DPI WEEK 3 : PRACTICAL - DIGITAL COLLAGE

5/5/2025-11/5/2025 / Week3

Tan Tzu Yu / 0374460

Group 2

Digital Photography & Imaging (GCD61204)

Weekly Post : Week 3

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Lectures: 

This week’s lecture was all about getting comfortable with Photoshop and understanding the core tools we’ll be using throughout the module. Mr. Hafiz walked us through the workspace, basic navigation tips, and some essential functions that will help us create and edit digital images more effectively.

One of the key tools he introduced was the Pen Tool, which is super important for creating clean paths and precise selections. It's especially useful for tracing around objects or making custom shapes. He demonstrated how to create:

• Straight line paths for geometric shapes or cutouts

• U-shaped curves for rounded selections

• Simple S-curves for gentle curves

• Complex S-curves for more detailed and dynamic paths




Fig 1.0 : Variations of Pen Tools

Although it takes a bit of practice, the Pen Tool is very versatile once you get the hang of it.

We also covered the Lasso Tool, which is great for quickly selecting parts of an image. Mr. Hafiz explained the three types:

1. Freehand Lasso Tool – lets you draw selections freely, like using a pencil

2. Polygonal Lasso Tool – perfect for straight-edged shapes

3. Magnetic Lasso Tool – automatically sticks to the edges of objects as you move your cursor around them, making it easier to outline complex shapes

   
   

   

   
   Fig 1.1 : Variations of Lasso Tools

Another useful tip he shared was how to import images into Photoshop as layers. He explained that layers are like transparent sheets stacked on top of each other—each one can hold a different element of your project. This means you can move, edit, or hide parts of your design without affecting the rest. It's a non-destructive way of working, which is really helpful for experimenting without messing up your original image.

We also touched on applying textures and combining different visual elements within layers to make more dynamic compositions. Mr. Hafiz emphasized the importance of organizing layers and naming them properly, which will save us time and confusion in more complex projects.

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Tutorial/Practical:

During tutorial and practical class, we first started with a feedback session on our physical collage, advices on how to improve our collage and suggestion were given on which collage is the best to be choose as the  final collage.Mr Fauzi suggested me to choose my first collage composition as my final one as it is more visually appealing and creative. After feedback session we were then taught on the Photoshop basics. For instance, we were taught on how to use the pen tool to select a certain part of an image and copying the selected image onto a clean canvas. After that , he then moved to teaching us on how to use Photoshop to do a digital collage.We are required to use the elements given in the google docs to create 3 different digital collage composition that is in a vertical A4 canvas size.

Fig 1.2 : Chosen Physical Collage

Fig 1,3 : Digital Collage Composition 1

Fig 1.4 : Digital Collage Composition 2

Fig 1.5 : Digital Collage Composition 3

Reflective Writing:

I think this week was my first experience actually being hands-on with Photoshop. Overall it was both excitement and confusion at the same time. Mr. Hafiz showed us the workspace and how to use the tools, especially the Pen Tool. The Pen Tool looked intimidating, but as he simplified it into forms and curves I felt like I was starting to understand it a little. It still needs practice but I can already see the strength of using the Pen Tool.

We also explored using the Lasso Tool and it seemed a lot easier to manage. I thought it was pretty cool how it followed the edges well. Learning about layers was probably my favorite part. At that moment, I realized how adaptable Photoshop actually is, especially at the point of trial and error with no consequences.

With practical I had feedback from my physical collage by Mr. Fauzi. He preferred my first version as the strongest and it made me feel like I was headed in the right direction. He then got us to turn our physical collage into a digital collage using photoshop. Without any real experience using photoshop I thought I was only going to get frustrated at first, and I felt I was, but as we progressed I started to accept the process.

Overall I still feel like a beginner, but I'm excited to see how I can improve. It is hard and I can see it can be challenging, but it is also rewarding when it all falls into place.