digital photography workshop

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.

christmas animation

As part of this workshop we were asked to produce a 10second GIF relating to Christmas, incorporating a 'snow' element.

This was to build on Adobe AfterEffects software skills, and produce something in which could be used within the university as part of seasonal marketing. 

First of all we researched quickly other GIFs popular on the internet, and tried to think of something which hadn't already been created.

Secondly we drew out rough storyboard-like sketches in order to work out what image or animation was to go on each of the frames. 

Having not used many of the features on Illustrator or Photoshop, I decided to opt for a character in which i could create very quickly and easily using pre-set auto shapes.  Doing this also meant that the areas in which I chose to change and animate were much clearer against a block colour, simple character background. 

This was my plan.

With time only being short, whilst creating 8 different frames, i only use 6 in the actual final outcome. This adds to its childish simplicity and also means quality can be high due to not being rushed for quantity instead. 

My creation is names "WetherBot" with the story being that this robot is in charge of the weather, and when selecting 'snow' from the weather option dashboard, he's suddenly smiling brighter. 

After creating these 8 frames, I then used Photoshop to create a snowflake. This was with auto shapes and the rubber tool too, as not much intricate detail was needed. The background was removed and this was saved as a psd file.

In aftereffects this was opened as the top layer only, and replicated in the 10 second timeline 20 times. Each snowflake was reshaped and resized to look slightly different, and then the motion stop function was used to record the 'falling' of each individually across the background.

Then I edited how long of the ten second each of these was on for, so that the snowflakes fell randomly but consistently for the last frame of the animation only.

To fill the first couple of seconds, I imported each frame as a separate psd file and customised the length to a second on each. However the last frame with the snow had to overlap with the times the snowflakes were falling on in order to have my desired effect. 

I think the finished animation is graphically simple whilst still having a touching story with the facial expressions changing on the robot when he gets the weather he wants. Its easy to recognise a stark contrast between the initial emotional-less robotic actions in comparison to the small cute smile concluding the video.

The finished result is displayed here

The clip was rendered using the appropriate settings on to the desktop, and then opened in QuickTime to view. From here I then exported the file in to 720p and as a mov.  

pixel parlance

This workshop class was to highlight how typography can be blended digitally through pixels. We replicated this by using post-it notes to represent each individual pixel. In total our grid was 40x 20. 800 pixels.

The first element was a plain pink post it note screen of 800 pieces. This was light and photographed. Then the first group coloured in several post its in black marker, and used these to spell out "WORK" on the pink screen, by replacing one post it for another. This was done by following a grid reference of how this word should look when completed on the wall.

Here it is shown on the left. The middle orange section here is the start of the 'transition' from one type face to the other. 

Below is the other groups final outcome being produced. The last here was to follow the grid references on an alternative 800 post it notes, and colour out sections to form the word "play".

 The section I coloured is above.

Here the transitioning continues. As you can see the orange square continues to grow in a spiralling sequence, with the colours of green and blue starting in each corner with the same circling effect.

Once all the pink and black squares were replaced with; orange, green, blue or yellow post-its, we then started to transfer the other word across on to this board. The way this was animated was through the top left corner, and bottom right corner gradually fading in to the centre. This was quite difficult to coordinate quickly, but each diagonal row inserted was photographed individually, so it gave time to perfect and readjust before capturing the change.

 Left is the type we replicated. Then right is it displayed on the wall after it's full transition.






We then discussed how best to end the animation. Collectively it was decided to destroy all the post-its off the wall. I think this was to vent frustration at moving 800 post it notes 4 times.

This was shot in the same way as the rest of the images; by taking continual still shots. We all ran in to the focus and destroyed the display one at a time. I chose to experiment with the filming features on my smart phone; so took a long slow motion film to capture this moment, and also a time lapse quickening the process, displayed below.

Then a slow motion film of myself kicking all the used post it notes abandoned on the floor afterwards.

To end the overall production it was decided to use the pink and black post its from the first "WORK" screen. The end goal was to have "GAME OVER" displayed. (This is shown right).


The transition here was to have the lettering slowly creeping along the pink background until all the letters were in the frame. E.G (E and R first. ME and ER next, AME and VER next, and GAME and OVER finally.)

Here are the finished results.