rachaelprenticegraphicdesig-blog

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Poster Exhibition

Before starting our new music brief, as a class we ventured out to an international Poster Exhibition at the Lighthouse in Glasgow. Also the Exhibition was small it had a wide variety of posters on show from all over the world.

Personally by going to this Exhibition it really helped to give me inspiration when it came to designing a poster for the new brief. When I decided I wanted to go along the 80s theme and looking at examples online I then looked at pictures I took on the day and seen some of the posters looked like they had been inspired my the 80s thereself.

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Specialist Camera Equipment

Filters

Neutral Density

Reduces the amount of light entering the lens, thus decreasing camera shutter speed. Useful for situations where motion blur needs to be created or large apertures must be used with flash to avoid overexposure. Good for landscape and flash photography.

Polarizer 

Filters out polarized light, dramatically reducing reflections, enhancing colors and increasing contrast. Can be used for any type of photography. Polarizing filters are typically circular, allowing for easy control of the effect of polarization. Good for any photography. 

Ultra Violet

Protects the front element of a lens from dust, dirt, moisture and potential scratches. High quality UV filters can be permanently mounted on lenses. Good for any type of photography

Special Effects

There are a few different types of special effects filters. Star filters make bright objects look star-like; softening/diffusion filters create a “dreamy” look used for portraits, multi vision filters create multiple copies of a subject.

References

-What are the Different Type of Filters

Available at: http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/What-Are-the-Different-Types-of-Camera-Filters-/10000000178357780/g.html

[Accessed on 31 Oct. 2017]

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Specialist Camera Equipment

Different Lenses

Macro Lenses

There are 2 types of macro lenses those purposely built in order to capture small and intricate details and those that have a short closest focusing distance. The quality of glass inside the lens is superior as it only has to do one job which is to focus as close as possible. 

Wide Angle Lenses

A wide angle lens is one with a short focal length. They allow you to capture more of the scene in a single shot. They can be useful for photographing landscapes, cramped interiors

Telephoto Lenses

Provides a high level of magnification, allowing you to photograph at a moderate to far distance. They tend to be bigger and heavier than other types of lens. Telephoto lenses are popular for any type of photography where you can't get near to the subject, including wildlife and sports events.

Prime lens

A prime lens is one with a fixed focal length. Prime lenses tend to have better optical quality than zooms, usually achieve a wider aperture, giving them better low-light performance. Their lack of moving parts also makes them lighter and cheaper. .

References 

-Park Cameras

Available at: https://www.parkcameras.com/camera-lenses-explained

[Accessed on 31 Oct. 2017]

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Specialist Camera Equipment

Different Cameras

Digital Cameras

- DSLR cameras are the mot versatile and advanced cameras out on the market. They are  the biggest of the cameras. Lenses can be changed for different situations. They also create the best quality pictures

Compact Cameras 

- Smaller in size. They have a minimum of a 3X zoom lens. These cameras are the best for beginners as they are automatically set. They have a number of scene modes like landscape, nature, fireworks. They cannot be manually adjusted to change shutter speed ect.

Bridge Cameras

-The photographer has more control compared to a compact. There is more control over exposure settings. They have semi-automatic aperture and shutter priority. Compared to a compact they have a much longer zoom range. However lenses cannot be attached.

Mirrorless Cameras

-Very similar to DSLR cameras. However they are much smaller and the same size as a compact camera. There lenses can be changed. They produce same quality images to DSLR

References 

-Easy Basic Photography

Available on: http://www.easybasicphotography.com/

[Accessed on 31 Oct. 2017]

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Research - Vignetting

Vignetting which means darkening of image corners when compared to the centre. Vignetting is either caused by optics, or is purposefully added in post-processing in order to draw the viewer’s eye away from the distractions in the corner, towards the center of the image

Vignetting in photoshop

Open an image

Create and oval section using elliptical marquee tool

Feather the section, Go to Select - Modify - Feather

Invert the selected area by going to Select - Inverse

Add a Curves adjustment layer by going to Layer - New Adjustment Layer - Curves

Adjust the curve to change the vignette effect 

~ Nickonimgsupport

Available at: https://www.nikonimgsupport.com/ni/NI_article?articleNo=000002645&configured=1&lang=en_US

[Accessed on 24 Oct 2017]

~Photographymad

Available at: http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/creating-a-vignette-effect-in-photoshop

[Accessed on 24 Oct 2017]

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Research - Toned Print

In photography, toning is a photographic print toning process carried out on silver-based (black-and-white) photographic prints to change their color. Some toning processes can improve the chemical stability of the print and allow it to last longer.

Duo tone in photoshop

Go to Layer - New Adjustment Layer - Gradient Map

Choose two colors for your gradient. Pick a dark color for the dark parts of your image and a light color for the light parts.

~ Facweb

Available at:http://facweb.cs.depaul.edu/sgrais/photo%20toning.htm

[Accessed on 23 Oct 2017]

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Research - Tilt Shift

When photography was first invented, all cameras were tilt-shift cameras. The view camera allowed you to manipulate the end with the lens, either by tilting it upward/downward, moving it side to side, or moving it up or down. To do tilt-shift photography these days, you need to get a special tilt-shift lens. This lens attaches to your digital SLR and allows you to change the view angle or shift the lens upward and downward to achieve the desired effect.

https://youtu.be/1a3KPrnh2as

~ Mashable

Available at:http://mashable.com/2013/09/24/photoshop-tilt-shift/#Up8OCViFZaqr

[Accessed on 23 Oct 2017]

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Research - Solarisation

Solarisation is the process of re-exposing photographic paper during the development process. The results are a silver image which contains light lines between highlights and shadows. 

To begin the process, develop your paper like normal. When the image begins to appear, remove the print from the developer and place it into a tray of water. This will slow the development process. The next step is to re-expose the paper to light. The final step is to put the paper back into the developer for the remaining development time. Complete the process of development by using your stop bath, fixer and final wash.

Process on Photoshop

Place image

Layer > New adjustment Layer > Hue and saturation. Then move the saturation slider to the left to remove all colour.

Adjustment Panel Tools Palette or go Layer > New adjustment Layer > Curves.

Draw an inverted V. Start at the bottom left, click once at output 0, input 0. Then hold down shift and then click again in the center at the top.

Create another curves layer. Manipulate the curve to lighten/darken your image.

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Research - Cyanotype

Unlike photographs set in silver, like in black and white photography, cyanotypes are using a solution of iron compounds. The photograph can be taken with a camera, like a digital camera, and the resulting photo turned into a negative that can be used to make a cyanotype.

The process 

Mixing chemicals

Preparing the canvas

Printing the cyanotype

Processing and drying

Equipment

25 grams of Ferric ammonium citrate (green)

10 grams of Potassium ferricyanide

Water (distilled if possible)

Scale or measuring spoons

Measuring jug

3 glass containers for mixing ingredients

Plastic spoons

Face mask (DIY style)

Goggles

Rubber gloves

Apron or old shirt

Newspaper to cover work surface

Cleaning cloth

Brushes or coating rod

Clothes pegs (plastic)

Washing line or rope (plastic)

Art paper or fabric for coating

Glass or a contact print frame

Sunshine or a UV light source

Open image and convert it to Black and white. Image-Mode-Grayscale 

Image-Mode-Duotone and from the Duotone box click on the box where it says Ink1 to bring up the color palette and select a blue colour

~ Alternative photography

Available at:http://www.alternativephotography.com/cyanotype-classic-process/

[Accessed on 23 oct 2017]

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Research - Cross-Processed

Cross-processing is the procedure of deliberately processing film in a chemical solution intended for a different type of film. There are different chemicals that can be used.

Colour negative film uses C-41 chemicals for processing.

Slide film uses E-6 chemicals for processing

When you cross-process, you use the chemicals for color negative film with slide films, and vice-versa.

Digital cross processing has the added benefit that we can easily tweak the results until we get the effect we desire.

Open your image in Photoshop. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves and create a new curves layer. 

Adjust Red channel

Adjust Green channel

Adjust Blue channel

Using burn tool, burn in over exposed ares

Change opacity and fill 

~ Cross Processing

Available at:https://crossprocessing.info

[Accessed on 23 Oct 2017]

~ Photography Mad

Available at:http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/digital-cross-processing-in-photoshop

[Accessed on 23 oct 2017]

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Research - Black and White

To get good back and white prints it all about control in contrast 

Enlarger 

Red/orange safe light

3 trays

Masking frame

2x plastic tongs/tweezers

Multigrade filters 

Multigrade paper 

Multigrade paper developer, stop bath and fix

Plastic bottles to store mixed-up chemicals

Optional: electronic timer, focus finder

There are a number of way to convert a photograph to black and white in Photoshop.

You can convert to grayscale mode but lose 2/3 of the information

You can desaturate the image, this will give you no control over the conversion

You can use the Black and White Adjustment which is a very good method, but be careful not to add artefacts 

https://youtu.be/jcWayLKKi8Q

~ Read more at Amateur Photographer

Available at: http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/technique/expert_advice/essential-guide-to-darkroom-printing-44370#bpB2VbYt7mSIySRz.99

[Accessed on 23 Oct 2017]

~ Photoshop Cafe

Available at:https://photoshopcafe.com/tutorials/convert-photos-black-white-photoshop-best-way/

[Accessed on 23 Oct 2017]

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Trip to Edinburgh

We took the day out of college to visit Edinburgh and delve into the art it has to offer. During the day we visited a number of places. First stop was the printmakers, which was interesting and great to see everyone at work. Having the tour we learned how processes were done and even got a little demonstration. In the printmakers they also had an exhibition upstairs which features some of Matthews work which was very interesting to see and find out how it was created. We also visited the Fruit Market Gallery to see the Jac Leirner: Add It Up Exhibition finding out about her work was interesting, especially the fact that she’d steal ashtrays from aeroplanes and hoard other things that she’ll then use in her work. The day was great but by the end of the day I couldn’t wait to get home, it was a very long day with lots of walking but worth it.

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Seb Lester

Seb Lester trained as a Graphic Designer in London. He now works as an artist and designer in East Sussex. He has done work for some of the worlds largest companies such as NASA, Apple, The New York Times and Nike. Before this he was a Type Designer for 9 years. He designed typefaces for British Airwaya, H&M and Waitrose. Lester gains inspiration from many people one of them being William Shakespeare, you can see this inspiration in his work.

~Seb Lester

Available at: http://www.seblester.com/lettering

[Accessed on 14 Oct. 2017]

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Kourosh Beigpour

While looking for influence and inspiration to help with designing the postcard for Salman Rushdies book “Haroun and the Sea if Storiesin habits” I came across Iranian typographer and calligrapher Kourosh Beigpour. Beigpour works on Persian-Arabic don’t design. One on the main reason I looked into his was because the book is set in Persia and therefore could gain inspiration from his work. His work consists of mixing together traditional calligraphy and contemporary typography. Within most of his work he work with contrasting colours mainly as this is a big thing seen in Persian design. His work also has a lot of layering.

~Kourosh Beigpour (2017) Tumblr Available at:http://tarobish.tumblr.com [Accessed on 13 Oct. 2017] ~TypeED Available at:https://type-ed.com/resources/rag-right/2014/05/01/calligraphic-kourosh-beigpour [Accessed on 13 Oct. 2017]

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Lok Ng

Lok Ng a Chinese Graphic Designer/illustrator/calligrapher and typographer. Never been to art school or trained in design Lok Ng is self taught. His client list is very diverse from working with MTV to Kule magazine. Lok works very traditionally and his work becomes very simplistic but has huge impact. His work is influenced by Chinese calligraphy and Japanese culture. When designing the most important thing to him is that the typeface needs to be fun. His work is always clean looking, bold and geometrical. His colour schemes are always very simple and keeps to 3 colours, normally black, white and red. These colours are traditionally used in Chinese culture and because of that I can use Lok Ng to help influence some of “The Joy Luck Club” front covers.

~Eightsix

Available at: http://eightsix.co/chinese-design/graphic/lok-ng-typography-illustration/

[Accessed on 13 Oct. 2017]

~Lok Ng (2017) Tumblr

Available at: http://lokngs.tumblr.com/

[Accessed on 12 Oct. 2017]

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Vince Frost

Vince Frost an English Graphic Designer. When he moved to Sydney, Australia in 2004 he set up a well know clients list such as Deutsche, Gantas and the Sydney Opera House. Frost approach is all about coming up with exceptional ideas based on listening carefully to the needs of the clients. Frost creates his striking typography by using grids. By using these grids it creates a modern feel. In the ‘type as an image’ breif we were asked to have type setting in the back of the postcard, therefore Frost is a good person to take inspiration from when coming up with layouts.

~Vincefrost

Available at: http://vincefrost.com

[Accessed on 12 Oct. 2017]

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Paul Renner

While researching Nesbit and her book ‘Five Children and It’ I came across Raul Renner a German graphic designer, type designer and typographer. Renner is best know for designing Futura typeface. The typeface was a first of its kind and lead the way to influence modern typefaces. Futura was then to become known as Geometrical Modernism. A sans serif font based off of geometrical shapes. Taking inspiration of those shapes to help influence my ideas.

~Famousgraphicdesigners

Available at: http://www.famousgraphicdesigners.org/paul-renner

[Accessed at 12 October 2017]