Photo Manipulation Assignment

Photo Manipulation

I was excited for this project as I love taking pictures and creating different effects on them. A favourite editing tool of mine is Picnik, which I was introduced to through facebook, I decided to use it for this assignment.

Of the two photographs’ I took, the first has great meaning to me, and I wanted it to reflect my own reflection of that experience. The picture was taken in Las Vegas, Nevada, one of my favourite places and best experiences of my life, There is a certain energy, a life-pulsing air that as invigorating as its attractions, this is the message I hoped to bring forth. In order to create a dreamlike feel, I used "heart’s desire" to create a focal point around me and to give the background a hazy, surreal effect( focal size: 87%, fade: 21%). By doing this it was my intention to draw the viewer into my emotions at that time. I also used "vignette" to give contrast to the overall bright photo, and around the border a "golden glow," which exudes the atmosphere that I remember from Las Vegas. (Size: 70, strength: 40%, colour: yellow-gold, fade: 64%). I decided to use text on this photo to reiterate my message, and because there weren’t any blatant icons of Vegas present, although the photo was taken of the Mirage fountains. The font I used was "Olhol de Boi" which was designed by Billy Argel, this font is both exciting and glamourous, very fitting to emotion of the photo. The last effect I chose was to cross-process the photo, which promoted the dreamlike feel, by highlighting the water, creating a glistening, glossy picture. Overall, I think the editing really conveyed the emotion of that memory and the excitement of Las Vegas.

For the second photograph, I edited a picture of coral taken at Fishbones Restaurant in Detroit, Michigan, from one of their massive aquariums. Fishbone’s is acclaimed for their towering waterfall and extensive aquarium, I’d strongly suggest a visit, if you are ever in the area. This most striking aspect of this photo is the colours and textures of the different coral. Which is what attracted me most to editing it. I deiced to change the temperature to 85 because of the cool tones of the photo, which accentuated the central coral. I also changed the saturation to 67% to give a dramatic contrast between coral and it’s surroundings, looking as most fluorescent glow. After going through many more effects I tried inverting the colours, due to the editing style of this photo it differs very greatly from the first. This picture can be used commercially, in many areas including home decor, fashion, advertisements etc. Whereas the first is the treasuring of a memory accentuating it’s existing qualities. This project showed me the various differences editing can have on the final production, and how one image can be taken across such a broad spectrum. It also helped me view photographs more attentively, wondering about each detail, and how far it had come from it’s origins.

The role of portraits in the early days of photography and portraits today

What are the main differences and similarities between portraits in the early days of photography and portraits today?

Some of the similarities between photography today and in the early stages of it's birth are that the most popular subjects are still people, landscape and food. Though earlier photography was mainly for portraits of people. For the most part I believe photography now and then are quite alien from one another. Currently, there is a multitude of technological advancements such as digital cameras, editing software, lighting equipment etc. Also, artists today use every angle imaginable, and have more going on in the image, whetherr it be a particular editing style, theme, or subjects, we are very creative and are always pushing the envelope. Another huge difference is that now, anyone can take a picture, and quite often they are used as means of communication across the globe, like albums on facebook or images sold on flicker, photography is everywhere.

Who was the photographer and who was the subject of photographs in the past and today?

In the 19th century, photography was mainly used for portraits of nobility, and usually the subjects were limited to humans.The photographers were hired by nobility and were few. Today any subject you can think of has an image available somewhere, as there is a high demand for images for advertisement, which can range from toothpaste to an apple. Basically anything goes. Anyone  can take a picture, and very many do, which is why cameras are so popular, everyday people use them to express themselves and captures moments to remember.

What was the impact of technology on the portraits in the past and today?

Technology has truly changed portraits from the past into something completely different today. Before a picture was what it was, yes you could utilize the best lighting possible, apply make-up etc.But, today you can literally change anything and everything about a portrait. This is very common in magazine editing, where the picture of a women like the one above has been altered to change the shape of their body, to fit what is considered acceptable or the ultimate attainment. This picture of Jessica Alba shows how far photographers go to achieve "perfection", as in my opinion she is absolutely stunning already in the untouched photo.Technology in a way has perverted our perception of the "ideal" body image. People look at advertisements and see the "perfect" body or face and want to achieve that, although the subject in the picture in reality doesn't even look like that.