ASSIGNMENT #1
Modify the color of a photograph’s focal point
Find a photo that has an interesting focal point (e.g.: an interesting object). Use Photoshop and the appropriate non-destructive tools and techniques (quick masking/adjustment layers/layer masks) to NOTICEABLY and OBVIOUSLY change the color of the focal point.
If people are present in the photograph, DO NOT change hair color or skin color. Be sure to also consider what steps you can take to improve the overall color balance and saturation of the image.
This assignment will be evaluated on the following issues:
* accuracy of the edges of selections
* creativity of items chosen in image
* realistic color change
* submitted with criteria below
The goal of this assignment is to make those areas in which the colors are changed to look like they were that way when the photograph was taken.
Be sure to submit a .psd file that is RGB and at 72 dpi. The file should be a minimum of 1200×1000 pixels and all layers, adjustment layers, etc. should be intact (don’t flatten anything). Be sure to show your work.
DUE: Sept 10, 2009 @ 10 pm
ASSIGNMENT #2
Create one composite grayscale and color image
This is a lot like assignment 1 or, if it helps, like every cheesy wedding photo you’ve ever seen.
Find a photo that has an interesting focal point (e.g.: an interesting object). Use Photoshop and the appropriate non-destructive tools and techniques (quick masking/adjustment layers/layer masks) to leave the focal point in color while making the rest of the image black and white. (Be sure to save your selection as a channel as you will need it for the next assignment.)
This assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria:
* accuracy of the edges of selections
* creativity of items chosen
* submitted with criteria below
Be sure to submit a .psd file that is RGB and at 72 dpi. The file should be a minimum of 1200×1000 pixels and all layers, adjustment layers, etc. should be intact (don’t flatten anything). Be sure to show your work.
DUE: Sept 24, 2009 @ 10 pm
ASSIGNMENT #3
Variations of composite grayscale and color image
This assignment builds upon what we did in assignment 2. Take the file you created for assignment 2 and set it up in such a way that you can apply a different filter to foreground and background. By now it should go without saying that these filters will be applied in a non-destructive manner. You will do this three (3) times to produce some artist and/or surreal effects. When saving the versions with filters applied, name the files with the filter names as you save them so you can remember the filters used.
This assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria:
* No pixels are harmed — use of layers and masks
* creativity in your exploration of filters
* imaginative use of filters and impact of filters on overall image
Be sure to submit three (3) .psd files that are RGB / 72 dpi. The files should be a minimum of 1200×1000 pixels and all layers, adjustment layers, etc. should be intact (don’t flatten anything). Be sure to show your work.
DUE: Oct 8, 2009 @ 10 pm
ASSIGNMENT #4
Fix an old & bust’d photo
Using the healing, clone, and other tools at your disposal within Photoshop, find an old & bust’d photo (the more destroyed the better) and, uh, fix it.
Parents, grandparents, or someone else’s grandparents are always good for having old & bust’d photos on hand. And they love having some nice person such as yourself fix their photos for them.
Of course you’ll be doing all this in the vein of not killing pixels so you’ll only have one file to turn in (because I’ll just turn off all the other layers to see the original, right? Right!).
This assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria:
* how old & bust’d the original photo really was
* use of the healing/clone tools to fix issues
* other Photoshop wizardry to further improve the image (level, curves, etc.)
* image fixed in a non-destructive manner
* submitted with criteria below
Be sure to submit a .psd file that is RGB and at 72 dpi. The file should be a minimum of 1200×1000 pixels and all layers, adjustment layers, etc. should be intact (don’t flatten anything). Be sure to show your work.
DUE: Oct 22, 2009 @ 10 pm
ASSIGNMENT #5
Change History
Scan or download a historic photo. Using a second photo of you, put yourself into the first image such that a viewer would believe you were actually present when the photograph was taken. But beyond that, your very presence in the photo should change the historical context of the scene.
Your body must be inserted as an additional person in the picture, either in front or behind others. DO NOT replace anyone or simply paste your face on someone else’s body. The key to this assignment is to make the image of you FIT the first image.
Pay attention to lighting, color cast, brightness, sharpness, and contrast. You may also need to adjust your photo to fit the type of image into which you are being placed (grayscale/color) and artistic style (texture, noise, grain, etc.).
This assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria:
* accuracy of the edges of selections (and proper modification to those edges)
* creativity (and sensitivity) of the scene to be changed
* submitted with criteria below
Be sure to submit a .psd file that is RGB and at 72 dpi. The file should be a minimum of 1200×1000 pixels and all layers, adjustment layers, channels, etc. should be intact (don’t flatten anything). Be sure to show your work.
DUE: Nov 5, 2009 @ 10 pm
ASSIGNMENT #6
Pano / HDR
Create a panoramic photo or and HDR image using Photoshop. Be sure to pick an interesting scene (trust me — I’ve seen enough parking lots and business building foyers already). If you’re going to do a panonramic, be sure to include a minimum of five photos in your pano. In either case, you will turn in both the individual photos used to create the image as well as the Photoshop-stitched and tweaked result.
This assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria:
* creativity of items chosen
* submitted with criteria below
Be sure to submit a .psd file that is RGB and at 72 dpi. The short egde of your file should be a minimum of 700 pixels. All layers, adjustment layers, channels, etc. should be intact (don’t flatten anything). Additonally, you will submit the individual photos used to create the image (so that, in theory, I could assemble your final image). Be sure to show your work.
DUE: Nov 19, 2009 @ 10 pm
ASSIGNMENT #7 (Skills test)
Collage
Using personally-scanned or downloaded images, assemble a 10″ by 10″ (@72 dpi) collage. A collage is an art form where several images are compiled into something that evokes an emotional response.
As you assemble the collage, use layers and layer masks to control visibility of you elements. Add text, warp your text and/or images, and be creative. The resulting collage should have a specific content direction or theme.
This assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria:
* creativity of items chosen
* submitted with criteria below
Be sure to submit a .psd file that is RGB and at 72 dpi. All layers, adjustment layers, channels, etc. should be intact (don’t flatten anything). Be sure to show your work.
DUE: Dec 8, 2009 @ 10 pm