This image was created by applying the hair the same way as the previous image ( selecting it from an image taken and applying it behind the body image) however merging and blending it more into the original hair line to make it more realistic, to create the hair splats I used my 1st and 3rd technique from below and put them together. The splattered building is the same image used from my paint splatter technique however flipped over. To test out a different effect I turned the image partly black and white using the smart brush tool on photoshop with a reverse black and white effect on it.
 
I have discovered there are many ways in which i can create the image in the style i want to create. My first technique is to insert the splats just like on my paint splatter technique, i used the quick selection tool to just select the splat, used hue/saturation and contrast changes to make them the same brown as the models hair. i then defrindged the splats to make them neater and clearer. 

Technique 1

Technique 2

My second technique is to save the first technique image twice and opening it again, however holding ctrl and clicking on the layer thumbnail to just select the splat alone, then selecting the stamp tool. to select to where i wanted to copy with the stamp i held alt and clicked the hair, i then brushed over the selected splat so it was filled with hair. As the splat is selected alone the stamp does not copy/paint out of the selection. 

Technique 3

The third way i found to create the image is to use a splatter or/and a dirt brushes but as a rubber, this will erase in the shape of the brush to create a more shattered and broken effect.
 
To create this image I took an image of my model sat straight with her hair tied up quite flat and tight, with her hands cupped out in front of her.  I then took some shots of her hair down whilst she was lying on a high flat surface to capture her hair hanging. Using Photoshop I then inserted both images into but different windows. On the hair image I used the lasso tool to neatly select the hair. I then removed the background from the body image and inserted the hair, behind the head and rotated so it comes out to the left from the head.  Using the smudging tool I then smudged the hair slightly into the hairline so that it blended in. As I wanted this image to contain lots of movement I used my printworks building paint splatter technique and inserted it into the hands. This is done by applying a layer mask, selecting the brush tool in black and rubbing through. After Experimenting with movement i now want to create even more. To do this i want to create an image like the one below, however with the hair also turning into splats. This will create movement, and also a surrealism piece.

 
To create this melting/paint splat effect I inserted a paint
splat stock image, then changed the saturation then hue to the splats starting
point colour. I then went to filter>Distort>Liguify and used the point
finger tool like a brush to drag down areas to create a melting effect.

Critical study

This image was taken by an unknown photographer and was found on Google images. It comes from the movement of surrealism because it’s almost supernatural the way the necklace looks like its pulling the man back. My first impression of this piece is that it’s very unique; I have never seen an image like this one before. The image may be about power, as the unknown force supposedly pulling the necklaces back must contain some power and strength.
This image would have been made by getting the model to lie on a flat high surface with their shoulders and upwards off the surface, then putting the necklaces in the wanted areas so then hang and capturing it. This makes the photo fairly easy to create however it is still an exceptional picture. I think it is the strain in the models neck from having to hold himself up which create the illusion that the necklaces are pulling him backwards when we first see the image.
In the Foreground the man is the main focal point, standing out from the pale grey background because there are no distractions at all from him. There are no shadows created on the image, only from the necklaces onto the man’s face but these do not play a role in the image. The man’s face is lit up well and this makes him clear to see, if he was not lit up the whole image would have been dull, grey and not very prominent.
When the image was still RAW the rule of thirds may have been used however I believe the images size has been cropped to only contain the man with some small space around him.
I think this piece is imaginative and as the image is so cropped down I think the photographer knew what he wanted to achieve and didn’t want us distracted from the main feature. The story behind the piece can be decided independently by each viewer but I think it reflects a mysterious supernatural theme which leads to me thinking maybe the photographer has an interest in that area or has even witnessed a super natural experience.
I choose to write about this image because it was unique and my thoughts about it have not changed. I like this work because it is so simple but yet very effective. I think to improve the image If the photographer had made the man’s expression different, maybe more shocked or hurt the image may be better, this is because if he is inexplicably being pulled back by beads he would do more than close his eyes, he would be very shocked or even scared.
From this piece I have learnt that to make a surrealist image, you do not have to use Photoshop or any other programme. Some images can be made and left RAW but make sure they are to a high quality and are unique.


 
In this image i particularly like the way some of the buildings lines follow the lines on the hands however some places could blend in more.
To create these images i opened both my image of the hands, and my city image in Photoshop. I then placed the building image over the hands and lowered the opacity until i could see the hands through it. Then i simply followed the shape of the hands using the eraser and erased the excess building and then finally i adjusted the opacity of the hands making it slightly lower, and made the building image opacity  slightly higher.

Jerry Uelsmann  ; critical study

Born in Detroit on June 11, 1934, Jerry Uelsmann received his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1957 and his masters and master of fine arts at Indiana University in 1960. He began teaching photography at the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1960. He became a graduate research professor of art at the university in 1974, and is now retired from teaching and lives in Gainesville, Florida.
The subject of this particular image is landscape and comes from the movement of surrealism; this is also the case for the majority of Uelsmann’s other pieces. My first impression of the piece is that it looks peaceful, the way the clouds blend into the hands make the scene become a part of the person. This technique may have been used to present Uelsmann’s favourite place or memory. I think the image portrays nature’s simplicity, the boat is the main focus point and there are no distractions from it.


The light source used was most likely the suns bright light, which we cannot see in the image but from its angle creates much needed shadows, or else the image would be too bright. The clouds are quite prominent in the middle ground but then fade away into the fingers; making them seen but as they are bright white, not to controlling of the image. The black background borders the image nicely, also fading into the hands not creating any harsh edges or lines. The landscapes horizon has a horizontal line which produces length; it’s the small ripples or water and the angle of the boat that create the photos depth. The rule of thirds may have been used on the landscape image to begin with but once it was put into the hands it becomes worthless as the image is no longer fully visible or its original size. As the image is in black and white the images colours are very cold and some appear very gloomy.
The images theme may come across as religious, the hands being the creator or controller of the world, the world being represented by the landscape image re-enacts some religious beliefs. Also, the image may produce encouraging and influencing emotions, for example visualising the quote ‘the world is in your hands’.
Overall I think the image is well created and very imaginative. There are many things it could portray and will mean something different to every viewer. My feelings for the image have not changed, I still like and wish to recreate my own as my knowledge of understanding the image has grown. If I was Jerry Uelsmann I would make no changed to the image as it is already to a high standard.


 
To get the building into the hands I removed it from its background, placed it on top of the hands and rubbed through using the eraser, this can also be done by using the same technique as the composite images however I find the eraser tool easier. To create the melting effect I went to filter>distort>liquify and dragged down the pointer downwards in different places. I used Photoshop elements 9 and not the full version of Photoshop as it does not have the liquify effect, However the blur tool can create a similar look.

Michael Young ; critical study

This image was created by Michael Young who grew up in Tennessee but now lives with his wife and son in Bangkok, Thailand. He got his first award at the age of 23, the Chrysler Design Award but has also won the Clio and the Cannes Gold Cyber Lion, as well as many other awards. He co-founded the design resource ‘YouWorkForThem’ in 2001, and since 2009 has served as its sole manager and director. Young's innovative work has been exhibited worldwide, and recently his animation graced U2’s 360° Tour. He works daily as an artist, designer, photographer, director, producer and programmer. I like his work because he is quite modern.

This particular image comes from the movement of surrealism and I think it may portray emotion and some beauty. The droopiness of the image makes you feel almost depressed and the way the woman is positioned suggests tiredness. However the orange colours contradict this and remind the viewer of happier, warmer times.

In the background of this image there is just a solid dull grey colour, also suggesting sad emotions as it is dull and gloomy. The bench is in the middle ground and is position well as the woman looks awkward and not only as if she is melting but also falling. If I was Michael young I would not made the bench melt, this would have given the impression it was the woman’s emotions are taking over and she is the only one who is feeling this way. The woman is the main focal point; she is the first thing any viewer would notice. The bold colours in the foreground, layered on the dirty grey in the background help this happen.

There are no obvious main lines used in this image, only small ones constructing the bench and her arms etc. Some flowing lines have been created by the melting effect, this is what create the low-spirited feel and add to the dreariness. Also the lighting, There are no distracting shadows. This makes the image clear and sharper. However there is a shadow like outline around the model almost making her glow and stand out more. Dark but slightly faded light tones have been used.

I think the photographer wanted us to interpret the story behind the piece individually. This is because the image is quite simple, the story is left open. Depending on your imagination, you will feel something different from the piece and have a different understanding. There are no clues from the image as to what original reason for the piece was.

In order to create this image a computer programme would be needed, for example Photoshop. This image has inspired me to create a similar piece in the style of Young but also including other areas of surrealism to make it my own.

 
Light and shade can be an essential part of photography. Light sources can come from natural light, for example from the sun or moon or from other light sources like studio lights or street lights. Many photographers have found being in shade, snow or rain can actually create better shots than the harsh midday sun which creates washed out faces and a high contrast. I have decided to focus on light and shade in night scenes. Using unnatural light sources I hope to create a dramatic feel to my images but also linking in the city by taking the shots in a city and including some city structures

Critical Study

The photograph I have chosen to write about contains lots of shadow, created by a small amount of light. I think the light source could be natural or unnatural, the light on the floor is very white however if the source was for example a street light it would have been more yellow but the photographer may have made the image black and white. I think the photographer was trying to portray the mysteriousness of city nights, as the light is in the centre of the image it creates a dark shadow border which helps make the persons shadows more clear and noticeable but as the photographer has cropped the person out, we don’t know who he/she is or what they are doing. This image also uses depth of field, the cobbles close up are sharp and clear but the further the picture goes back the more the image blurs. The main focal point is the human shadow in the foreground with a simple, dark background. The attitude of the image is unusual and eerie. This photograph makes me feel cold and wintery as the ground has icy white and grey colours. I think the photographer wanted us to feel intrigued by the image as it’s very inspiring. The piece of work makes me think of mysteries, I can tell the person is wearing a long coat and that reminds me of prowling inspectors. I chose to write about this piece of work because I like how simple but effective it is If this was my image I would  have zoomed out more so it creates more of a scene, however it may be hard to do this without taking the main focus off the centre shadow.

 
All photos taken contain lines, some there intentionally and some put there subconsciously. Vertical lines create height, they are usually found on buildings, trees, fences etc. horizontal lines can sometimes represent calmness and peace. They can be found on dessert, lake, field and many other images. Diagonal lines give a motion feel, for example trees blowing in a strong wind, a running person, a mountain or slope. Curve lines are mainly found on bodies but can also be found in many places including rivers or pathways. I particularly like leading lines, they lead your eyes into the pictures easily. Successful leading lines take the eye right to the main subject or focal point in an image. With composition in some cases symmetry can be a key element. Symmetry in a long shot using leading lines can create a striking image. Using the rule if thirds can also help a lot, making sure there are no big empty spaces and there is a focal point creates good composition. The image below displays several  horizontal, vertical and leading lines, all supplying different effects.

The image below shows many lines.
The image below shows good composition and also symmetry, the picture was taken exactly in the middle of the bridge which is why there is symmetry however only on the bridge not in the background.
 
To create the images above i followed the same guide as for my 'holding a planet' image. I simply removed the back ground from the city image on Photoshop using the quick selection tool, pressed Ctrl>alt>T to re-size the building, then used the eraser to erase the excess parts of the building where the hands are. However making sure only the building layer is selected. i then added a black and white layer effect to one of the images to create a different look.

Holding a planet

To create this surreal image i simply removed the back ground from the tiny planet on Photoshop using the quick selection tool, pressed Ctrl>alt>T to re-size the planet, then used the eraser to erase the excess parts of the planet where the hands are. However making sure only the planet layer is selected.
 
To create this surreal image i used a panorama stock photo then opened it up in Photoshop.  firstly i went to image>image size, untick the constrain proportions box and make the height the same as the width. Secondly go to image>image rotation >180°. Then go to Filter>Distort>Polar Coordinates>tick the rectangular to polar box> OK. The image now is round, however in some cases there is an obvious line where the ends of the image join, to remove it, i used the smudge took, with the strength of around 28% using a soft round brush.

My own Photos turned into tiny planets:

Surrealism!

Surrealism is a visual art which can express many emotions, dreams, hallucinations, madness and more. It includes all forms of art, such as sculptures, music, film and philosophy. Some surreal images are created by dressing up and designing your surroundings to the chosen theme and some are created using computer programmes like Photoshop. Dali is an example of a surrealist photographer. His images are extremely unusual, strange and sometimes scary. In the words of Salvador Dali, Surrealism is said to be the symbolic language of the subconscious; truly a universal language, it doesn’t depend on education, culture or intelligence.

After the World War I, artists and intellectuals were looking for an escape against the harshness of reality. The word ‘Surrealism’ was created by writer Guillaume Apollinaire in 1917; he used it to describe his own ballet ‘Les Mamelles de Tiresais’ and Jean Cocteau’s ballet ‘Parade’. Surrealism, according to Apollinaire, is ‘truth beyond realism’. In 1924, Andre Breton adopted the word in his work ‘The Manifesto of Surrealism’.

Andre Breton was influenced by the Dande movement. Surrealism is a real expression of mental emotions and can be extremely unusual. Andre Breton describes surrealism as the pure psychotic performance of actions without conscious thoughts or intentions. It can be the expression of basic human instinct and imaginative faculties of the unconscious mind.

In 1924, the Surrealist group was formed; its principal members being Max Ernst, Joan Miro and Andre Masson. Artists were very interested with the subconscious; with dreams, hallucinations and trances. The group, along with Andre Breton, made artwork and sketches under hypnosis. Often they produce surreal, dream-like and unconscious work.