Project 6: Photo-Stitching & Text Application

This assignment proved difficult for me. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any outdoor panoramic shots, so I had to work from scratch...close up. My first attempt didn't work because there was too much distortion between each picture. I still wasn't able to get my picture perfect, and I did make some mistakes that I was unable to undo. But, I think I'm understanding the methods well. For the assignment, I used three images of my media collection. I did a close up panorama, which ended up creating more of a change in the angle of my shots than I had expected.



The first thing I did after applying the images to the background, was to line up each edge with the corresponding image. This is where the change in distortion became a bit of an issue. I used the horizontal shelf as my major point of reference for the image. I knew that because that was the easiest to match, it would help with the flow of of the viewers eye across the image. So to start that off, I dragged the images on the left and right to match up with the image in the middle. The white crate on the left has slits that showed even the slightest angle, so I used the free transform tool to readjust the angle of the crate and the shelf. Next I My next step was to adjust the color levels each shot so that the image would look more like one as opposed to three. I'm not sure why, but the image on the right is lighter than the other two images. I set my eraser settings to the same as John's from the elive meeting. The opacity adjustment was very helpful, however I think I should have used a lower opacity %. After smoothing the edges and making an attempt to blend the image, I ended up with the picture below.



From here, I decided to add my text where it would do the best job of masking my amateur mistakes. So, I chose to set the text across the shelf where the color levels showed the most change and blend flaws. What I finally ended up with was the image below. Engage yourself.

For this assignment, I began by selecting the item with the marquee tool. I copied the selection and used the free transform to place it alongside the original so as to create a symmetrical image. After that, I used the I created a new layer and filled the selection with black to outline my selection of "zac". Then I removed the image from the background layer and converted the image to RGB.

Next I created a new layer for paint bucket and began to fill in colors around the image to give it an abstract look. After, I created yet another layer and integrated a pattern into the background. At this point I played around with the opacity of the layer I used with the paint bucket to help the pattern show through. And the finished product is...well I don't know. It's trippy though.

This assignment required a lot more rigor than the other projects. The first thing I did when I opened the two images, was to "match color", to try and bring out some of the colors in the target image. I then played around with the luminosity to enhance the colors a little. After this I went into "hue/saturation" to bring out specific colors. The blue curtains and the color in the couch were the hardest colors to bring out. I can tell I made the light from the lamps a little too blue and not enough of a chartreuse (if I'm stating the color wheel correctly). I spent the most time in the "hue/saturation" tool trying to be specific in the colors that I was enhancing. I'm pretty satisfied with my final image. Really my only area of improvement I feel, is getting the blue in the window.

My attempt is on top. The target image is on the bottom.

Project 3: Superimposition

This assignment was easier at first. I knew that I would be taking a picture of myself facing left. I opened the image of myself as well as the image of Frank and his dance partner (sorry, I don't know her name), and spaced them out so I could examine the two images. What I first did was use the magnetic lasso to trace my head. Since I placed myself over a white backdrop, it wasn't too hard for the lasso to decide where to place points. But, I wasn't completely pleased with this method, so I switched over to the pen tool and created a path around my head. This took a little getting used to, but I was much more successful with it than I was in the lesson. After closing my path, I loaded the path as a selection and dragged the image of my head to a new document where I could fine tune the edges. I then dragged my head to the image of Frank and used the transform-scale to size my head appropriately. I switched my head to black & white, and went into the layers function to increase the brightness of my head, so as to make the image a little more believable. I wasn't completely satisfied with my head in the image, so I used the warp option under transform to narrow my head in so that it was a little closer to the dimensions of Frank's. I then copied Frank's collar and placed it over my neck, so that it looked a little more like I was wearing his suit. From that piont, I flattened the image and was finished.

My one disappointment with this, was that I don't have as glossy of a forehead as Frank...yet. This made it less believable, because the light wasn't shining off my head like on his.

Overall though, I'm pretty satisfied with the final product.

Project 3: Selection Outline

I found that this assignment was pretty simple. I started out by using the polygonal lasso to create the "+" shape in the middle. While holding shift, I continued to create each square at the corners. I then used the inverse option so that I could work inside the "+". Continuing with the polygonal lasso I created the triangles. After that, I used the "M" keyboard shortcut to switch to the elliptical marquee tool and created the circle in the center. I again used the inverse option to switch my point of focus. While continuing to hold shift, I used the "K" keyboard shortcut to switch to the paint bucket and clicked inside one of the squares in the corner to fill in my color.

And there you have it.

Orientation Quiz

A. What is something that is going well in your life?
- I recently switched from a full-time employee at The Hanger, to a full-time student at UAS.

B. What are your specific goals for this class?
- To acquire skills in Photoshop, that will help me with my marketing degree.

C. What was your first experience with computers and imaging technology like?
- It was with Photoshop CS2 during my senior year in high school. I forgot everything I learned, because I had no means to retain my skills.

D. Do you usually work on a Mac or a PC and why?
- I grew up using Mac and have used nothing but for as long as I can remember.

E. What is your experience level with Photoshop or image editing programs?
- Novice.

F. What is something you liked about your day today?
- I finished moving into my apartment on campus.

G. How do you plan to use what you learn in this class?
- My plan is to develop skills that I can use later on in my career.

H. What would make this class go very well for you?
- If I didn't have to send my computer back to Apple to get fixed, tomorrow.

I. How do you plan to make this class go very well for you?
- I plan to regularly dedicate time to Photoshop and the features within it.

J. What do you do for creativity?
- I let my mind wander. I like to think of ways to improve on products in society.

K. Who are John and Thomas Knoll?
- The originators of the program Photoshop.

L. Do you own or have access to a color image scanner?
- Yes.