Photography and animation
When introducing children and youth into the world of modern technologies,
the most appropriate method, according to the implementers of the "Animated
Debate" project, was to compare the computer with other tools used
everyday. Here, the computer as a tool for a digital photographs processing,
found its place.
One of the tasks of the "Animated Debate" project was to introduce
the participants to the art of the film and photography. The birth
and development of the digital photography is one of the most important
and most spectacular indications how much ICT has influenced art. Computer
and specialist software have revolutionized photography. At the moment,
when scanners and the software with practically unlimited possibilities
became available to the photographers, the processing of each picture
has gained the next level. In the natural course of things, also digital
cameras appeared, which accelerated the process of making the modern
photography.
On the other hand, implementing the elements of traditional and digital
photography into the workshops programme seems as obvious as the relation
of photography with the film. On one hand, this connection is based
on practice and the similarity of used tool. One hundred years ago,
the first film was made in the photographic workshop, and his author
connected and synchronized the effect of several photo cameras. In
the film and photography, the same method of transfer is used - it
is the sensitive film in the traditional technique, and the electronic
converter in the digital technique. Tools and aids used in photography
and film are similar or even identical.
Digital photography gives the possibility to the immediate watching
of the ready picture, as well as quick sending it to the memory of
the computer. Now it can be subjected to the digital processing which,
thanks to the programmes available, gives the unlimited possibilities
of creation. Incidentally, photographic prints made with the traditional
technique, can be very easily changed to the digital form, using a
scanner. However, the scanner cannot guarantee such high quality and
clarity of the picture as a good digital camera. Processed photos can
be sent by e-mail, put on a website, or used in the animation. Photography
and film, also animated one, are joined by the art of composing the
image and frame. The practice of the proper composition was the important
element of the workshop process. Each of the created animations, especially
with the three-dimensional objects and figures, was based on the well-measured
composition of the picture.
The outline of the workshop "London through the eye"
"London
through the Eye"
Main
assumptions:
Taking the pictures on London Eye and choosing the ones which would
be digitally processed. The participants of the workshops were supposed
to learn how to use the scanner and some selected tools of Photoshop
programme. Their task was to plan the composition, content, and color
while taking the pictures, and then the visualization of digital
processing possibilities. While taking the pictures (using the traditional
technique, not digital one) the participants could take only twelve
images.
Goals
- Taking
the limited number of postcards-like photos on London Eye
- Producing
the pictures with the well-thought-out composition
- Scanning,
saving, and importing the photos to Photoshop program
- Digital
picture processing with the use of layers - the modification of layers,
the choice of tools and color equalization.
Devices
applied, software used
Mac computers, standard software: Photoshop, Fireworks, Flash.
Disposable cameras were used, each with twelve-frame film inside.
The course of the workshop
Workshops were planned for five meetings, four hours each. Then the
participants were to become acquainted with necessary tools of adobe
Acrobat programme - scanning, filters, colour equalization, layers
modification.
First and second meeting:
During the first two meetings the following questions were raised:
- the environment of Photoshop programme
- the programme possibilities (the examples of the picture processing
and other applications)
- the application of Photoshop programme components : Web Design, Graphics,
Art and Photographic
- the difference between the picture on the screen and the picture
printed
- downloading and saving the ready images, opening with the use of
the proper programme
- Searching the helpful pictures in the Internet
There was also a briefing organized before the trip, dedicated to the
anticipated results. There were the examples of postcards discussed,
as well as the aim of the composition of the exemplary postcards.
The third meeting
The trip to London Eye. Reminding of the workshop aims. Taking the
pictures, with the special attention paid to images taken from the
center of the wheel, while remembering that pictures should be in
the nature of postcards. Scanning, saving, and processing to Photoshop
files. Choosing the best pictures. Work on the final presentation
with trails and experiments. The techniques display. The effective
use of layers and joined options. Text tools of the programme.
Anticipated
results
Anticipated results were based mainly on building the skill to use
Photoshop programme and developing an individual style.
Remarks
The workshop participants were eager to take photos, and they were
inspired by the idea of the workshop. They worked in a disciplined
way, waiting impatiently for the final result, which gave them a
lot of joy. The youth discussed about the composition of the particular
pictures very willingly. The workshop task was to create such a composition,
using the Photoshop tools, which would arise because of the participants'
needs and skills.
The workshop participants learnt to perceive the picture as a collection
of lines and textures that can undergo processing. All the participants
used Photoshop programme for the first time and therefore when there
was any tool presented, they all used only one way of picture modification.
It was important to present the possibilities of the programme in such
a way that the workshop participants were not overwhelmed with them.
Tutorials sites:
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/
http://www.neave.com/
http://altpick.com/members.php?id=11198
http://www.unit.nl/html/index.htm
http://www.agfaphoto.com
http://www.hpphoto.com/
