Holzhauer+A-Texture

Ten Changes to my Final Image:
====In order to create and get to my final image, I edited and applied multiple changes to each separate image. I originally started with the sky because I loved how I captured the tree branches in the corner and I started playing around with the brightness. I darkened the image slightly and increased the contrast so that the sun was more visible. I then went and edited the hue, saturation, and lightness. I originally changed the sky to a more pink and orange color but once I saw it in a more green blue color I kept it. The color made it look as if the sky was water. From there I started with my next layer, the leaf road with people. I started by changing the rotation on the horizontal axis so that the road lead to the sun. I also edited the contrast on this image to help separate the trees from the pathway. From there I erased all the tree background and being especially careful when erasing around the people. The edge between the sky and the path was very defined and I wanted to blend the edge a little more to add flow. I took the eraser and changed the opacity and only erased the edges. My next layer was the sign. I didn't make any drastic changes to the appearance of the image because I thought the contrast and color was perfect for my final. I then cropped the image and erased the background so that just the sign and the pole (with rust) was left. At this point I wasn't satisfied with my final because I felt that I didn't have much texture within it and that was the entire purpose of this project. I went ahead and added the tree back into the background. Once I did this I had to go back and change the opacity of the sky so that the tree bark would show through enough but not too much that you could no longer see the sky. Once this was done, I felt as though my final was complete. ====

Composition Techniques:
====Within my final I used multiple composition techniques. I filled the frame with multiple images and used the entire workspace. I also used the rule of thirds when taking my pictures and when placing them into the final. The tree branch coming from the right side is in the right third of the image and the sign on the opposite side is on the left side of my final image. When I originally took the sign photograph, I was already thinking about the rule of thirds. The majority of the path is in the bottom left side of my final and that also applied to the rule of thirds. Although the sun is still in the center of my image, there was a purpose for that within my concept. The third composition technique I used was leading lines. The path is a continuous leading line that the viewing doesn't know where it starts or if it ends because you can't see the ending when looking at my final. Also the tree branches coming form the right side are all leading lines because they run off the side but point you into looking towards the left side of the image. My final also represents and interesting focal point because the the sky, from ground view, is up. On the other hand, the pathway was taken as a straight ahead. Combining these two different perspectives, creates interesting point of view because as a viewer you don't know whether they are walking up or if they are walking straight and it is up to the viewer to decide how they see it. Including four different composition techniques: interesting focal point, filling the frame, rule of thirds, and leading lines, have all made my final a successful combination of images.====

Emphasized Texture and Other Elements and Principles of Design:
====The purpose of this project was to combine three or more images that emphasized texture. Within each image I combined to create my final, they all brought a new texture. The tree bark has a rough and hard texture that you can see through the bumps and ridges within its bark. The sky has a more wispy and smooth texture and the clouds add another texture that is implied when you look at the sky. The pathway added multiple texture but the main implied texture was in the leaf path. Leaves, depending on the season, have varied texture. Within my image they had a crunchy and dry texture that is implied when seeing brown, dead leaves. The sign also brought a different texture. The texture of the sign is smooth and shiny but the pole is a little rusted and has a texture of bumpy instead of it being completely smooth. The contrast, especially in the background, between the smooth wispy sky and the hard ridged bark, added to the success of my final photograph.====

Concept of my Final Piece:
====My concept for this final piece was very dark and twisty. My concept was to have people walk to the light( the sun) as if they were doing the walk to the afterlife. Some chose to embrace the walk by taking a picture, the boy contemplated continuing, and the main girl just walked with her hands in her pocket as if she was nervous for what was to come. The sky was originally grey and I changed it to a blue color because I wanted it to look like water. As if, if they were to walk over the edge, they would fall into a sea. The one way sign is pointing them into the right direction and letting them know there is no turning back. It is up to the viewer to decide where they are walking to and if the sun is heaven or hell.====

Success and Improvement for Next Time:
====I am very pleased with my final. I thought I did exceptionally well incorporating texture without it looking forced or out of place. I had a good concept and I thought i pulled it off and the viewer will get the same message when they look at it. My craftsmanship was well done and blending the edges of the path really helped with that. Also I was very careful when erasing the edges and that also added to my craftsmanship. One thing i think I could work on is editing each individual picture but that also comes with experience using the program. Once I understand and can easily use Photoshop, my overall artwork will be more advanced. For my very first time using a SLR camera and photo shop, I am very proud and impressed of the artwork I created.====