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.