DMF Book project

1. There are several skills that were very useful for me in creating this project. I found the Free Transform tool very helpful, because it allowed me to warp the body of my text and make it fit snugly. I also found the color levels to be helpful. I enjoyed using this tool and altering the shades of my photos, allowing me to make them unique and more striking.
2. I think that my choice to try and use my own photos best served me. Originally I had wanted to created a children's book. But when I realized that my schedule was not going to allow me to complete one, I resorted to flipping through my facebook photo library for ideas. While searching, I realized that I had multiple pictures of shoes. So, I am glad that I made the choice to compile photos and quotes about shoes, because it was fun and challenging.
3. I learned that production schedule can dictate what you produce. As I mentioned before, I would have LOVED to make a children's book, but I was way too busy. Having a deadline helped me work with what I had and try to make something fresh and unique with it. Overall, it was a very fun project.

DMF Poster assignment

1. The themes that I chose for this poster cam mostly from a variety of things I have seen recently in mass media; television, internet, etc. I decided that I wanted to try using text, as was suggested, as part of the overall image. In this poster the text is meant to suggest a kind of frenzy, but also a very imaginitive theme. I chose snow white because I recently saw a trailer for a new remake of the original movie. It was on my mind, so I decided to try and convert my thoughts into digital media.
2. For this project I really used the layers tool a lot more than I have before. I used it for every element of the poster. And I found myself doing things that had previously stumped me! For example, the two central panels of text were not solid at first, but then I began shuffling my layers around until I liked what I saw.
3. I used free transform and cloning to really warp this iconic image of a Disney princess. I felt like this would really catch people's attention. You see, in our minds snow white is perfect, innocent, virtuous. But I didn't want to put a stereotypical image of her on my poster. Otherwise it would be just like all of the others we typically see. I copied the image of her face and made it point in all different directions. I chose that image of her head in particular because she is not smiling and looks more nondescript and shocked than anything. I also used the outline of an apple instead of the traditional red apple with a bite missing. I wanted to imply things here, and not allow the audience to assume that she has or that she will do what they have been told (i.e, taking a bite). I also used text to show more of a modern, almost comic-book style image.

DMF Assignment Week #6 Portrature

Okay, I did not realize until a minute ago when I saved these images as JPEGs on my computer that somehow I mis-saved these ones like I did on week 4's photos. AH!!! Note to self, STOP DOING THAT! Well, I am sorry that there has been this mistake. For some reason they don't show up like this on school computers. Warren, if you are reading this, PLEASE help. Or make a helpful comment!

Anyways, this week's assignment was to take three pictures of someone with a story to tell and change them in Photoshop. Inspiration for this project came from a global movement of artists called INSIDEOUTPROJECT. During this lab the HUE/SATURATION and CURVES tools were emphasized. I used both tools on all three pieces.

1. I was excited when I learned about this global project. It introduced new ideas that I had never thought of and made me feel motivated to participate in something so creative, so public, so inspirational, and so darn easy and accessible. Now that I have completed this project, I am surprised at the simplicity of it. But at the same time, the simplicity is packed with layers of complexity; what is behind the expression? what is the story of this subject, or they also the artist? why does it mater to them? how extensive is there contribution? what message are they sending to the world with their photo?  The list goes on.
2. I am the subject for all three photos. I did it this way for the sake of time (thank you, midterms. I want my life back now, pleeeeeaaase.) At first I wanted to take pictures of different people. But I stil had a good experience working with my own pictures. I found myself increasingly conscious of how I was changing my appearance and how that appearance might be interpreted. I plan to use the same discression when editing other people's photos.
3. Can art change the world? Yes, it can. First, art is a very broad noun with countless meanings. But in the most general sense, art is a form of expression which portrays certain sentiments. Those sentiments, their message, be it benign or explicit, sad or joyful, pensieve or explosive, will reveal themselves to audiences in countless places. And the message of that artwork will speak, be it queitly or violently, to the audience. Sometimes words aren't enough. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, then I am certain that countless people will take something away from even the smallest image. So, yes. Art can change the world.

At last! I got the images from my school lab computer. Here they are!!

DMF Assignment Week #5 Photomontage

Last week's assignment was to combine four photos into one. I ended up doing five because I forgot it was only four! It is posted this week because I had a family emergency and had to miss my lab, which is where I usually complete these assignments.
When choosing pictures, I chose ones from my travels in high school. Obviously the finished product is very tampered. But the idea is that I began to play with new tools that help me to more effectively create and fabricate material. I really stretched my FREE TRANSFORM skills here as well as a new dimension to the tool; Perspective. This tool allowed me to warp the image I had selected and make it look even more realistic. Here is the finished product.
Enjoy. :)
p.s, that is an authentic swiss guard. Yes, he failed to arrest me for taking his picture.

1. The original images for this product are all selected from my personal photos, which I took when traveling in 2008 through Europe. The main picture is originally just me standing in front of stonehenge. Then, on one of the stones you may notice a transformed Easter Island head. That is from a picture I took of a statue in Germany, which was a replica of the originals. The swiss guard on the bottom left hand corner is from a picture I took on my trip to the Vatican City in Rome, Italy. The small version of myself in a chair is from a picture taken in Warwicke Castle, in England. And finally, the image of me on all fours making a very odd face is from a castle in Denmark. Originally I was kneeling on a marble floor beside a bronze statue of a lion, whose expression I am impersonating.
2. The most challenging part of this task was effectively arranging all the pieces. I think that if I had had more time than I would have created a more complex image. However, I am satisfied with the end product, though it is more humorous and exagerated than I anticipated.
3. The reality that I created with this image is that here, at a very iconic historical landmark, there are components that contest traditional expectations. Apparently you didn't know that there is a carving of an easter island head on one of the stonehenge stones? Well, there is! And now, thanks to me, you can see it. This image doesn't tell a sequential tale, but it is packed with implications. With the image of the guard, and me crouching on a rock, I wanted to create a feeling of mischief. Then, with me sitting in a chair making a very arrogant and mocking face, I wanted to give a feeling of spunk, and even rebellion to this piece. I wanted to push the boundaries of the picture as far as I could.