Digital Photography and Imaging - Week 1

Week 1 (23.09.2024)

Samantha Kristalyn / 0373905 

Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Digital Photography and Imaging

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JUMPLINKS

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INSTRUCTIONS

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LECTURES

Subject Outline and Expectations

On the first physical class; 23rd September 2024, Mr. Fauzi introduced us to the Digital Photography and Imaging's course structure outline. Other than that, 

he has also shared a few key expectations with us. One of the initial requirements was to create and online e-portofolio to document every step of our progress. We were also instructed to download the Adobe Creative Cloud app on our devices, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and flexibility in completing tasks anytime and anywhere.

Mr. Fauzi stressed the significance of mastering Adobe Photoshop, highlighting it as a fundamental tool for designers. He encouraged us to take a proactive approach to learning by also exploring resources online through various platforms instead of relying solely on his lectures. To aid our creative progress, he recommended creating a Pinterest board for this course to help gather ideas and references.

For this week's task, Mr. Fauzi told us to pick three design works from Pinterest and to elaborate about why we like the designs and what the designs are trying to express and convey. He also briefed us for next week's task where we will have to create a physical collage.

During the online meeting for the self-directed class, Mr. Fauzi taught us about Photoshop further. He also told us why Photoshop is an important tool for graphic designers;

The Importance of Adobe Photoshop for Graphic Designers:

1. Creative Expression: 

The more you explore tools and techniques, the more you uncover your unique creative capabilities.

 

2. Graphic Design Creation:

Design formats: Create stunning business cards, posters, greeting cards, and more to leave a lasting impression.

3. Restore Old Memories:

Image restoration: Breathe new life into worn-out photos using tools like the healing brush, clone stamp, and patch in Photoshop.

4. Artistic Integration:

Text and graphics: Blend text and visuals seamlessly to craft impactful designs that tell a story. 

5. Experiment with Brushes:

Thousands of brushes awaits exploration; each offering unique effects to enhance designs. 

6. Transform Colors:

Alter photo tones to evoke emotions or to match your vision.

7. Perfect your Photos:

Error correction: Conceal imperfections and refine photos for a polished and visually appealing finish.

   

Introduction to Digital Imaging:

Digital imaging helps in converting artwork, printed text, and photographs into digital images using a digital scanner or another imaging device.

  

Fig. 1. 1. Digital imaging techniques and their purposes, (23/09/24) 

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PRACTICAL

Mr. Fauzi assigned us to search for three graphic design posters on Pinterest that we are interested in and to describe what the posters are trying to express. We also had to explain why we found them to be appealing.

Design #1: https://pin.it/6LTJtuUsF

Description: I was impressed by the bold colour palette that predominantly features yellows, reds, blues, and purples. These certain colours create a vibrant and upbeat atmosphere, fitting the rhythm and dance theme of the game. This poster expressed: The main character is centrally posed, with her red and yellow outfit that contrasts nicely with the darker background and the elements around, helping her stand out. Bright and neon-like accents are used throughout the design, giving the poster an arcade game and dance floor aesthetic that can help depict excitement and movement. This poster is promoting the game in a very bold and playful way. The game title, "Persona 4: Dancing All Night," is clearly displayed in a stylized, bubbly font with a 3D effect, further drawing attention. The screenshots of real-time gameplay are added to promote the fun experience that is promised towards the potential players. The Japanese text helps promote the game and fill in the empty space. This poster captures the essence of a dance game, emphasizing energy, rhythm and character through the bright colours, playful typography, and dynamic composition.

Design #2: https://pin.it/3Mu6KNDe5

Description: My first impression is that I was intrigued by the use of texture and the creativity of linking spiderwebs and internet webs– portraying that both are “traps” in their own ways. This poster expressed: This poster serves a retro, 90s cyber-aesthetic with a vintage computer as the main focus, set against a digital-style web theme. The spider web surrounding the monitor connects to various buzzwords associated with misinformation. These words symbolize how easily one can get caught up in deceptive narratives online. The spider adds to the menacing tone, enhancing the metaphor of the web as a trap. The use of grayscale colours, grainy textures, and pixelated imagery visually reinforce the idea of the "old internet". The overall tone elicits a warning against the darker sides of digital culture and online misinformation.

Design #3: https://pin.it/1PbTruWCj

Description: When I first saw this poster, I was impressed by the combination of grayscale colours and the red colour with the textures. This poster expressed:  This poster is promoting a new music album, showing the release date on one of the overlays. It mainly focuses on the artist, with several pictures of the concept photos scattered around the poster. The red colours used can be interpreted as blood, depicting some kind of powerful breakage that resulted in bleeding; just like the album’s title.

REFLECTIONS

Experience

Observations

Findings