push the work to a higher grade.
When looking at the work collectively you can see many shapes and patterns, this is not artificial but through the
photography itself.
The first image (Slide 4) has many lines going through the face, this is the bark of the tree and itâs grain. I wanted that
effect to merge with the elderly persons skin and their wrinkles.
The second image focuses on the colour and content rather than the elements such as patterns, however you can say
that the hand itself is a certain shape. The composition in this piece has to be the more thought about out the three,
deciding where to place the hand after it had been cropped was important.
The last image uses the natural light to manipulate the piece. It as taken to let the sun come through the trees onto
the subject coming towards you.
After many images taken this was the best as it shares both the nature and fear side of the themes.
Do the images meet the brief? Yes, I believe they do. All that was asked on the brief has been created plus much more.
I would consider the pieces to be experimental as I have shown a great deal of development throughout and you can
clearly see from the first set of images to the last.
In the early stages of the production a slight grasp on the idea was taken, however now after multiple experiments and
photographs taken you can see that I have understood the brief and produced what I wanted to.
22. The three designs are very different in an aesthetical sense, however
when looking at them in further depth the hidden meanings and story
behind each one become clear and they do all link relate to each other.
The multiple exposure image demonstrates a good use of Photoshop and
starts to paint a picture for the reader to what exactly the series of
images are going to entail.
The image of the hand is starting to be more surreal, however brings in a
slight subtlety that the first did not posses. The last image explores more
of a natural side and this can be taken into another image should they be
developed more.
23. Comparing and Contrasting with Previous work made
This piece on the right was
designed by Alessio Albi.
When looking at my own design
I felt it would be a good idea to
look at other work out there and
see if there were any similarities
or if not, any areas I could
improve.
The piece has tried to use colour
to bring the face and
background out whereas I have
chose to use black and white to
bring the features out.
I have attempted to base my work on the
fear side, however Albi has chose a much
more colorful one.
I believe the work is similar in the way that
they both have the obvious faces featuring,
but they share the environmental side as
well as the old person aspect.
Albi has used the green in the tree to replace the colour
from the models face, however I have used the dark, bold
bark to be more detailed in the facial features. Also the
way the expression is used in the model helps the viewer
decide what the mood is in the piece and whether or not
it brings fear or any other reaction out of them.
24. My influence on this image was the piece by Carolyn Anne
Anderson below.
When researching before I took my own photographs I searched
for inspiration and I think that pieces with the added animal or
subject can enhance that fear that you canât get across that well
through the landscape itself.
I feel the differences are that the direction of the object. The dog
is running away from something rather than coming towards the
camera, also the way the dog is moving creates the impression
of something already happening.
The slow walk of the dog in my photograph does not give you
any indication and therefore When looking at both you can see the blatant can be considered as more scary.
similarities of both the Dog and the Forest but the
most important part is the leading lines used.
The way in which the line is used is important in
both pieces and it determines the outcome.
The way in which the light is used in both I believe
helps bring more detail to the dog and the lines.
The colour is an important part to both images,
however the piece by Anderson implies more of a
cold and dark scene. The colour in my image can be
argued that it takes some of the fear aspect away,
however it is needed in order to make the 3D more
clear.
25. When exploring Jerry Uelsmann in
previous tasks I noticed many of his pieces
and thought they were very surreal and
done so well.
It was this piece in particular that caught
the eye and was inspiration for the body-nature
multiple exposure aspect from the
start. I incorporated both the bark and the
hands as I felt they both seem to blend
into whichever background you place
them in.
This may be due to the texture and tone in
the skin. Especially when using an elderly
person as Uelsmann has here.
There are many differences
between the two pieces, one of
those being the camera angle.
I have used a high angle to
make the hand look smaller and
give the piece a sense of subtly.
Uelsmann however has the
hands made to look very large
and therefore more powerful.
Another difference would be that of the background, as
Uelsmannâs work is heavily post produced he has used a clear
black background to make the hands stand out more clearly.
I on the other hand have not. I chose to blend the hand into a
more natural surrounding and make it more applicable to the
theme I had chosen of nature.
Similarities both of the images share are that of being work
that does not associate to being âin the normâ. They are both
surreal pieces of work that make the viewer think and
question their own thoughts.
They provoke questions that have multiple answers all of
which are right.
26. In this latest experiment I have tried to explore the effects of many techniques on a single
image.
The image picture on the right has been post produced using Levels (To change the tone of
the piece), the crop tool (To remove some of the image), the dodge and burn tools as well as
the blur (To make the image clear and blurred in parts).
Making parts of the image clear were to enhance the 3D effect that I used on the Dog.
Having this on one selection of the piece was used to see if it could effect the way the image
as seen and to see if it had any affect on the depth of field.
The next image 3D has been used similarly but with more post production.
27. This image, like the one on the last slide was taken and developed upon using Adobe Photoshop. The use
of heavy post production is another experimental stage to see hat works better when with a 3D object in
the picture.
I have tried to make the image as dark as possible without losing some of the quality. This was to try
relate to the original theme of fear within nature.
The toolbar was heavily used to enhance the 3D aspect. The burn tool was used on the river to reduce
the light and try to make the dog more clear to see.
The experiments have been useful as I now know what to do in order to improve and possibly create one
last piece to relate to all the work done so far and ultimately the themes and unit itself of experimental
photography.
28. The image above has been edited further. Parts of
the image have been cut out to make it look more
professional.
This was done by using the rectangle marquee
tool. Also, the use of the burn tool has been used
more on the image above.
29. Experimenting with both 3D and levels. Here I
have decided to alter the colour of the full image
to try find out if the 3D comes across more clear.
I have also tried to adjust the lighting by adding
artificial âDodging and Burningâ through
Photoshop.
Adding light to the subject and making the
foreground darker were also other ways I used.
Cropping was used to show the subject in a much
more clear manner.
After using the glasses provided and asking for
peer feedback it was decided that the 3D by
itself without colour alteration worked better
than this.
This experiment was worth doing as I now
know what the work on and not spent time
and resources making a set of these images.
30. To further develop the ideas I have decided to look into a 4th idea that would have many
aspects from each design in and incorporate them in one piece.
After exploring with animals made in 3D, I will attempt to use people and create much
better depth of field from the subject at the front to the place in the background. The idea is
that of a person coming towards you (Idea taken from slide 24 with the dog) and make it 3D
to create a better effect.
This was decided as the experiments worked well when asking for feedback and to expand
on them would be a great idea, this time involving people.
This 4th piece should work with all the other designs and ultimately the themes of fear and
nature.
This piece will help connect all the work created up to this point and give the viewer of the
piece a sense of direction to where the work is going and help them understand the theme
and topic in depth.
If possible I will try to use the same person for this as the one who features for the hand and
face in tree bark images. But if he is not available I have a contingency of both another
person and the Dog to go into more detail on the image from slide 24.
32. After looking through previous work up to now I noticed that all the ideas and final designs
were great by their own merit and did relate in a way, however I feel producing one more set of
photographs, experiments and designs will help enhance what has already been made and
make it much more clear to the viewer on what the themes are and how I have tried to portray
them.
3D has been used predominately in this project as I felt Multiple Exposure did bring my ideas
and thoughts across as well as it could. I believe the facial features being seen through the
treeâs bark was creative but I felt limited to where I could take it from there and develop upon.
Using 3D is a great way to move on in the project as well as keeping some continuity. I first
starting experimenting with 3D on this unit when it was looked upon in the research stage, I
had the thought that this would bring the best out of the themeâs I had chosen. This is because
it is the most life like out of the techniques as the objects are seen to be moving off the page.
It is from this original idea where I have finally worked towards producing a set of images that
all share the same theme and where you can see the progression being made.
The images on the slide above are taken of the model as what the first design was made from,
the elderly manâs face. Here I chose him to keep the consistency and so the viewers could start
to understand what I was trying to get across.
33. 3D Design
Here is the same image
from the previous set on
slide 31, however I have
altered it.
In this particular piece I
have only changed the
person in a 3 dimensional
effect and left the
background as it was.
The other versions were
created by making the full
photograph 3D.
The reasoning behind this
was that after
consideration It was seen
that this effect works
better. This was found out
by using the Dog on slide
27.
I find this piece relates to the others made in this unit because it brings in
all ideas and thoughts into one.
Also, the idea that this has come about through multiple experiments and
the progression can be seen.
34. Here I have been experimenting again and used two of
final designs and merged them together.
Copying the person and placing him in another image
with a better background.
Using the elderly person in this image gives the
impression that he is running away from the dog in the
background.
This I would consider to be one of the best
pieces I have created as it uses all of the tools
and ideas learnt.
The facial expression on the elderly person
suggests that something is about to happen
and creates that tension in the piece.
The viewer can start to understand this due
to the dark colours and and the leading lines
that are coming towards the camera.
The hand reaching out was initially used to
try and produce a better 3D image as
previous ones were flat.
It now helps to create the sense of fear which
has met the theme I targeted.
At the start of the unit I chose both Fear and
Nature. This last piece of work meets both of
them and includes the technical detail
researched in previous tasks.
Using the original image and not editing it
helps keep some identity to the work and
retains the life like theme.
35. Here I have altered both the size and colour
of the piece.
Firstly, I rasterized the background image. I
then selected it through the layers on the
right hand side, after this I pressed both
control and âTâ to select only that layer.
I then increased the size so I was happy with
it and that the dog in the background looked
closer to the person.
The next step was increasing the
Rotoscoped manâs size. I used the same
method but making sure the proportions
were correct when dragging the corner.
After all of the sizes were done I then
decided to alter the colour and used control
âLâ to determine it.
I wanted a brighter shade to bring out both
the subjects so I increased the red option by
moving from left to right.
36. Further Development Here I have gone totally away from where I was in
the previous slide. I wanted to experiment using
little colour and focus solely on the image as a
whole.
Using the Puppet warp tool which is found on the
top tool bar under âEditâ I managed to manipulate
the the piece so it enhanced the dog more.
I dragged to the edges of each corner provided
and moved them to create an almost oval shape
in the middle for the subject to be very clear.
I then added a smudge at the bottom of the image
to give the impression of the person grasping out
and almost pulling the image into him. (This can
relate to the page turning effect I experimenting
with in the earlier slides).
The way in which he pulls the page goes back to
the original idea of being a story.
The shade of purple was created by altering the
Saturation. I went into the tool bar and then
âImageâ â Adjustments and selected the
appropriate tool. This was designed to make the
image look more surreal.
37.
38. In conclusion I believe that I did meet all the requirements in the brief, I did produce what was asked and
I did show a clear stage of progression throughout the experimental stage.
I have explained how I have edited certain images and shown how to develop a single image or idea.
The aesthetical qualities my work holds as a whole would be that they are simplistic and interesting to
view. The variety across all the work with keeping the same theme has to be commended upon.
The technical qualities I have shown in the project would be that of understanding Photoshop and how
to use specific tools in relation to the images, also being able to research, learn then putting into practice
the technical procedures such as the heavily used 3D or the Multiple Exposure.
The piece where I believe showed the greatest technical quality would be the image of the dog on slide
27 and 28. Not only does this include a good use of the toolbars provided with the Dodge, Burn, Polygon
Lasso, Blur, Sharpen and Rectangular marquee but it uses the 3D effect in a way that it is just the dog and
not the background.
This creates a subtle effect but hen the glasses are provided you can see the attention to detail that has
been put in to make such a piece, with the Rotoscoping of the Dog and the colours used.
Overall, I believe that all the work is of a high standard, however if I had time to repeat the unit I would
try to have a greater understanding of what I wanted to produce. It if good to show development but
with the time given I would have started on more complex imagery to have a very professional set of
images.
39. Weaknesses in my work are that of a lack in variety. If I was to do the unit again I would explore
creating my pieces using other techniques other than 3D and Multiple exposure.
Even if they were not up to a high standard it would have been worth while to experiment.
Another weakness the work has is that of a lack of photographs. I did spent several hours over
many shoots to take the images, however I feel that if a greater number of images were taken
there may have been more ideas to work with.
Lastly, another weakness I believe the work shares is that there is a lack of people and different
places used. I was looking for consistency in the work, so keeping aspects similar was important,
but perhaps using other people or other locations would have been good to explore for more
ideas.
Strengths in my work are that of showing a clear theme throughout and making sure the images
are clear to understand. Not only did I meet the brief set, I went above and beyond what was
asked and used initiative to use two themes and use them in a way that looked aesthetically
pleasing.
Other strengths the work has are that of using the tools provided on Photoshop to a good
standard on the pieces. Showing development was important in the unit and I believe I did show
it. From the first set of images to the last there is a vast difference with a small similarity of the
theme.