1. What did you learn?

I learned multiple ways in which Photoshop can be used to create an interesting composition. Many tools were introduced to me with this project that I either never used previously or have do so very little. For example, I never really used the gradient tool, but I now find it useful and I may use the pen tool more often instead of always relying on the magnetic lasso. I learned how to create layer masks and manipulate them to remove pieces of an image’s background. The brush tools were used similarly and I will definitely be using those more, as they came in very handy during my time creating the compositions.

2. What was easy?

Adding in the images into photoshop was easy since I have done that many times before. I was also easy to play with the filters. That part was kind of fun too because I liked seeing how I can change a background to look more interesting, and then make them look even better using textures. Using the paint brush tool to add & remove pieces of an image was easy too, but it just took a while to get used to since I have not done that much beforehand. Playing with image adjustments was easy as well because the previous labs/projects have allowed me to get used to changing image brightness, levels, curves, etc. I now use that very often when creating something in Photoshop.

3. What was challenging?

Sometimes it was difficult for me to differentiate between layers as I progressed due to the number of layers growing rapidly. I tried to name the layers carefully, but it was still kind of confusing at times. Also, I had a hard time with the brush tool at some points. Once in a while I would accidentally click on the incorrect layer and erase parts of the image I did not want to erase. Some layer look similar, so that definitely played a role in my struggle. I also struggled to keep a nice balance between each of the layers in my compositions. I did not want any of my layers to take up too much of the composition, but at the same time, I wanted there to be a piece that captured the eye in the center.

4. How could your submission be improved?

The backgrounds and use of textures could have been improved definitely. I tried to play with the image adjustments a lot to make the background stand out more, but I did not have the best success in doing so. Also, it is kind of difficult to make out what my textures are and differentiate between the two that were used, but my composition was kind of complex in the end, so some pieces worked better than others. I could have done a better job tracing and image and removing it from the background using the pen tool, but I could not think of many good ideas of where that part of the design would fit in nicely, so it looks a bit out of place. The compositions turned out good, in my opinion, but a couple things looks a bit out of place, the text being a good example.

5. How could the professor improve the assignment for the next class?

Perhaps a couple more labs would be useful before jumping into this project. There was just a lot of tools that were introduced to us, so it got a bit confusing to me. I do, however, appreciate the step-by-step videos that have been placed into the Project and Lab Demo Instructions. They have definitely made life easier, especially since it can be hard to remember specific details and then find them again when re-watching a class video for a class that is 80 minutes. Overall, there is not much that needs improvement, but a bit more practice would be beneficial before jumping into Project 2.

6. How might you apply your knowledge in future assignments or work scenarios?

I feel that this Project really unleashed my creativity. I will definitely be using the brushes more for removing and adding to parts of an image in the future as well as the pen tool for removing backgrounds. This could be very helpful for pieces of art that I create for the DMAAD Club. Also, I want to get more practice with Photoshop during my free time, so the wide variety of new tools introduced to us in Project 2 will definitely come in handy. I find that when creating something in Photoshop, I kind of overlook backgrounds and more so focus on layers that are copied and pasted into the foreground. I will use my knowledge to make sure I don’t forget about how much the background of a composition can add to its appeal.

7. How did a specific reading or video inspire or help you?

I did not use many resources this time around that were provided by Professor Dunkle, but the class demo videos and short step-by-step clips in the slides have helped me tremendously. I did look at a couple sites for textures since none of my images have ones that I felt were satisfactory, so I used a glass texture and a felt texture from cgtextures.com. The videos on using the pen tool and the brushes helped me the most, as I used the tools multiple times.