Digital Photography & Imaging - Project 1

31/03/2022 - 05/05/2022 (Week 1-5)

Yong Kai Yi (0352826)

Digital Photography & Imaging

Project 1

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LECTURES:

Week 2: 07/04/2022

Lecture 2: Introduction to composition

1. Introduction to basic composition 

1.1 Focal Point

 

Fig xx: focal point photography 

Focal point helps your viewers’ eyes naturally settle on the important pieces of your design first.

1.2 Scale & Hierarchy 

Fig xx: scale & hierarchy design 

Scale is often used to help communicate hierarchy by drawing attention toward and away from certain elements, thus signifying their importance to the communication.

1.3 Balance the elements 

Fig xx: poster from University of Cumbria

Asymmetrical balance is to think of each element as having a ‘weight’ to it. Smaller objects might ‘weigh’ less than larger objects, and heavily textured elements might ‘weigh’ more than flatly colored elements. 

1.4 White space 

Fig xx: poster from Canva

White space is mostly known as “empty space” to balance up the main focus of a composition.

Utilizing white space strategically can help boost a design’s clarity and balance out the more complicated parts.

2. Rule of Thirds

Fig xx: rule of thirds

The Rule of Thirds is the process of dividing an image into thirds, using two horizontal and two vertical lines. This imaginary grid yields nine parts with four intersection points. 

Positioning the most important elements of the image at these intersection points, can produce a much more natural image. It is also suggested that any horizon is placed on either the top horizontal line or bottom horizontal line.

Fig xx: rule of thirds

Rule of thirds helps to use negative space creatively and create conversation between the subject and background.

3.Golden Ratio

Fig xx: golden ratio

The Golden Ratio is a mathematical ratio. It is commonly found in nature, and when used in a design, it fosters organic and natural-looking compositions.

Fig xx: golden ratio apply in web design

In design, the Golden Ratio creates a sense of beauty through harmony and proportion. It provides a sense of artistry.

Fig xx: golden ratio apply in art

One very simple way to apply the Golden Ratio is to set your dimensions to 1:1.618

4. Composition [Framing & Cropping]

Fig xx: common framing options

• Single shot: Features one character alone in the frame. There is two ways to frame a single: Clean single and Dirty single. Clean single is when no part of any other character is visible in the frame. Whereas the dirty single includes a limited presence from another character in the frame.

• Two shot: Is all about creating visual relationship between two characters, can be affectionate, contentious or imaginary relationship. 

• Three shot ,Four shot, Five shot, Crowd shot : When more characters added to the frame. 

• Over the shoulder shot: Acts like a hybrid between single and two shot, and also similar to single as often focus on one character at a time. From OTS angles we get perspectives from both sides.

• Point of view shot: Can cover a wide range of perspectives, and often pair with POV audios. 

• Insert shot: The way the information is framed is even more important than how prominent it is on screen.

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INSTRUCTIONS:

Week 1-3: 31/03/2022-14/04/2022

Project 1A: Collage Design Elements

1. Choose and identify your collage's design elements to be cut out and compose it into your own concept & story.

2. Pre compositing your collage's design elements into a composition.

3 pre-composition physical collages: 

Fig xx: pre-composition 1

Fig xx: pre-composition 2

Fig xx: pre-composition 3

Three pre-composition above basically are using the same elements, the main concept is creating a focal point on the girl with the Cokes. The main color theme is red, thus I used mainly red tint elements, the overall theme is retro vibe. 

Lecturer's Feedbacks:

2nd composition is a bit messy, either 1st composition or 3rd, the 3rd one still have potential to adjust it to make it better.

Final composition: 

Fig xx: final composition

This is the final composition I chose for the submission after receiving feedbacks from Mr. Martin. It is better than the other 2 composition is because the focal point is more clear and interesting because of the road on the right corner. 

Week 3-4: 14/04/2022-21/04/2022

Project 1B: Digital Collage 

3 pre-composition digital collages:

Fig xx: 1st digital collage

The 1st composition is a concept of turning over the actual size of the elements, the old factory is placing behind the mountains in a way bigger size, the low contrast look makes the mountains even more popping out. While the shark, I duplicated a few and adjusted the opacity, to create a illusion of the shark is moving. 

Fig xx: 2nd digital collage

This 2nd composition is utilizing the concept of white space. I cropped the 'texture' image given by the lecturer in a circular shape which makes it looks like the moon. I added the car flying above the mountains, it is inspired by the movie Harry Potter. To create the movement look, I duplicated it and adjusted the opacity. 

Fig xx: 3rd digital collage

The 3rd collage is a basic concept of the fencer defending himself from a shark hiding in the plants. The buildings were duplicated a transformed, to create a scene like diamonds from the ground.

Lecturer's Feedbacks:

Can try add more sharks to make it more interesting, and adding more depths. 

Final composition: 

Fig xx: 3rd digital collage final

This is the final composition after receiving feedbacks, I added more sharks and arranged the position of the plants so the sharks will not be too flat at the background.

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REFLECTIONS:

I think it's quite fun to try out compositing/ collaging. The fun part is keep trying placing the subjects to see different outcomes. I think the review session also very fun, as I can see my classmates works too, all the works are very fun and interesting.