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~~~RL

Week #8: Font "Alphalacey Bets"

Shoelace Alphabet Typeface
Created by Grant Gabriel and Randee Layosa

Sketchbook #8: Type Challenge

http://www.alextrochut.com/#/works
http://www.dafont.com/lace-nice.font

what we're shooting for!

Our idea was to create a type thats fresh and something that we use everyday.  We then came up with the idea of using shoelaces to make letters.  We have seen creative designs and patterns on shoes, so why not create the alphabet.  Instead of just shaping shoelaces into letters on a plain background, we got the idea of doing the letters using the shoe holes (ex. the picture above).  We plan on using traditional Vans shoes with contrasting colors.  If we find it too easy, we might use neon colored laces to make it pop.

- Randee & Grant

Week #8 Discussion: Group Work

I like working in groups for school projects. Personally, I favor working in a group for group projects rather than solitary--especially for art projects. However, this is only if everyone pulls their own weight. I don't mind sharing the work load, as long as it is delegated equally. I don't like when others take advantage of their partners and let the work load fall on those who care too much about their grade and end up doing the work of others.

Group work should be a collaboration of many different perspectives. I feel the finished product is much more elaborate and well rounded when more than one view point is incorporated. The ideal group would consist of people willing to put forth an honest and efficient work ethic as well as contribute time and effort to the project and group. The assignment should be distributed evenly amongst each member. Furthermore, each member should know and follow through with his or her's responsibilities. Each member should be open to other's opinions as well as be able to freely voice their own opinion. Members should be considerate of their partners and should only provide constructive criticism. If all is followed, the group setting and project should be nothing less than successful.   ~~~RL

Monster

This week's assignment was the most difficult task we've had yet.  When creating a character my strong point is usually drawing on paper, not on the computer.  This classed introduced the drawing aspect of Photoshop to me. Therefore, I had no prior knowledge or experience on how to use them.

I started out using the pen tool to make the shapes I wanted. I later deleted it and made shapes first, then altered them into the shape I wanted.  I honestly had no expectations as to how my monster would turn out. These techniques are all new to me, so I'm satisfied with what I've created. I think it's acceptable for a beginner. But I must admit that my monster would not have turned out the way it does if Grant didn't help me. He helped me with the color and shading aspects. All I really wanted was for the monster to look snake/lizard like, which I feel I achieved; therefore, I'm satisfied. However, after seeing what my classmates have created I definitely want to keep practicing my skills because I know in time I can create a character just like theirs.

Thank you Grant!!!   ~~~RL

Week #6 Sketchbook: Drawing

1) a place you would like to go: China

This weekend I was on the road for softball. We had a four hour drive to Washington so I used it for homework. It was not the best idea. When it comes to drawing I need to be comfortable and have a solid, sturdy surface to write on; the bus provided none of that. So, I saved this assignment for when I got back to campus. 

2) something you can eat: Musubi

I liked the idea of incorporating the pirate and ninja into the drawing. In the first drawing I tried to be sneaky about it as best I could. The biggest challenge was getting the dimensions and angles just right. When drawing an object in 2D you have to be careful of where a line ends and where one starts, as well as the angles in which they are drawn. If you don't then your finished product will not look like what you had hoped for. In the second drawing I chose to make it a prominent feature of the overall product. Aside from the bus, another problem I faced was drawing human features. Personally, I think that hands, feet, hair, rice, noodles, and lettuce are the hardest things to draw decently. I am the type of drawer that needs to look at something in order to draw it. Thus, it was difficult for me to get the ninja's hands right. His left hand caused me the most trouble. I got the idea to take a Photobooth photo of my own hand in the position in which I wanted to draw the ninja's hand in; the idea was successful. Shading was also a challenge. I wanted to spice up my drawing so I added shading to make it more dimensional. It took a while to get the darkness and look just right. ~~~RL

Week #6 Discussion: Social Media

In this day and age technology is the epicenter.  Likewise, social media and networking has gained dominance as a quintessential communication outlet.  Emerging as the popular networks are Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and Tumblr.  It has gotten to the point where it would be considered odd for someone to not have an account on either site.  For this reason businesses are beginning to use these social networks as their top means of advertising and attracting business.
I too have a Facebook account, and since day one I have been hooked.  Personally, I have not had to use Facebook to accomplish any goals in particular--unless keeping in touch with friends counts as one.  After graduation I made a promise to myself that would make every effort to stay close with my friends and not lose touch with them; Facebook makes this possible.  I check my account daily and am obsessed with the ability to keep in touch with all of my friends, and even find friends that I have not seen for a long time.  Especially now that I am away at college and all of my classmates and friends have gone their separate ways, Facebook makes it possible for us to keep our relationships.  With Facebook I am able to keep up with what my friends are up to as well as what is going on at home.
I also like how Facebook brings the world closer together.  I can become a fan of pages and keep up with the latest information.  For example, I can be among the first to know about a sale at my favorite store, notified when my favorite bands will be in concert near me, or that my favorite celebrity got a new hairdo; the possibilities are endless.  A new fad is that people are now making pages to showcase their talents (i.e. singing, dancing, photography, etc.).  I can better use these facilities for inspiration.  Whether it be a writing topic for a class assignment, subject for a documentary, a subject to draw, to learn on photography techniques, or get new ideas for a photo shoot.  The Internet is an never ending giver, to fail to utilize it at its full potential would be a waste. ~~~RL

Week #4 Sketchbook: Digital Darkroom Refined

The critique was very beneficial for me. I felt every comment was constructive and, when put together, would improve the overall look of my photo. The first photo is the original image submitted for critiquing. In class it was suggested that I blur and darken the background, change the lower leaf so that it goes from green to yellow gradually, and lastly to see what else I can do with the light.

I made several layers to accomplish all that was suggested. I colored the background black and used a soft light blending mode. Then I made a green gradient over the two main leaves (each had its own gradient layer) to add green and to make the light to color shift seem more natural. I ended up having to use the dropper tool and brushing in green for the lower leaf because it worked better than the gradient. I also put a rainbow gradient over the light to add different elements of color. I brought the opacity to a minimal to keep it as natural as possible. I also tried to use the stamp tool to try and either duplicate or move the light rays around, however, I was unable to do so.  ~~~RL

Submitted for critique                          Refined Image

Original Image | Unedited

Week #3 Discussion: Giving Criticism

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but there is a time and a place to voice them. Not everyone can take criticism as a constructive venue for which to improve; for some it is their kryptonite. Scenarios for which criticism is acceptable or appropriate are: when judging talents or events, and when asked specifically for feedback. However, criticism does not have to be harsh. It is of more value when put in nicer terms--constructive vs. destructive. For example, if asked what you think of one's painting which you happen to not like, you can offer suggestions in which they can apply to their work to improve. This is done by pointing out a specific aspect, explaining what you don't like (nicely), then offering a solution to fix it. This helps to keep the friendly atmosphere and establish trust and respect.

My views on criticism depend on the situation and environment in which I am receiving it. Usually I can keep my composure and take each comment as constructive criticism, and nothing personal. However I am particularly sensitive about things having to do with art. I love any form of art, creativity, and self expression. I pour my heart and soul into any piece, therefore, when those subjects are put up for criticism, I feel vulnerable. It is different then being judged on the way you swing a bat, or kick a ball, it is much deeper. When being judged on an art piece, it is like I am being judged as a person, not just the product I produced. My art is an extension of me and how I think and feel, and to have it out in the open, free for anyone's ridicule and torment, is something frightening to me. However, I have worked up a front, a coping mechanism to deal with the anxiety; which all comes from experience. Throughout the process I repeat to myself over and over to stay calm, show no sign of fear, smile, nod, agree with what is being said say thank you, and most of all to remember that the comments I receive are opportunities to measure and improve on my skills. Perhaps the most important thing that I've learned is you dictate how something will affect you. You can either let it get to you and break you down. Or you can use it as fuel to better yourself.    ~~~RL

Week #3: Digital Darkroom

Original Image

ROAD MAP:
-emphasize main leaves
     -brighten main leaves
-more green saturation
-intensify shining light with more color
-black and white?

With this picture I felt that I didn't have to do much, just a few minor adjustments here and there to improve its overall look. Mainly I wanted to adjust the lighting and color of the main leaves. They were too bright and lacked green, so I wanted to add that element to make it stand out in the image. To do that I made a mask over the leaves, then made curve and level adjustments. Then I went through and made adjustments to all the colors in the hue and saturation. I then made a mask for the spotlight and added a bit of magenta, green, and yellow tones to make it seem more mystical. Also, due to the powerful light, I thought it would be a great black and white image because it provided many different tones and levels of brightness. I used the same layers as I did with the colored photo, emphasizing the leaves. Since I didn't necessarily have to worry about color, I was able to bring down the brightness of the background leaves and add more luminance to the main leaves. I think the dynamics of the photo make it work both with and without color.    ~~~RL

Week #2 Sketchbook: Curves Adjustments

The original photo has a sky that is too bright, and mountain that is too dark. Both factors prevent any detail from coming through. There is also a lack in vibrant colors.

To improve the photo I enhanced the amount of detail in both the sky and the mountain. To do this I altered the levels. I left the white tone where it was because the photo could use all the brightness it could get as there were more dark features than bright in the image. I moved the mid tone towards the darker end of the spectrum, which brought in detail from the sky. I then brought the black tone up to brighten up the mountain as best I could without taking away from the detail in the sky. I also made a curve layer to clean/pick up what the layer adjustments didn't. Last I adjusted the overall look of the image by changing the contrast and saturation accordingly. 

~~~RL

Photo Hero

Kim Taylor Reece
Alyssa Carvalho
~~~RL

Level Adjustments

I chose this picture of the Oceanside Beach to demonstrate level adjustments. I wanted to enhance the saturations of colors throughout the image and bring out the detail of the clouds. To do this I went to the levels command in Photoshop and moved around the scale buttons to see the level fluctuations. I decided not to touch the white scale because white is already prominent throughout the image and the photo is bright as it is. Accordingly, I also left the black scale where it was to keep whatever dark components the image had. I moved the gray scale higher to bring more contrast and color saturation, which also enhanced the detail in the clouds. Next I made a new layer and put a dark gray gradient over the sky to bring even more depth and detail into the clouds. The end result is the image you see to the right.
As a side note, I used the stamp/cloning button to sample the cloud color around the date and time label to eliminate it from the picture.   ~~~RL

Alec Soth Photo Response

After viewing Alec Soth's projects, this photo stood out amongst the images that moved me the most. To my understanding this image was taken in Bogotá. Supposing that the men in the photo are military figures, the placing of the subjects make the overall image very interesting.

Alec Soth (Dog Days, Bogotá)

I don't know much about the government, but after briefly researching its history on the Internet, I interpret this image to say many things about Bogotá: past, present, and future. Bogotá has had its fair share of wars as it trudged and muddied through hard times and numerous overturns of governmental shifts in power. This is depicted in the background of the photo; you can see the city below through the midst of dust, and polluted air. To this day the military is still a prominent and strong force throughout the land. Such is that in the foreground is the dominant subjects of the image, the men dressed in uniform: sitting high and pretty, elevated on a pedestal overlooking the rest of their country. However, there is hope present in this situation. For with turmoil comes strength, and with strength comes hope, and with hope comes will, and with will comes perseverance, and through perseverance, prosperity. Just like how--meekly but nevertheless noticeably--a tree can be seen in the foreground, next to the men. The tree signifies life and hope, and as it is in juxtaposition with the assumed men of power, this image tells us that there is hope for the country. New beginnings and new found life seem to be in the near future, and its beauty shall be embraced.    ~~~RL

Week 1 Discussion: Color Theory

Japanese Cherry Trees
PC: Jason Pratt

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese_Cherry_Trees.jpg

http://www.takeprideinutah.org/artificial-tree-absorbs-harmful-gases.html

Examples of colors evoking different emotions:

1. The first image is darker and has a colder feel to it. The second is warmer and more comforting.

2. The first image looks scary, dark, lonely, and has a sense of uncertainty. The second image feels more inviting and less frightful. 

How does color effect the message of an image? 

A picture is worth a thousand words. Considering all the elements that factor into a single image, this statement is definitely true. Color is extremely powerful in terms of provoking emotion. It is much more than shades and pigments; color speaks directly to the brain. Our eyes utilize light to distinguish amongst the color palette and determines the colors we see. On a deeper, psychological level, color also affects our emotions. Certain colors provoke certain feelings. For example, red is a associated with anger, aggression, and heat. Where as blue brings forth tranquil and cool feelings. Such factors, combined with other elements that make up an image, manufacture a macrocosm of effects. Color can be the determinant of your feelings towards an image.

How does it effect you personally? 

Personally, when I view an image, colors really speak to me. Black and white images sometimes brings a depressing feel to an image (depending on the subjects in the photo of course). Photos with brighter colors make me feel cheerful and happy. Yellow and other warming colors bring me comfort and put me at ease. My mood can change after viewing an image, largely in part to the color scheme of the image. Color brings power to any image.

How can you better use color in your workflow today?

Since color can affect my mood, I can use it to my advantage. For example, if I'm feeling a bit down, I can adorn my dorm room with brighter color tones to liven it up. For future projects in my video classes I can utilize colors to help to provoke the emotions I desire my audience to feel. For example, if I am doing a piece on the homeless I can use either black and white or darker lighting and tones in order to generate sadness.

~RL

Week #1 Sketchbook: Photo Hero

PC: Alyssa Carvalho

Photography is a new interest of mine. I took a class in high school and have been intrigued ever since. I haven't really taken the time to find a hero or favorite but I've discovered that the work of nature photographers--namely those who work for National Geographic--really catch my eye. However, I'd say that a couple close friends of mine (Sheadon Ringor and Alyssa Carvalho), who are excellent photographers, are my most favorite.      ~RL
SAR Photography
Kawaikapulani Photography