Digital Photography and Imaging - Weekly post（lecture）

 Digital Photography and Imaging - Weekly post（lecture）

21/4/2025-25/7/2025（week1-week14）

Yuan Xiao Yue ,0367988

Digital Photography and Imaging 

Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

Lecture：

Week 1:

Adobe Photoshop is a popular choice among professionals such as graphic designers and web designers for its powerful and versatile features. It plays a key role in the fields of graphic design and digital photography and is one of the most commonly used tools in the creative industry.

Learning Photoshop is essential for anyone working in fields such as graphic design, web design, or user experience. It is also extremely valuable for those working in actual marketing, as visual content plays a vital role in communication and branding.

Week 2:

1. Basic Composition：

Focus: An excellent composition should be able to attract the audience's attention at the first time and quickly guide their attention.

Proportion and hierarchy: By adjusting the proportion of elements, you can effectively guide or divert the line of sight, thereby creating a sense of hierarchy in the picture.

Element balance: Each element in the picture has its own "weight". By reasonably distributing these weights, an asymmetrical but harmonious balance effect can be achieved.

White space: Appropriate white space can not only avoid the picture from appearing cluttered, but also highlight the visual focus, making the composition more concise and powerful.

2. Rules of Third：

The rule of thirds is a composition method that uses two horizontal lines and two vertical lines to divide the picture into nine areas. Placing important elements at the four intersections can make the picture more natural and harmonious.

The horizon can be placed on the upper or lower horizontal line to enhance beauty and balance.

3. Golden Ratio：

This is a kind of beauty expressed through harmony and proportion. The golden ratio has a high artistic value in design, and its ratio is approximately 1:1.618.

Week 3：

1. Understand the interface of Photoshop and some basic functions, such as selection and layers.

2. Tool Box：

Photoshop's toolbox contains multiple tool sets that can be expanded to show more tools.

·Lasso Tool:

The Lasso Tool allows you to freely draw a selection outline to isolate a specific part of an image, which is particularly useful for users who enjoy sketching or photo editing.

Once you select the Lasso Tool from the toolbar, you will see three options: Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, and Magnetic Lasso.

The tool works best with a drawing tablet, which provides smoother, more natural control than a mouse or trackpad.

·Pen Tool ：

The Pen Tool is commonly used to create paths by placing and dragging anchor points. Fewer points result in smoother curves. 

There are four main path types created with the Pen Tool: straight lines, U-shaped curves, simple S-curves, and complex S-curves. 

We watched tutorial videos to learn how to use the tool and understand its practical applications.

·Magic Wand Tool:

We also learned how to use the Magic Wand Tool. Simply click on the image to automatically select the target area. By adjusting the "Tolerance" value, you can more accurately control the selection range and obtain a more ideal selection effect.

3. Layers:

A layer is a whole picture composed of multiple images stacked together in sequence. Each layer can be adjusted separately without affecting other parts.

The advantage of using layers is that non-destructive editing can be achieved. While retaining the original image, the modifications and additions to the image will be saved as independent layers. This makes post-editing more flexible and safer.

Week 4：

1. Adjustment Layer:

In Photoshop, adjustment layer is a very practical non-destructive image editing tool that can flexibly adjust the color and tone of an image without directly modifying the image pixels. You can edit and discard your adjustments or restore your original image at any time.

BRIGHTNESS / CONTRAST：The Brightness slider adjusts the brightness of the lighter areas of the image, while the Contrast slider increases or decreases the contrast in the shadow areas of the image.

LEVEL：The Levels tool changes the overall tonal distribution and contrast of an image by adjusting the levels of the shadows, midtones, and highlights.

CURVES：The Curves tool lets you freely adjust multiple points across the entire tonal range of an image, allowing for more refined and flexible tonal control.

EXPOSURE：The Exposure adjustment layer provides three sliders: Exposure, Offset, and Gamma, which are used to adjust different brightness areas of the image.

Exposure mainly affects the highlights of the image, Offset is used to adjust the mid-tones, and Gamma is specifically used to adjust the brightness of the dark areas.

SELECTIVE COLOR：The Selective Color adjustment layer lets you adjust the composition of specific primary colors in an image without affecting other colors, giving you finer color control.

2. Filters：

Filters are one of the essential features in Adobe image editing tools. They can be used to adjust colors, add blur effects, or create a variety of unique image visual effects. Photoshop provides an almost unlimited variety of filters to meet diverse creative needs.

Week 5：

Double Exposure & Image Blending Mode：

Double exposure is a photography technique that combines multiple images, often used in silhouette-style creations. It uses the silhouette of the subject to create a surreal, emotional or humorous visual effect.

1. Using the Tilt-Shift Effect：

You can apply a blur effect to a photo or specific details in it. To do this, tap Filter > Blur Gallery > Tilt-Shift. This effect blurs part of a photo to give it a soft, artistic look.

2. Create fake reflection：

There are several ways to create a reflection effect, one of which is to use a separate photo of the window using a double exposure technique.

3. Experiment with simple portraits and details textured ：

Superimposing simple portraits with rich texture details can not only enhance the expressiveness of the picture, but also create a sense of visual balance. This is an effective way to enhance the effect of plain photos. Combining simplicity with complexity can bring a more layered visual experience.

4. Convert your results to Black & White：

Reducing the color saturation can enhance the emotional expression of double exposure images. Converting the image to black and white not only helps to highlight the depth of emotion, but also creates an artistic texture similar to film photography, making the picture more touching.

5. Work with silhouette：

Silhouettes are a common way to achieve double exposure effects and are often used in this type of creation. Not only is it easy to use, but it also inspires unlimited creative potential. You can try shooting the silhouette of yourself, others, or any object that interests you to create a unique composite image.

6. Pick two random photo：

"A random process does not mean meaningless."

Try to combine two seemingly unrelated photos into a double exposure, which often inspires unexpected visual narratives and artistic surprises. This method is not only an effective means to stimulate creativity, but also often brings satisfactory results. Many amazing double exposure works are born in such accidents, showing the infinite possibilities of creativity.

7. Make simple objects look fascinating：

Double exposure can inject new meaning into ordinary photos and make everyday things present a fantastic visual effect. This creative method greatly stimulates our imagination and creativity.

By integrating the outlines of certain objects in the picture with other scenes, it not only enriches the image content, but also makes the work more imaginative and expressive.

8. Use Shadow：

Any form of silhouette is an ideal element for double exposure photography, and shadows also have strong expressiveness and imagination. In this kind of creation, both silhouettes and shadows can become powerful tools for constructing visual effects and emotional expression.

Blend Modes：

The use of blending modes is full of exploration, because the final effect is often unpredictable. Therefore, constant trial and adjustment is a necessary process. This uncertainty is the source of creativity, allowing you to discover unique visual expressions in experiments.

Guidelines for using blending modes:

1. Select layer 1 (fire) above the background (musicians)

2. Go to the blending mode options

3. Select "Screen"

4. All pixels on the fire will have the Screen blending mode selected.

Week 6：

1. Poster Design

The basic principles of design are: emphasis, balance and alignment, contrast, repetition, proportion, movement and white space.

• The 7 principles of poster design:

(1). Emphasis:

Highlight the visual focus of the design and guide the viewer to pay attention to the most important information at first glance, such as the title or theme.

(2). Balance:

Maintain the visual stability of the picture, and distribute the weight of elements in a symmetrical or asymmetrical way.

(3). Alignment:

All elements should have a clear alignment relationship to make the layout neat, improve professionalism and readability.

(4). Contrast：

Use differences in color, size, shape, etc. to highlight the key points and enhance visual appeal.

(5). Repetition：

Repeatedly use the same elements such as fonts, colors or graphics to form consistency and brand recognition.

(6). Proportion：

Control the size relationship between elements to ensure that the primary and secondary are clear and enhance the visual hierarchy.

(7). Movement & White Space：

Use visual guidance to create rhythm and movement, and use reasonable white space to enhance the rhythm and breathing of the design.

Week 7：

Color Theory:

Color theory is the study and practice of how colors are used and perceived. It explores the science behind human color perception as well as the ways in which colors convey artistic and emotional meaning.

RGB v.s CMYK:

Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) are the primary colors used in printing processes.

RGB colour, on the other hand, is used for displaying images on digital screens such as computers and phones.

RGB: Additive color mixing model：

Colour is produced by combining red, green, and blue light at different intensity levels.

Devices like TVs, monitors, and projectors use red, green, and blue (RGB) as their primary colours for displaying images.

CMYK: Subtractive color mixing model：

Colour is formed through the subtraction of light.

The CMYK colour model is the standard system used in printing processes.

Hue, shade, tint and tone:

Hue is the most basic aspect of color and represents the actual color of an object. Shade is created by adding black to hue - for example, red plus black makes a dark red. Tint is created by adding white to hue - for example, red plus white makes a pink. Tone is created by adding black and white (or gray) to hue and can make a color appear softer.

Color Harmony:

The organization of colours in a design to create the most visually appealing and effective experience for the viewer.

Monochromatic:

Monochromatic color schemes are easy to work with and rarely result in unpleasant or clashing combinations.

Analogous:

Analogous color schemes consist of three colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel. Typically, one of these colours is dominant while the others support it.

Complementary:

Complementary colours are positioned opposite each other on the colour wheel.Unlike analogous or monochromatic schemes, complementary combinations are designed to create strong contrast. They make visuals stand out, but excessive use can become visually overwhelming.

Split-Complementary:

A split-complementary color scheme uses three colours: you begin with one base colour, then identify its complementary colour, and finally select the two colours adjacent to that complement on the colour wheel.

Triadic:

Triadic colours are evenly distributed around the colour wheel and are known for their vibrant and lively appearance.

This type of colour scheme provides a balance of visual contrast and harmony at the same time.

The Psychology of Color:

Colours have a remarkable power to evoke distinct emotions in individuals while also capturing attention and creating a sense of harmony. Although colour perception can be subjective, certain effects tend to carry universally recognized meanings.

Warm V.S Cool:

By drawing a line through the center of the colour wheel, you can divide it into warm colours—such as reds, oranges, and yellows—and cool colours—like blues, greens, and purples.

Warm colours:

Warm colours often convey emotions such as happiness, energy, and optimism. However, shades like red, yellow, and orange can also grab attention and suggest urgency or warning — as seen in stop signs, hazard labels, or caution tape.

Cool colours:

Cool colours tend to have a calming and soothing effect, though they can also evoke feelings of sadness or melancholy.

Purple blends the calmness of blue with the intensity of red, making it a colour often associated with creativity and imagination.

Black:

Black is typically used in moderation, such as for text, but it can also function effectively as a dominant colour — for example, in backgrounds. It adds a sense of elegance, sophistication, mystery, and bold confidence.

White:

As a primary color, white creates a clean, pure, and healthy feeling. It is versatile and pairs well with almost any other color, making it ideal for use as a secondary or supporting color in a design.

REFERENCE:

1. Title:The fundamentals of understanding color theory

Link:https://99designs.com/blog/tips/the-7-step-guide-to-understanding-color-theory/

2. Title: An Easy Approach to Color Theory in Graphic Design

Link: https://medium.com/gravitdesigner/an-easy-approach-to-color-theory-and-graphic-design-8b9287c95e42

3. Title: 12 colours and the emotions they evoke

Link: https://www.creativebloq.com/web-design/12-colours-and-emotions-they-evoke-61515112

4. Title: Influence with Design – A Guide to Color and Emotions

Link: https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/colors-and-emotions

Week 9：

Realism Versus Surrealism:

Realism:

Realism focuses on real, ordinary themes in everyday life, which we call "reality". It emphasizes showing the original appearance of life and avoids using fantasy or unconventional expressions. The content of the works is usually plain and easy to understand, and unconventional thinking is not encouraged because "unreality" is not its focus.

Surrealism: 

Surrealism is an extension and distortion of realism. It explores the subconscious world and emphasizes dreamlike images and illogical combinations. Surrealism often challenges the audience's cognition with scenes that seem real but cannot exist, and is considered a form of "super reality". It is influenced by Freud's subconscious theory and the rebellious spirit of Dadaism. Representative artists such as Salvador Dalí are famous for their strange images and free associations. Surrealism is not only an artistic style, but also a cultural movement used to express the artist's subjective feelings and inner world. Today, in the digital age, surrealism has become one of the most popular styles in digital art.

Dadaism: 

Dadaism is an anti-war art movement characterized by irony, absurdity and meaninglessness. It challenges the seriousness and rationality of traditional art, emphasizes chaos, illogicality and improvisation, and has become the predecessor of many modern art schools.

Surrealist Creation Steps:

Sketch:

Grab a pen and paper or a digital tablet and sketch out the scene in your mind. It doesn't need to be detailed, just express the core concept and composition.

Find reference images:

Collect images related to your idea to help you more clearly turn your imagination into reality.

Does it "look real"? :

Successful surrealist works often "seem real but can't exist". They should be visually convincing, but contain the paradox of unreality.

Be bold and keep improving:

Every time you challenge a new idea, it is an opportunity for technical growth. Don't give up because of fear of failure, otherwise you will lose the opportunity to learn.

Conclusion:

With the help of digital tools such as Photoshop, creating surreal images has become easier than ever. Just mastering basic image synthesis and masking techniques can create highly impactful surreal images. The key is to keep practicing, bravely try, and explore the fantasy world of the subconscious with an open mind.

REFERENCE:

1. Incorporating Surrealism Concepts into Your Digital Artwork:

https://bit.ly/3xjCmTf

2. Surrealism art and literature:

https://www.britannica.com/art/Surrealism

3. Creating Surrealism in Photoshop:

https://creativepro.com/creating-surrealism-in-photoshop/

4. What is Dadaism, Dada Art, or a Dadaist?: https://magazine.artland.com/what-is-dadaism/

Salvador Dalí Spanish artist: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Salvador-Dali

Instructions：

Reflection：

Through this course, I mastered the core tools and image processing techniques of Photoshop, such as layer management, selection tools, blending modes, adjustment layers and filter effects, which laid a solid technical foundation for me. At the same time, the course content covers composition principles (such as the rule of thirds, golden ratio, white space) and color theory (RGB and CMYK, color schemes, color psychology), which made me more logical and professional in visual expression.

In double exposure and collage exercises, I learned how to integrate image elements to enhance the level of the picture and emotional tension; in surrealist creation, I tried to reorganize daily materials and explore visual scenes that "seemingly real but cannot exist", which expanded my imagination and narrative ability.

This course not only improved my design skills, but also made me understand the aesthetic judgment and conceptual thinking behind the creation. Every attempt and adjustment deepened my understanding of visual language and made me more confident to face more complex creative challenges in the future.