1. What did you learn?
In this project, I learned that altering different properties of an image drastically alters it. When you take a picture on your phone or camera, it can look great with good lighting, angles, clarity, and other characteristics. However, if you change the brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness, levels, and curves, the image can be even better. Additionally, I learned more about the tools I use in Photoshop and used InDesign for the very first time!
This picture, for example, is completely different from the original (which is unfortunately too big to add to this post). Here, you can see how the light hits both of their eyes as well as the saturation of the their fur ad collars enhance the photograph. Without these adjustments, the picture would be quite dull and lack appeal.
2. What was easy?
Due to my background in photoshop, editing the pictures in Photoshop was the easiest part. After the first photograph, I seemed to get into a system where I would bring a picture into Photoshop and follow the same routine: edit the properties, save full version of the image, save the web version, and then save the thumb version.
3. What was challenging?
Throughout the time I worked on the project, I encountered a few issues. First, when I would attempt to save my photograph for web legacy, the width and height would not cooperate. Traditionally, the photograph should be 1920 x 1080 but when I would try to alter the numbers, they would equal or mirror each other regardless of how I typed it in. A solution I came up with for this problem was “unlinking” the width and height and manually entered the measurements.
Another issue I encountered was my web portfolio. I used Brackets to upload all of my images to my virtual portfolio. But, when I clicked on the thumb version of my picture, the web version would not show up. Fortunately, I was able to solve this issue fairly quickly by changing and matching the titles of the images!
4. How could your submission be improved?
I think my submission could be improved in InDesign with my print portfolio. Some of my photographs were taken or photoshopped vertically while others are horizontal. Each page has the same size rectangle box to place the photograph, but due to the variety of measurements and layout, everything does not match. Although this is not a huge flaw, I would like to come up with a solution for this.
5. How could the professor improve the assignment for the next class?
I believe the professor did an excellent job providing information, answering questions, and showing examples with this assignment. However, I think it would be beneficial if the class could see a full example of an print portfolio in InDesign and a more in depth lecture on how to apply all the pictures in the images folder to Brackets.
6. How might you apply your knowledge in future assignments or work scenarios?
In regards to future assignments or work scenarios, I think that my knowledge about Photoshop, InDesign, and Brackets will be beneficial. Although I am not completely comfortable with InDesign or Brackets, I know foundation information for each program. With Photoshop, I know a lot about the program and can my knowledge to freelance and professional work.
7. How did a specific reading or video inspire or help you?
When I was trying to choose a theme for the first project, I tried to choose something very meaningful. The first idea that came to mind was dogs! I truly love dogs and believe they make my life ten times better. So, I was not inspired by a specific reading or video but by my own dogs: Teddy and Toby! When I began editing, I really did not know where my portfolio was going or what kind of edits I would make to all of my images. As a result, my dogs solely inspired a very original collection of images.
