Photoshop - Colour Manipulation

Photoshop - Colour Manipulation

Colour manipulation can be done using photoshop. To create these effects, I selected the 'select' tool on the bar on the left hand side of photoshop. I then used to the 'select' tool to outline the areas which I wanted to keep the colour. Once I had selected the area, I went to 'select' then 'inverse'. I then added a black and white filter which made the background turn black and white as the area that I had previously selected, remain in colour. In some images, I then manipulated the colours to change them (for example, in the photo of the postbox). 

Colour manipulation can be used to draw the audience's eye and add focus to specific areas in an image which makes images more effective and eye-catching. 

Below shows some images where I have used colour manipulation. 

Connecting Essay 1

Connecting Essay - Reflection

Vivian Maier's Photograph -

This photograph was captured by Vivian Maier and shows both reflection and portraiture. I used this image for inspiration when I was photographing for the topic of reflection and attempted to capture a similar image myself. I like how in the image we are able to see multiple versions of the figure in the multiple mirrors which are present in the frame. In my opinion, this adds much more interest to the image and makes it more eye-catching and striking. I also like the element of black and white which is present in the image as the lack of colour helps the viewers eye to be directed to the main focus of the image which is the element of reflection.

My photograph -

This is my image which portrays the formal element of reflection. I like the positioning of the subject in the image as it also creates the feeling that it presents both portraiture and reflection. I used colour manipulation in this image to draw the audiences eye to the reflection which therefore helps to create a more interesting and effective image. I also like how in my image, the audience is able to see the subject from different angles as this could be thought to create a slight feeling of mystery.

The Connection -

The two images are not completely identical but they do show a wide variety of similar ideas which helps to connect them to one another. The most noticeable similarity is that the two images both could be thought to show either portraiture or reflection which therefore helps to make the two images interesting and intriguing. In addition to this, the two images connects they both contain the colours of black and white which helps to create a sense of mystery within the two images. However, whereas Maier's image is completely black and white, I chose to use colour manipulation on photoshop and make the reflection be in colour in order to show that reflection is the element which the image is portraying. I also like how both images suggest that the subject is curious about themselves, although this is suggested in different ways. In Maier's image, this is suggested by her using herself as the subject whereas in my image, the subject is looking in the mirror and appears to be curious. Also, like Maier's image, my image also shows multiple versions of the subject, which in my opinion makes the two images more effective at presenting the topic of refection.

Reflection - Work Diary

Reflection - Work Diary

Evaluation

In the sessions this week, we focused on the element of reflection. On the Tuesday session, I carried out a shoot where I focused on general reflection and on Thursday, I looked at shooting reflection in the studio and also using frames within the image to add focus to the photographs. Overall, I found reflection a very interesting topic to shoot for. I really enjoyed arranging the compositions and also manipulating the light during the studio shoots. In my opinion, my best images were taken in the studio as I was more able to manipulate my set ups in such a way that I created effective images. I also enjoyed looking at the framing aspect as I thought this helped to give the images more focus and therefore made them more effective. Below shows some images which I took during the sessions.

I really like this image as I feel it is successful in the presentation of reflection. I also like the edit on the image as I feel that the manipulation of colour helps with allowing the audience to focus on the element of reflection in the mirror. I also like the image as it shows framing. This therefore helps to draw attention more to the element of reflection within the image.

I took this image in the studio. I really like the edit on the image as I feel the manipulation of the colour helps to draw the eye to the reflected image. I also like how the reflection is framed as this again, helps to draw the viewers eye to the element of reflection. I also like the way that the lights in the studio have created shadows in the photo as this helps to add more interest. 

This is one of my least favourite images as I do not feel it shows reflection very well at all. I also feel it is too dark and think that the image would have been more effective if I had increased the exposure on my camera.

This is another image that I do not like. I do think it shows reflection somewhat due to the reflection of light in the image. However, this was not the type of image that I wanted so therefore, I do not think it looks very effective in the presentation of reflection.

Idea Development

If I were to shoot for the topic of reflection again, I would focus my shoot more to the studio. I would also concentrate my shoot to the aspect of framing as I felt that this made the images more focused and made the element of reflection more eye-catching and striking. I would also try to take more mirror shoots as I felt that the mirrors did a good job of framing the reflection.  I would also try to find more interesting objects to take photos of as I feel that it would have been beneficial to take more photographs of objects as well as people. If I were to go out shooting again, I would also try to go on a day where it had rained as I think that the water and puddles would show some very interesting and striking reflections. Below are some images that I would use for inspiration if I were to carry out the shoot again.

Reflection (studio and indoor shoot) (Framing) - Straight Images - Best 5

Reflection (studio and indoor shoot) (Framing) - Straight Images

I really like this image as it shows framing very well. I really like how you can see the back of the persons head as well as the front in the reflection.

I then edited my image using photoshop and used colour manipulation to make the reflection in colour and the rest in black and white. I also really like that it makes the reflection more obvious and eye-catching. 

I really like this image as it shows framing very well. It is similar to the above image and for this reason, feel that it looks very effective. I really like how the reflection is in focus and the area of the hand is not. This makes the reflection more eye-catching. 

I then edited my image using photoshop and chose to manipulate the colour so that the whole frame was in colour while the rest of the image is in black and white. This therefore draws the eye more to the element of the reflection which is framed in the form of the mirror.

Although this image does not show framing, I feel it shows reflection well through the element of the colours. I shot this image in the studio and feel that it turned out well due to how the colours were being reflected onto the persons arm. I did not edit this image as I felt the image was more effective in its original form.

I took this image in the studio and really like how the light catches on the sides of the mirror. This makes the framing element more obvious in the image and therefore draws attention to the reflection in the mirror. However, in this original version, I do not like the orange tones as I feel it detracts from the element of reflection.

I then edited my image on photoshop and gave the image a black and white filter. I feel that this makes the frame within the image more obvious due to the darker tones which surround the mirror. This therefore helps to make the element of reflection more eye-catching.

I really like this image as I feel it shows the element of reflection and framing very well. I really like how both the real figure and the reflected figure are in focus as this creates more interest in the image due to the audience having multiple things to look at. I took the image in the studio and manipulated the light in such a way that I got a shadow on the right hand side of the image.

I then edited my image using photoshop. I used colour manipulation to make the reflection more eye-catching and bold as it stood out against the black and white background. I also cropped the image as I felt it had too much spare space on the right hand side. 

Reflection (studio and indoor shoot) - Contact Sheet

Reflection (studio and indoor shoot) - Contact Sheet

Reflection - Straight Images - Best 5

Reflection - Straight Images

For this image, I used Francesca Woodman's mirror photographs for inspiration. I really like how you are unable to see the full face but can see a little bit of it in the mirror. I also like how you can see that it is taken over the shoulder due to being able to see some of the figure's hair and shoulder.

I then edited the image by using colour manipulation to make the background black and white but the mirror and reflection in colour. I think that this makes the mirror and therefore reflection stand out more and be more eye-catching to the audience. By doing this, it draws your eye to the element of reflection.

I like this image due to how the windows reflect light. I like how the changes in light create lines on the windows and like how half the mirror is in darkness and the other half is bright. I think that the angle that the image was taken from is effective as it adds interest to the image and helps in creating the reflection in the windows.

I then edited this image on photoshop and made the image black and white as well as increasing the contrast. I think this makes it look more effective as it makes the reflection in the window much clearer and more eye-catching. This edit also eliminates colours which distract the eye, such as the colours of the light which are in the original image.

I like this image as it shows reflection through the medium of water. I really like how the reflection has distorted as this makes the image much more interesting. However, I think this image would be more effective with a black and white filter.

I edited my image on photoshop and really like the outcome. I like how the filter makes the reflections more bold. This helps in making them the main focus point of the image. i also increased the contrast of the image and feel this edit also assisted in making the reflections darker and therefore more bold.

I really like this image as I feel it presents the brief of reflection very well. I especially like how how the reflection of the opposite building appears to be accurate in the glass. I also like how the light falls in the image as it makes the reflection stand out more.

I then edited the image using photoshop and put a sepia filter on the image in order to give it a warmer feel. I feel this allows the audience to look more at the element of reflection within the image rather than the bolder colours.

I really like this image as I feel it is successful in portraying the given theme of reflection. I especially like how the main focus point is the single leaf which is framed in the mirror. I also like the contrast between the bright green against the almost white sky. This therefore allows the viewers eye to focus on the reflection in the photograph.

I then edited the image and manipulated the colours so that only the reflection of the leaves had their original colour. I then made the background black and white. This edit allowed the image to be manipulated in such a way so that the reflection is eye-catching and the main point of focus in the image. 

Reflection - Contact Sheet

Reflection - Contact Sheet

Reflection - Image Bank

Reflection - Image Bank

I really like this image due to the shape of the object that the images are reflected in. This makes the image very interesting as it allows the distortion of the reflection which therefore gives the image an abstract feel. I also think that the colours in the image allow it to be very bold and striking.

I think that this image is extremely effective due to the interesting subjects that are being photographed. I really like the boldness of the reflections as they are very eye-catching and therefore draw in the viewers eye. I also think that the bright white of the swans stands out well against the dull background which therefore allows them to appear bold and striking. 

I really like this image due to the strange perspective created. I especially like how you can see the umbrella which gives a reflection as it allows the viewer to get a sense of depth. I like how the figure and the sky are also part of the image as it allows the theme of reflection to be clearer.

I really like the colours in this image as I feel they assist the accurate reflection to be formed. I really like how the clouds are reflected as it gives a realistic feel to the reflection. Also I think that the bright area in the sky helps to add definition to the bike silhouettes as well as their reflection.

I really like this image and would like to try and recreate it during my shoot. I especially like the angle from which the image is taken as it gives a sense of scale and therefore portrays the idea of power with the image. Again, I really like the colouring of the image as it helps the viewer to stay focuses on the element of reflection, rather than being distracted by colour.

This image was taken by photographer Francesca Woodman. With this image, I feel that she touches on the idea of surrealism which I think is an important aspect of the element of reflection. During my shoot, I would like to try to recreate an image similar to this and for this reason, I feel that Woodman's work is very inspirational.

Reflection - Vivian Maier Research

Reflection - Vivian Maier Research

I believe that this image would be considered as art. However, I think that different audiences may respond differently. Some audiences may feel that these photographs are a form of art while others would view them as not being a form of art. People may view the photographs differently due to a number of factors which are likely to include the differences in culture. In my opinion, the images should be considered as art as it appears that artist has carefully arranged the set up of the shoots and has manipulated the images to present the theme of reflection. I also believe that these images should be regarded as art as they convey feeling and emotion, which affect the audiences in different ways which could also contribute to whether or not the photographs are viewed as a form of art.

In Maier's photographs, she often records herself. I believe that this is to portray or record her emotions to either an audience or herself. It is likely that she took these photographs for her own benefit due to the fact that during her lifetime, her photographs were unknown and unpublished. However, another reason why she may have used herself in her images is because she was a street photographer so she may have had to use herself as the figure in the landscape as there was nobody else that she was able to photograph.

Define - Reflection

Reflection Definition

Reflection - The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat or sound without absorbing it.

Although it is not strictly formal element, reflection is an important consideration in framing a composition and establishing balance.

Framing - Refers to when you add a frame inside the frame. Having a frame inside the frame adds more focus to the scene.

My own interpretation is that reflection is an mirror image of something.

Four annotated images

In this photo, the audience are only able to see the figure in the form of the reflection in the glasses. I like how you are able to see the horizon line in the reflection as it gives the viewers something to focus on in the reflection image. 

This image is very effective as the reflection and the real image form as one due to the colours being the same in both. It looks especially effective due to this as it doesn't have a horizon line. I also really like interesting subject of the picture which is the bird as it makes the image more eye-catching. 

This image looks especially effective in black and white as it allows the audience to focus more on the reflection as it is bolder. A also like how the reflection is in water so therefore is only in some areas.

This photograph is very effective as it shows the same reflection in three instances. I also like how the images are distorted differently in the three different rain drops. It is also effective as you can see the flower which is reflected behind the water droplets.