TinaBritton Photography @tinabritton-photography - Tumblr Blog

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“I hope you find someone who speaks your language so you don’t have to spend a lifetime translating your spirit.”

— Dr. Thema

Personal Project Final Images

It was brought to my attention by a person who follows my page that I should post my finals full sized so they can see the images.

Camouflaged ~ Tina Britton

Chiaroscuro Moments ~ Tina Britton (Model - Ed Britton)

Cracked Armor ~ Tina Britton

Frontline Hero ~ Tina Britton (Model - Ed Britton)

Frontlines ~ Tina Britton (Model - Ed Britton)

Ice Rage ~ Tina Britton

Myself Within Myself ~ Tina Britton

Obesity to Blame ~ Tina Britton

Rough Cut ~ Tina Britton

Words Matter ~ Tina Britton

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Personal Project Finale

This is how I would hang my final images. My husband thinks one of my images should be the large one at the bottom. Not sure, but I like it how I have it.

Titles

Top row, left to right: Myself Within Myself, Rough Cut, Ice Rage

Middle row, left to right: Words Matter, Camouflaged, Frontline Horror

Middle 2 row, left to right: Cracked Armor (was Inner Self), Obesity to Blame, Frontline Hero

Large image Bottom: Chiaroscuro Moments

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Personal Project - Choosing Finals - Workbook finale.

Using the template I created earlier in the Workbook, I created a panel of how I wanted these images to be hung. That was when I realised something was very wrong.

I am comparing these 2 panels. I like the image of my cracked face with the light shining through, however, it is not hanging together with the other images. When I was working on this image, I never considered that.

1st two panels are a huge NO.

The image of my cracked face, Inner Self, is not hanging with the rest of the images. It draws the viewer’s eyes right to it. It is not hanging cohesively.

So I then took the image back into photoshop and spent a further 2-3 hours experimenting with the image and the panel. I finally did something I don’t do a lot. I painted into a background to make it darker. I used the colour picker to touch on the hoody I am wearing to get the right colour, I then lowered the opacity of a large soft brush.

This is the first image I tried –

You can see I added yet another layer and applied another light flare to the image, then I painted away some of its intensity. The dark background now matches better with the panel of images, however, I think it is too bright and may still draw the viewer’s eyes away from the other pieces.

Then I worked on the original image again. I added a layer on the flattened image and used the colour picker to choose a dark colour that was already present in the image. I made my brush hardness ‘0’ and the brush big, then I brushed around my face and shoulders.

I then took the image into Camera Raw and brought up the clarity and deepened my darks.

Panel on the left and right below group are much better. I added a layer and painted a darker background in using a colour that matched the image.

Now I compare the panels again –

I use an old technique my art teacher taught me way back in my teens. Blur your eyes to compare lights and darks. The one on the right, for me, wins. This is because when I squint, the image in question no long sticks out from the rest.

FINAL Panel

I need a new title for my replaced image - Cracked Armour

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Personal Project Workbook continued.

I really wanted to put my best foot forward with this image. I needed to be more artistic and surreal. I was well aware it would take more time than the others. In all, I worked on this image 7 different times trying different ways to light my skin from within. I tried different masks, selections, filters etc.. All failed.

Equipment used –

Tripod, Sony digital camera, 50mm lens, rusty paint chipped pipe, Knoll Light Factory, Photoshop and me.

After placing the cracked paint texture over my face. I began to resize it and warp it to fit from the Transform menu. This was difficult as when warping/distorting, things become irreparably damaged and you must start over with a new texture layer. Pushing and pulling pixels is destructive. This image was taken in my kitchen by window light in the late afternoon.

I used ‘Knoll Light Factory’ (a Photoshop Plugin) to create a blue light across my face. I wanted a slash of brilliant colour.

Once the light was added, I reactivated the texture layer and I have a lovely bit of colour left. As I worked, I realised that what I actually wanted to happen was to cut out the black areas of the largest cracks and have light showing through. This represents my ability to shine, even when my armour is cracked. What I did next was so creative and took me so much time to do. Experimentation is about not only creating something you never have before, but it is also an opportunity to learn, not just about my techniques with Photoshop but about myself. While I do like the images below, I knew it could be MORE.

I tried many different techniques of adding light in the dark areas. First I just tried to but a light flare in the black areas of the cracks. However, it looks too fake. It doesn’t light the dark areas, it only sits on top of it. What I needed was a soft glow from beneath and within.

Between all the experimenting with lighting and masks and layers, this image took be more than a day’s worth of different sessions to complete.

What I ended up doing here, was creating layers by selecting the areas I wanted light. Then, I started applying Lens Flare by going to Filters and scrolling down to Render and then choosing Lens Flare. By applying lens Flare in the selected areas, I created areas of light that glow from within.

Once both areas were filled with light, I went to Filters and chose Knoll Light Factory and added lens Flares that I had chosen previous and placed them within the selected areas.

I had a choice here. I could either choose to go with my original, or use the new image I just created –

I could have went with the one that is dark, ominous, but I chose the one that made me feel BETTER. This image gives me hope. It’s light, not dark. It gives me hope that I am not cracked, but instead, have another layer beneath. I am not just my ‘bipolar’, I am not just my emotional disorder or eating disorder and I am not just my anxiety ridden self who suffers from seizures.

8. Final Image - Inner Self ~ by TinaBritton, May 2020

Working on the front lines is messy and an emotional trial, but NHS workers are holding steadfast. They are our heroes. I wanted this image to speak about how these miraculous people might be feeling on a very bad day, of which I am sure they have had many since this pandemic began. My husband returns home at the end of the day totally wrung out and marred. I wanted this image to relate that, while still keeping his Identity intact. I wanted him to wear the mask for impact. While this was the 3rd idea I had for my Personal Project which included myself, the images were too impersonal and too far away.

This first texture is heavy jute string wrapped around a post. I like the rough texture of it and the heavy shadow and rim lighting. I took this in my living room by window light using my Canon 70-300mm macro lens.

Equipment-

Tripod, Sony digital camera, 70-300 mm macro lens, chalk, a medical mask, and my husband. Also, jute twine, inks, bleach, watercolours, acrylics, brush, water, brown paper, Photoshop.

This is a texture created on brown paper with inks, watercolours and bleach. It took about 30-40 minutes to make it. I made 9 of them. Then I left each one another 20 minutes for the bleach to start working into the inks before adding watercolours. I left this one wet while taking this image with my Huawei 42mp phone.

I took this next image of my husband outside against our ancient garage late afternoon. It was really cloudy and dark in my garden. I like the texture of it and wanted to incorporate texture from home with the words I wrote. This was part of my previous thoughts about this brief, but it is a bit too impersonal. However, the image is good quality so I cropped it in.

I took the image into Photoshop and cropped it to the size I wanted it to be. More personal. The I layered the jute twine image above and the further ink and watercolour design next.

I experimented with blending modes, and finally settled on Lighten. This also helps the portrait become more luminous.

I then set the blending mode on the made texture layer to Subtract after much experimenting. I then reduced the opacity and the fill.

Between the experimenting and creating a many different versions of the ink art until I made one I liked for this, it took me around 8 hours total to complete this imagery.

9. Final Image – Frontlines ~ by TinaBritton, May 2020

This is another ink art I made for my texture in this image. As before, I created this on another day, as the others didn’t look as vibrant after they dried completely, so I used more vibrant colours. I made several because I wanted it perfect. Again, this is still wet, which I really like, especially with the bubbles left on the surface.

Equipment used - Tripod, Sony digital camera, 50mm lens, paper, inks, acrylics, bleach, Photoshop and me in the garden.

Once I had my texture, I chose this self-portrait to work with. I took this outside in my back garden using a tripod in late afternoon.

I took this image into Photoshop and added the texture layer on top of it. I experimented with different blending modes, masks, and filters, however, I ended up doing this –

I used the blending mode Overlay, then changed the Opacity and Fill to my own personal tastes. With making the art textures and experimenting, this took approximately 3-4 hours to make.

10. Final Image – Camouflaged ~ by TinaBritton, May 2020

The End

#PersonalProject

Personal Project Workbook Continued.

The 4th image in my Personal Project is of another mixed media piece I made using the same techniques I used above. Inks, glues, bleach, watercolours and acrylics. I love incorporating these textures with images and with other art and I often do.

Equipment Used -

Tripod, 50mm lens, Sony digital camera, torch, canvas, book pages, acrylics, glues, inks, black background and Photoshop.

I used another front facing image of my husband for this piece.

I added the texture in Photoshop to the image and then chose the blending mode Soft Light. I then added Hue/Saturation and Brightness/Contrast adjustment layers to bring out the textures more. I also used Camera Raw to increase exposure and contrast.

This image took me 3 or 4 hours over several days as I’m ill, AGAIN.

4. Final image - Words Matter by TinaBritton, May 2020

The next 3 final images of myself were taken during 2 different sessions against a black background. You cannot see it here, but I did brush glitter on my face. When I took this into Camera Raw and brought up the contrast, exposure and using the clarity slider, the glitter appeared more pronounced.

Equipment Used –

Tripod, Sony digital camera, 50mm lens, torch, black background, Photoshop and me.

I added a brush on a second layer. The making of this brush is explained in the beginning of this workbook.

I did this because I am always fighting myself. Don’t eat too much. I’m fat. My work isn’t good enough. I’m ugly, etc.. The title will explain what my intention is here.

Once I stamped the newly made brush on the new layer above the image in Photoshop,

I could then use the transform tool to make the brush layer bigger, then move it over the image to where I liked it best.

Then I changed the blending mode to ‘Multiply”.

This image took me around 7 hours over a few days when I include the digital art, the brush I created and to finish the image to my taste.

5. Final Image – Myself Within Myself by TinaBritton, May 2020

Using fake crushed ice, I created 2 new texture scans. I was really surprised that the scanner picked up all the glitter and nuances of the fake ice. I tried other textures on this image. Many. I tried rope, leaves, egg shells and cracks created in photoshop using sidewalk cracks and cracked paint. I also tried putting half of my husband’s face into the image. I didn’t like it. However, when I put this ice over my face, I knew I had found the right texture for this image. Here again, I have glitter on my face. I mounted an LED torch on a stand and pointed its harsh light towards the right side of my face. This put the other side of my face in darkness and lit the glitter well. I took the image into Camera Raw and increased the clarity and exposure of my face to bring out the coloured sand/glitter and it brought out these amazing colours on my face. I then layered the scan over the image.

Equipment Used –

Tripod, black background, 50mm lens, torch, fake plastic ice, Photoshop, and me.

I made the blending mode of the texture layer Vivid Light. This brought out the shine of the stones and took most of the background away. I rotated the texture until it fit my face properly and added a mask to the texture layer and painted any unwanted artefacts away. Then I painted out the print on my black t-shirt with a black brush. This image took 4-5 hours to create over a few days.

6. Final Image – On Ice ~ By TinaBritton, May, 2020

I captured this image of myself against a black background. I used an led flashlight mounted on a stand with tape and softened the beam a bit. I didn’t want the light to be quite as harsh as the previous image. I directed the beam straight at the centre of my face.

Equipment Used –

Tripod, black background, Sony digital camera, 50mm lens, torch, fake plastic ice, Photoshop, Scanner.

For this image, I didn’t try other textures because I wanted to try the fake ice again. I first took the image into Camera Raw to refine. I used clarity and exposure to again bring out the glitter and colours on my face and to brighten my skin.

I wanted a bit more of a structure to my texture this time, so I placed them in the scanner in an ‘S’ curve. It came out very well, just like the one before.

I wanted the texture to look different this time, so for the blending mode I used Divide. This gave the ‘ice’ a different sort of look. I placed the texture over the face and used Transform to rotate the ice. I then used Warp under Transform to change the shape a bit more so the ice would fit my face better. I added a mask to paint out any artefacts that were still present.

This image took 3 hours over a few days to create.

7. Final Image – Diamond in the Rough ~ by TinaBritton, May 2020

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Personal Project Workbook

!!!! FINAL IMAGES Work !!!!

I decided, after much soul searching that I wanted my texture images to be ‘almost more’ texture that portrait, so during this final stage, that is what I tried to accomplish.

During my initial phase of my revamped Personal Project I had ideas that I illustrated above. Me and my husband lying in bed and in front of our textured garage out back. These images can be seen in some of the contact sheets I included above. Due to me and my husband having difficulties during the lockdown, I wasn’t able to take further images of us both together.

In one of the images of my husband there is a gentleness in his face. Sometimes when I look at him, I know there is a cosmos of thought swirling around in his head, but he does not share it. I do however, see it in some of the images I take of him.

Along with this image, I incorporated a texture. I buy old books on eBay. I have many in my studio so I can make these anytime I need to. I write poetry and stories, so words mean a lot to me. I often use words, obscured, in my work to include hidden meanings. I use those pages, ripping them, tearing them and arranging them before I glue them down. I use inks and other mediums, i.e. watercolours or acrylics, to create the designs I wish to include in my art. Here is one of these pieces I made and took an image of.

I took the original image of my husband and cropped it in. I wasn’t worried about grain, because in a texture image, it only serves to blend and create even more texture. This isn’t reportage, or strictly portraiture, for me, it is fine art.

This image was taken late morning by window light. It is fairly dark in our room, and I didn’t want to be seen so I had my husband turn his head up towards the window light.

Equipment –

Tripod, Sony Digital Camera, 50mm lens, book pages, glues, acrylics, inks and canvas, Photoshop.

I add a blueish green colour to the image and increase the contrast by using levels.

Then I placed my texture image over the portrait.

For some images, when I use textures or other images I am merging, I need to use masks to add or subtract portions of the texture to allow the other parts of the image to emerge. However here, I went to top of the layers panel and chose Overlay to make the texture allow the portrait to come through. I then readjusted my hue/saturation and levels to my own personal tastes. Due to another illness I had to take a break from this image, but it took me approximately 5 hours to make, not including the texture.

1. Final image - Chiaroscuro Moments. May 2020 ~ TinaBritton

The next image is of my husband again. He has worn many hats during this Covid-19 crisis; front-line worker, carer for his mum and for me, grocery shopper, list maker, and the list goes on. He is an electrician and keeps the hospital he works at running smoothly so the doctors and nurses can perform their important tasks. He has worked vigilantly, even working on call during this trying time. I know he is stressed and feels a bit worried just like everyone else, but he keeps going.

I spent a day tearing haunting phrases and words from the local newspaper. We keep a current stack at home. I then layer the words how I wanted them in my new Epson V600 scanner and created the new texture for my husband.

As I said, my husband wears many hats, he is not only an electrician, but a talented musician and singer. This is why I included the text, “Is this the face of the Bard”, on the lower left side of the texture. Everything I added has meaning.

Equipment –

Scanner, Tripod, Sony digital camera, 50mm lens, black background, torch, newspapers and Photoshop.

I took two front facing images of my husband. The one I used in this piece is below. I tend to underexpose my portraits.

Here are my settings during capture using a 50mm lens.

I layered my scanned texture over my husband’s face. Then the work began. I had scanned another newspaper design for my own face. The finished image had colours in it I really liked, so I used those colours on a separate layer beneath the texture to simulate and make them a set. See below left. Then, I changed my texture layer blending to Soft Light (Right).

The texture scan wasn’t quite right, so I added a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and adjusted to taste.

The image was too dark, and needed some luminosity. So I added a levels adjustment layer to my husband’s layer and to the colour brush layer. This image was incrediably satisfying to make. I really enjoyed it. It took me around a total of 4 hours to make, not including the ripping and choosing of newspaper strips.

2. Final image of Frontline Hero ~ TinaBritton, May 2020

The next, and 3rd image, is myself with print. I am bipolar, have an eating disorder and emotional intensity disorder. Life can be trying at the best of times. My weight fluctuations directly affect my health. I have struggled with my weight my entire life, inherited from both my parents. Not only am I high risk during this time, but now I have gained weight and I am very depressed. I have been ill 6 times since the lockdown began. I can only surmise that my husband and I aren’t being as vigilant as we could be. It is difficult because my husband leaves the house every day and works at the hospital, then comes home to me. My newspaper scan includes my fear of the new world of corona and obesity. I have become a compete cyber person, keeping in touch with my best friends on zoom. I am isolated and my doctor put me on new antidepressants which have been increased over the past weeks.

Equipment –

Scanner, Tripod, Sony digital camera, 50mm lens, newspapers and Photoshop and me.

I don’t like my face. So many of my self-portraits are very shallow depth of field, only showing the parts of my face in focus. Usually, I blur the part of my face closest to the camera. This time is no different. If I had has access to other models, I would have used someone else. I took this in my kitchen in front of a window. My husband was standing behind me at the stove with red pyjama trousers on and I was standing in front of the window at the far end of the kitchen. I like the blues tones incorporated here also.

I layered the texture scan over my image. The print needed some work, so I added a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer and tweaked it. This image took me 3 hours to create.

3. Final Image – Obesity to Blame ~ TinaBritton, May 2020

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Personal Project Workbook

Ideas and Finishing images

Started reworking images today. Now that I feel I have my inspiration back, my fever has dulled today and I am not as stressed at the moment.

Here are the working screenshots from my first image starting with a garage background and ending with a rowan tree background.

While the idea of the above was sound, the image didn’t turn out quite as I’d hoped. It looks too processed. It also took me almost 10+ hours to complete in different sessions. I scrapped this idea and moved on, however, I intend to try this again with different images in the future.

The next image is a blend of 1 image and a scan of cellophane wrap and a combination of different watercolour brushes. While the techniques are simple, they can have dramatic results, especially when you vary the direction and pressure of the brush sensitivity or opacity really.

What I did 1st was to remove all the pure white and black areas of my scan by going to Select at the top of the Photoshop window then choosing Select Colour.

Once I removed a sufficient amount of the background, I placed my new texture over my face in photoshop by pulling the new PNG with transparent background into the target image. I sized it to my own creative tastes. When completed, I added a new background layer and filled it with white using the paint bucket.

Now we have this after placing both masks –

I wanted to work on the face layer first. Using in-built wet brushes and watercolour brushes I made long ago (as time is growing short) I chose several brushes randomly and began applying the brush using white with the black mask selected. I turned my canvas with the hand tool to rotate it while using the brush and I varied my brush opacity with every stroke I made randomly. I also used the eraser tool with the brushes activated so I could take away from the image, or, you can choose to change the brush colour to black. This gives it a more grunge look which I really like as well.

This worked out nicely. I really like the textures that are coming through.

Next step is to start brushing into the texture layer mask with white using the same brushes I used above.

This technique is one I use often in my artwork, but I’ve never done one with an added texture. I am pleased with the results however, I think it is just too arty for this brief and does not look right sat with the other images I am working on because they are darker and grittier. This image took me around 4 hours to create from scan to finished product.

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Personal Project Workbook

Today, 26th May, I took some self-portraits in the garden. Tomorrow, I will take some in front of a black background. Then, all my image taking will be completed and I will begin applying textures to my faces.

Here are my contact sheets from the session today.

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Personal Project Workbook

I spent the day scanning separate clippings and a few negatives to try them out. It took quite a while.

I have lost my model and it looks like it’s just me now.

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Catch Me

I just realised I never explained what happen with this brief. Because of my seizures that I have when stressed, I was extremely worried about this brief. I did not want to have a full blown seizure in front of hundreds or even thousands of people.

I was scheduled to work a cycling event at the Velodrome in Glasgow on Saturday March 14th. My husband had agreed to attend just in case I needed the physical support. On the 13th, I reached out to Carole of Trackleague through Scottish Cycling and asked if the event was still happening. Sadly, it was cancelled due to covid-19.

I sent as email asking if it would be rescheduled, however, she informed me that was the last event until the next season. I had really let myself down due to my fears of having a seizure in such a large arena.

March 17th, City of Glasgow College closed due to the pandemic with no further chance of completing the brief.

#CatchMeIfYouCan

Personal Project Workbook

Refined textures that I have been working on. I had a lot of fun working on these.

These first two textures were created on canvases that I can use later for other projects. Materials include inks, book pages from old books I purchased on eBay, glues, bleach and watercolour paints.

The next two are textures created on brown paper using inks and bleach.

These next textures are scans of strips of newspaper print that are telling of me and my husband’s lives right now. The first is for my husband’s portrait, and the second is for mine.

Here is a sample of what can be done with this technique.

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Personal Project Workbook

I remade the crack brush previous, and instead of following the steps, which did not work for this image. I went into Select at the top of the window and clicked on Select colour and chose white. Then on my keyboard I clicked on delete which removed the white areas leaving behind the awesome crack and other textures. I created a 500 x 500 document that had a transparent background. I pulled the image onto the new canvas and resized it.

I then added a Levels black and white adjustment layer and made the image as black as I could. I went into Edit at the top of the Photoshop window and selected Define Brush Preset.

With the new brush active, increase its size. Go to the image you want to use it on. Create a new layer above the background layer. This is where we will apply the brush. Make sure the brush is black, or the colour you want to try.

Add adjustment layers to your own personal tastes. You can also apply a mask to the brush layer. To make the mask black, hold down command and select the delete button on your keyboard.

Activate the mask and with a white brush, brush away the areas where you don’t want the textures.

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Personal Project Workbook

There is another way to add further textures. Making your own Photoshop brushes. While the brush below didn’t quite work out the way I wanted, you will get the idea, then I will make another brush that works better.

First find an image that works for you; that has some type of feature you are looking to reproduce and use in your images.

Go into channels and see which channel makes the feature you are trying to make a brush of have more contrast. For me it was the blue channel. Duplicate that channel.

Now we have this image.

Go to levels and increase the blacks and try to minimiae the features you do not want

What I should have done here was keep most of the detail of the entire image. I think that would have worked better, and this is where I went wrong here.

Next, go back into your channels in your layers pallete, hold down command and click on the copied channel. This will select areas you indicated to Photoshop that you wanted to get rid of.

I neglected a step! What I should have done was go into Select at the top of my screen and clicked on a colour I wanted to get rid of. Instead, I made the mask and erased the areas out. I think this makes the brush too artificial.

The next step is to go back into your layers and creeat a mask on your layer.

Then start erasing information you do not want in your new brush.

Create a new document, 500 x 500 pixels with a white background.

Pull your creation onto this document.

Using transform make the layer fit the new canvas.

Clean up any edges you missed during the creation of your brush. Then, make your foreground color black and fill this layer. Now you have a brush Photoshop will recognize.

Go to Edit, then down to Define Brush Preset. Name your new brush and it will be added to your brushes for use anytime you want to.

I created a digital artwork in Photoshop based on a handmade painting I did. I want a stark cut out of all the blacks for my brush. This time, I went to Select at the top of my Photoshop window, the chose Select Colour. I selected the white areas and clicked ok. Now all the white areas are selected with marching ants. On your keyboard, click delete. Now you have a transparent background which ensures you get a brush that is only solid in the black areas.

Make this new brush image, go to image size and change it to 500 x 500 pixels. I do not want a white background here. Go to Edit then go down to Define Brush Preset and name your new brush.

Use your new brush. If it is not loaded, go into your brush pallette and click on the setting cog in the upper right of the window. Then choose load brushes and navigate to the new brush you created.

I chose an image of myself. Then I created a new layer.

I used the brush on that new layer so I could have complete control of the layer and can move the brush layer where I want it over the face. You can also apply opacity changes, layer styles and other changes through adjustments pallatte.

I changed the opacity of the layer and applied a brightness/contrast adjustment layer to create texture to the face.

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Personal Project Workbook

Below are images illustrating how I make some of my textures. I like the variation and the unpredictability.

This is a technique I found during my time as an artist.

Begin of design one:

In HND Art and Design I learned so many ways to create texture, not only by digital means, but by hand as well. Making background textures is fun.

This is the back, a bit more subtle.

Design two:

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Personal Project Workbook Entry

I have taken images of different textures and cracks around our property. I need to take more. I have an image I am working on right now using cracked paint on a pipe from my garden. I have captured images of cracked walkways, and any other textures I can make or find.

I will also create textures using art supplies including inks, bleach, newspaper clippings that illustrate to the times we are living in.

Today I am taking more portraits of myself and my husband with more direct eye contact, and also, I have plans to take some macro shots of items I have around the house and my studio.

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