Digital Photography and Imaging | Week 7/8 (Double Exposure)

6/11/2023 - 19/11/2023
Yong Zhen Xing - 0359473
Digital Photography and Imaging - Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Weekly Updates / Week 7/8 [ILW]

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Jumplink :

Photo Manipulation 1

Photo Manipulation 2

 

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Instructions :

Week 7:

W7 Lecture :

This lecture is about double exposure and image blending mode.

Notes :

• Double Exposure Photography refers to merging multiple images to make them surreal, humorous and emotional. 
• Adobe Photoshop has many tools to help with creating such images. Some effect that can be created on photoshop are :
  
  • Tilt-Shift Effect : Transform your photo into soft works of art.
  • Creating Fake Reflection
  • Experiment with simple portraits and details textured : Combining plain and complicated images.
  • Convert to B&W ; Creates an emotional image.
  • Working with silhouettes ; Fun and could show the creative side of a person.
  • Picking two random photo ; Results tend to create a meaningful story.
  • Making simple objects look fascinating
  • Using Shadows
    

• Blending mode always certainly requires experimenting as you can not predict what you will get, you just need to keep playing around until you get your desired results.
  

Tutorial :
In the tutorial, Mr.Fauzi went the next task, double exposure and guided us step by step on how to go about the task. We were also told to do one double exposure task with our own picture which I found interesting.

Exercise (Practical) :
In this exercise, we were to on double exposure using the images provided. We also needed to do one for ourselves. It is a very fun and interesting exercise to test our creativity.

Photo Manipulation 1 :
First, I started by selecting the rough shape of the subject then masking it out using the refined edge brush tool and brush tool.

 
fig 1.1, Masking using Refining Edge Tool (10/11/2023)

Then I changed the background to a solid colour.

fig 1.2, Solid Background Colour (10/11/2023)

Next was adjusting the curves to a 'S' shape so the lighting looks more natural.

fig 1.3, Adding Curves for Lighting (10/11/2023)

After finishing the subject, this is where the photo manipulation comes in. I first position the forest around the head and then masked it on the head.

fig 1.4, Overlaying Forest Image (10/11/2023)

fig 1.5, Creating Clipping Mask (10/11/2023)

I used the eye dropper to make the background the same colour as the head silhouette and then unmasked a part of the face.

fig 1.6, Making the Background colour the same (10/11/2023)

fig 1.7, Unmasking the Face (10/11/2023)

Then I duplicated the forest image, flipped it vertically and put it on the bottom part of the subject.

fig 1.8, Duplicating the Image (10/11/2023)

For the final details, I added some bird with a darken blending mode so that its background would not be shown.

fig 1.9, Adding Birds (10/11/2023)

fig 1.10, Blending mode to Darken (10/11/2023)

I also added clouds. In this part, the cloud contrast was a bit too much, so I grouped the cloud and lowered the levels of the image.

fig 1.11, Adding Clouds (10/11/2023)

fig 1.12, Adding Levels (10/11/2023)

Lastly, I added a gradient map to give the image more emotion and meaning. I tried many different variations before finding the most suitable one.

fig 1.13, Adding Gradient Map (10/11/2023)

Here, I also refined the masking of the head to make the transition to the forest seem more natural.

fig 1.14, Refining Details (10/11/2023)

Final Outcome 1 :
The image below shows the final image after doing photo manipulation!

fig 1.15, Final Double Exposure 1 (10/11/2023)

 

 

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Photo Manipulation 2 :
In this second part of the exercise, we needed to now do a photo manipulation of ourselves. I spent quite some time thinking of what sort of ideas I wanted to make. After multiple experimenting and exploration, I have finally decided to go for a starry environment.

Images used/chosen :

 

fig 2.1 My Chosen Portrait (12/11/2023)

 fig 2.2, 2.3 Body & Background Image (12/11/2023)

 

fig 2.4, 2.5 Additional Details (12/11/2023)

Note : Most images used here was converted to black & white before only importing to Adobe Photoshop.

 

 

Firstly, I masked out the subject ensuring the the edges are smooth.

fig 2.6, Masking the Subject (12/11/2023)

 

 

Next was filling the background with a solid colour.

 

fig 2.7, Adding a Solid Colour Background (12/11/2023)

 

 

I then play around with the curves to get a slightly exaggerated contrast on the image. 

fig 2.8, Adjusting the Curves (12/11/2023)

 

Then it was time to position an image over the subject and mask it.

fig 2.9, Overlaying Body Image (12/11/2023)

fig 2.10, Creating Clipping Mask (12/11/2023)

 

Then I slowly unmask the face with a low opacity brush while creating a smooth transition to the overlay image.

 

fig 2.11, Unmasking the Face (12/11/2023)

 

 

After that, I started adding additional details to the image such as comets, shooting stars and stars to give it a calm and starry environment. This helps to also a create a sense of the subject stargazing.

fig 2.12, Adding Comet (12/11/2023)

When I added this background part, I also changed the blending mode to lighten which then only the brightest colour would show which was stars in this case.

fig 2.13, Adding Background (12/11/2023)

 

 

I also erased the overlaying background stars on the subject.

 

fig 2.14, Erasing Unnecessary Parts (12/11/2023)

 

 

When I added the shooting star, I erased most of the part except for the shooting start so it would be easier to blend it with the background. I then simply positioned the shooting start to where I want it to be.

 

fig 2.15, Masking the Shooting Star (12/11/2023)

 

 

fig 2.16, Adding the Shooting Stars (12/11/2023)

Finally, I experimented with several different gradients of purple as it fits the star theme really well.

 

fig 2.17, Adding Gradient Map (12/11/2023)

Last were some touch-ups and refinement I did such as stars I missed on the subject.

 

 

fig 2.18, Refining Details (12/11/2023)

 

 

Final Outcome 2 :
The image below shows the final image after doing photo manipulation!

 

fig 2.19, Final Double Exposure 2 (12/11/2023)

Reflection :
While the first exercise was pretty straightforward about double exposure, I struggled with doing my own double exposure due to my lack of ideas. I experimented with many different environments before only deciding to go with something that I like which was starry night. I didn't find this exercise that fun but I did get to learn some additional things in Photoshop which was always handy.

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My Other Digital Photography and Imaging Task :

Project 1: Digital & Physical Collages

Project 2: Photoshop Exercises

Project 4: Cinemagraphs - Self-Titled


Progresses
Project 1 :
Week 1 (Graphic Design Composition)

Week 2 (Collage Design Elements)

Week 3 (Compositing Collage)

Week 4 (Digital Collage)

Week 5 (Hearst Mansion)

Week 6 (Recolouring Black & White)


Project 2 :
Week 7/8 (Double Exposure) [Current]

Week 9 (Conceptual Product Photoshoot)

Week 10 (After Effects Exercise)


Project 4 :
Week 11 (Self-Titled)

Week 12 (Self-Titled Part 2)

Week 13 (Self-Titled Part 3)

Week 14 (Self-Titled Part 4)