Project: Composite Photo Illustration: Man vs. Nature / Organic vs. Synthetic.
Objectives:
Technical: To gain a basic understanding of raster based digital imaging software and
the technology, terminology, and techniques associated with it.
Conceptual: To create a seamless, unified image that attempts to reconcile opposing
or divergent ideas.
Overview:
Your challenge is to use Adobe Photoshop to combine at least two separate
photographic images into one final composition that expresses a specific idea about
the intersection of the natural world, and the Man-made world.
References:
http://www.uelsmann.net/ – Artist Jerry Uelsmann
http://www.lorettalux.de/ -Artist Loretta Lux
http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/ – Artist Edward Burtynsky
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm – Great Photoshop tutorials
Vocabulary:
Raster, Pixel, DPI, Resolution, Color Mode, RGB, CMYK, Bit Depth, Histogram,
Levels, Curves, JPG, GIF, TIFF, Interpolation, Layers, Adjustment Layer, Layer Mask
Materials:
Digital camera (with necessary cables), computer with Adobe Photoshop
Process:
1. Read chapter 5 on Cultivating Creativity (pages 110-117) in your text, Launching
the Imaginatio n, by Mary Stewart.
1. On a sheet of paper, brainstorm ideas about the Man-made world and what role
human beings play in the natural world. Is our presence in the world for the better or
for the worse? In what ways is our influence seen on the natural world?
2. Take your best ideas and create a few quick thumbnail sketches. Which idea
would translate most easily into a simple still frame illustration? Which idea do you
personally have the means to bring to reality (can you find and photograph all the
“parts” of your composition)? Which idea do you personably feel the strongest about?
3. Take your single best concept and make a loose sketch. This will help you work
out basic compositional problems, and make sure you know which “parts” you’ll need
to create or photograph. Bring your sketch to class.
4. Use a digital camera to start gathering the “parts” for your final composite image.
Things to think about: Is your lighting consistent? Is your perspective consistent? Is
your color balance consistent?
5. Working in Adobe Photoshop, create a blank document that is 8×10 inches
(vertical or horizontal) at 300 dpi. FILE >> SAVE your new document to your external
media storage device. You must work off of your own storage media (not the
desktop of the lab computers). SAVE your work often!
6. Using layers, adjustment layers, and layer masks, combine your “parts” into one
final, believable image.
7. When complete drop your full resolution layered PSD file into Blackboard. Then, size your image down to 800 pixels (in the widest direction) at 72
dpi (IMAGE >> IMAGE SIZE or use the crop tool). Use FILE >> SAVE FOR WEB
AND DEVICES to save a copy of your image as a jpeg. Name your exported jpeg following class naming convention.
8. FTP the sized-down jpeg to your Project 2 page on the class website. Keep your original
layered PSD file for your records.
Due Dates:
Ruff sketch: Monday , Feb 1
Photographic material to begin working with: Monday, Feb 1
Finished Project: Wednesday, Feb 3
Intro To Digital Media 