DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND IMAGING - WEEK 3

Choong Yee Leng || 0381980

Digital Photography and Imaging || Bachelor Degree in Creative Media || Taylor’s University 

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Lecture:

We were introduced to several essential functions in Photoshop, including the Lasso Tool, Pen Tool, and Layering. The Lasso Tool allows us to trace irregular or freehand shapes, mimicking the motion of drawing with a pen. In contrast, the Pen Tool is used to create precise, clean lines, curves, and geometric shapes, offering greater control and accuracy.

Layering is another key feature, enabling us to separate different elements within an image. This means we can modify one element without affecting the others, making the editing process more organized and flexible.

To sharpen our skills with the Pen Tool, Mr. Fauzi encouraged us to play the Bézier Game—a fun and interactive way to practice drawing smooth curves and mastering anchor points.

Tutorial :

Collage elements layering & composition.

 Practical:

Mr. Fauzi gave us a hands-on tutorial on using Photoshop to prepare us for creating digital collages. One of the key techniques he demonstrated was how to use the Pen Tool to cut out selected parts of an image.

The process goes as follows: first, use the Pen Tool to trace around the desired area, and make sure to change the path type to "Shape" instead of "Path". Once the shape is complete, hold the Control key and click on the shape thumbnail in the Layers panel to turn it into a selection. Then, select the image layer, copy the selection, and paste it onto a new layer.

This method allows us to isolate specific elements from an image with precision—an essential skill for building clean and creative digital collages.

Figure 1.1 screenshot of photoshop

Figure 1.2 screenshot of photoshop

As a result, I created three compositions using the provided materials. Throughout the process, I not only applied the techniques taught in practical class but also explored additional skills. For example, I learned to use:

• clipping mask to seamlessly merge images into desired shape
• color layer tool to blend colors more naturally into the image.
• drop shadows to enhance layering and add a three-dimensional effect
• select color range feature to efficiently remove plain color backgrounds

Inspiration from pinterest:

Figure1.3 screenshot of pinterest board

Composition 1:

Composition 2:

Composition 3:

Reflection:

By applying the techniques taught during the practical class, I was able to effectively express my creativity and develop a digital collage using Adobe Photoshop. The skills I learned—such as layering, masking, blending, and adjusting image compositions—allowed me to experiment freely with different visual elements and create a more dynamic, cohesive artwork. This process not only strengthened my technical abilities in Photoshop but also gave me the confidence to explore my own artistic direction. It was rewarding to see how the foundational skills from the physical collage translated into a digital medium, giving me more control and flexibility in expressing my ideas.