Exhibit 4: Mother Neon

Background

This week we were asked to use selections to remove subjects from their background and create a design of our own. I've always liked the neon/laser effect the 70s and 80s had. I wanted to create a design that fits modern society but with a little retro to it. 

Photoshop

I went into Photoshop 

• I cut out Emily by going into select and clicking select and mask. I then clicked select subject and refine hair. 

• I loaded the two-color background into photoshop as the new background. 

• I pasted the cutout of Emily into the new layer.

• I then loaded the Earth image and did the same cutout. I copied the cutout and pasted it onto Emily's hands. I erased areas that looked weird. 

• I watched the same video for the sunset look as exhibit 3, but I did opposite colors to give the earth that pink and blue look. 

• I wanted to give her a neon triangle so I watched a video on how to do it called "Neon Light Effect Photoshop Tutorial" by : Spoon Graphics. 

• I merged all the layers together and played with the hue, saturation contrast, and brightness.  

Design

This design was inspired by a mix of the 70s and 80s and Mother Nature. I always liked the whole neon and retro vibe when it comes to those times, the music, the scene, everything seemed so fun. Furthermore, I like the whole "Goddess" or "Muse" look that Greek Mythology taught us. I wanted to create an abstract poster that incorporates the colors and "weirdness" to it that in that era was really different as well as the "Mother Neon" vibe. 

• I used contrast when I cut out Emily and the Earth. In order for the picture to pop out, I had to place everything right and make sure that the background or anything surrounding it doesn't cause it to blend in. I contrasted all the objects placed in the image so that whoever sees it knows there is more than one thing to see. They all contrast well. 

• Repetition was applied around the rings of the Earth. I wanted to give a sharp aura look and I needed two-three different colors to repeat in order to get that look. 

• I aligned elements in my design based on the abstract. The model is the focal point while the Earth is placed in her hands to give symbolism that she is mother nature. The neon around is the power source and she is it. 

• For proximity, all the objects are close together and tie all in to become the center-focal point of the image.  

• The color scheme I applied was a split-complimentary so the three main colors give off that "out of this world" retro vibe. 

Credits

• Editing Software: Adobe Photoshop

• Photographer: Cristian Mendez Flores

• Model: Emily Hilario 

• Earth Background: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/476889048044472483/

• Blue/Pink Background: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/376543218851818115/

• Youtube Tutorial for Neon Triangle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JxCbwn-6bQ

• YouTube Tutorial for Sunset Look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NQXI_6Rcjw