Digital Photography and Imaging / Final Project

15.6.2023 - 14.7.2023 (Week 11 - Week 14)
Elysa Wee Qi En / 0355060 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Digital Photography and Imaging
Final Project

INSTRUCTIONS

Fig. 1. Module Information Booklet

Final Project part A: Poster Composition

For the final project, we had to create a poster based on ourselves. We had to showcase our own personalities in the form of a poster, and we were free to go in whatever direction we wished. This was about creativity, about portraying what we liked. 

I decided to go with a darker concept, about not knowing your own personality. Based on the term 'smoke and mirrors', which means to disguise something unwanted, I used the imagery of smoke and mirrors to portray doubt and confusion.

Fig. 2.1. Unedited portrait (29/6/2023)

Fig. 2.2. Asset 1 (29/6/2023)

Fig. 2.3. Asset 2 (29/6/2023)

Using the above pictures that were taking at the photo studio in school, along with a few pictures of smoke and mist from Google, I created my first draft:

Fig. 2.4. First draft of poster (6/7/2023)

However, I realised that this was the wrong size needed for the final poster. Apart from that, I realised that I hadn't placed the crack in the mirror right under my hand, so I decided to create a second version. 

In that second version, since there was now more space on the right, I added a green eye with ink drips that make it look like it's crying. 

FINAL Self-Titled Poster Design

Fig. 2.5. Final Poster Design (12/7/2023)

Final Project part B: Animated Poster

For the second half of the project, we had to animate this poster using what we learnt in the tutorials for week 10 and 11. I decided to use after effects, as I felt it would be easier to do what I imagined.

I wanted to make the ink drip down the mirror gradually, make the smoke move, and also have the illusions appear in the mirror as the glass shines.

FINAL Animated Poster Submission

Fig. 2.6. Final Animated Poster (15/7/2023)

FEEDBACK

Week 12
Specific Feedback
- Move right as the picture is being taken to create more natural-looking photos
- There needs to be clear elements of Photoshop in the final project, it cannot be just the taken photo

Week 13
Specific Feedback
- Idea is unique
- Discussed ideas for animation, approved
- Overall poster is approved and animation process may begin

REFLECTIONS

Experience
I'm already familiar with how to edit with Hitfilm Express, so I already had the fundamental knowledge for the second half of the assignment. I was actually excited when I found out that we would be learning how to animate with After Effects, and I was looking forward to doing this assignment. The concept for the poster actually came to me right as we received the brief, the idea of smoke and mirrors was one of, if not the first to come to mind. Apart from struggling to balance this with my other projects, this assignment was overall easy for me to complete.

Observations
Again I found myself using a lot of layers and a lot of masks. My lecturer once gave the advice to create backups of layers, and it ended up being useful as I needed to duplicate my layers and change some of the masks. I was also able to use what I learnt while doing the second project, and it shows me how useful it is to keep knowledge from past lessons and experiences. Because of it, I was able to do what I wanted to do in this project much easier and more efficiently.

Findings
After Effects was a little tricky to get used to, especially since I've already familiarised myself with a different (yet similar) video editing program. However, after I discovered the wave effect for the smoke, I was able to use that for a different module. In fact, I was able to use all the knowledge on After Effects that I gained in this project in the final project for that module. It once again shows me just how valuable past experiences are.