Masking Exercise

As part of our Sound and Visualization unit, we had to learn some basic PhotoShop techniques. One of these is masking, where you take two photos and then remove a single part of one of the photos so it fits in the other photo. We had to create a new forest scene using these two forest pictures. To be specific, we had to place two of the big trees from the first picture into the bottom image, and then place layer masks on three of the surrounding trees. 

This is the finished piece. I placed two of the bigger trees in the foreground. As the colors in the two pictures are different, I had to use a color balance layer to change their colors. I used the burn tool to create shadows in the trees as well, just as I used the dodge tool to create highlights, so as to simulate light and shadow. I think this turned out rather well, although the shadows on the tree to the right could be refined a bit. 

Production Diary: Wednesday 7th October

We met up today as a group, primarily to finalise the designs of most of the elements. 

 We have decided to give the boy more of a Charlie Brown-esque design, however this was done before we decided. I added some more aboriginal patterns to his body. 

We have also decided to make the creature more humanoid in appearance. While it still isn't completely human, what with the long fingers and frog face, it looks a little more human than it did initially. 

Production Diary: Tuesday 6th October

Today I began thinking about initial storyboarding. Although I still have a way to go, I have mapped out the first few seconds of the story, where an elder is telling the story of the Yara-Ma-Yha-Who. The boy, frightened of this tale, sneaks off and goes for a walk in the woods. As far as storyboards go I am a little rusty, but fortunately we were shown some techniques today, such as the 180 degree rule. 

I also did some more creature drawings. I think I've grown quite attached to idea of a frog creature. I have also given it more human hands. 

Production Diary: concepts

This was an initial attempt to realise the creature on Photoshop. What I like about this stage is that it has given me a chance to use PhotoShop for art based purposes, something I've been wanting to do for a while. The colours blend well together, but I should try a slighter brighter red next time, perhaps a more bloody red. 

Production Diary: Moodboards

 As part of the visual research for the Project, we had to create moodboards for different elements of the story. These were created as research for the aboriginal style we'll be using in the dream sequence, as well as the creature the film is focused on.