YouTube Assignment: Words

Words

This made for YouTube video is a creatively assembled montage that communicates a variety of words through images instead of simply speech. The theme “words” unifies the shots, but each one is also decidedly different, a necessary trait of an effective montage. This short film uses dozens of different shot types, from extreme close-ups to long shots to in frame, out frames to tilts. The diversity of shots, and the many angles from which the shots are taken, contributes to the montage’s effectiveness. Each shot is short in length, between one and three seconds long.

The film’s premise is extremely engaging, the quick transitions from shot to shot draw the viewer in, inviting him or her to analyze the frames and figure out the word depicted before one image gives way to the next. Though the transitions are quick, the video frequently uses an inventive interpretation of cutting on action to lessen their abruptness. The subject of one shot begins moving, and the subject of the next shot seems to complete the action by doing something similar. For example, when the film depicts the word “run,” we see the back of a woman’s leg with a run in her tights. As she begins to walk, the shot transitions to the back of a man’s legs running, giving the illusion that his strides complete hers.  Or, a falling piano transitions to a falling skydiver, again allowing one shot’s action to serve as the logical completion of another’s.  The film’s ability to communicate with very minimal dialogue is also a strong point. Though it is entitled “Words,” it speaks powerfully to the communicative ability of the image. The emphasis placed on the use of different shots and angles to “speak” is both cleverly ironic and speaks to the importance of film as a medium.

Despite a variety of creative transition techniques, the short shots do become overwhelming at times. The film would have benefitted from placing more action shots that could create a flow together, or perhaps using slightly longer shots to convey the same ideas. While montages should draw on a variety of shots, the use of one still frame (the x-ray) seemed to contrast uncomfortably with the rest of the movement centered video shots. That shot could have been eliminated or set up differently, perhaps using footage of a cast being applied. In general, most of the shots could have been organized so that the movement from each appeared to flow into the next, getting rid of nearly all the abrasive transition problems.

Graphic Design: Poster Project

             

This assignment resulted in a general poster/advertisement for an on-campus club and chaplaincy group, Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship. The principle of the poster, and of Chi Alpha as a group, encourages a level of stability and freedom allowed by basing one’s identity on that which, like trees, is largely immovable. The three sets of roots and the large text communicate this idea, while the two smaller pictures depict two of the things Chi Alpha is rooted in, worship and community. Juxtaposing these small images with the dominant trees attempts to convey the importance of both things in being rooted.

            The poster draws on a number of design concepts to convey its message, most noticeably repetition, proportion, simplicity and color. These four overarching design principles act as a vehicle to more subtly utilize a host of visual literacy ideas and Photoshop techniques that come together to convey the poster’s message.

Repetition

            The image of a tree trunk and roots is repeated three times, both creating a visually appealing graphic display and providing a sense of balance for the poster providing enough visual weight to balance out the text. The repetition also creates the negative space in which the two smaller pictures lie. To accomplish this, the trunk and roots were placed on a white background by selecting the background with the quick selection tool and erasing it. Then entire picture was selected with the rectangular marquee tool and the magic wand was used to remove the background from the selection. The move tool was then used to duplicate the tree three times, and the trees were evenly positioned on the bottom two-thirds of the page. Each copy was placed in a separate layer to allow for easy and precise positioning.

Proportion

            The elements in the poster are arranged in a variety of ways that create visually pleasing relationships. The rule of thirds is in play both horizontally and vertically. Horizontally, the thirds consist of the tree roots, the trunks and photos, and the white potion with text. Vertically, the repetition of tress creates three lines that can be imagined even after they disappear.  The poster also utilizes negative space between the tree trunks to create a natural frame for two smaller photos. The photos were cropped and placed in layers under the tree layers to allow for this effect. In addition, this placement of the photos sidesteps the visually distracting trapped white space that would otherwise exist. The tree trunks act as directional forces as well, directing the eye upward to the words.

Simplicity/Economy

            Everything superfluous to the poster’s message has been removed. The first version contained upwards of ten images. Several drafts later, all visual litter has been removed to leave only three powerful images. The poster also forgoes long descriptions of the club or excessive text, allowing the images and few words to communicate more strongly than written ramblings could.

Color

            Color is most noticeably used in the poster’s text. Because the bottom two thirds of the poster are visually heavy, the intense color of the text provides an asymmetrical balance. Choosing from within the green family also encourages a bright, engaging feel and complements the reds in the picture of the hands. The vibrant colors in both of the smaller images also contrast with the largely neutral color of the tree trunks. Even though the trees are clearly the foreground of the picture, this color contrast allows the background to stand out as well.

Photoshop Lesson 3

Wish: Group Photo Project

Completing this project, scheduling and communication were large issues. Members schedules did not overlap, so communication was strictly via email. While convenient, this method is more unreliable than face-to-face meetings. One lack of response created more confusion for all. However, the distribution of preferences served the group well. Some preferred working on photographs, some thought creatively and some preferred organization and presenting, simplifying the division of labor. With more time and more experience with Photoshop, editing the photos would have enhanced them. In addition, it would have been wise to dedicate less time to taking photos and more to preparing the presentation. 

The final product’s most pleasing attribute and most important lesson was its insight into the personal nature of photography. An individual took each photo. Despite the common theme, the photos were all immensely different. While to one person wish meant depicting people, to another it meant tangible objects and to another it was more abstract. The project’s diversity accents the truth that photography is rarely impersonal and never objective. It also provided a valuable lesson in the importance of lighting. Given the abstract nature of the topic, light was often used to suggest imagination or optimism. In many cases, the point of the photo would have been lost without appropriate lighting, a constant reminder that light can make or break a shot.

This photograph captures the idea of wish by showcasing the time 11:11 in an aesthetically pleasing way. The shot draws on contrast, shadows, and short exposure time to visually tell viewer, “It’s 11:11. Make a wish.”

Contrast

The photograph derives much of its appeal from areas of sharp contrast. There is a drastic contrast between the pure white created by the candle in the upper right corner and the pure black seen in the bottom left portion of the shot. Both these shades are enhanced by the presence of their opposite, creating a more interesting photograph. Even more striking is the contrast between the digital numbers and the clock that displays them. Light from the candle was angled to make the screen appear completely black, instead of its actual grainy grey. Against such complete darkness, the red numbers pop, introducing vibrant color and light that become the focal point. These contrasts also underscore a thematic contrast; a wish highlights the marked disparity between desire and reality.

Shadows

Contrast and depth are added by the use of shadows. While the sides are engulfed entirely by light or darkness, a middle layer of shadows softens and enhances the frame. The positioning of the candle and an overhead light outside the room where the shot was taken created the shadows. Most important are the shadows cast on the upper right corner of the clock and the shadow that emerges from under the bottom left corner. Both accent the clock’s curvature, ensuring that it is not entirely lost in darkness. They also suggest the clock’s shape, allowing the viewer to imagine its continued curves as they disappear into darkness. The shadows cast in the areas directly above the clock and below the candle blend with areas of contrast to lend the shot a hazy feel, juxtaposing the whimsical, undefined nature of a wish with the certainty of longing. 

Exposure

The darkness of the shot was allowed for by the camera’s very short exposure time. The room in which the photo was taken was significantly brighter than the photo suggests, but the camera absorbed little of that light. Excluding much light created a more powerful shot, enhancing the presence of the candle and creating interesting regions of complete darkness.

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