Adjustment Layers

In this exercise we learned about Adjustment layers. Adjustment layers allow you to add adjustments to your image on separate layers instead of directly to the image itself. This comes in handy during long complicated projects. In Photoshop every tool is specifically designed to help improve your photo. However, here we took some artistic liberties and explored adjustments creatively.

Self Portraits

For our Self-Portrait project we were to take three self-portraits. They were all to be in black and white, and they were all to capture a mood of some sort. We were also challenged to be as artistic as possible, and stay as far away from normal, cliche portraits that we see on personal pages etc. as possible.One had to use the rule of thirds as the base for the composition; One had to incorporate leading lines, and one had to be taken from a more extreme angle.

The portrait I think was most successful was my Leading Line self portrait. It was successful because I pursued my idea and I liked the way it came across. Next time something I might change or try to do better is think more out of the box. Overall I enjoyed this project and am happy with the way it came out.

Contact Sheet

I feel that my contact sheet turned out pretty good.  I think something I did well was the way i organized my photographs, even though I was missing a couple.  Out of all my compositional tricks, I think the one that turned out best was my Rule Of Thirds.  Although its not up there the trick I enjoyed the most was Macro: Texture.  I liked that one best because it was fun trying to find different textures and show them artistically.

Compositional Trick #5 Cropping

Cropping is a trick that photographers do all the time, even if they don't realize it. Every time a photographer chooses to cut something out of his/her frame, before they snap the photo, that is in essence cropping. We also have learned tools on photoshop that allow us to crop an image after we have taken it. When cropping in photoshop it is possible to improve our composition or change it completely.

In order to change this to a cropped picture, we used the cropping tool in photoshop. I like this picture better than the original because it concentrates on a more specific area. It also cuts out some of the background that may have been distracting.

Compositional Trick #4 Extreme Angles

In order to get my angle, I had to stand on top of stairs that lead to our stadium bleachers. I stood on my tippy toes, trying to hover over Anthony without falling on top of him. What I like about this picture, is how easily it came together. The reason I like it is because it took me more than once before I finally got the shot I wanted. (So you know there was effort put into it) I think what I could have done better, was angled myself a little more to where I would have gotten somewhat of a side profile of Anthony, while still on top of the stairs. Photographing from an Extreme Angle does exactly that it makes your photos a little more extreme and out there.

Compositional Trick #3 Macro

The macro function on a camera allows you to get a close up photograph of a small object. Macro also "zooms" in on the close up object making the background somewhat blurry. Macro would be your compositional trick of choice when you really want to emphasize on your object in a artistic way. The photo I like best is my Macro: Texture. I think using Macro enhanced my picture because you can see the texture of the wall and possibly imagine what it may feel like. I like this photo because I believe I did good on this project and love the way my picture came out.

Compositional Trick #2 Leading Lines

Leading Lines are lines that lead you to the emphasis of the photograph or through the photograph. Some leading lines lead you to the emphasis, which is the subject of your picture, while others take you through the picture. If your leading lines are not obvious they can either take your eyes through and out of the picture or take your attention away from your emphasis. In my photo my leading line is the line on the side of the building. The emphasis in the picture are the trees at the end of the leading line. The gray in the trees comtrasts against the white of the sky, making the trees stand out somewhat.

Compositional Trick #1 Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds is one of the many compositional tricks in digital photography. It is a feature on a camera that looks like a tic tac toe grid. The reason it looks like a tic tac toe grid is because the display screen on your camera is broken up both vertically and horizontally. You use this feature to help you place your object of emphasis on one of the areas where the lines of the grid cross. It helps make your photograph more interesting, so all your objects of emphasis are not dead center in the middle of your photograph.