Jarred

This is the final product of the compositing project. I used seven different photographs and compiled them to create this "scene." I wanted to create a scene that would be "impossible" in real life. To give the picture a sort of surreal look, I incorporated a newspaper background, using the neon glow filter to give it the unusual tint.

The greatest trouble I had was trying to make it appear as though the parrot was inside the jar, because the class made it very difficult to do so. I found a way to successfully do so, although I have to admit, it was only luck that led to me to that. I made a duplicate of the jar, and put the parrot on top of the one jar. with the duplicate, I used the "burn" option so that it became more transparent. I put the burnt, transparent jar over the bird as a different layer, putting the parrot between the two jar layers. I was really excited to see that it had worked out.

The toy elephant is one of my favorite parts of the project. It is childish and very fitting. I do not think that a picture of a real elephant would have given the same effect. I think it would have been trying to pull off too much. I really liked the idea of having toys be incorporated into the image.

With the ''burnt jar,'' I duplicated it once again, enlarged it, and made it more transparent. With that, I placed it behind the girl and the elephant to sort of appear as a shadow on the newspaper background. I thought it was a little bit plain having all the newspaper in the background. I am very glad that I included the jar's ''shadow." I am very pleased with the effect.

Lastly, I decided to add just a silly, minor detail in the project: In the newspaper, for the article on the right, I replaced the picture of the journalist that lies next to the article with a small icon of Captain Hook. Why? Because I love Captain Hook. And I'm curious to see who notices it. I loved finding out all the humorous details within Michaelangelo's works... So I thought, why can't I try that too? So look for the little Captain Hook icon.. he's watching you.

Prospective Project.. take two

What I originally intended to do and what I have actually done for the project are extremely different. I first planned on compositing an image with my two sisters playing in the refrigerator and creating a "food stock wonderland." The more I thought and tried to develop an idea, the more my ideas completely changed. The proceeding photos are the three pictures that I am using to fulfill the project requirements (interior, exterior, human interaction).

What I later decided to do, was to put a stuffed animal (a nice colorful parrot) in the jar, with the young girl seated on top of a toy circus elephant, reaching for the poor little parrot who is stuck inside the jar. To incorporate an exterior, I chose a newspaper to make into the background.

I hope to achieve a sort of "playful" scene, with a child's toys, yet have it be rather ambiguous. We'll see how it turns out, with my second-ever try at photoshop.

"Inherited Traits"

The "Inherited Traits" gallery was perfect for the opening show in the new Art building.

I loved the originality of the piece and the perfect cooperation between the pieces with the common theme of heritage and family. Heidi Kumaow's projection pieces were beautiful in their narratives. The projection that told the story of how Japanese Americans used gardening to make it through their conditions was really beautiful to me. The narrative was detailed enough to be understood, yet "ambiguous" and vague enough to give a sense of honor and faded memories.

Nina Kachadourian's Genealogy of a Supermarket and Nightgown were magnificent pieces. The humor behind the genealogy was intriguing, yet the piece had a sort of reverence for family heritage, and therefore the viewer could take the piece seriously. The Nightgown piece so truly beautiful: the adventure behind the project made it seem like a two-part story. The missing pieces make the work even more beautiful, beacuse there is an essence of mystery of heritage that cannot be grasped. Of all the pieces, these two pieces were my favorite. I could not say which piece I prefer... each is beautiful in a very different way.

Reviewing Reviews for your Review

As I got to read what others reviewed about the artists, I was able to gain new perspectives on the works. Jeff Wall seemed to have interesting responses. As Christina stated, his works seemed to be "snapshots." As Elena also said, his works seemed "well staged" and rather professional in the most artistic essence.

Tuen Hocks, as Christina said, seemed to step on the line of childhood stories and fantasies. I loved the strange Dali-esque storyline that seemed to go behind his works. Each story seemed so strange, yet they were so appealing.

Gregory Crewdson created scenes which draw the viewer to "comb through the scenes like a detective," as Michelle said. As Kara also noted, his works seemed to evoke almost "uncomfortable" emotions, which is why I feel so drawn to his pieces. The emotions aroused are rather indescribable, but strange at the very least. His pieces succeed in engaging the viewer's mind.

As Elena noted, Cindy Sherman's pieces seemed to contain a sort of narrative, a very vague narrative. I really love how Liz explained that while the other artists relied heavily on light and color, Cindy Sherman relied on image and narrative rather than color. I enjoyed the reviews because each person brings forth unique perspectives which allow me to enjoy the pieces in different ways.

Compositing Exercise 1

This is my first composition, which was part of our compositing exercise. I took three black and white photographs from my album online from Italy and created this image. There is a statue bust in the window, and through the passage way there are the ruins of building. There are also two trees of some sort on either side of the passage way. I made them very opaque to give a surreal effect. I believe I have 5 total layers, but I may be wrong. No, maybe there's 6...

Regardless, I'd say I'm pretty proud of my first try at Photoshopping.

I like it