making brushes, sparkles not so much

This is a super cute sequin applique I whipped up in class. I might even turn it into a groovy design on a pair of old denim flares... not!

playing with filters.

We spent a little time playing around with filters and familarising ourselves with the many many different filters available. We also learnt how to more importantly adjusting the preset filter settings so we can create more personalised filters that suit our needs.

This is my new fully sick filter pimped image montage.

image montage.

For any person who has basic photoshop knowledge this should have taken about 10 minutes. For me on the other hand I spent a good 2-3hours trying to figure it out, and this is as good as its going to get.

adjustments.

Here is my first photoshop venture... I just made small adjustments to the saturation, lightness and colour can change an image quite 
dramatically.

scanning.

Sounds intimidating but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy scanning is.

1. Open HP scan using finder or spotlight (mac computers)
2. Place image/item in scanner fae down and close lid
3. Select image/document/etc... according to item to be scanned 
4. Make sure that you tick the box that says 'show preview'
5. Click scan
6. When scanned image appears on screen open adjustments (top right corner) to change dpi/lightness/colours... I made all my images 300dpi at this point so I have the option to play around with them in Photoshop.
7. Look at the preview box and chack if your happy with your scanned image
8. Save image and press ok when asked to reset resolutions

 

                                  Here's a pair of glasses I scanned in!

Its important to consider what you will be using an image for and where this image will end up (ie, will it be printed and if so how big? are you going to post it on the web?)

It is important to keep this in mind so you can choose an appropriate resolution for an image as this will in turn affect an images quality and clarity. 
Resolutions 

- 79dpi is best for web images (websites/facebook etc...) or regular multimedia uses (powerpoints) as photos viewed on web devices are relatively small in comparison to large posters or billboards.

- 150dpi is fine for regular images and allows them to remain sharp and unpixelated when printed using home or office printers.
-300dpi is required for images that will be highly manipulated or alternatively used in large posters/billboards. *note* these images tend to be very large files.

blogs, blogs and more blogs.

 After sifting through numerous fashion/style blogs it's becoming pretty clear which blogs I like and which are getting the axe after a quick skim over.

Good =

• Blogs with a balance of both images AND text. For example I enjoy scrolling through a series of photographs but at some point I like to read a bit of either a description of what I'm looking at (what are they, where are they from...) or maybe just the bloggers opinion or why they found it inspiring?
• I like looking at anything and everything that influences and inspires a blogger, be it colour combinations, high fashion, travel images, interior decorations or even spontaneous shots of interesting street fashions.
• Blogs that are that little bit ahead of the game and have something new and different happening with their looks and pieces.
• Interesting photo angles, film photography.
• Basically blogs that don't just post what everyone else is. I want to source my inspiration from new and 'original' ideas.

Bad =

• Too many unexplained photos, I like to know why they chose the images they posted and what they mean to them.
• Blogs that are pretty much just a lookbook of girls trying to show off every cool outfit they own. Harsh I know, but it's just not my thing.

ok so here a few blogs that fit my criteria!

advanced style

Advanced style is wonderful and definitely the best blog I have stumbled across so far. Ari Seth Cohen roams the streets of New York looking for the most stylish and creative older folks. He believes these ladies and gentlemen have a thing or two to teach us about not only how to put together a sweet ensemble but also about living life to the fullest. Advanced Style offers proof from the wise and silver-haired street dwellers of NY that personal style advances with age.

cakeface

Cakeface is a really fun and quirky blog. It is a real mix of personal fashion inspirations, general design interest, snapshots of different events she attends plus more. I get the feeling Tania's life revolves around fashion so this blog pretty much encompasses all aspect of her life.  

This is how Tania Dee describes herself through her blog and I dont think I could have put it better myself... 

"Flocking from the past - to live in the future. Taking too many pictures along the way, sometimes of a door or the sky, because looking up and through is better than looking down and back. Never to be caught without a slick of red lipstick, a peroxided blonde bob, my moleskine notepad and a camera. Sometimes this makes sense, and sometimes it doesn't - but isn't that always the case? 

le happy

 

Le Happy is a fashion blog showcasing Lua P's extensive and desirable wardrobe. Her look is somewhat unique and her style is distinctly 80's grunge. 

I love the fact that both Lua and myself sport black creepers which makes me feel just a little bit groovy.

lust for life 

Lust for life by Olivia Lopez is something to aspire to. Olivia is a 19 year old student/vintage shop owner Southern Californian who seems to have it all going on. She's got style, attends fashion worthy events and has what seems like a never ending wardrobe!

test run.

Blogging as you may come to understand is a bit of a new and foreign concept to me.
I knew they existed, and I knew people created and followed blogs... I just never thought of making one myself. 

This is a space for me to share and document my DFC journey of new  Photoshop discoveries, little pieces of inspiration and different things I've been working on. 

Enjoy.