Surreallism

How many Surrealists does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Answer: Fish

Are you confused yet? Surrealism is an art movement that seeks its subject matter from the subconscious mind. The ideas of Sigmund Freud and psychology were the impetus behind the surrealist movement. Often artists would use the idea of spontaneous suggestion to drag subconscious imagery from their minds.

Your Assignment is to create a Surrealistic Image.

Process

1. In order to collect your images in a spontaneous manner, try word association. Pick a subject and select an image. What subject does that bring to mind?  Pick another image. Make a small collection of images for this project. (Create a new directory to save your images).
2. Using the same blending techniques as your Photo Montage, merge your images together to create your Surrealistic image. 
3. Think carefully about the organization and placement of the images. How is your composition balanced?
4. Make sure there is  a particular Point of Emphasis.
5. Post your image to your blog and comment on the underlying meaning of your imagery.

I'm in a Painting

Asignment:

Now that your have successfully completed your "Me and a Famous Person" image, we'll take it to the next level. This time you must place yourself in a famous painting. I feel right at home in Grant Wood's American Gothic. Ain't my wife purty?

• Post your image to your blog and write a couple of sentences about your artist and the image that you selected.

A Couple of Thoughts: 

This is very similar to the last project with the exception of adding a bit of texture to your face. Try using Grain or Noise Filters.  Don't forget to manipulate the Color Balance.

Me and a Famous Person

Mr. B and Jimmy

Assignment:

Back in the day I ran with some interesting people. Here I am with my buddy Jimmy.  He was kind of on the edge, if you know what I mean. Seriously, we all have some famous person we would like to meet, maybe even the President. Using Layer Control and the judicious use of the Eraser Tool place yourself in photograph with a famous person.

Procedure:

1. Select a famous person and search for a photograph that you can insert yourself into. (Make sure you pick as large an image as possible.)
2. Determine the position/angle of the face you are replacing. I'll take your photo and download it to the Boccini directory in the Student Commons.
3. Consider the best way to merge your face into the image. You can place your image between two layers of the original photograph and erase the top image revealing your face. Another tactic is to use the Lasso Tool to select your most important features and place them on the face of another person. Make sure your "feather" your selection.
4. Use Image/Adjustments/Color Balance to match your skin tones to that of the other photograph.
5. Print out your image and place in the folder.
6. Blog your image and write a few comments about why you selected your famous person.

A Few Thoughts:

In concept, this is an easy project. Application is another story! Matching your eyes, nose and mouth positions to the "host" image is extremely important to your success. (Scaling) Your position must match the position of the person in the original photo! 

Photo Montage

When you look closely at Photoshop, you can see evidence of past chemical photographic processes. Photoshop is, in effect, a digital darkroom. Having been weaned on old school film photography, I always amazed at how easy it now is to create and manipulate photographic images. My Fort Montgomery photo montage would have been nearly impossible to create when I was in high school. This type of image was often created by illustrators, not photographers.

Assignment:

Your "Photo Montage" will include a large background image and three auxiliary images.Your images should be interrelated in some way. My theme about the American War for Independence should be obvious.

Process:

1. Decide on a theme.
2. Collect images. Make sure your background image is a large file. It's always better that you begin with large images in order to achieve crisp results.
3. Blend the images together using the Gradient Tool with Quick Mask. Minor manipulation can be accomplished using feathered brushes and the Eraser Tool.
4. Use the Text Tool to include a line of basic text. Select a Font that reflects your theme. I've used Poor Richard because of it's 18th Century flavor.
5. Print image and place in folder for evaluation.
6. Post your image on your blog.

Bacon?

Got Bacon?

Creating your own text tutorial. Now that you have experience using many facets of Photoshop, it's time to create your own text effect. Feel free to use bits and pieces of the many text tutorials we've used. Remember, your new text effect should be substantially different from any we have previously used.

Procedure:

1. You must have a minimum of 8 steps.
2. You may use "parts" of existing tutorials to create your new text, but it must be a "completely new" concept.
3. Illustrate each step.
4. The final illustration should show the finished product.
5. Use additional text, arrows and selected areas in you illustration. (to provide emphasis).
6. The name of the tutorial should be clearly presented at the top.
7. Include "your" name beneath the tutorial name.
8. Consider the layout of your tutorial. Leave space around text and illustration to make it easier to read. 
9. Use a "Serif" type face for body copy.
10. "San Serif" faces are OK for headlines.
11. Your tutorial must be repeatable!!
12. Blog your "Whole" tutorial.

More Text Tutorials

By now you should be a "pro" at working on text. Here are the "tutorials" you should have completed.

Your example of the burning hole should have a background image. When I evaluate it I should be able to see all 4 layers. Do not merge it down.

After the fire effects it's a good idea to cool things down with a bit of "ICE"!

Ready for Halloween?

I need to see both variants of the "Runny" text. (or is it bloody?)

A great Sci-fi Show, and a cool effect.

Do you see a theme here?

Glass and Neon use two documents and "Calculations" to create a 3rd Image.

The cutout effect only works on light areas.

Do teachers still use chalk?

You need a shower!

It looks a bit like the flooring on the school staircases.

This effect must show perspective control.

Quick Silver

Make sure you post both variations of the outline effect. (colored background and photo background)

Must include reflection and gradient background.

Texture Tutorials

Photoshop has a steep learning curve. It can be a daunting task for a student to learn how to use this application. In order to make it easier, I've selected a series of "Text Effects" that will allow you to touch on many of the important parts of the program. As you become more fluent in the use of Photoshop's many tools, it will free you to be more creative. In the second half of the year these techniques will come in handy working on advertisements and package designs.

I will model each tutorial on the white board, or you can choose to read directly from a printed tutorial. Either way, you will find yourself fully immersed in the inner workings of Photoshop.

These are our first 6 tutorials.

We will start by using one of our textures to create a simple raised text with a drop shadow. It's onward and upward from there!

Simple raised text with a drop shadow.

Gold Text

Simple Chrome

Fire Text

4-Way Fire

Gun Label Text with a Hard Edge.

Gun Label Text punched out effect.