Digital Photography and Imaging - Project 2

Digital Photography and Imaging - Project 2

01.10.2019 - 15.10.2019 (Week 6 - Week 8)
Wong Kai Yi (0340236)
Digital Photography and Imaging
Project 2

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1. INTRODUCTION

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2. PROJECT 2

Week 6 (01.10.2019)

Our goal was to make an image with various combinations, and it must be convincing. We also have to make a short animation (a few seconds) after completing the still image.

I started sketching my ideas. The first few were a combination of animals and food, the following were nature and human civilization / technology.

Fig 6.1 Sketches

Initially, I showed Mr Jeff and Mr Martin my sketches (Fig 6.1). They were simple but not much meaning was within the design. I was suddenly inspired and thought of two other designs that I painted before previously. They are at the bottom right of Fig 6.1. Both were related to music and nature, as I am an enthusiast for both. I always get my inspiration when listening to music and enjoying nature.

My first idea was to connect a violin / cello and a tree. Mr Jeff thought that it was a good idea and the material of the violin is wood (tree is the source of wood).

My second idea was to put a lake into a grand piano. Birds will be in the lake swimming / will be flying towards the lake.

Before starting out, I searched for images to use for the two ideas.

I tried the second idea (piano lake) out, but I couldn’t find a suitable background for it. I tried background with trees, grassy land etc. but the angles were not suitable. 

Fig 6.3 Piano lake 1.0

Fig 6.4 Piano lake with trees background (unsuitable)

Week 7 (08.10.2019)

Mr Martin said that the piano should be bigger as the main point is the pond in the piano. If it is too far, the pond will not be obvious. He suggested me to put a wooden background and move the swimming duck so that the piano stand would not be blocking it. I also checked the size of the document to make sure it was 1920px x 1080px. Mr Martin also told me that the image was blur. This was because I previously put gaussian blur on several images as they were far. I opened a new document so that I can work on it again without getting things mixed up. I used another piano but used the same pond and swimming duck. I tried to use another flying duck which is flying in another direction. I searched for more images to be used.

Fig 6.5 images searched 

Below are the original pictures used:

Fig 6.6 swimming duck

Fig 6.7 flying duck

Fig 6.8 Kawai grand piano

Fig 6.9 lake

Fig 6.10 wooden background

Fig 6.11 flying duck 2

I put them into Photoshop to do the photo manipulation again.

Fig 6.12 piano lake 2.0

Fig 6.13 piano lake 3.0

Here, the piano is much bigger, and the background is wooden. I have not added any reflections for both the ducks. This was because I have not confirmed their position in the image. I also have not done any match color, because I might be changing some elements. As you can see, the reflection on the piano cover is the inside of the piano. I put a black layer covering that area to put the reflection of the pond.

I picked piano lake 3.0 to be continued with the still image and animation.

After showing Mr Martin piano lake 3.0, he approved of the composition so I continued to work on it. I added the reflection of the duck and did match color.

Fig 6.14 static piano lake

I continued to do my animation with Adobe After Effects.

I put this image (Fig 6.15) as background as I wanted to animate the bird to be flying. I also made a flying bird Photoshop file with a transparent background. 

Fig 6.15 background for animation

Fig 6.16 Flying bird png

When using Adobe After Effects, I used the scale and puppet tool for the flying bird. The bird is flying from the front towards the piano. I used scaling to make it look bigger so it is closer to the viewer and then smaller as it approaches the piano. I used the puppet tool to make the wings flap up and down as if it is flying. For the start and end of the video, the bird's wings are not moving because it is gliding in the air.

Here is the video:

After showing Mr Martin, he suggested that I just do subtle movements for the birds. For the flying bird, I can put it standing on the piano with its wings flapping subtly. For the swimming bird, he suggested that I make its head bend down a bit.

Hence, below is the final subtle animation video: