Photoshop Photo

The point of this project was to show off our skills in Photoshop. Over the past weeks in school, we learned how to use many different techniques to use to manipulate photos. Some techniques we learned how to use are gradient tools, photo filters, de-saturating, color layering, copy and pasting, and blending. So the point of this assignment was to manipulate a photo using the techniques we learned properly.

To achieve my final photograph, I used these techniques. First to start off my process I duplicated the imaged. Then I de-saturated it or made it black and white by creating a new gradient layer and using the gradient map to achieve the value I desired. After, I wanted to isolate the lady bug by putting it in color. I did this by using the eraser, to erase the black and white and make the ladybug its original color. To create the pinkish hue in the left corner of the picture, I then created another layer and using the gradient tool I made a gradient with my desired color. The lady bug in black and white in the bottom right corner is not in my original picture. I found this picture on the internet and blended that image to my main image. To be able to blend it, I changed the sizes of both pictures to the same size then chose apply image. To make my final effect on my picture I chose darken in the layer pull down box. It darkened my photo and kept my blended image black and white. With those effects I was able to create this picture.

I learned a lot from this assignment. I learned how to use the techniques I listed above very well. I feel as if I am more confident in my Photoshop skills now. I think that this photo doesn’t show to much about my photography. I feel like that I would better and my pictures come out better with no manipulation. Photoshop isn’t my strongest area in photography, so I think it decreases the quality of my photos.

Even though I may not be fond of Photoshop, I think by doing this assignment I do think different. I feel like if I don’t take the greatest photo I could change it in Photoshop to make it a good photo. Now my initial thought is that with Photoshop I can turn an ordinary image into something more.

Some elements I used are emphasis, color, value, and rule of thirds. Emphasis and color are shown in the ladybug and so if the rule of thirds. The rest of the image shows value because it is black and white. When a viewers looks at my image I want them to think of a ladybug up close and how pretty it can be. I want them to get 2 different senses of ladybugs especially when they look at the blended photo in the right corner. I think the most powerful point in the image is the red lady bug. And when a viewer’s eye sees it, I want her to think of how cool the lady bug looks.