project 3

For this project I chose to work around a fairly simple image with little to no clutter. I did this to make sure I wouldn't get caught up in tiny details and to be able to work much faster. I started with an image I took using my new 58mm macro lens. I photographed a blue die against a blue pad. I took the image as a monotone and added a reddish filter to it to allow for grater editing later. After I had the base image I wanted, I opened it in Camera Raw and added a targeted adjustment using the adjustment brush to add a blue tint to the die. I used a combination of "SmartMask" and regular masking techniques. once I had what wanted, I opened the RAW file in the main photoshop interface. I proceeded to add a second layer and used this as my drawing layer. Then I stared outlining the die's edges and circles. Once I had this done, I chose the color of the circles and began drawing those in. I did the same with the rest of the die. Then I chose a lighter area of the pad, but didn't begin painting it yet. I first selected the pad area using the "MagicWand" tool. I refined the edge so I wouldn't have to manually clean up the edge. I now increased the size of my brush significantly and filled in the pad area. Since the image was severely lacking dimension at this point, I went ahead and made a new layer for the shadows. I then chose really dark versions of the colors used and started to paint them in using a low opacity. I made the gradation very clear and choppy to maximize ease as well as add a cartoony effect to the picture. I was now finished and I think the image turned out pretty well. I'm not big on drawings (as you can tell with my work), but I'm satisfied.