Digital Photography & Imaging- Week 2

WEEK 2

LECTURE

• This week’s lesson covered the basics of composition, the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, as well as framing and cropping techniques in composition.

• The basic composition

          - Focal Point

         - Scale & Hierarchy

         -  Balance the elements

         - White Space

• Rule of Thirds and Golden Ratio are common composition techniques. The rule of thirds divides the frame into nine equal parts, placing the subject at the intersections to create a more balanced image. The golden ratio is a visually pleasing proportion, approximately 1:1.618, often used in a spiral form to guide the viewer’s eye and make the composition feel more natural and appealing.

• Framing is using elements in the scene (like a window frame) to surround the subject, guiding the viewer's eye to it, while cropping is removing unimportant parts of the image to make the subject stand out and enhance the simplicity of the composition.

TUTORIAL & PRACTICAL

Task Assigned:

• Before using Photoshop, Mr. Fauzi mentioned the importance of establishing the right mindset. Start by finding one large element, followed by medium and small elements. Use no more than 5 layers, and typography can be added as a supplementary element.

• At the start of the project, Mr. Fauzi suggested beginning with the focal point. Place medium elements in the background, small elements in the corners, and typography in the top left. Other decorative elements can be placed in front of the medium elements to ensure good composition.

• You can only use 5 materials and should choose the best ones for remixing.

• Create 3 collage designs, take pictures of them, and use the CamScanner app to scan them. Select and cut out the design elements, then compose them into your own concept and story.

PROGRESS

Progress #1 The Magazine I use

Progress #2 

• We started our progress in computer lab.

• I started browsing through my magazine and cutting out content that I find aesthetically pleasing.

• I’ve categorized all the paper cuttings by size—large, medium, and small—to make them easier to work with during the design process.

• Following multiple iterations and trials, the following represents my final outcome.

       # 1 design

My main concept is “you are what you watch,” inspired by the strong influence of media. The back view of the couple shows how we are shaped by what we see. They look relaxed and immersed, but the watching eyes remind us that we are also being watched and influenced in return.

       # 2 Design

 In the second design, I again centered the composition around my typography, blending fashion and advertising elements to reinforce the theme of consumerism.

          # 3 Design

After multiple rounds of revisions and experimentation, I became more confident and started to explore relatively more complex designs. I began with model cutting to create a basic text-themed triangle, titled 'Too Rich', and intentionally incorporated some fashion-forward elements and details.

Reflection:

• Honestly, I felt a bit confused at the beginning, since the two magazines I collected weren't very polished and didn’t quite match the fashion theme, which made it difficult for me to figure out a clear direction for the design.