Techniques considered and used
For the exercise I selected:
1) Two long-exposure images of passengers waiting for a train at a train station.
2) Two separate images of CCTV cameras taken on a bright day against a blue sky background
I started by thinking about the positioning of the elements on the cover sheet. I decided that the best place for the book title will be at the upper part of the cover (I will need to leave some space for it). The author’s name might be best placed at the bottom of the cover sheet. I wanted to place my two images of the CCTV cameras against the blue sky at the top corners of the cover sheet – to make an impression of the cameras overlooking the scene. The torn/ distorted paper will be at the central part of the sheet, between the cameras.
I considered using the following tools and techniques for this assignment:
I considered using the following tools and techniques for this assignment:
· Clone stamp tool and healing tool
· Magic wand and lasso for making selections
· Layer/ duplicate layer
· Flip image horizontally/ vertically – to create two images of CCTV cameras facing each other
· Eraser to reveal layers underneath
· Copy and Paste – to save images together as layers
· Flatten image function.
I started my work by preparing the individual elements of the visual. I cropped and saved the two pictures of passengers together; I then used the Magic Wand tool to make my selection; I also used the eraser tool to remove some parts of the top image to reveal the layer underneath – this was to create a scratched and torn look that I needed for my central element of the cover.
I then prepared the background picture with the blue sky and the two CCTV cameras. I saved the CCTV camera shot twice: the second image was flipped horizontally so the cameras were facing each other. I cropped and resized the images to make sure that they all match the same format. I then saved one image on top of another using the Copy and Paste function. I used the eraser tool to reveal the layer underneath. The resulting image had two CCTV cameras facing each other on the blue sky background. I created two different versions of this image: one with both cameras at the top part of the picture; the other image had one picture at the top and the other at the bottom corners of the frame.
I then proceeded to combining the two images together. At this stage, I found that I had to prepare more than one version of the final image before I was satisfied with the result. My first image took a very long time to prepare and I used the smudge tool to smooth and smudge the edges of the central image.
When I reviewed my first image, I did not think it was strong enough in conveying the message. The visual appearance seemed too artificial and disjointed; there wasn’t enough space left at the top for the title so I decided to make a different version.
I wanted my second image to have more of the clear blue sky visible and I also wanted to make the central image smaller to make sure that there is sufficient space for the title. I decided to move the cameras around and position one at the top and the other at the bottom of the cover sheet.
This approach seemed to work better and I ended up with an image that has a better composition than the first version. I worked quite a long time on the transition between the central image and the blue sky background trying different ways of connecting the two elements together.
I finally settled on the ‘looking through the misty window’ version. This was created with the eraser tool set to a small dry brush with soft edges.
I thought that this finish helped to present the main idea even better (glass – restricted, behind the glass – inside, in captivity, restricted, watched over, observed; also the nurse’s office in the novel had a glass window; at the same time, the glass is clear and transparent, we are trying to demystify, make the picture clear, swipe away the fog and confusion).
Following this, I created some variations of this image, mainly to try different colours and tones to make sure that all aspects of the image contribute to the main theme. Finally, I created some other versions of the cover using just one of the images.
My personal preference remains with the cyanotype style of this image (version 4). I think it conveys the main theme better than any other versions integrating all the elements that I picked up for this piece of work:
Cyanotype tone: often associated with mental health, hospitals; sanity. The colours seem to be a slight distraction and switching to a single tone offers a more focused approach.
The background and the CCTV cameras: surveillance vs freedom; an artistic filter was applied to increase the grain and to draw attention to the question of what is real and what is not .
The lighter area at the left bottom corner – imitates a search light to convey the theme of freedom and captivity; imposed order, mental health institutions, hospitals, restrictions; also searching for truth.
The central image: confusion, complexity; blurred vision, madness and sanity; human relations; questioning ad searching for truth; being watch; observed and the observer; seeing through the glass and observing; frosted over glass, preventing form clearly seeing the reality vs demystifying and clarifying.
Overall, the technical part of my work on the image was interesting and fun; I really enjoyed trying different approaches and experimenting with the wonderful range of Photoshop tools.
