JessicaFisher
2
For this assignment in week 9, I was asked to use Photoshop Elements to create an image using multiple layers. We were to use a distinct background and only change or add a few small things in the photo. I knew that I wanted to use my enhanced swan photo from week 7. I have always loved this swan because of his quizzical expression, but the original background was boring and consumed the swan. I wanted to place him somewhere more beautiful and fitting of his majestic qualities. Using the lasso tool, I cut out the swan and placed him into a sunset background that I found on National Geographic’s website. I then darkened the swan, changed the coloring and the opacity so that it meshed better with the sunset background. I also made sure that I kept the shadow that was underneath the original swan and that the sun in the background photos is in a similar place as the original photo, so that shadows are somewhat consistent. Although this was a nice image, it was lacking, so I decided to use more layers to add different element of what I think should be in a sunset photo. I cut the birds, sailboat and baby swans out of more National Geographic photos using the lasso, cut, paste and layers tools. I feel that the other subjects create interesting points with the swan at the center. I think that this is a nice work and I like that the swan looks potentially out of place or ghostly. The work fails on an artistic level for several reasons. One is that the other added elements of the photo do not fit in the background or look as if they belong. Second reason why I don’t consider this an artistic work is because it is not unified and the subjects are not very interesting. What is centrally missing that that there are no technical photography skills that were used in creating this, other than the basic knowledge of Photoshop. The only artistic element is interest in the subject swan and that the viewer will take a few looks before they realize that swans don’t really belong in the ocean. Most of all, in order for me to call something I create “artistic,” I have to actually create all elements of the work, not just one or some. While I don’t think that this is a work of art, I enjoyed creating it for this assignment.
2
For this assignment in week 9, I was asked to use Photoshop Elements to create an image using multiple layers. We were to use a distinct background and only change or add a few small things in the photo. I knew that I wanted to use my enhanced swan photo from week 7. I have always loved this swan because of his quizzical expression, but the original background was boring and consumed the swan. I wanted to place him somewhere more beautiful and fitting of his majestic qualities. Using the lasso tool, I cut out the swan and placed him into a sunset background that I found on National Geographic’s website. I then darkened the swan, changed the coloring and the opacity so that it meshed better with the sunset background. I also made sure that I kept the shadow that was underneath the original swan and that the sun in the background photos is in a similar place as the original photo, so that shadows are somewhat consistent. Although this was a nice image, it was lacking, so I decided to use more layers to add different element of what I think should be in a sunset photo. I cut the birds, sailboat and baby swans out of more National Geographic photos using the lasso, cut, paste and layers tools. I feel that the other subjects create interesting points with the swan at the center. I think that this is a nice work and I like that the swan looks potentially out of place or ghostly. The work fails on an artistic level for several reasons. One is that the other added elements of the photo do not fit in the background or look as if they belong. Second reason why I don’t consider this an artistic work is because it is not unified and the subjects are not very interesting. What is centrally missing that that there are no technical photography skills that were used in creating this, other than the basic knowledge of Photoshop. The only artistic element is interest in the subject swan and that the viewer will take a few looks before they realize that swans don’t really belong in the ocean. Most of all, in order for me to call something I create “artistic,” I have to actually create all elements of the work, not just one or some. While I don’t think that this is a work of art, I enjoyed creating it for this assignment.