Digital Photography and Imaging - Week 9

Week 9 (24 Oct 2022)

Vincent Lee

Digital Photography and Imaging // Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media // Taylor's University (TDS)

Group:1 

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Instructions

Module Information Booklet

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Lecture 

Digital Surrealism

Realism

Figure 1.1 - The Nighthawks by Edward Hopper
(source from The Artist)

• Takes subject matters of the ordinary and common world which we call "reality." It almost always takes a non-exotic and non-extraordinary subject matter and theme. There is no need to think outside of the box, as that is not "real."

Surrealism

Figure 1.2 - Lullaby of Uncle Magritte by Michael Cheval

(source from Art Galaxie)

• A twist on Realism. It explores the subconscious mind, with subject matters concentrating on dream-images and often aims to distort the ordinary and what we call reality

Figure 1.3 - Le Double Secret, 1927 by René Magritte

(source from Sothebys)

• Surrealism defies logic. Dreams and the workings of the subconscious mind inspire surrealistic art (French for "super-realism") filled with strange images and bizarre juxtapositions

Figure 1.4 - The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali
(source from Artsy)

• Fueled by the teachings of Freud and the rebellious work of Dada artists, surrealists like Salvador Dalí promoted free association and dream imagery 
• Salvador Dalí was a Spanish Surrealist painter and printmaker known for exploring subconscious imagery.

Dadaism

Figure 1.5 - Der Kunstkritiker by Raoul Hausmann

(source from The Art Critic)

• An anti war art movement with art works that is satirical and nonsensical in nature.

What is Digital Surrealism?

Figure 1.6 - Luke Robson Art
(source from Behance)

• Surrealism is a cultural movement focused on type of arts to express about the artist’s idea themselves.
• In this digital era surrealism is one of the top digital art styles

How to start creating Surrealism artworks?

Figure 1.7 - image from W9 lecture slides

1. Dream-like scenes and symbolic images
2. Unexpected, illogical juxtapositions
3. Bizarre assemblages of ordinary objects
4. Primitive or child-like designs

Capturing your Dream

Figure 1.8 - image from W9 lecture slides 

1. Sketch It Out

• Take a piece of paper and pen/pencil or a tablet and start to sketch. Draw your vision out roughly. Don't finesse any details yet, but just lay out key points of your vision.

2. Find Reference Images

• Gathering reference images will help you greatly in realizing your new idea. Gather images that directly relate to what you have in mind. 

Mindset During Creation

Figure 1.9 - image from W9 lecture slides

1. "Does this look real?"

• Surrealism is at its best when it's convincing enough that it could be real, however we obviously know that the subject matter you are creating is nonexistent, thus is not real.

2. Make it happen to the best of your ability.

• When you try to approach something challenging, you will learn the skills you may need for next time to make it work. The worst thing you can do is be afraid and back off from your idea, because you would never learn that way. 

Summary

Photoshop makes it easier than ever to create surrealist images, requiring just a modicum of photomontage skill to produce impressive results.

Figure 1.10 - image from W9 lecture slides

References:
Incorporating Surrealism Concepts into Your Digital Artwork: https://bit.ly/3xjCmTf
Surrealism art and literature: https://www.britannica.com/art/Surrealism
Creating Surrealism in Photoshop: https://creativepro.com/creating-surrealism-in-photoshop/
What is Dadaism, Dada Art, or a Dadaist?: https://magazine.artland.com/what-is-dadaism/
Salvador Dalí Spanish artist: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Salvador-Dali

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Tutorial

Moving Imagery

As the class was cancelled due to public holiday, Mr. Fauzi has uploaded a demonstration video on creating loop animation in IG Stories to Google Classroom. 

Video 1 - Creating Loop Animation for IG Stories by Mr. Fauzi

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Practical

Surrealism and Cinematographs

Project 2C: Conceptual Product Photoshoot

During Week 9, I have continue on Project 2C: Conceptual Product Photoshoot, where we are ask to create artwork that is created by a combination of 2 images/ objects. Below are my progressions. 

Progressions: 

Week 6

Visual Research

Visual References on Project 2C, Week 6 (03 Oct 2022)

Sketches/ Idea Explorations

Sketches on Project 2C, Week 6 (03 Oct 2022)

Week 9

Objects used for Photo Manipulation

Figure 1.11 - iPad with a garbage bag, Week 9  (24 Oct 2022)

Figure 1.12 - Garbage Bin, Week 9 (24 Oct 2022)

Idea Explorations (Photo Manipulation) in Photoshop

Figure 1.11 - First Attempt in Photo Manipulation, Week 9 (24 Oct 2022)

In this attempt, I think the boundaries of the garbage bin image is not fitted well with the iPad although it looks great when looking at it from a far distance. 

Figure 1.12 - Second Attempt on Photo Manipulation, Week 9 (24 Oct 2022)

In this attempt, I tried to cover my iPad with the garbage bag thus I can apply the blending mode to blend both images well. However, I. think the garbage bag is too big and thus does not show the size of an iPad. 

Figure 1.13 - Third Attempt on Photo Manipulation, Week 9 (24 Oct 2022)

In this attempt, I tried to cover my iPad in different way with the garbage bag, so it show the size of an actual iPad and both images are blended well too. Thus, I decided to choose this as my final artwork. Below are my progressions on creating this artwork. 

Step by step on creating a photo manipulated design:

First, I take photos of the items using my phone. 

Figure 1.14 - Materials, Week 9 (24 Oct 2022)

Second, I use quick selection tool to select those items and paste the iPad onto a new file. 

Figure 1.15 - Selecting the Objects, Week 9 (24 Oct 2022)

Third, I duplicate the layer, and apply vanishing point around my screen. 

Figure 1.16 - Vanishing Point, Week 9 (24 Oct 2022)

Last, I paste and adjust the garbage bin image within the vanishing point and apply Lighten Blending Mode to allow both images blend well together. 

Figure 1.17 - Final Artwork of Project 2C, Week 9 (24 Oct 2022)

Description: 

After conducting many research and sketches, when it came time for finals, I decided to come out with something meaningful. 

As I was walking by the beach, I saw a lot of rubbish heap up at the reef and also the beach, and it was stinky. Thus, I came out with this photo manipulation where I hoped this chic design of a dustbin would make people recall and remember to not simply litter.

Week 7 Folder: Project 2: Digital Imaging Exercises & Product Shooting

                                                                Slides: Project 2C

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QUICK LINKS

                    Weekly Posts

                    W1: Subject Outline & Expectations                                                         W2: Intro to Composition

                    W3: Intro to Photoshop 2                                                                           W4: Intro to Photoshop 3

                    W5: Double Exposure                                                                                W6: Digital Photography

                    W7: Product Shooting and Editing                                                             W10: Intro to After Effects

                    W11 - W14: Final Project Consultations and Submissions

                    Projects

                    Project 1: Collage

                    Project 2: Digital Imaging Exercises & Product Shooting

                    Project 3: E-Portfolio

                    Project 4: Self-Titled