DIGITAL MEDIA FUNDAMENTALS

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination of images.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

In This Chapter, you’ll learn on: Select appropriate images to create an image

montage. Isolate image elements using masking

techniques. Apply various filters and effects to image visual

appeal. Combine and position images to create a

meaning montage.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Select Appropriate Images to Create an Image Montage  The technique widely used by graphic designers and consists of

cutting and joining multiple photographs/pictures in order to create a unique image, using graphic applications such as Photoshop. This technique is referred as

The idea here is to create the illusion that all of the photo elements are parts of the same photo. 

An example of an image montage 

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Isolate Image Elements Using Masking Techniques  The Definition of Masking  Photoshop software allows the user to build artwork in

layers. Layer masking allows you to hide or use as much of any one layer as you like.

Some people call a mask a matte, a frisket or a hi-con. It is a black and white image that cuts out a layer, allowing it to show though wherever the pixels are white, and holds out or hides a layer wherever the mask is black.

There are two basic types of masks--layer masks and vector masks.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Vector Mask A vector mask is a geometrical shape rather than

a fixed image. A vector mask is adjustable, as it is not tied to individual pixels. Create the shape of your mask using the path or shape tool. You can add points on to a path, alter the curve of its shape or size it up or down.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Layer Mask A layer mask is pixel-based. You create a layer

mask either by drawing white on a black background or by building a high contrast image (a key) based on the luminance or color of the layer.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Apply Various Filters and Effects to Image Visual Appeal

Image Editing There are a number of image editing procedures that are

regularly executed during graphic production to ensure good image quality.

However, most image editing procedures cause a loss of information in the image, compromising fine details, colors and etc.

This means you can destroy an image if you are careless or perform too many tasks. It is therefore important to edit an image as little as possible and to perform the steps in the correct order.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Apply Various Filters and Effects to Image Visual Appeal

Image Editing You would also want to keep a smooth workflow. Despite the

fact that all steps technically “destroy” the image, the final result will generally give the impression of a better image.

To avoid unnecessary loss of image information, adjustments to brightness, contrast and color should as much as possible be performed when the image is scanned, which you’d learnt earlier. We will now review the steps of image editing, using a scanned image as our example.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Correct Resolution After scanning, and particularly if the image is

retrieved from a digital archive, etc., the resolution of the image has to be adjusted to that need for the final print.

  Adjusting Brightness and Contrast In most cases, you will probably want to adjust the

brightness and contrast of the image, if only if certain areas. For example, you might want to lighten up just the dark areas and maintain the brightness and contrast of the rest of the image.

 

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Brightness and Contrast

By using Curves you can adjust the brightness and contrast of the image.

  When the curve’s shape

changes the image’s appearance changes accordingly. In this case, a flatter curve provides a “softer” image and a steeper curve a “harder”.

 

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

General Color Adjustments

The example above shows an image before and after general color adjustments have been made. In the image to the left, there is a cast of cyan. In the image to the right, the image has been adjusted so the neutral parts of the image have determined a change of all the colors in the image.

 

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Adjust Certain Colors - Sometimes you might want to adjust particular colors in an

image. Often it is natural reference colors, like skin tone, the color of the grass or the sky, etc., that need to be corrected.

  - The tool Image > Adjust > Hue/Saturation enables you to

perform independent adjustments to a color’s hue, saturation and brightness. This tool also enables you to make general changes to the image, like increasingly the overall color saturation.

  -You can also use this same tool for more manipulative operations

like changing the color of an individual strawberry, flag or other specific objects in an image.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Adjust Certain Colors

Gray BalanceEqual amounts of the three primary colors do not provide gray balance. What we can see is a comparison to a neutral tint area consisting of 50% black.

Adjust Color Casts Part 1Variations is one of three tools for general color adjustments in the image. It helps you to see how the image changes.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Adjust Certain Colors

Adjust Color Casts Part 2By selecting the gray eyedropper tool in Levels and clicking on the part of the image that has to be neutral, you8 can adjust color casts.

Adjust Color Casts Part 3In Color Balance you make general color changes in the image by adjusting the color cast.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Sharpening the Image - If the image appears “soft” it is generally due to

a lack of sharp transitions between the dark and light hues in an outline.

  - In order to increase the impression of sharpness

in the overall image, you have to find these soft tonal transitions and sharpen them. This type of artificial sharpening is conducted on most images to varying degrees.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Selective Color Hue/Saturation is the easiest tool for adjusting individual colors. For example, check off green if you want to change green colors.

Selective Color In Selective Color or Hue/Saturation you can change selected colors in the image. You can even make strawberries unripe!

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Filters Filters are used to change the appearance of an image,

layer or selection in Photoshop. Filters in Photoshop are sort of like those special effects you can add to home videos with those consumer handheld video cameras — easy to use, but they certainly have their place in design.

Using Filters from the Filter GalleryPhotoshop’s Filter Gallery is basically a one-stop place for working with filters in your documents. In the Filter Gallery, you can browse through many different types of filters, apply them individually to your image, or even stack them on top of one another like you would with layers. You can get to the Filter Gallery by going to Filter > Filter Gallery.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Filters Here’s a quick overview of the Filter Gallery:

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Filters Applying a filter from the gallery is very easy to do. Simply

Click on a filter, adjust it’s options to your liking, and click OK to apply. To stack multiple filters on top of one another, just hit the New Effect Layer, and select another filter. You can expand filter types by clicking the folders in the filter list.

Quicker Access to FiltersThe Filter Gallery is really just a browser of sorts. If you know exactly what kind of filter you want to use, you can access it directly from the Filter menu in Photoshop to speed things up.

Using Other FiltersNot all filters in Photoshop are available through the Filter Gallery. Many of them must be accessed directly through the Filter Menu, and have unique interfaces and options of their own.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Filters Noise Filters (Filter > Noise)

Noise Filters are great for adding, or reducing noise and grain in photographs. You may find filters such as the Reduce Noise Filter extremely useful if you work with old, damaged, or dusty photographs that need repair work done to them. The Add Noise Filter can also come in handy, and has some creative applications of its own.

Noise can easily be reduced with the Reduce Noise Filter in Photoshop.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Filters Sharpen Filters (Filter > Sharpen)

The Sharpen Filters are also great for correcting imperfections in photographs, as well as putting emphasis on important elements in a design. When working with blurred images, a sharpen filter can be used to clarify and better define edges by increasing contrast between pixels.

The Smart Sharpen Filter used to sharpen a photograph of a statue.

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Combine and Position Images to Create a Meaning MontageAdobe Photoshop is a sophisticated image editing software, and one of its many capabilities includes creating very good montages. You can not only combine photos into one seamless composition, but also can select and include in the montage particular objects from images.

 

Describe the process of creating an image composite using a combination

of images.

Combine and Position Images to Create a Meaning Montage A wide range is best. If you are making a life poster of mainly one person (for example, of a baby), try and find different poses; select wide shots as well as close ups, they don’t have to all be full face shots to work well, infact we’ve found that the more variety you have the better the life poster. If you are doing a life poster of mainly people, selecting a few photos of scenery or interesting objects that mean something to you, works really well. Some examples we’ve used are a jam scone, pint of beer, and a wedding ring. It adds a real personal touch and can remind you of all sorts of different occasions.

Colour: Black and white photos interspersed with colour looks great, and a few photos with bold splashes of colour looks even better as it provides focus points on the poster. This is a piece of art after all!