Selecting and Layering Images
For my Photoshop Final Project, I chose to highlight Ilia Malinin, whose remarkable accomplishments in the figure skating world served as the inspiration for this piece. My goal was to capture a powerful, celebratory moment that reflects his impact and momentum as an athlete.
I incorporated multiple layered elements to create depth and visual energy, using brush and transparency techniques to blend smoke effects that emphasize Malinin as the central focus. His gold medal plays a significant role in the composition, positioned prominently above the banner and enhanced through color adjustments and outlining to ensure clarity and impact. To maintain a cohesive celebratory theme, I incorporated gold typography that complements the medal and unifies the overall design.
ALTERED IMAGES
Adding Colors and Effects to Images
For this project, I selected images that reflect different aspects of my identity and interests. Each composition allowed me to explore the use of color, effects, and layering to create visually engaging and imaginative results.
In the first image, featuring the campus of Quinnipiac University, I transformed the scene into a surreal space-inspired environment. Using layering techniques, filters, and color adjustments, I created a dreamlike atmosphere that reimagines the familiar setting boldly and unexpectedly.
The second image took a more subtle approach. I incorporated seagulls into the sky using layering tools and adjusted the brightness at the top of the composition to ensure the birds blended naturally with the environment, enhancing the overall balance of the piece.
For the final image, I combined two separate photos to construct the whale’s head and fin emerging from the water. Layering techniques, paired with darker filters, allowed me to create a realistic sense of depth and movement, making the whale appear naturally integrated into the ocean setting.
This in-class assignment introduced me to the fundamentals of creating layer masks and applying effects to individual layers. Throughout the process, I learned how to blend images more seamlessly, including the precise use of tools to control visibility and transitions between elements. These techniques allowed me to manage how each component interacted with the background and contributed to a more cohesive overall composition.
The project provided valuable hands-on experience with layering and non-destructive editing, helping me build a stronger foundation in essential Photoshop skills.
RETOUCHING IMAGES
The sunset image on the right is the original photo, which included a pointed gate in the foreground. I felt the gate distracted from the natural beauty of the scene, so I used masking tools to remove it and added a small seagull instead, shifting the focus back to the sunset. I also enhanced the lighting using brightness and contrast adjustments to make the overall image more vivid.
For the mountain climber image, the photo on the right is the original. Although we worked on this in class, I customized the coloring on the mountain and used both the paint bucket and magic wand tools to fill in small gaps for a smooth, finished look.
Lastly, the original window image on the right was noticeably tilted. To fix this, I used the crop tool along with the straighten feature to properly center and align the photo. Similar to the other edits, I enhanced the final image by adjusting brightness and contrast to achieve a realistic appearance.
Applying Photoshop to Personal Projects
To expand on the skills I’ve learned in class, I created a personal project using a green screen photo of my teammate and me from Quinnipiac’s Club Figure Skating team. I replaced the background using the masking tool, experimenting with color customization to create a visually engaging scene. This project also helped me refine my use of the Brush Tool to carefully craft a clean silhouette effect around both figures.