Digital Photography & Imaging - Week 6

Ruchira Nowreen || 0347111
Major: Bachelor of Software Engineering || Minor: Creative Media Design || Taylor's University
Digital Photography & Imaging GCD 61204
WEEK 6: LECTURE, TUTORIAL, PRACTICAL || 2.10.2023

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LECTURE

In Week 6, Mr. Fauzi introduced us to crucial design principles, laying the foundation for creating effective and visually appealing compositions. These principles serve as guidelines that designers adhere to when crafting compelling designs.

• Emphasis: This principle involves strategically highlighting and prioritizing specific elements or messages in a design. By using design elements deliberately, emphasis ensures that crucial information stands out, capturing the viewer's attention effectively.
• Balance and Alignment: Achieving balance in poster design involves distributing visual elements for a harmonious composition, while alignment ensures the proper arrangement of elements for a cohesive and organized design.
• Contrast: Contrast is the creation of space and distinction between elements in a design. The background should significantly differ from the color of elements, facilitating harmony and readability.
• Repetition: This principle unifies and strengthens a design. Consistency, such as using two strong typefaces or three distinct colors, contributes to a cohesive and visually appealing composition.
• Proportion: Proportion addresses the visual size and weight of elements in a composition, emphasizing how they relate to each other. Proper proportion ensures a balanced and aesthetically pleasing design.
• Movement: Movement is about creating a narrative or story within your design. It guides the viewer's eye through the composition, contributing to a dynamic and engaging visual experience.
• White Space: Also known as negative space, white space refers to the empty areas around elements in a composition. It provides breathing room, elevating a composition from mediocrity to success by enhancing clarity and focus.

Understanding and applying these design principles equips designers with the tools needed to craft compositions that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also effectively communicate messages to the audience.

Figure 1: Lecture's slide

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TUTORIAL

In this week's session, we delved into the fundamentals of photography through instructional videos provided by Mr. Fauzi. The key aspects covered included Exposure, Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, Composition, Focusing, White Balance, Lighting, and Depth of Field.

• Exposure: The management of light entering the camera, controlled through the interplay of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings.
• Aperture: The size of the lens opening, influencing the depth of field and determining how much of the image remains in focus.
• Shutter Speed: Dictates the duration of exposure, impacting motion blur and allowing for the freezing or intentional blurring of action.
• ISO: Measures the camera sensor's sensitivity to light, with low ISO for bright conditions and high ISO for low-light situations, although higher ISO may introduce more noise.
• Composition: Involves arranging elements within the frame, with techniques like the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, and balance enhancing visual appeal.
• Focusing: Understanding autofocus modes and manual focusing techniques is crucial for capturing sharp and well-defined images.
• White Balance: Adjusts the color temperature of an image to ensure accurate and natural-looking colors under different lighting conditions.
• Lighting: Observing and utilizing both natural and artificial lighting can significantly enhance the overall quality and mood of photographs.
• Depth of Field: Allows selective focusing on a subject, enabling the blurring of the background or keeping the entire scene in focus as desired.

Mastering these foundational elements equips photographers with the essential skills needed to create captivating and technically sound images.

Figure 2: Demo video 1

Figure 3: Demo video 2

Figure 4: Demo video 3

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PRACTICAL

This week's session, led by Mr. Fauzi, introduced us to the art of recoloring black and white images. The tutorial focused on utilizing the Quick Selector Tool for precise masking, allowing selective colorization of specific areas within the image. The process involved creating multiple layers and leveraging the Brush Tool for accurate and controlled application of color, adding depth and vibrancy to the originally monochromatic image. This exercise not only honed our technical skills in Photoshop but also sparked creativity in transforming grayscale compositions into vivid and engaging visual narratives.

DIGITAL IMAGING EXERCISE 2 - Recoloring Black & White 

PART I

In this exercise, we were given an B&W image along with a step-by-step process demonstration video to watch, follow, and complete the task. We had the freedom to choose our preferred colour. I successfully accomplished the task by meticulously following each instruction in the video, a detailed account of which will be discussed below.

To begin, I created separate layers for each element I intended to color, such as hair, eyes, lips, coat, and skin. Using the brush tool and a chosen colour, I meticulously filled in each part to emulate real-life colouring. Once satisfied, I adjusted the layer types from normal to overlay or soft light, depending on what suited each element best.

Figure 5: The different layers made on Photoshop

Figure 6: The work process on Photoshop

FINAL OUTCOME

Figure 7: Final outcome of recolouring exercise part I

After completing the recoloring task, I made minor adjustments to enhance the vibrancy and realism of the pictures. Upon completion, I sought feedback from my lecturer, who affirmed that the work was good.

PART II

In the second part of this exercise, we were provided with a black and white image, reference images for skin tone and hair color, and a step-by-step process demonstration video to guide us through the task. We were given the flexibility to choose our preferred colors for fur, lipstick, background, earrings, and eyes. I effectively completed the task by methodically following each instruction in the video, and I'll provide a detailed account of the process below.

I initiated the process by establishing distinct layers for individual elements, akin to the previously described exercise. However, in contrast, I employed an alternative technique, opting for the quick selection tool instead of the conventional brush tool for colouring.

Figure 8: The different layer made on Photoshop

Figure 9: The work process on photoshop

FINAL OUTCOME

Figure 10: Final outcome of recolouring exercise part II

Upon completion, I sought approval and feedback from my lecturer before finalizing the work for submission.

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REFLECTION

Week 6 marked a pivotal juncture in our course, where we delved into the fundamental principles of design and expanded our understanding of crucial elements in photography. Learning about design principles such as emphasis, balance, and contrast provided a comprehensive framework for crafting visually appealing compositions. The emphasis on white space underscored the importance of allowing designs to breathe, fostering clarity and focus.

Simultaneously, the tutorial on photography basics equipped us with essential knowledge about exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and more. This theoretical foundation found immediate practical application in the task involving the recoloring of black and white images using Photoshop. The hands-on exercise allowed us to seamlessly blend technical skills with creative expression, transforming grayscale images into vibrant visual stories.

The digital imaging exercise required meticulous layering and precise use of tools, enhancing our proficiency in Photoshop. Seeking feedback from Mr. Fauzi provided valuable insights, ensuring our creative endeavors aligned with professional standards. This week's experiences not only expanded our skill set but also deepened our appreciation for the intricate balance between design principles and technical know-how in the world of visual communication.