wP8-Photoshop Self Portrait

PROJECT BRIEF:

This will be a self portrait, but with a twist. It will be a portrait that has been touched by magic and viewers looking at it will be able to see something about the true, real, inner you.  There are a variety of techniques to do this and some idea sparks are on this Pinterest page (if you don't have an acct., you might need one to view). I don't want you to copy any particular persons ideas, but get some inspiration and produce your own.  Additional supporting graphics may be bought in but will need to mesh well with the overall look and feel of the portrait.

NOTE: While you certainly can look at tutorials for technique and inspiration, don't use them for your finished work...I want it to be 100% original!

Specs: Take the time to get a GOOD image of yourself to work from (borrow someones camera if need be or work with one of the students in Photography and the lighting studio), or use one of the better camera phones. Research and collect possible supportive imagery FIRST into a folder.  As in Extreme Room Makeover, make sure everything fits perspective-wise and lighting/color-wise. Use careful selecting, layer styles, blending modes, opacity, color manipulation, texture, CAREFUL ERASURE (with a soft brush to blend if necessary) addition of other supporting imagery.  Think about figure/ground relationships, combining imagery, black & white contrast with color or color highlights. Resolution is important so make sure any imagery you bring in has plenty of pixels!  This will not work with a Facebook image or other low res image. You MUST take a new pic, and it must be a chest/waist up or face only shot, no full body as the focus is on the face.

Add text of your choice (use all 3: big type, medium type, small type) and make a gig looking poster advertising your appearance as a speaker,performer, exhibitor, etc. Produce 8.5" x 11" vertical (portrait) @ 150 ppi.

Experiment with all the cool filters and blending modes and brushes, etc. Use your now polished skills to craft a eye catching but communicative piece.

Keep in mind, the gig poster is just an example of usage, the focus is on the portrait so don't get text heavy...keep that minimal per the examples shown in class.