Overview:

This is a photo illustration assignment. The image does not need to have photographic integrity.

In this assignment you may be shooting the subject and background separately. You will select and then copy the subject from one file and place in on a background in another file.

Ideas: Try doing a search for "composite images", "composite photos", or, "combining photos in Photoshop" for ideas.

Something else to look at would be the work of Rene Magritte. He was a surrealist painter (1898 - 1967).

Try these links:Art.com, Wikipedia.

Los Angeles Center for Digital Art top 40 Juried Exhibit. Not all are composites, but many are.

Procedures:

Come up with a good idea (most important part of any assignment). Select a subject that won't be too hard to cut out. Anything with a lot of small detail will make things more difficult (things like small branches or strands of hair for example). The object is to combine them in a realistic way. Shooting both the subject and the background in the same light will make that a lot easier.

Open the subject file in Photoshop. Select it using a quick mask (see the instructions in the Photoshop notes). Save the selection. with the object selected slightly feather it (you will have to experiment with the amount, it varies depending on your files resolution), copy it, open up or make active the background file and past it. Remember the goal is to have it look realistic. Adjust the size of your subject as necessary.

Another way to do this would be to use the clone stamp tool between two file. Define the point to copy from on one file, and paint onto another open file.

Another technique would be to combine different layers using layer masks and different layer blend modes.

You can also mix and match the three techniques.

The size of the composited subject should fill at least 25% of the 5x7 (or 7x5) composition.

Use what you learned about the elements and principles of design, and composition for this assignment. I want the finished file to be art and not just an exercise.

Crop the finished image to 5x7 or 7x5, native resolution, color correct it with a levels adjustment layer, and sharpen.

Name the finished file, 2into1.jpg. Save the finished file in a folder named "yourlastname2into1" in your Photo folder in your student storage space.

Your assignment will be graded using these criteria:

From Mr. P's Photo Rubric

Vision:
Is you image original, innovative and daring, or just another example of the same old thing? Does it fulfill the requirements for the assignment (see assignment requirements above) ?

Aesthetics:
Have you used the appropriate elements and principles of design that would enhance your photograph or did you just shoot what was in front of the camera? Have you used good composition or did you just place the center of interest in the center because it was easy?

Mechanics:
Camera Techniques: Is the image sharp/in focus? Is the exposure correct? Was the appropriate aperture/shutter speed used (if applicable for your camera), did you find the best angle?

Computer Techniques: Is the image sharp/in focus? Is it resized correctly? Is it color corrected and sharpened?

Presentation: Is the artwork presented in a professional manner as outlined in the assignment?

Good luck