Photoshop Reflection

Overview

For this project, we were to use photoshop for various different designs. Some included deleting objects from a picture, and some included adding objects to a picture. We went through a series of tutorial videos and created several different designs. I learned how to navigate through the different layers, use the marquee and magic wand tool, and also use adjustment layers to edit the final photo.

What Did I Learn?

I learned that, by putting a certain layer on top of the others, it would show up on top of the final photo. Also, renaming the initial layer "Layer 0" changed its settings from a background layer to a normal layer where you could edit at will. This became very important later on in the design, as I would need to edit that exact layer. I also learned about the magic wand tool, which came in handy quite often. To use it, you would click on a certain object you wanted to select and it would "magically" select it based off the smart selection. At that point, I would be able to edit that object and move it around. Finally, I learned about the adjustment layers. You could change the color, brightness, saturation, etc. of the specific layer. This became important because it added contrast and made the photo better looking overall.

Favorite Tool

Magic wand. All the way. This tool pretty much does all the work for you! Let me explain why it will be useful later on: if I am working on a project that requires me to mask out the rest of the background but keep the center object, I will just select the object with the magic wand tool instead of selecting it by hand. It is that easy!

Strengths/Weaknesses

My strengths would include navigating through the layers and using the magic wand tool. However, I found it somewhat difficult to edit an individual layer as well as find everything Photoshop (tools, panels, etc.). I definitely think once I become more familiar with the program I will remember where everything is at.

Different/Same

One thing I would do differently is make the edge (above) cleaner where the sky meets the father's head because it looks a little dark compared to the rest of the sky. I would also make the blue shirt (above) cleaner because it still looks a little rough after removing the logo. Some things I could stand to keep the same are the removal of the logo on the surfboard, removal of dots on the white wall (with the man to the right of the picture) and removal of the flecks of mud on the kid's face (left above). The removals don't take away from the photo and actually add more to it in a sense. The photos look cleaner and more professional with the adjustments.

Summary

Overall, I think the course went pretty well, although I had a few problems with photoshop along the way. I think the designs could use some improvement but the general idea is there. We are also given the task to create a design using five or so images and this is what I came up with:

Procedures Video

Overview

The objective of the project was to create a video highlighting procedures of some sort. We were to create a 30 second to a minute video. I worked with Dylan and Jake to create a video about what and what not to do in Mr. Cooper's class.

Process

First, we created a storyboard with the different shots, mostly of which were over the shoulder. The idea was to make a shot of what NOT to do in Mr. Cooper's class, and then another very similar shot glorifying what TO do in Mr. Cooper's class. We grabbed a camera and started shooting right a way in the sound room with the soundboard. We were able to shoot every scene in a timely manner, adjusting the white balance and iris along the way. Then, post-production was next. I used Adobe Premiere Pro to edit the 1 minute video. I placed an X on the shots of what NOT to do, and a check mark on what TO do. I also did a little color grading and brightened the video up a bit. The video took 16 minutes to render!

I Learned.

I learned how to use the white balance settings on the camera as well as the iris. I also learned about zooming in on the Panasonic camera. The real gain of the project was that I got more comfortable with Adobe Premiere. I was able to find all the effects and sift through the project timeline easier than  last year. I worked with Dylan and Jake, so we all came up with suggestions along the way to improve the shots (i.e. what if we did this?).

Improvement

Some things to stay the same in the video would be the music and the sound effects as well as the graphics because they add to the story. As for improvement, I could have used a tripod to stabilize the shots. I was trying to go for more of a sitcom type of camera movement, but this is not what the project was asking for. I could also brighten up the shots more and could stand to not zoom in but instead have several more different shots. 

Next Project

I will use the added skills I have acquired from using Adobe Premiere for the next project I have. I will also use a tripod as well as spend more time on the storyboard. Finally, I will draw up more shots to make the next video more interesting. 

Overall

I feel like we did a pretty good job.... or at least for our first video. There are definitely things to be improved upon though. One major thing would be the use of a tripod, as well as more storyboarding. I look forward to the next project and can't wait to get started!