Photoshop Project
Artist Statement
Postcard 1
For my first postcard, I diverged from Bamberger's use of repetition to create a perfect environment. I went about drawing out the beauty of the nature of the place, where my friends and I play games, to represent the grandeur of our experiences in a realistic way through adding in objects that enhance the environment. I used medieval textures on the walls and ceiling and integrated some fantastic elements amongst the mundane like armor and weapons and sculpture. The space itself is relatively chaotic but through this alteration I thought to bring a bit of order from the chaos and divert the gaze of the veiwer upon the grand and fantastic surroundings.
*Ceiling wood pattern, brickwork, armor, statue and banner found at wikimedia commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Postcard 2
*Swords found at wikimedia commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Postcard 3
Technique:
Postcard one uses distortion to fit the background images
into the pre-existing space.
The background eraser tool was very helpful in cutting out
images and placing them in the environment.
Postcard two uses gradients and overlays to distort colors, as well as adjusting the hue and saturation of
the background space.
Rendered lens flares give a strange sense of abstract lighting.
Postcard three uses 3D rendering tools filled with images of
fantasy to create an unusual presentation of ideas of memory and storytelling
in the space. Layer masking, beveling, overlaying and manipulation of text,
bleeding into the background represents a sense of the concept springing to
life and bleeding into reality.
Postcard Back
* Stamp found at: http://www.lastplace.com/1ststampissue.htm
Example: 3D Extrusion in Photoshop
Using the 3D extrusion tool, I adjusted the depth and angle, the light and pattern of text and objects to create a sense of three dimensionality.
Example: Displacement.
Concept Map
Problem Posing
Assignment through (Re)construction of a Place
The Gaming Haven
(Mark and Rich's Trailer)
Define your
chosen place:
My friends Mark
and Rich own a trailer in Kentwood. They are both avid gamers owning an
extensive library of video games, tabletop role-playing games (like Dungeons
and Dragons), board games, and movies related to science fiction and fantasy.
Define your
problem:
What it is: How
can the stories that are told and the adventures that are had in this place be
made visual?
Why this is a
genuine question or problem for you.
Upon first
glance, the trailer seems like a disheveled mess of books, games, dice, papers
and trash. It is a mundane space that does not fully represent the amazing
creativity that is applied on a regular basis.
Why the question
or problem is likely to be relevant to others.
There are many
locations that seem insignificant or unpleasant at first glance. It is the
people and the experiences that are had in that place that give it
significance.
Why the question
or problem matters to some significant issues related to our understanding of
the chosen place.
We all need a
place to be creative or get inspired, to tell our stories and have adventures.
The visual appearance of a place doesn't always capture the ideas and
interactions that go on there.
Why the question
or problem is important, why should this problem be solved and how could this
problem be solved.
I think it is
important to see the value of a place despite it's appearances. The beauty and
wonder of this place of gaming can easily be overlooked or misunderstood at
first glance. If a person could catch a glimpse of the creative endeavors that
go on there, the stories that are told, the problem solving strategies, the art
and music that are created and inspired by the games that are played there, it
could shed a light on what might be seen beyond the surface.
Example: 3D Extrusion in Photoshop
Using the 3D extrusion tool, I adjusted the depth and angle, the light and pattern of text and objects to create a sense of three dimensionality.
Example: Type Mask, Bevel and Emboss, Skew and Distortion tools.
I used the type mask to incorporate a pattern, emboss to give the letters a three dimensional appearance, skew and distortion to alter the normal slant and size of the text.
Example: Displacement.
For this image I used the layer mask to combine the image of Arnold with textured metal.
Example: Mask Layer and Filters
For this image, I used the mask layer to combine the desert scene in the ground of the image.
I used the filter tool to adjust the colors of the objects.
I don't see much repetition in the first photo, but the project was a good example of technical skills. Everything blends well into each photo, although the text in the thrid post card stands out in an interesting way. The fantasy element is very evident here.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite postcard is the first one. When you first look at it, you can't even tell that it was changed in photoshop. I love the concept and how realistic it looks!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite postcard is the first one. I think that it is really intriguing and makes me want to go there. It looks like it could be a real place and I really enjoy your concept. I also like how you kept the kitchen original giving it a old and newer aspect to it.
ReplyDeleteThe first post card is my favorite. You did a great job transforming the space into an interesting and dynamic environment.
ReplyDeleteI really like your first postcard because it makes me wonder what the photo originally looked like. It transported me to this medieval time and gives me a Games of Thrones feel. Your postcards do a good job getting your meaning across.
ReplyDeleteI think the first postcard is so cool! The textures and elements were incorporated so seamlessly. Very believable and interesting to look at. Good job!
ReplyDeleteI think your first postcard is interesting. I like the idea that you used of making it in a medieval setting. I think you did a great job of making it believable.
ReplyDeleteThe first postcard is one that really stuck out to me. It really made me think about what was reality and what was really there. The technical skill was very well done as well as the object you used to blend it all together. Some of the objects seem cluttered but the more I look at it the more I notice how well everything is constructed and that nothing really looks out of place. It all comes together well.
ReplyDeleteI really like the first postcard. The transformation of the mundane kitchen into the fantastical room in addition to the context of the purpose of the room (fantasy games, RPGs, etc) does amazing in showing the transformation in the observer's mindset as the enter the space.
ReplyDeleteThese are some of the best postcards I've seen. The first one is especially seamless and really gets your message across. It blends the real world and imagination perfectly. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteThe first is my favorite- you repeated the theme, which is a different and clever tactic that I have not seen yet. Finding the medieval objects was like a game to me; I had to search the picture to find new ones which was fun. Its almost as if you made a game influenced from your games you play with your friend.
ReplyDelete