Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Week#12: 12/1/11 Type Tool, Layer Styles, Replacing Color

"All photographs are accurate. None of them is the truth." - Richard Avedon

"This is the same problem I have with digital photography. The potential is always remarkable. But the medium never settles. Each year there is a better camera to buy and new software to download. The user never has time to become comfortable with the tool. Consequently too much of the work is merely about the technology. The HDR and QTVR fads are good examples. Instead of focusing on the subject, users obsess over RAW conversion, Photoshop plug-ins, and on and on. For good work to develop the technology needs to become as stable and functional as a typewriter. 
- Alec Soth - Soth, Alec. "Toy Fatigue", Alec Soth - Blog, November 26th, 2006.  
NY Times article on the ethics of using Photoshop

Assignment #4 

Today we will begin Assignment #4, your final assignment of the semester.  A final print (at least 8x10 on photo paper) from the assignment is due the last day of class on 12/15/11.  You are welcome to choose from the following list for your final assignment:

- Maggie Taylor inspired composite (unless you completed it for A3)
- Metal Objects composite on white (provided images and/or acquired images), then masked into an existing scene that you can shoot or find via stock photography
- Self proposed project with my approval 

Week #10-11: Work on A3 Composite

The 11.10.11 and 11.17.11 classes will be primarily used to work on Assignment #3.  I will be going around working with each of you one-on-one to address any advanced retouching issues you may need help with. 

Assignment #3 print will be due for critique after Thanksgiving break on 12.1.11.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Week#9: 11/3/11 Paths and Compositing

"Photoshop is useful in many ways but must NEVER be used for the altering of photographs. My assistants and my agency do whatever Photoshop work for me that may be required as it is too complicated for my brain. - Elliott Erwitt - On the question; Do you use Photoshop in your workflow? "



Begin A3 Composite Project!

Pen Tool and Vector Paths
*See last week's post for Pen Tool handout*