Assignment 9

File Sizes - JPEG image = 303 KB, GIF 256 colours = 834 KB, PNG 24 = 2.086 MB. JPEG file chosen for use in web production as much smaller (almost 1/3 size of GIF) than other two formats. 

Design Format - Background colours representing space or oceans (blue) and green rim (earth) were chosen. Photos relating to practical, everyday ways to help the environment were included in the inne rim while photos representing factors relating to government (city council), education (school sign), industry (recycled paper compliant with sustainable forestry practices) and earth's natural resources (tree) were placed outside the rim. I played around with layer effects but decided to hold off until I've learnt more about how to use it properly. I could not quite get the drop shadow effect I wanted.

Below is my first draft at the image design. 

Revised Image - radial gradient applied.

Resubmitted with attention to design aspects such as hierarchy, flow and colour consistency. All photos in circular area and underlying shape pattern over them used to indicate their relative similar importance. However, the bigger images attract nore attention but I  hoped to balance that out by where I placed them. I think I'm getting there.

Assignment 8 - Cert III Media

Detailed Image - File size is 4.59 MB

Simple Image - File size is 3.93 MB

Why is file size different? File size is greater in the more detailed image than the simpler image because while the camera used has captured the same number of pixels for both images, there are a greater number of bytes used to encode each pixel in the detailed image. A greater number of bytes are needed in the more detailed image as there is more detail, greater colour and tonal range and greater transitions. File size is determined by the total number of pixels x total number of bytes used to encode each pixel.

How does this influence the way you take photos if your brief requires relatively small file size? What sort of backgrounds should you consider if your client needs small files?

For small file size you would aim to use background of one solid colour with no features (i.e. detailed patterns or markings) or colour gradients (especially multiple colour gradients), tones or blurred edges. Neighbouring pixels need to be as uniform as possible.

City Car - A suitable background for a shot of a modern " city car " that had to go into a web advertisement may be a plain white background which is colour-matched to the white of the car (minimise tonal range further). This would be aesthetically pleasing given the black in the car body would contrast nicely. A solid red or green or blue background would also be suitable. Note large, featureless background compress better (i.e. less bytes needed to encode each pixel)

Unsuitable backgrounds may include backgrounds made up of lots of different types of colours, colour hues and tones and having lots of detail such as background made up of of paisley patterns or a tree with lots of leaves of different colours. Finally, for a retro car advertisement, a minimalist background would be more suited to the product.

Assignment 7

Assignment 7 - Took some creative licence to use my favourite running shoes instead of me as the clone. I'll try next time to use the Edit - align images option for creating a layered effect. I see now I should have adjusted the exposure separately for the last shoe in the series. Still, my skills are increasing.

Resubmitted Image - I realise that because I tend to enlarge the image when I am working on it in PS that I overlook the kerning effect. I'll ask you about how -other than by looking at the text - one can accurately assess the distance between letters. It's not that obvious to me when letters are irregularly spaced apart. You can see I have still not got the light to be authentic on the individual pairs of shoes. Not for lack of trying!

Assignment 6 - Cert III Media Digital Imaging

Assignment 6  Despite the help, this was a huge struggle. Shadows and highlights not right. Will have to revise layer effects. what a relief to submit this.

Resubmitted Image - Image with back window panel adjusted and side panel improved some what as requested. I'll practice "tidying up" my images. Just give me a bit more time.

Assignment 5 - Using Adjustment Layers Cert III Media

Image 1 - Photo taken at 1.00 pm. Image in original photo (above) appears "flatter"and dull. There is less contrast between highlights and shadows with an overall predominance of darker colours. The image below has had three adjustment layers applied to it which has significantly increased its vibrancy, contrast and appeal. The grey flat tones in the original image has been replaced with "warmer" red hues. 

I note when comparing the original to the adjusted image, the edges of the lines marking steps, pavement edges are sharper in the original image. The adjustment image may have benefited from some sharpening of line edges. However, more details have been revealed in the tonally corrected/adjusted image due to the overall lightening up of shadows. 

Process for applying adjustment layers to this image included:

- Levels adjustment layer applied - the histogram for the original image revealed that most of the pixels were clustered on the left of the histogram.There were less pixels distributed at the right end of the histogram. I moved the arrow slightly from the left. 

- Vibrance adjustment layer applied - moved cursor from 0 to +100 to create greater intensity
- Curves adjustment layer applied - after fiddling around with moving the combined curve up and down, I left it at its present curve and instead adjusted the blue and green curves down a little and moved the red curve up a little. This made the photo look less "washed out".
Hue/Saturation - moved both the hue and saturation cursors from 0 to +12

I thought tonal correction definitely enhanced this image by adding vibrancy and detail.

Image 2 - Photo taken around 07.00 am. Easy to see why it is generally recommended to take photos at this time of the day! The adjustment layer levels histogram showed information was more evenly spread across the shadows, midtones and highlights tonal range of the above original photo than compared with the equivalent original histogram of image 1 which was taken at 1.00 pm.

I have added two tonally corrected photos. Both corrected photos were cropped and the last image attached was also rotated.

Process used for tonal correction of the first corrected image included:

1. Adjustment layer levels - Moved the far left arrow on the histogram slightly to the right to increase contrast. 

2. Adjustment layer vibrance - moved the cursor from 0 to +35 to enhance vibrance

3. Adjustment layer curves - minor upward move in the curve to increase brightness. 

4. Adjustment layer hue/saturation - Hue moved from 0 to +4 and saturation moved from 0 to + 21

Process for tonal correction of the 2nd corrected image included:

1. Adjustment layer levels - Moved the far right arrow from 225 yo 208

2. Adjustment layer Black/White - applied to the whole image. Applied mask area to selected lassoed areas to return original colours

3. Adjustment layer vibrance- cursor moved from 0 to +64 

What I thought about the process: I thought the original image was pretty good but after comparing it to the tonally corrected/adjusted images, I appreciate that using tonal correction can add vibrancy, contrast and excitement/interest to photos. I was aiming for a surreal vibe to the black and white image but did not succeed entirely - too domestic a shot or perhaps more imaginative tonal correction was called for.

I definitely think that tonal correction enhanced the original low light image. The adjustment layers can be applied together to create the best effects but the Levels and Curves and Vibrance layers are my pick for being the most effective at getting improved tonal correction to images. 

Assignment 4 Cert III Online Media Cropped Images

Task 1 - Crop to emphasise something. Played around with colour adjustments. It looks a bit surreal now. Colour theme for this series is "off white" or more like "dirty white".

Task 2 Move main subject "off white ball" out of centre.

Task 3 - Move from horizontal to vertical aspect and add text

Task 4 - Crop to create space for text. The beautiful, pristine "off white" sands of this beach located near Bridport looked much better without the motley crew of wind-blown visitors. The crop boundaries were easy to select i.e. remove the people, let nature's beauty stand uninterrupted. I could not figure out how to delete the blue text.  Another PS lesson needed!  

Task 4 Use Perspective tool to refocus. Bad photograph I realise but this raw photo had all the wrong angles going for it.

Assignment 3 Cert III Online Media Scanned Image

Saturday morning craft - The story so far....chaos had reigned, cries had been heard and stress had ruled the day. Saturday mornings to be more precise. That is until the craft tools decided to take action. They marshaled the troops and together went into bat. 

Fast forward and peace had finally been restored on Saturday mornings. Instead of belligerent, baying toddlers, calm was magically restored one helpful snip, glue, tape, paste and paint brush at a time. Yes, the craft tools have occupied the little minds and hands of the world and have brought much needed respite to those busy working parents trying desperately to snatch a moment  of peace on the most hallowed of mornings in the week ...Saturday morning. Craft tools - we salute you!