#11
In this task, I had to create a Flyer for a club that I am in. I completed this assignment in Photoshop. Although I am not in a club, I meet every Saturday for an SAT class. So I used this for inspiration for a flyer. For this task, I had to utilize 3 out of the 4 text that I learned in the first marking period (i.e., Plastic text, photo-filled text, glass text, crazy text). I chose to apply the crazy effect onto my title, the plastic text on when the class would be offered, and the plastic text on who it is being to. In order to make it easier on myself, instead of completing every step to apply the effect on the text, I went back into my completed assignments. I changed the text, saved it under a different file name (under .JPEG), and copy-pasted the new text onto the flyer. After applying the effects, I then identified what was being offered, when it was being offered, when, why, and for who. I also used the skills I learned in task 4b, when I had to created a postcard and placing pictures onto my Photoshop file. Finally, My result was a flyer (w/ false information) in which I applied skills I learned in past assignments.
****************************************************
#12
In this task, I learned how to add texture to a piece of plain clothing. I completed this assignment in Photoshop. First, I saved a picture of a black dress as .jpeg and a picture of a textile/pattern as .jpeg. After doing so, I then opened the picture of the dress in Photoshop. I selected the magnetic lasso tool and traced all around the original black dress. I Copy Merged the dress, created a new layer, and then pasted just the image of the dress onto the new layer. I then opened the saved picture of the textile in a new file, selected it, and then pasted it on top of the copied layer if the dress. After doing so I pressed Ctrl+Alt+G to clip the layers together and my result was the textile appearing inside the dress. I changed the Layer Mode to Color Dodge and adjusted the opacity and fill of the picture to make it seem as realistic as possible.
******************************************************
#14
In this task, I was required to make my own Food Bank poster inspired by an original. The theme of the poster is to "change one thing" in your diet to be more healthy. Like seen in the first, a slice of orange is replaced with a pizza pie instead. I chose to replace a box of fries with carrot slices instead. I saved an original picture of a box of fries and opened in Photoshop. After doing so, I utilized the skills I learned in task 12. I selected only the fries (leaving the box alone) by tracing with the magnetic lasso. I Copy Merged the selected fries and opened it into a new Layer. In the new Layer only the traced fries were seen. After completing those steps, I then saved and opened a picture of slice carrots into Photoshop. With the picture of the carrots open, I copied and then pasted that photo onto the Layer where only the outlined fries remained. I fully covered the fries with the carrot slices. After doing that, I pressed Ctrl+Alt+G and the new image of the carrot slices replaced the image of the fries. My new photo was sliced carrots in a French-fry box. I saved my picture and continued to create my poster. After saving the image, I opened a new file in Photoshop to begin my poster.
I created a 7x9 poster. I then opened my image of my "carrot fries" (as a .JPEG image) in a new file. I used the magnetic lasso to only trace the fries and have it pasted on the poster. I pressed Ctrl+T on the layer where the picture of the fries stood and altered its size so that it complimented the poster. I created a headline for my poster; "When we said eat your veggies, we didn't mean fry them" and chose Blending Options for the text to make the text stand out. I chose Color Overlay, Inner Shadow, Outer Shadow, and Bevel and Emboss to alter the appearance of that specific text. From there, I played with all the selections to whatever fit my preference and whatever I felt made my poster stand out. After completing those steps, I then placed a healthy fact about carrots like the original poster placed a fact about oranges. Then, I simply copied the exact text under the text and placed it on my poster and the NYC FOOD BANK logo (The NYC FOOD BANK Logo was used solely for educational purpose. No Copy Right infringement was intended.)
Finally, I went back to my background Layer and created a gradient background with my selected colors just as the original poster has. My result, was a great attempt at mimicking a professionally made poster for NYC FOOD BANK and it's cause for everyone to be healthy.
******************************************************
#14
In this task, I was assigned to create a jack-o-lantern for a Halloween poster. First, I saved a .JPEG image of a pumpkin and opened it in Photoshop. After saving the picture, I used the skills I learned in assignment 12 and extracted just the image of the pumpkin using the magnetic lasso. I placed the extracted image of the pumpkin onto a new layer. I filled the background of the new layer in black. After changing the background, I chose the pen tool to create the face of my jack-o-lantern. Tracing in my custom shape, the black of the background appeared through. After completing the whole face, I then went on to editing the face as if it were lit inside the pumpkin. I selected every shape and aplied Blending Options:Inner Shadow, Inner Glow, Outer Glow, Gradient Overlay and Stroke. The Inner Shadow showed the appearance of the cut edges of the pumpkin's face as f it were actually carved. I chose an orange as the color for the Inner Shadow. The Outer Glow and Inner Glow helped make it appear as the inside of the pumpkin was glowing. The Gradient Overlay helped add better affect and the Stroke diminished the black lines created by the pen tool and to blend it in with the color of the pumpkin. Then, I increased the Canvas size in order to add the text, "Happy Halloween '14". Finally, I used the brush to add a shadow under the pumpkin for extra effect. My result was a jack-o-lantern for my Halloween poster. Happy Halloween!
*******************************************************
#15A
#15B
In this task, I had to create a painted effect look with Displacement map. Simply saying, I had to take an image of a flag and place it onto an image of a Brick Wall and have it appear as if were painted on. First, I saved an image of the Gay Pride Flag and an image of a Brick Wall, with enough texture so that it would show in the picture. Then, I opened Photoshop and created a white background to complete my picture on. After creating the background I opened the pictures of the flag and the brick wall and pasted each onto the blank canvas. The flag layer was placed on top of the brick wall. Then, I copied the layer with the brick wall and desaturated so that this image of the brick layer was black & white. After desaturating the image, I chose Filter-Blur-Gaussian Blur. This filter would help to blur in the straight angles of the flag and have it appear as a painted effect on the Brick Wall. I saved the layer of the Copied Brick Wall which would later serve as a displacement map for the final image. Then, I chose Filter-Distort-Displace and selected the image of the Brick Copy that I had saved. I entered 6 for the Horizontal and Vertical Scale. When the Displacment Map filter is applied it has a dramatic effect, although the distortions look random, they line up precisely with the wall. After finishing the displacing, I changed the Blending Options of the Original Brick Layer and Flag Layer to Hard Light. I tinkered with the Fill and Opacity percentage to make the picture look as realistic as possible. After completing the Brick Wall, I then had to use the skill of Displacement onto a picture of myself. I saved a picture of the American Flag and repeated each step as I did with the picture of the Brick Wall. After placing the image of the flag onto my face, I smudged the outer edges of the flag using the Smudge Tool so that it fully covered my whole profile. I then went around the outer part of my face with the Eraser tool to make the image seem more realistic.
*******************************************************
#16
In this task, I had to apply Motion Blur onto a still picture to have it appear as if it were moving fast. I chose a picture of a still car. First, I opened the image of the car into Photoshop as a Smart Object. After opening into Photoshop as a Smart Object, I then applied Filter-->Blur-->Motion Blur and entered the angle at 25 and Distance at 40 pixels. I applied another filter of motion blur onto the photo a second time.After applying the motion blur, I then selected the clipping mask and set the foreground color to black. I selected the Brush tool and chose a soft brush that matched the size of the car. I then used the Brush tool and colored all inside the car where the filter would begin to disappear. I chose the second Filter that I added and changed the opacity to 77% and from Normal to Hard Light. My result was a car looking as if it were moving very fast.
******************************************************
#17
In this task I learned how to use Quick Masking to add a desired affect as an better alternate to using the magnetic lasso. I competed this task in Photoshop. I chose a picture of a bare faced woman and used the Quick Mask skill to apply make-up and other effects on to her face. To use Quick Mask you set the foreground color to black and choose the enter Quick Mask mode by selected the camera icon under the default colors. Then, you choose a brush tool and size to apply onto where I wanted to apply the effect. For example, I first colored around the inside of the lips where I wanted it to appear as if lip-stick was applied. When brushing in to the area, the color should appear as a translucent red. Then when finished coloring in, you deselect the Quick Mask button and dashed lines will appear around the selected area. Then you go to Select--->Inverse and enter a desired color. I then changed the Layer Options from Normal to Soft Color to have the color appear more realistic. I then continued to repeat these steps for several parts of her face as seen in the After Picture. This method of making detailed selections is more efficient and easier than the tediously attempting to select parts of a picture using the magnetic lasso.
*******************************************************
#18.
In this task, I had learned how to apply a soft focus onto a portrait to make it glow. I chose a portrait of a woman without effect and opened it in Photoshop. After opening the picture in Photoshop I copied the layer. Then I selected Filters---> Convert to Smart Filters. I then selected Filter again and chose Gaussian Blur and set it to 5 pixels. Then, I changed the layer mode from Normal to Screen which gave the photo a lighter, glowing effect. I then chose the Brush tool, selected a soft-edged brush, and set the opacity to 40%. I then went around the eyes and the lips in order to bring them out in the portrait. The Layer mode: Screen was an important part of adding the glow to the picture because it altered the original picture allowing to appear brighter. The Brush tool helped to bring out the most important features of the face as well.
*******************************************************
PHOTOSHOP TAKE-AWAY
In Task 15, learned how to use the displacement map. Using the displacement map, I learned how to place images on another textured image having it appear as if it was painted.
In Task 16, I learned how to have a still image appear as if it were moving fast using the Smart Object option and the filter: Motion Blur.
In Task 17, I learned how to how to use the Quick Mask; a more efficient and precise way of selecting certain feature on an image. This is an alternate route instead of using the magnetic lasso
In Task 18, I learned to how to use a Smart Filter to add a Glow effect on a facial picture. In this task, I also learned the skill of using Layer Mask.
All these tasks were completed in Photoshop.
*******************************************************
#19.
In this task, I used the software Adobe Illustrator for the first time. In the task, I had to create a USB drive. First, I opened a blank template 550px X 550px. Then, I used the rectangle tool to create a 175px X 50px (height x width) rectangle which would be the base for the whole picture. After making the rectangle, I sent the Rectangle to the center of the page by using Align. I then used the ellipsis tool to make a 50px X 175px ellipse. I then selected View--->Smart Guide, in order for me to see the alignment of the ellipsis and the bottom of the rectangle. Placing the ellipse on the bottom-center of the rectangle, I chose Pathfinder and send the ellipse to the back of the rectangle. Now, the rectangle had a rounded bottom from merging the ellipse. I then selected the whole shape, and added a grey gradient. I then created two other rectangles using the rectangle tool. One, 12px X 158px and the other; 8px X 112px. After doing so, I selected Effects--->Warp--->Arc and changed the vertical distortion to 10%. After applying the effect, I placed the rectangles above the base from biggest to smallest and applied a black gradient. After placing the rectangles on the top-center of the base, I used the rectangle tool once more to created three squares. 100px X 100px, 97px X 97px, and 94px X 94px. I applied a grey gradient to all three squares and placed the on the top-center of the altered rectangles. I then right-clicked--->Arrange--->Send to Back; to send them to the back of all the other elements. After that, I created another two rectangles using the rectangle tool. Both 14px X 25px. I applied a black gradient to both rectangles and placed them equal distance from one another on the squares. Then I create an ellipse 35px X 135px and fill it with black: 70% opacity and send the object to the center-bottom of the base and send the ellipse to the back of all elements. After that, I used the line-segment tool to create lines between the rectangles. Then, I used the rounded-rectangle tool create a shape with 80px for width, 165px for height and corner Radius of 20px. I set the color of the shape to white. Then I created an proportionally smaller shape as the one made. Instead of using the rounded-rectangle shape again, I selected the original shape, chose Object--->Offset Path---> Input -3 in Offset Field. A proportionally smaller shape appears and is filled with a grey gradient. I then use the text tool to finish of the USB. My result is an image of a USB created in Adobe Illustrator.
*******************************************************
#20-(Test)
In this task, I had to create a wireless phone and for extra-credit, a phone base. I utilized the skills I previously learned in #19. For almost all of the elements on the phone, I applied a gradient in order to have a more realistic effect. I was required to repeat the use of Offset Path; where, instead of having to tediously make certain shapes over and over again, I simply went to Object--->Path--->Offset Path and applied -2px or 2px in order to decrease/increase the size of the original shape. I used this tool throughout the whole test. The Offset Path was very useful in order to create a 3D effect for the wireless phone.
When creating the keypad for my phone, I didn't repeat the same shape over and over again but instead used an easier route to complete the keypad. I selected the original shape and went to Object-->Group, then select the group and went to Effect-->Distort & Transform--> Transform. I entered the number of copies of the shape Horizontally and 35px for the space in between the buttons. After that I repeated the same steps and entered the number of copies Vertically and entered 27px for the space in between. My result was a full keypad for my phone.
For the Base of the Wireless Phone, I had to make it appear as if the Phone was inside the base. Therefore, I created a rectangle to cover the bottom of the finished phone, filled it with black, and shaped the top to fit the rounded inside of the base. I selected the phone group and the shape created in the previous step and opened the transparency panel. From there, I created an opacity Mask. With the Transparency panel open, I un-checked Clip, so that only the bottom part of the phone will be hidden. I then applied Gaussian Blur to the layer with the rectangular shape in order to fully have the bottom part of the phone disappear.
Overall the Phone was a group of Geometric Shapes and the repetitive use of the same tools.
******************************************************
What I learned: Second Marking Period ...
What I learned this Marking Period was the use Copy-Merge to change the original picture and have it appear as something else in task #12 and #13. I also learned how to make still images look as if it they are moving fast using Motion Blur in task #16. I learned how to select a part of an image using Quick Masking instead of the magnetic lasso as an easier and "quicker" alternative in task #17. I learned how to apply the glowing effect to a portrait in task #18. In task #19 and #20, I learned how to use Off-Set Path, apply an Opacity mask, Utilize the shape tool, and use an Opacity Mask to make parts of a photo disappear.
This marking period, I used Photoshop and was introduced to Adobe Illustrator. The similarities in Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator are the tools that are used. For example, the gradient tool and the pen tool. In Photoshop, you can't really create things but instead alter original photos. In Adobe Illustrator, you can create various items such as a USB drive or a wireless phone. If I wanted, I could create a computer or a chapstick.
Overall, I learned a lot of new things this Marking Period and throughout the Marking Period; I sent all my assignments on time and completed. I believe I deserve a 100% as my class average/grade.
