In this workshop we were experimenting with two ideas of photo editing to produce a video. The software used was 'Processing' and Photoshop.
First of all we used a digital camera and tripod to capture portraits of each group member. The lighting was set accordingly (with he right light box slightly higher and on a brighter setting than the left). A reflective board was also used to lighten under the face for the most flattering lighting and shadows. Each of us had several shots taken, with slight movement in between.
(Below shows this process).
Two of the images of myself are shown here. Both edited on photoshop so they were cropped to HD dimensions with the eyes in the same place on each image. This was done so that when they are layered, the eyes will consistently remain in the same place as each image fades in and out in to the next.
The black and white image on the right was created by desaturating the colour and using level adjustments; this will be used in the next project to experiment with glitching capabilities. However the other two images (and more) of each group member were added to a "DATA" folder in order to be incorporated in to the randomly automated video.
We then formatted a previous projects code in order to create a faded photograph video with text randomly generated in the foreground.
The text was made as a txt. file and was decided to be around personal memories and lies; with the idea that peoples truths and lies are truly anonymous when randomly generated alongside another randomly selected image. In this no one will be able to decipher someones one truth as its so easily lost in a stream of constant lies.
This video below shows the code at the start before the compilation starts to play. It could forever run on a continuous loop as an image is randomly selected, a random line of text is too- it would be a while before this started to form replications. Also it requires no user interaction as it can just play and play and play.
As mentioned, the next project we worked on was 'glitching'. This had a similar idea of requiring no user input, as the computer breaks and fixes an jpg image on purpose in order to create strange and unique glitching combinations each time.
This was achieved similarly through processing code. Trying with both a colour image and black and white one allowed for clear variations in how setting of an individual have an effect of how it 'breaks' too. This was too added to a new folder with a 'DATA' folder, with the image of choice being names 'source'.
When playing back this, the processing preferences had to be edited to have a high memory.
Here is a single screen capture of one of the outcomes.
These two videos show a black and white glitch in comparison to a colour glitch. These were just recorded on a smart phone as its hard to record this screen footage using quicktime, as its a random process and one a moment has gone it won't be seen again- some moments work well while others don't, but this cannot be controlled.
I really like the beauty in the destruction of the image, and that each moment you see is special to that moment, it won't be generated again. For this reason its quite captivating to watch as you watch eager for the next effective glitch.
