Public Domain Video Source

We'll be using the Prelinger Archives as a source for raw material for our next "remix" project. Here are a couple links:

Prelinger Archives

Prelinger Archives Keyword Page

Split Screen Project (& odds & ends)

So -- on Monday's class, we'll catch up with the outstanding tutorials and the composite photoshop drawings. We really need to clear these assignments out.

And, as a start to the coursework looking at digital media for projection (as opposed to print), you have a Split Screen assignment, also due on Monday. You should use the youtube doubler to make a mash-up of two videos currently hosted on youtube. Remember that juxtaposition is key to this sort of approach -- how do the two videos relate to each other, when they're presented simultaneously, side-by-side. Connections can be on a formal level (shape, color, rhythm) or a content level (having one video "commenting" on the video beside it).

Please paste the URL of your doubled video in the comments section of this blog post; if you can't post comments, then email me the URL at my school address.

Here's the doubler:

http://youtubedoubler.com/

Here are links to some of the split screen examples I showed in class:

Sisters:
http://www.splitscreen.us/2007/02/sisters.html

Rules of Attraction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzv_B-f0t9o

500 Days of Summer:
http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/06/10/a-must-watch-video-clip-from-500-days-of-summer-expectation-vs-reality/

Chelsea Girls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6yBhWLnvR0

Over Break: drawing composite and tutorial

Just a reminder that your finished "drawing composite" piece is due at the beginning of class when we get back from break. Also on Mon you should be prepared to lead the class in a photoshop tutorial. Remember to try it out before you present it. Email me (at clanier [at] sierranevada.edu) your tutorial choice by the end of day monday (3/15). I want to make sure people aren't choosing the same tutorial.

Have a great break!

Due Wednesday - Jenna/Lane project, and start for new drawing composite

Your Jenna/Lane portrait is due at the beginning of next class. Have a flattened tiff file on a drive or ready to be put on a drive.

Continuing with the usage of brushes in Photoshop, the next project will also be a tracing/drawing project, in which you'll composite two photos, and then use the composite as a basis to trace out an illustration. You won't have to composite the two photos perfectly -- since you're ultimately making a drawing, you can correct discrepancies of lighting at the drawing stage, and a lot of the tell-tale details that you need to painstakingly correct when making two photos seem like one realistic photo can just be omitted at the drawing stage.

The theme for the drawing will be to take some figure or object and put it somewhere it doesn't belong. It could be a godzilla-size dog stomping through a skyline, a bird perched in an aquarium, someone practicing yoga at the top of a flagpole. The more impossible the better. The final drawing should be 8 inches by 10 inches, 600dpi -- it doesn't matter if it's in portrait or landscape format. Please come prepared with your photographic images at the beginning of next class -- if you want to shoot your own photos for this project, feel free.

Photos for the Photoshop brushes/wacom project

Here's a direct link to the photo set, from which you can get to individual photos and download larger sizes:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sncfa/sets/72157623429719209

These pictures will be first-come, first-serve. Each person will have to pick a different photo. If you want to "claim" a photo before class, call it out in the "comments" section of this blog post, identifying the photo by name (they all have names like IMG_0792)

Photoshop brushes assignment

Here are the steps for the current assignment -- using photoshop brushes to make tracings from photos, and to provide textures and patterns.

1. The dimensions for this assignment are 3 in wide by 4.5 in tall, 600 dpi.

2. Bring your reference photo into a layer, and crop it to whatever size you wish.

3. Create a new, empty layer above the photo layer, and use this layer to create black outlines with the Wacom tablet. Choose a relatively thick brush size, say 40 pixels. Once you have your major lines, create a layer mask for your outline layer, make your brush half the size (about 20 pixels), and start chipping away at the edges of your brush strokes, for a sort of "scratchboard" style.

4. Once you're done with the outlines, create a new empty layer under the outline layer, and dial down the opacity of your brushes to create a color layer.

5. For the background, download some photoshop art brushes, and create an abstract texture.

I've posted a link to "Brush King" in the sidebar -- links down free downloadable Photoshop brushes. And here as some links for further reference below.

Overview of the brushes panel:

http://www.communitymx.com/content/article.cfm?page=1&cid=B0100

Two digital painting tutorials:

http://www.cgarena.com/freestuff/tutorials/photoshop/blackbashi/index.html

http://www.eyesontutorials.com/articles/5298/1/Environment/Page1.html