Project 1: Scratch

For this project, I chose to use the same colors for each image. I simply liked these colors a lot and didn't want to make something extremely bright. For the first image, I knew I wanted to do something Cabaret Theatre related. Not only because I do some graphic design work for them, but because the colors I chose match the outdoor look of the Cabaret very well. For this image I used the shape tools and perspective tool to create the building, doors, stairs, and railing. I created a stroke around the doors and then used the paint brush to make simple bushes and flowers. Finally, I included text (the same font as the Cabaret uses for their logo) on the side of the building to show what it is.

For my second picture I created cutouts from some promotional photos that I use when making Cabaret ads for the current production. My favorite tool to use in CS5 (along with content-aware fill) is the edge refinement tool. This tool allows me to cut out figures very accurately - especially when the original image is against a white background. When I cut the figures out and applied an overlay, some areas were slightly opac so I used Smart Sharpen to help make sure the entire cutouts were a solid color (with the exception of the dots on Suzanne's shirt.) To finish it off I used large text in a way that incorporates all of the colors I chose. To do this I created the text in grey, then chose a blending mode that created high contrast in the text depending on which color it was hovering over. I then flattened the image and used the paint bucket tool to change these areas of the text to colors of my choice.

For the final picture, I used the paint brush tool almost exclusively. I was going to do a more complex drawing, but considering the simplicity of the colors I used, I decided to keep the content equally simple. In the end I felt it looked like something you might see driving down the highway when you're just entering Oregon. For the text I used the pen tool to create a text path.

Before this project, I felt that I knew quite a bit about Photoshop since I've taken classes that center around it and my job requires that I use it often. However, I don't normally create these kinds of images from just five contrasting colors, so I felt enlightened in a way. In Photoshop it's always nice to do new things. I'll definitely explore this technique later on. I feel that my second image (dancers) is my favorite because I was able to use some of the tools I enjoy most and am most comfortable with.