Digital Content

COLLAGE PROJECT

Using Photoshop, create an image collage that deconstructs and then recombines at least 5 different images. Follow the step by step instructions for more strategies for working with layers, selections and blending modes in Photoshop to achieve different visual effects.

Technical requirements:

• Each image must recombine at least 5 starting images.

• At least one of the 5 images must be a portrait or figure.

• At least one of the 5 images must be an image that you have taken.

• Addition of background color and other layer colors that are not part of the starting images.

• Collage image should be between 1000 and 2000 pixels wide. Set height accordingly, based on your image layout.

Conceptual requirements: (Ideas / Themes)

• Collaged visuals and content should address either a social justice issue OR an aspect of your own cultural perspective or experience of your racial / ethnic identity.

Instructions + Strategies for collage:

You will be working primarily with the selection tools and the layers panel to complete this project. A few reminders and suggestions with these tools.

About layers

a. A new layer is completely transparent, until pixels are filled in. Layers do not need to be the same size as the the document size. By selecting an area of a layer and “clearing” the selection, it allows layers below to be visible.

b. Only one blending mode and one opacity / fill value can be applied to a layer - you cannot apply different blending modes to different parts of a layer, even with the selection tool.

c. Different adjustments can be applied to different areas of the same layer, by using the selection tool.

d. When you copying elements of a layer, it will only copy the layer that is selected. If you paste these elements into a new layer, it will not retain the same blending modes or opacity values.

e. If you want to copy multiple layers, and you want to retain the visual effect produced by layered blending modes or opacity values, experiment instead with “Copy Merged” Edit > Copy Merged.

f. Adjustments can be applied more dynamically using an “Adjustment layer”. If you feel comfortable with the standard process, instead of going to Image > Adjustments after setting a selection, instead click on the “Adjustment Layer” icon in the Layers panel.

Once you have applied an adjustment this way, you can continue to edit the adjustment by double clicking the adjustment icon in the layers list, or by deleting the adjustment. Different adjustments made this way can overlap. You can re-order adjustments this way, and also move the area the adjustment is being applied to by selecting that adjustment and then selecting the “Move” tool in the left hand tool bar.

About Selections

a. The shape selection tools, lasso selection tools and auto-select tools are located below these three icons in the lefthand tool bar.

b. When using selections to cut out or isolate parts of an image, it will only apply those cuts to whatever layer is also selected in the layers panel (for images with multiple layers)

c. Use the feather command (Select > Modify > Feather to make selections with a more subtle edge. The larger the feather-pixel amount, the less defined the selection will be.

d. Selections can be added to by holding down shift, or subtracted from by holding down option.

e. Once you have copied or cut a selection of a layer, pasting will automatically create a new layer on top, with only the copied element present.

f. Once you have isolated different elements of an image in their own layers, you can apply the free transform and other transformation listed under Edit > Transform or Edit > Free Transform. If using Free Transform, to apply the transformation, press enter, or to exit the mode without applying, press esc.

g. You may use transform effects with selections in a layer with multiple image elements, however, these transformations will “overwrite” any parts of the layer that are not selected.

About adding color

a. Color can be applied to new layers using the brush tool, or by first making a selection, which will allow you to apply color to, or fill, only the area that is selected.

b. Use the paint bucket tool to apply solid colors to large areas of a layer or to selections.

c. If you are trying to add color to an image / photograph, it is usually easier to work with the color in a separate layer and changing the layer blending modes. One method for doing this is to set all photographic image layers to the “Multiply” blending mode, then working with layers of color below. Trying to add color to elements of a photographic image can often results in loss of image quality and photographic details.

Other useful adjustments and filters

a. Levels + Color range: Setting the levels to create an image with high contrast, and then using the color range selection process Selection > Color Range… to select all of the pixels of a single value in an image can allow you to deconstruct images and work with layers in interesting ways.

b. Layering defined images over blurry images with different blending modes can produce interesting visual effects.

c. Working with higher contrast, defined lines and solid colors and shapes can shift an image from being more photographic to being more graphic. This can change the way these images are interpreted.

Saving + Exporting

Make sure to save and store your Photoshop (which will retain all layers. Export a JPG that is between 1000 pixels + 2000 pixels wide (height will vary based on your document aspect ratio. ONLY submit the JPG file.