Photoshop: Basics (unfinished)

We are now learning about Photoshop.

Here is my First Assignment and the pictures I used for it.

Picture 1 - Bag of Sugar

Final Picture - "Sugar Flavored Sugar" 

Picture 2 -  Alan Sugar

Here are the tools I  used for this assignment.

Lasso = L key
Quickmask = Q key
Modify the edge of selection  = Select/Modify/Expand
Turn the selection into a layer= cmd/ctrl J
Move the Layer to another Photo= Move tool =V key drag to another photo
Scale the layer= cmd/ctrl T
Copy the Layer= cmd/ctrl J




Here is a detailed analysis of each tool.


 * Lasso - the lasso tool is used to circle a section of the photograph. Its good for highlighting specific parts but uses the mouse which can allow for some easy mistakes if not careful.
* Quickmask - allows you to look at the photograph a little differently

Fashion Photography (unfinished)

 In this post I answer the following questions about fashion photography, enjoy!

1. When is an image a portrait?

It is a portrait when the camera is aimed from the shoulders up and all other variables (lighting, etc.) all focused on the head and neck. 

2. When is it a fashion photograph?

It is a fashion photograph when the clothes are the main point of interest. The photos are taken at a wider perspective and a lot of detail is taken in. some work goes towards the face of the model. But the clothes come first.

3. How much did the film manipulate the photos they took? 

In the film, almost every single variation of manipulation is taken into consideration. It’s understandable because they have a lot of weight when it comes to selling magazines.

4. To what degree should an image be manipulated to go into a fashion magazine? 

The line is drawn once the models features are compromised (mainly in Photoshop)

The clothes should be the centre of attention. I once went so far to state that models should be the last things the magazine should be worried about. But it was pointed out to be that the models give the magazine more life then if it was just clothes on a manikin for example The models should be completely gone, but lowered in priority. All other variations of manipulation that don't feature the model should remain unchanged.

Question 4 -  Example 

5. Is there a clash between the creative and commercial side of fashion photography? 

a) What clashes occur in the film between the creative and commercial? 

The "editing room" is where most of the clashes take place. The min purpose of the argument is what does the audience want to see and what world make the company money.

b) Who wins? 

At the end of the day the money makes the world go round so commercial wins most of the arguments (for the moment) 

c) Do you agree? Why? 

No. Creative ideas is what I believe made the fashion industry famous in the first place the modern fashion industry should nor try to bite the hand that feeds them. 

Portraiture:- Introduction + Diane Arbus & Tony Vaccaro (unfinished)

What is Portraiture
Portraiture is simply portraits with photography, while that sounds simple enough there are several different rules to portraits and portraiture then most people think. Like when the photo can be taken? who can have there photo taken? how-where-why, finally who was in charge of the final product and how was it supposed to be viewed?

Before Photography the rules of portraiture was very bare-bones. Portraits  where always painted of important people and most still are (with cameras instead). Whether its the queen a well-known celebrity or just a wealthy person, they had portraits done by artist for a price. The Artist would have no control and it would have been of them at there best in a location of there choice plus the model would then choose what would have happened to it.

Taking Control - Diane Arbus

Diane Arbus was one of the few famous photographers that challenged these rules and revolutionised our interest in them. She took pictures of what she wanted to see. This seemed a good idea and some of most famous pictures was because of this (Matthaei Family) this is a good example because of its history and what  she noticed about the clients behind it.  however her view of the world was quite dark and it never changed.


Decisive Moment - Tony Vacarro
Tony Vaccaro was another photographer who revolutionised portraiture but in a different way. After the war (see war photography) Tony took photographs of celebrities who where quite vague and appeared so, this was changed however and Tony's appointment with Picasso is a good example. On the day that he was going to take his picture Picasso showed a various style of poses. Tony saw an opportunity with this and lied to Picasso saying that the camera had broke. Once Picasso dropped his guard and revealed a different side of him Tony Vacarro used the decisive moment and took his picture.

Diane vs Tony
Diane's and Tony's style of portraiture was quite similar, they both wanted to change the way portraiture was treated. but Diane was a more interested in her own vision more then Tony. he was more interested in revealing what the model was hiding.  Even then it sound quite similar, I guess there main difference was there purpose for taking them. Diane's reason was to reveal hidden mysteries, and tony did it for his career.

Final verdict

Portraiture has been revolutionised by photography, It still has meant similarities but the important questions (who controls the final product?) have been changed forever Now you know why.



 
Photo Examples