In trying to decide on a blog topic for the week, I thought I might introduce you to some filters in Photoshop. If you haven't used Photoshop filters yet, you will be surprised at the number of filters available. The filters are organized topically - Artistic, Brush Strokes, Distort, Sketch, and Stylize. To show you some of the possibilities, I took one of the pictures from my recent Colonial Williamsburg trip - the kitchen in Rockefeller's home - and applied different filters. Below, I have posted the original photo and then the ones with the filters indicated. What do you think? Are filters something you think you will be able to use in your work this semester? How might you use filters to convey a specific message?
This is the original photo.
This version is using Brushstrokes: Accented Edges.
This version is using Artistic: Fresco.
This version is using Stylize: Glowing Edges.
This version is using Sketch: Chalk and Charcoal.
I don't have a lot of experience with Photoshop, but I am pretty sure that the last time I used it, these filters were not available. For this photo, my favorite filter was the Artistic: Fresco. I particularly like the way that it made the photo look resemble a comic. I think that I'll use Photoshop and its filters during the photography module of this course. I will use them to view my photos in a different way to offer different perspectives of the same photo, similar to what you have done for this blog. I am definitely interested in finding out more about Photoshop's filters.
ReplyDeleteI liked this picture without a filter, but the variety of filters you used really adds so much depth to it. I think once the filter is applied, this one picture is now appropriate for use in an assortment of ways. If you were an advertiser, depending on the style you wanted to convey, these filters add a lot of room for creativity. I could see the glowing edges in some sort of video and techno ad., while the fresco or chalk and charcoal convey to me a warmer, homier feeling.
ReplyDeleteI have played around with filters a little bit and a have a desire to experiment more. I think they give you the ability to take an ordinary picture and turn it into a work or art.
I completely agree that the filters added depth to the picture! And depending on the filter used, different emotions are experienced.
DeleteI love filters! In regards to this picture, my favorite filter is "Artistic: Fresco." I use filters a lot when I take pictures with my iPhone. There are a number of photography apps that allow you to edit your pictures in a variety of ways.
ReplyDeleteI am sure I will use filters for this class, whether I use them for my visual resume or for the photography portion of our class. Specifically, I am excited to use Photoshop's filters, because that is a professional product that I would like to become more familiar with.
Personally, I believe filters can affect the mood of a picture. For example, using a filter that lightens or brightens a picture could relay a positive message, while using a filter that darkens or dulls a picture conveys a negative message.
The filters are a nice touch and add extra effects that can alter a perceived setting of a picture depending on the filter. For example, by using the sketch filter, the artist can portray a setting back in the past. On the other hand, an artist can use the stylize filter to make their picture look futuristic.
ReplyDeleteI personally will try to use these filters to capture the attention of my audience. My favorite is the brushstrokes because it allows me to highlight and make important/symbolic objects stand out.
Applications like Pixlr, and Instagram have resurrected the filter aspect of photography (for the digital age!). Even the iPhone OS has upgraded their camera to include filter options. It really leaves the creativity to the user. My favorite filter above was Glowing Edges. It is rare that this filter will display a good image, but you seem to have captured the best lighting/contrast for that filter!
ReplyDeleteAs a note, for people with Photoshop, there are filter bundles that can be downloaded as plug-ins. I'm not sure if they cost money, or are offered for free. Pretty much anyone can create a filter plug-in. So look around, you might find something interesting!
I used Photoshop a lot when I worked for an architecture firm. When I used the software, I had to scan hand rendered drawings in small sections and then combine all of the scans in Photoshop. There were several neat tools that helped to add to the rendering. One thing I learned to do was to add a sky which was a nice touch. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to use the filters but I like the Fresco picture.
ReplyDeleteEarlier in the semester, I didn't know how I would use these. But now that I'm learning more about visual literacy, I can imagine uses for them in the upcoming poster and brochures projects. Will have to play with filters and such in the programs available to me. Would definitely need a good, clear picture to make effective use of filters.
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