More Layers, Masks and Illustrator Integration in Adobe Photoshop [Ps]
This week we combined and applied our skills in Photoshop and Illustrator. We used clean cut techniques to create a new image of our own. To start with, we used the object selection tool to take an easy cut of the most part of the jumping man, however this tool is vastly inaccurate and as such there were a lot of other sections to trim and redo. The selections that we made were all using masks of layers, painting black and white on the mask until we had a good selection area.
To polish up the hair we used a strategy where you cut out the specific area of hair, and then you edit the curves and make it negative, as to make the highlights stand out. This meant that when we repainted it into the picture it showed more of the hair, and in more detail.
Once we had sorted out our clean cut of the guy, we created a smart object linked to an illustrator file with a simple shape that we drew. In my case this was the blue water-ish looking effects around the man. In order to create the spiral effect I had to duplicate the layer and cut out the bits that needed to be over the top of his body.
Finally we added in a background of our choosing that was meant to similarly represent the lighting from the clean cut of the jumping guy, the background I chose definitely could’ve been better, however it resonated with the theme I had going of Tanjiro from Demon Slayer doing his water bending.
When I started out at Sheridan, I already had a mentality and plan of attack in mind.
I wasn’t here to make friends, I was here to get an education.
Now before you think too much into this, you should know that before coming to Sheridan, I had a year off after being kicked out of McMaster University.
It was a hard year and as much as I loved my friends from there, they were a distraction and I wanted to hang out and have fun and didn’t worry too much about my grades, which ended up making me suffer.
I remember the first day of class so clearly.
Outside, I was waiting with Brittany and Catarina, but I didn’t remember this.
This is a memory that Cat gave me, which I sort of remember but not really.
When we got into class, I went and sat by myself, telling myself I wasn’t going to make friends and I would just do my work.
That first day, Kellen Jackson walked into the room and took a seat at my table.
He was friendly, he was kind and even when Paul joined our group and completely ignored me, he kept pushing to make me feel included, even though I was very short with him and pushed him away.
That same week on Thursday, I did what I told myself I wouldn’t do.
I made a friend.
It wasn’t Kellen, even though he sat with me in other classes even though I was so rude, but it was Brittany.
I sat alone in Kevin’s class and she offered me to sit with her and Florenta, and I did and in that moment, I knew that my mentality was stupid because having no friends only works in a university lecture hall with hundreds of students where you could go completely unnoticed.
But this was college, and things were different.
I had actually visited Sheridan before because my best friend was a student there already in the Textiles program and I knew how close she was with her classmates, who she had always had funny and hilarious stories to share with me.
That was actually partially why I chose Sheridan over Mohawk, because I knew how happy this school had made her.
Over the past two years, I learned all there is to know about journalism, which I think is pretty obvious.
I learned that I’m not that great a writer, only fictionally (or so I like to claim) but I wouldn’t give up.
I learned that I enjoy the more creative aspect for the industry, even though I know I suck at that too.
This is what I’ve learned from the friends I’ve made:
Kellen Jackson — I learned that it was okay to not be okay and that no matter what, I had a friend close to home who’s door was always open to me. I learned just how open minded he was to anything and how willing he was to do anything for his friends and his loved ones and it inspired me to be more like him.
Brittany McAuley — I learned about the world of Pinterest and I learned just how helpful and kind and caring of a person she is. But definitely not someone to mess with. She showed me how to be strong, but not rude (although I somehow end up always being both anyway) and was always there to calm me down when I got worked up or upset. When I felt alone and forgotten, Brittany was there to hold my hand (figuratively) and remind me that I was not alone.
Spencer Luyben — He became my brother from another mother. He was one of the most intelligent people that I had met, but his curiosity and wonder always made me want to share new things with him, as well as anything humourous because if anyone would laugh, it was always him. His reactions to pretty much anything is something that everyone always looked forward to.
Stephanie Alba — From Steph, I learned the secrets of Cineplex and I learned to be more honest with myself. Her outgoing and open attitude was infectious and definitely makes her someone that no one would soon forget, as well as someone who will go very far in this world. Steph isn’t a quitter and she isn’t afraid to share her problems with others as well as offer as much advice and insight to issues as she can. She’s also very good with taking selfies.
Catarina Muia — When my best friend left for NSCAD, I didn’t think I could fill the hole in my heart that she had left behind. Cat and I didn’t get closer until our second year, but she was there for me as much as anyone else could be. She was always there for me, whether it was to drive me places or to be the shoulder I cried on (it was one time) and I’ve always wanted a pet cat but my parents refused. I pretend Cat is my cat instead. It’s just as better (plus she doesn’t attack me or knock things over for fun). I love you, Cat.
Mike Rodrigues — I didn’t get closer to him until my second year, after a game of 20 questions (which I think ended up being more, but neither of us could remember which one we were on). He never hid how he was feeling and he would always push you to talk if you needed to and constantly checked up on his friends to see how they were doing, because he knew something was wrong and he didn’t want them to feel alone. He’s got great dancing skills and I remember going to Pub Night and how he never left my side and made sure that I was having a good time. He treats everyone equally and the same. He also looks like Andrew Garfield.
Jonny Ferguson & Daryll Hinves — Two of the toughest, most badass people that I have ever met. They’re strong and independent and take shit from no one. Unlike other people who are like this, who literally explode on everyone, these two were much smarter and pick and chose their battles more wisely (assuming they chose a battle at all). From Jonny I learned about all the things that he doesn’t like to eat, as well as that he lives really close to me and from Daryll I learned she had a great sense of style and also we had mutual friends that we didn’t even know about.
Rob Sgotto — Rob was the kid in the class that I thought was so smart and I never really got to know him. Once I did, I quickly learned that he balanced work and playfulness very well. He was serious, determined and a hard worker when he needed to be, but he was also goofy and silly and not afraid to show the world what he was made of and always provided a good laugh (whether he intended to or not).
Adam Johnston — I only knew him for this year and this semester had no classes with him, but man, did he ever impact my life. He was like a big brother to me and even when I was annoying and strange and got really upset or animated, he laughed at my jokes, he was open and honest with me and he didn’t make me feel like a child at all. He was always open to hearing my ideas, but was never afraid to give his own as well and doing group work with him proved to be one of the best decisions I had made. I know for a fact that he is going to do well in this industry and one day, when he’s big and famous, I can tell everyone I know that I met him and that he is truly a wonderful person. He never did bring me my Starbucks though.
There are more people who deserve credit here but these are just a few.
From the staff members, I learned so, so, much beyond just their lessons.
I know that even when I’m gone, they’ll be here for me if I should ever need them.
Now it’s all come to an end and I do hope that I can keep in touch with all the wonderful people that I’ve met because an education is nothing if you don’t have people to share it with and people to help you grow in to a better person.