Lesson video

Hello, my name is Ms. Patrew.

I hope that you are all doing well.

I'm really looking forward to teaching and learning with you today.

Our learning outcome for this lesson is I can transform images by combining, masking, and blending to create new compositions with altered meaning.

Our keywords for this lesson are composite, masking, blending mode, and opacity.

Let's explore each keyword in turn and find out what they mean.

Composite.

An image made by combining two or more separate photographs.

Masking.

Hiding or revealing parts of an image without permanently erasing.

Blending mode.

A digital setting that controls how layers interact visually.

Opacity, the transparency level of a layer or effect.

So those are our keywords for this lesson.

Composite, masking, blending mode, and opacity.

Our lesson outline of "Advancing photo manipulation: transforming images" has two learning cycles.

So let's begin with the first one, "Creating composite images." Let's begin.

How can we transform images to create new meanings and compositions? Pause here for a minute and think about this question and what initial ideas do you have.

Artists and designers use transformation to create surreal, imaginative, or thought-provoking imagery.

This is where photo manipulation goes beyond editing.

It's about making something new.

A composite image is made by merging two or more separate photos.

It can place subjects in new contexts and change the overall story an image tells.

Many artists and photographers experiment with digital tools to create composite images.

Carlos Jimenez Varela blends landscapes, people, and surreal elements into imaginative composites.

His work demonstrates how transformation through digital manipulation can create dreamlike, other-worldly scenes.

Lara Zankoul uses staged scenes and photo manipulations to explore fantasy and storytelling.

Her work shows how combining set design with digital transformation can push photography into surreal narratives.

Maggie Taylor creates surreal composite images by digitally combining photographs, scanned objects and textures to craft dreamlike, imaginative scenes.

Let's have a check-in here for understanding with the following question.

What is a composite image? Is it A, a combination of two or more images into one; B, an image that has been sharpened; C, a photo with a filter and crop applied; D, a digitally-edited photograph that combines colors? So pause here for a moment and think about your answer to this question, and we'll resume together again shortly.

Okay, let's take a look.

What do you think? And the answer is A, a combination of two or more images into one is a composite image.

Although composite images are often created digitally, historically, photographers have experimented with techniques since the 19th century.

Early composite imagery includes Oscar Rejlander's "Two ways of life" from 1857.

This composite photograph combined over 30 negatives to create the print.

Transformation in digital art and photography means reimagining images by combining, masking, and blending elements into a composite.

Discuss with a partner a possible transformation you could create by fusing two or more images together.

So just pause here briefly for a moment and respond to this mini request.

"I could combine different landscape views together to create a hybrid fantasy scene.

I could use different times of day to change the sky for an impactful effect." "I like the idea of blending clouds with everyday objects and forms, to suggest a dream-like mood," says Jun.

Masking is a tool which allows you to hide or reveal parts of a layer without deleting pixels.

It's a safe, flexible way to build composites without erasing or removing sections of an image.

Masking may be used to edit objects in an image, placing them onto a new separate layer so they may be reworked, edited, or blended.

Where do you think masking has been used in this image, and what is the effect? Let's pause here briefly to answer this question.

Masking was used on the sunflower heads in this image to create a blurred blend with the background.

When using masking options, it's important to capture the intended area using the selection tool.

Opacity controls how transparent a layer is.

Adjusting opacity can blend two images smoothly, creating subtle transitions and effects.

In this image, the cotton wool has been blended with the clouds to create a seamless transition between the two images.

Let's have a check-in here for understanding with the following question.

Which of these best describes transformation in digital art? Is it A, only resizing or rotating an image; or B, enhancing brightness and contrast; C, printing a photograph at a larger scale; or D, re-imagining images by combining, masking, and blending? So pause for a moment here to answer this question, and we'll resume together again shortly.

Okay, what do you think the answer is? Let's take a look.

And the answer is D, reimagining images by combining, masking, and blending.

Let's bring our focus to Task A, creating composite images.

Combine two images together into a composite image.

You should consider the impact and effect of combining these two images.

Use masking and opacity to merge the two images realistically.

Reflect on the success of your composite image and identify areas for improvement.

So pause the video here to complete this practical task, and resume when you are ready.

Let's bring our focus to looking at feedback for Task A, in which you were tasked to combine two images together into a composite image.

You might have said, according to Jun, "I created this composite of two different images, a cloud and a person holding an ice cream cone.

I used masking to select and rotate the cloud shape and blended the images together.

I could improve by making the image more surreal, by adding a contrasting background like a cityscape." Let's bring our focus and attention to the second learning cycle, which is "Advanced techniques for image transformation." Blending modes control how one layer interacts visually with another.

They can add, subtract, or merge color and texture in surprising ways.

The overlay blending mode intensifies contrast, while multiply blending mode deepens tones.

Experiment with the blending modes in your image to find the best effect for your composite.

So pause for a moment here and have a go at this experimentation, and resume when you're ready.

Transformation isn't only about combining images into composites.

There are a range of transform tools in digital art software such as resizing, warping, or mirroring elements that can change meaning and composition.

These tools support creative imagination and the possible visual outcomes for your work.

Seamless blending between elements in a composite photo can create varied and expressive images.

Christophe Gilbert is known for hyper-realistic, digitally-enhanced images.

His work shows how subtle manipulation of light, texture, and detail can transform everyday objects into striking visual symbols.

Flora Borsi uses self-portraiture and digital manipulation to create surreal and emotional imagery.

Her work illustrates how transformation of images can communicate inner feelings and abstract ideas.

Let's have a check-in here for understanding.

Which tool controls how two layers visually interact with each other? Is it A, healing brush; B, crop tool; C, blending mode; or D, clone stamp? So pause for a moment here to respond to this question, and we'll come together again shortly.

Okay, let's take a look.

And the correct answer is blending mode.

With just a few more image transformation techniques, there are endless creative possibilities to explore.

Combining, masking, resizing, mirroring, blending modes, and reimagining images allows artists and photographers to make something new.

Surrealist artists often combine unlikely objects to create dreamlike or impossible composite images.

How could you unite seemingly different objects into a single scene? So pause for a moment here and think about this question.

Surrealist artists, writers, and photographers are pioneers for juxtaposing reality with fantasy and dreams. Man Ray was a key figure in Surrealism.

He used experimental darkroom techniques, solarization and photograms to transform images into dreamlike visuals.

Shadi Ghadirian works with stage photography, often using surrealism through juxtapositions to critique gender roles in Iranian society.

Benji Reid works with staged photography, often incorporating surreal elements to explore identity, race, and Black British masculinity.

Too many bold effects can make a composite look unrealistic or messy.

Remember to edit with intention rather than piling on tools.

Subtle blending can be used to make seamless and believable transitions between visual elements.

Okay, let's have a check-in here for understanding.

Why is subtle use of blending important in composites? Is it A, it makes the final image more seamless and believable; or B, it reduces the need for layers in the final image; or C, it prevents the software from crashing; or D, it automatically increases the resolution of the image? So pause for a moment here and think about your response to this question, and we'll come together again shortly.

Okay, let's take a look.

And the answer is A, it makes the final image more seamless and believable.

Let's bring our focus and attention to Task B.

Create a surreal composite image using blending modes and transformational tools.

You should consider your selection of imagery and your intention.

Combine at least two images in imaginative ways.

Use blending modes.

Overlay blending mode intensifies contrast, while multiply blending mode deepens tones.

Use transformation tools such as masking, resizing, mirroring, or warping.

So pause the video here to complete this practical task, and resume when you are ready.

Let's come together and focus on feedback in response to this task.

You were tasked to create a surreal composite image using blending modes and transformation tools.

You might have said, "I made this surreal composite by combining images of the moon, a sky and an astronaut," says Lucas.

"I used masking and blending modes to create a believable scene, then mirrored it to create a reflection underneath." We have now arrived at our summary for "Advancing photo manipulation: transforming images." Transforming goes beyond enhancement, it creates entirely new visual outcomes.

Masking and blending modes enable complex, non-destructive edits.

Composite images can communicate imaginative or surreal concepts.

Opacity adjustments allow subtle control over transformations.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this lesson as much as I enjoyed teaching it.

I'll see you again soon.

In the meantime, take care.

Bye for now.