Digital Photography and Imaging - Week 2

Week 2: Practical (Collage Element)

NAME: SOFIA CHEW

I.D: 0377902

COURSE: Digital Photography and Image / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

GROUP: 4

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1. Lecture

For this week lecture, we were taught about the intro of composition. The lecture covered introduction to basic composition, Rules of Third, Golden Ratio and Composition framing & cropping. 

1. Introduction to basic composition

When doing composition, we have to take notes on focal points, scale and hierarchy, balance the element and white space. 

    Focal points

    This refer to the point where viewer will naturally set their eyes on. 

    Scale and Hierarchy

    For scale it refers to the size of elements within the composition. The different of size can help with emphasizing message, balance and also contrast.

     For hierarchy, it refers to the arrangement of the composition which help viewers to understand what to focus on first.

    Balance the Element

    To master balancing element, we can try out a technique which require us to think of each elements having a "weight". So the bigger the element the heavier the weight it contains, while the smaller the element the lesser the weight it contain.

    White space

    This "empty space" helps to balance the main focus of the composition. In other words, it helps our design to "breathe".

2. Rules of Third

    This imaginary grids, which is divided into nine equals part by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical line helps in creating balance and visual interest especially when the focal points are placed along these grid lines or at their intersections.

3. Golden Ratios

    It is a mathematical ratio that tends to create compositions that feel organic and balanced. This is because it reflects the proportions found in nature. So it will be more visually comfortable and harmonious to the human eyes.

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2. Instruction

Last week, we were told to prepare some magazine, newspaper, plastic or any type of potential materials that can be use to create a collage. We are also required to bring cutting pad to avoid leaving the surface scratches. For this task, we have to choose and identify our collage's design element from the materials we have prepare. After choosing them we have to cut them out and compose it into our own concept and story. Before finalizing our composition, we have to pre-compose three design and share them to the google docs which is uploaded in classroom. After getting Mr. Fauzi's approval, we then can finalize our design.

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3. Work 

After scrolling and flipping through my magazines, the photo that introduces pearl strivers caught my attention. So i chose it as the main theme for this collage design. The main element for this collage design are rock, river and poles. After gathering and cutting them, I started pre-composing them out, which led to these three outcomes.

Background of pearl strivers: The Mississippi rivers used to be clean and full of fish and molluscs. Towns along them thrived by harvesting mussels and making buttons and there were even pearl divers. A car's old gas tank and some garden hose compose a homemade helmet for this Mississippi River pearl diver. 

Fig 3.1 Pre-composition 1

Fig 3.1 Pre-composition 2

Fig 3.1 Pre-composition 3

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