Photoshop tools and technique used
In this photo manipulation assignment i've used quite a number of tools in photoshop in order to achieve the final result. These tools are use independently in a sequence or a combination of a few tools.
There are a few of the common tools used to work around photoshop software. One of them is the
selection tool which allow the me to select objects in layers and move the objects around Besides that, the
transform tool (ctrl+t) allows the me to scale, rotate, move and distort the image or object selected. In photoshop, it is always a good habit to organise the composition in
layers so that it is easier to make adjustment and selection for that particular object. Besides that, having objects in layers allow the me to apply special effect on that layers like adjustment on that layer to multiply, overlay, dissolve and etc. On top of that, i am able to also apply shadow, glow, outer line and etc. to that object using the layer technique.
Duplication and controlling the opacity of the layers also helps in creating different effect. In layer mode we can also
link or merge the layers to ease our movement or layer selection in photoshop. The
link function is to connect layers together while maintaining the same layers created. The
merge layers function is to combine the selected layers in to one new layers. Hence, these tools are the main important tools i used to control and composite the different images.
In order to produce creative and realistic composition, more tools are used to manipulate the images. One of them are the Lasso tool which allows me to make organic selection on the images. However, i find the
lasso tool not that precise and user friendly to achieve the fine cut output. Hence, i use the
pen tool to draw out the path that i wanted and then covert the path in to a selection tool. By doing this, I am able to make more precise and detailed selection.
Note: There are a few tricks and turn in using the pen tool. Basically, you need to activate the pen tool, then click once on the starting point and click twice at the second point hold and drag. You will see an arc is created with 2 handle tangent to the arc. To continue to the next point you need to hold down the alt and click on the second point to remove the tangent from the second point and continue to the 3rd new point. By making precise and detailed selection, it is easier to crop the image. To
crop the image i usually use the
cut (ctrl+x) and
paste (ctrl+v) to a new layer or new file. I only use the
crop tool when basic cropping in rectangle shape is required. Since it is a photo manipulation project, cropping is very important in order to compose the image in to a good composition.
One of the favourite tools that i love to use is the
Magic eraser tool. By clicking on background, it will delete the whole background and left only the object that you wanted. Sometimes, i use it not only one but a few time. However, it doesn't work on every composition. If it doesn't work, then i will proceed to the conventional way which is using the pen tool to draw out the selection path.
Sometimes, i had to use the
clone tool to nicely refine the bad area. This tool allows me to clone the good or desire part and paste it to the unwanted part. For example the picture frame for the Salvador Dali sign, it is by default a golden frame which cannot fit my sign. Scaling the frame would distort the frame design, hence, i crop the both end parts and extent the middle part. To extend the middle part i use the clone tool to clone out a longer frame.
When all these images are in place, effects and tweaks are applied to have a realistic final output. Some of the tools i used are the
burn tool which allows me to darken the image. The darken part can be define as the shadow, the folded area and hidden part.
Dodge tool allows me to brighten or highlight the image. I also used a little of the
blur tool. But i find blur tool don't have a balance blur control. Therefore, mostly in the composition i use
gaussian blur to soften the objects i wanted. For example: the sun light ray, from a drawn solid colour to a soft sunlight ray effect. Another example are the small little puffy flower puffs i created using a solid circle white colour and apply gaussian blur on the circle.
There are also some controls like the
colour balance tool used to readjust the colour of the objects. For example the image of Salvador Dali. most of the pictures found of him are in black and white. Hence, i have to tweak the colour using colour balance tool to green to suit my composition.
I have also use the
liquify tool to adjust the image. For example the skull that i found by default wasn't scary enough. Hence, by using liquify, i manage to tweak the features of the skull to a more scary expression.
One of the filter i used is the
sketch filter with charcoal and chalk style to give a finishing touch for the whole charcoal drawing feel. Since, i wanted the whole picture to look like a charcoal drawing style i have to merge all the layers together then apply this filter so that all objects will be filtered.
Some other simple tools i use include also the
paint brush tool, text tool, colour picker tool, Gradient, paint bucket and layer mask. The
brush tool enable me to custom draw some element in the composition like the grass in the scene and the mustache on the baby. Besides that, i also
downloaded some ready made
brushes for the blood on the skull so that i can use the ready made brushes to paint the blood on the skull. The
Text tool enable me to type the words in the composition.
Colour picker tool will allow me to pick the colour in the composition to match the new colour that i am about to fill in.
Gradient paint allows me to create an acceding or descending of 2 colors for the background for example the blue sky with a gradient of light blue to white.
Layer mask enable me to mask out a layer with a combination of another layer.
In conclusion, in creating the composition of these 5 images i used quite a lot of combination of tools in order to achieve the final output. It takes time and patient to complete the composition however i find it fun and i feel satisfied after completing each composition.
The first idea was to have a grave yard scene to potrait salvador dali's late brother. However i find the its rather too direct. Hence, i came out with another idea.
The first sketch idea i had in mind was to portrait salvador dali as a horse running wild freely. Distorting the body shape, manipulating the front body to the back and back body to front indicating that he is able to do anything freely before the arrival of his sister which is the butterfly.
To portrait Salvador Dali affection to torturing, i decided to use skull and blood to portrait him.
To portrait Salvador Dali's first exhibition, i decided to use a staircase showing the step by step of heading to his dream and within the stair case displaying a miniature of people and paintings.
The cocoon in the image represent Salvador's new life and the female leg represent his mother which gave a huge impact on him after she pass away with breast cancer. I decided to manipulate the cocoon showing Salvador's Dali head sticking out of it to show that he is ready for a new life ahead.
