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Digital Photography and Imaging - Week 2: Physical Collage

Week 2 (30.09.2024)
Samantha Kristalyn / 0373905 
Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Digital Photography and Imaging - Project 1A & 1B


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JUMPLINKS
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LECTURE
Introduction to Basic Composition
Fig. 1.1, Basic compositions in design, (30/09/24) 



1. Focal Point
A focal point is the initial spot where viewers' attention is drawn before they move on to explore the rest of the piece. The key element to any good composition is a strong focal point. By having a strong focal point, you can naturally direct the viewers' eyes towards the vital pieces of your work.   

2. Scale & Hierarchy
Scale is frequently employed to establish hierarchy by directing attention toward specific elements while diverting it from others, thereby emphasizing their significance in the design.

For instance, in the example above, viewers' attention is initially drawn to Beethoven's eyes. From there, their gaze naturally follows the direction of his eyes, leading them to focus on the circle. 

3. Balancing Elements
An effective way to master asymmetrical balance is to visualize each design element as having its own "weight." Smaller objects tend to feel lighter, while larger ones carry more visual weight. Similarly, elements with heavy textures often appear heavier than those with flat colors.

4. White Space
White space, often referred to as "empty space," plays a crucial role in balancing the primary focus of a composition and allowing the design to breathe.

Rule of Thirds
During the lecture, Mr. Fauzi also mention the rule of thirds in composition. The rule of thirds is a rule that divides an image into thirds using two horizontal and two vertical lines along with four intersections that can be used for the image's focal points. Furthermore, if an important element is placed on one of the intersections, it can create a natural look for the image.    

Fig. 1. 2. Rule of Thirds, (30/09/24)

The Rule of Thirds can be applied in the following ways:
  • Aligning your composition with principles that are naturally appealing to the human eye.
  • Strategically utilizing negative space to enhance visual interest. 
  • Establishing a dynamic interaction between the subject and the background, creating a balanced and engaging design. 
Golden Ratio
The Golden Ratio is a mathematical proportion commonly found in nature. When applied to design, it creates a harmonious and visually appealing aesthetic. 
 
Fig. 1. 3. The Golden Ratio, (30/09/24)

The Golden Ratio itself is a useful guideline to help in determining the dimensions of the layout. Simply put, if a design has multiple focal points, the golden ratio can be used to organize them effectively.

INSTRUCTIONS



TUTORIAL
Basic Composition Exercise
Before starting to create our physical collages, Mr. Fauzi prepared us beforehand by supplying us with a video about Composition Studies in Collage. We were assigned to create three compositions of collages, each with different arrangements by using the materials that we have been assigned to gather since last week. After creating the three compositions, we were told to then submit all of them on Google Classroom and upload each of them on our e-portfolio.

Based on the video and what Mr. Fauzi had explained, here are the steps of making collages:
1. Preparation of the elements
- Prepare the tools (scissors, x-acto knife, ruler, cutting board, glue, magazines),
- Look for any interesting graphics that could be used from the magazines,
- Cut around the selected area of the magazines and trim the edges,
- Search for more ideas and repeat the same steps above.
 
2. Do pre-composition
- Find an interesting background canvas,
- Start compositing the elements,
- Arrange the components in three different ways.

3. Finalization
- Take photos of the final three compositions and choose the best one considering the ratio and feedback,
- Glue the chosen final composition. 


PRACTICAL
Week 2 : PROJECT 1A - Physical Collage
During this week, Mr. Fauzi instructed us to gather our materials and cut out magazines to create collages. We were given the task to craft three compositions using the theories and guidelines he taught us on the second week's lecture, submit them to our e-portfolio, wait for feedback, and have one of our composition ideas accepted before gluing them together next week and submitting our best work.
Here are the few compositions that I came up with :


Fig. 2. 1, Composition 1, (30/09/24) 


Fig. 2. 2, Composition 2, (30/09/24)

Composition #3

After Mr. Fauzi chose his favorite composition out of the three, I started gluing the components together to create the final collage. 



After receiving feedback from Mr. Fauzi, I revised my work by adding another element onto the main subject's features to avoid any copyright issues. This is my final work after the simple correction that I have made:


FEEDBACK

General Feedback: 
Mr. Fauzi said that we will have to submit our work by today on the Google Classroom. He told us to keep our designs simple; making them neat and tidy. 

Specific Feedback: 
Mr. Fauzi mentioned that the composition is well-executed, but the individual's face should be covered with an element to prevent potential copyright issues that could affect the ownership of the work.

REFLECTIONS

Experience
Creating a physical collage using unused magazines was both challenging and rewarding. The process required precise cutting, careful planning of composition, and patience in assembling the pieces. I enjoyed experimenting with different arrangements to achieve a visually appealing result.

Observations
Through this task, I noticed how important the selection and placement of elements are in creating a balanced composition. Even small adjustments to the position of an image or color can significantly affect the overall impact of the piece. I also observed that the tools, such as the cutting board and X-acto knife, required careful handling for clean and accurate cuts. 


Findings
I learned the basics of collage composition, including how to balance elements and create harmony within a piece. From Mr. Fauzi's feedback, I also gained insight into the ethical considerations of using imagery in art. For example, if a recognizable face is used in a composition, the individual depicted can potentially claim ownership of the work. This highlights the importance of understanding copyright and ownership when working with found materials. Overall, this experience deepened my understanding of collage as an art form and taught me valuable lessons about technique and ethics in creative practices.

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