Homework #9 Masking with Calculations

Although the result looks similar to the text version, it was challenging to mask adequately; the final result of the hair looks a bit choppy. I could spend a whole class just perfecting the mask using overlay brushing technique.

Homework #11 Building Layered Compositions

This is an assignment from the text using masks, knockouts and luminance blending techniques.

Mid-Term Assignment

For the mid-term assignment I created a translucent collage using existing images. The graphics used (leaf background, deer, illustration of Henry David Thoreau) were taken from Google Images. The illustration of the cabin was created by Henry David Thoreau’s sister and was taken from http://www.cyberbee.com/henryhikes/thoreau.html. I created both text images.

I tried repeatedly to delete the black border. My intention was to create a “frame” around the image in a different color and pattern but I am not sure how to accomplish this.

I really enjoyed this project and having the opportunity to express creativity with some new skills.

Assignment #5: Basic Mask

This assignment involved basic mask techniques and placing the mask on a complimentary background. Please note my daughter doesn't really have a square head and I'm working on my technique!

Final: Magazine Cover

This mock magazine cover is the final project of the class. I chose this photograph that I took of my children at Gold Lake in the Lakes Basin area north of Lake Tahoe. The photograph quality was good, overall, however I created a mask for the mountains and the sky to improve the saturation and vibrancy and to deepen the sky color.

Assignment #10 Surrealism

This assignment applies some of the artistic treatment and masking skills learned in the class. After I completed this assignment I learned how to move objects to the back, which is what I should have done to the moon.

Assignment #6 Typography

This is the graphic I created for the typography assignment. The background graphic is from Bing.com images and the text is mine. I enjoyed working with some new tools to manipulate type in Photoshop, especially the pen and path selection tool.

Assignment #4 Retouching

For this assignment I scanned an original photo taken of me when I was eleven years old. I have always liked the photo content but was disappointed in the image quality; it’s overexposed, needs color correction, contrast and sharpening.

For the first correction I used the curves tool to change the overall exposure of the image. I used an auto correction feature which did a good job of making some adjustment to the color, giving the photo a subtler – more natural - green background. I then used the brighten/contrast function to sharpen the image, and then experimented with exposure to reduce the brightness in the foreground.

Although the resulting image is a major improvement over the original, I could further reduce the over exposure in the foreground.

Julie Fishing Original

Julie Fishing Retouched

Assignment #3: Duotone

In  this first challenging assignment, I transposed the furry fox onto the snowy winter scene and created a duo tone image. At this point I was very unskilled using the selection tool and the result is a very mangled-looking fox. Poor thing, if only I had mastered the magic wand and lasso tool earlier he wouldn't look like someone had used him for target practice!