DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND IMAGING - PROJECT 1

on

21.4.2025 - 28.5.2025 （Week 01 - Week 06)
Lee Xiang Ling / 0384095
Digital Photography and Imaging / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Taylors University
Project 1/ Digital & Physical collages

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Task

PROJECT 1A 

Part 1: Physical Collage 

Step 1: Cut out design elements
  1. Explore and search for any interesting graphics from old magazines or any printed materials.
  2. Cut the shapes of pictures that you are choosing.
  3. Repeat the steps to collect your cut out design elements.

Step 2: Pre-compositing 
  1. Find an interesting background canvas
  2. Start compositing the cut out design elements
  3. Play around with the composition and layer arrangement.

Step 3: Final composition 
  1. Once you’re satisfied with your pre-compositing, start glueing the cut out based on the layer by layer arrangements.
  2. Document your work in progress on each step and upload it to your E-Portfolio blogs for the weekly contents update. 
  3. Take photo of your BEST collage (ONE ONLY) and insert on the submission section below:

PRE-COMPOSITION #1

    Fig. 1.1 / Artist - Fong Sheeney

    Fong Sheeney is a Chinese Calligrapher in Malaysia. I have seen her calligraphy works on Instagram before. She is an artist with great personality and talent. This work, set against a dreamy palette of soft purples and infused with jewel-like elements, captures that spirit beautifully. The repeated appearances of her image, contrasted between blurred backgrounds and sharp close-ups, highlight her ability to move fluidly between fashion, art, and identity. It reveals an elegance that is both resilient and fiercely independent.

    PRE-COMPOSITION #2

    Fig. 1.2 / London in Love

    I tried to collide the calm, earthy-like figure with the brightly colored, visually impactful pop art background. This unexpected juxtaposition gave rise to the piece before you. The embellishment of the gem butterfly and necklace adds a sense of narrative and symbolism to the whole picture, as if a woman from the old times is slowly walking out of the dusty history, shedding its weight, embracing her own colors and independent attitude. She is not merely a relic of history, but a radiant protagonist in a new visual story.

    PRE-COMPOSITION #3

    Fig. 1.3 / Art Folio

    I contrast the images of vintage and modern women, and use gemstone jewelry that represent their personality traits as a background to create a visual scene that is both gorgeous and meaningful. By collaging magazines, I try to create a form of expression with a sense of visual narrative.The work conveys a simple but powerful idea: beauty should not be defined by skin color, nobility or poverty.Every woman has her own unique style and light, shining like a gem in her own identity.


    Part 2: Digital Collage 

    1. Download all images from this folder:
      https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cGcbENrjSksAaMQK9np2jb6ZaM7Y-81l?usp=sharing
    2. Watch this tutorial for reference:
      https://youtu.be/BlW7F-fTsbE
    3. Using the downloaded images, create 3 unique digital collage compositions.
    4. Set up a vertical A4 canvas in Photoshop for each composition.
    5. Take a screenshot or photo of your 3 final compositions and insert them in the section below.


    COMPOSITION #1
    Fig. 2.1 / Composition 1

    I used the contrast and fusion of black-and-white with color, combined with the interplay of betta fish and plants, to create a meditative atmosphere rooted in nature. To prevent the composition from feeling monotonous, I incorporated circular elements to evoke the sensation of floating bubbles, adding depth and visual interest to the overall piece.


    COMPOSITION #2

    Fig. 2.2 / Composition 2
    This piece is inspired by the intersection of history and reality, showcasing the contrast and fusion between vintage machinery and typewriters, and modern architecture and transportation. The constant movement of people conveys a sense of bustling activity, as if the entire scene is engaged in an ongoing process of “recording” and “narrating” — telling a story where the past and present intertwine.


    COMPOSITION #3

    Fig. 2.3 / Composition 3

    I aim to evoke the feeling of "the interweaving of fantasy and reality" during the creative process through a striking contrast and mirrored composition. The vintage typewriter at the center symbolizes memory and the act of creation; the outward-flowing river represents the continuous stream of inspiration; the modern buildings in the background embody the intersection of reality and fiction; and the betta fish drifting in the sky resemble thoughts and consciousness swimming through the cracks of space.



    PPROJECT 1B: Digital Imaging Exercises

    Part 1: Hearst Mansion 



    EXERCISE DEMO

    Fig. 3.1 / Hearst Mansion - Exersise Demo


    MY OWN PHOTO

    Fig. 3.2 / Hearst Mansion - My Own Photo


    Part 2: Recolouring B&W Photo 

    Follow the step of Tutorial Demo in Class: 


    DEMO EXERCISE

    Fig. 4.1 / Recolouring B&W Photo - Demo #1

    Fig. 4.2 / Recolouring B&W Photo - Demo #2


    EXTRA EXERCISE

    Fig. 4.3 / Recolouring B&W Photo - Exercise #1

    Fig. 4.4 / Recolouring B&W Photo - Exercise #2

    Fig. 4.5 / Recolouring B&W Photo - Exercise #3

    Instruction


    <iframe allow="autoplay" height="480" src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DsERWuF4d2YDYxX0lRiZOdmNqf8wk4FU/preview" width="640"></iframe>

    Reflections

    Through this collage assignment, I not only improved my ability to express creativity but also gained basic skills in using Photoshop. From cutting images and composing layouts to coloring and adjusting brightness, every step allowed me to experience both the freedom and challenges of design. Although I faced technical issues and creative blocks during the process, I gained new inspiration through problem-solving and experimentation. One of my key takeaways was realizing that color matching is a weakness of mine, and I plan to practice more in this area. Overall, this was an enjoyable and valuable learning experience that deepened my understanding of the effort and charm behind design.