Combining images to build a unique setting

Today’s essential question: How can I combine images to build a unique setting for my story?

Creating a setting

You must photoshop at least 5 different images together for your background or setting.  (So, for example, you cannot just put the images you photographed in front of the green screen into an existing photograph – you must add at least 4, preferably more, other items to customize your scene.) The emptier the scene you start with, the better. For example, the image below is terrible for the purposes of the project, because it is already full of cars and people, so we have no room to add our own:

The next image is much better, because it has space to add whatever cars or people we would like, giving us complete control over the mood we establish:

Here is another example. These wooded scenes are all a great place to start because they have ample space in the foreground to add other imagery:

Here are some extra images that might make the scene more interesting:

Common Multiple Mes Photography Mistakes

Today’s essential question: What are some common issues that arise when taking photos for the multiple mes project? How can we prevent them?

Common Multiple Mes Photography Mistakes

Camera angles do not match

Why it happens: Different photos are taken from different camera angles. These photos then will not work together if composited into the same image in Photopea.

How to prevent it: Make sure you take all of your photos from the same height and camera angle, and make sure the angle of the camera matches the angle of your background scene.

Motion Blur

Why it happens: The subject moves before the camera finishes taking the photo.

How to prevent it: Use a quick shutter speed (if you have a DSLR). If you can’t control the shutter speed manually, force the camera to use a quick shutter speed by providing sufficient light and using a tripod to steady the camera. If you don’t have a tripod, you can steady your camera on a table with a pile of textbooks. Remind your model to remain as still as possible.

Subject is not Realistically Posed

Why it happens: The model awkwardly acts out a pose without the necessary props, and consequently, poses themselves incorrectly. When the scene and props are later added in Photopea, they do not fit or look strange.

How to prevent it: Provide the model with placeholder props and scenery that mimic the size and shape of whatever will be added in Photopea. It’s amazing how much simple objects such as boxes, paper towel rolls, rope, and stuffed animals can help the model pose properly.

Bonus Tip: Place Green Screen (or a blanket or sheet in a contrasting color) on Ground to Easily Capture Action Shots

New Project: Multiple Mes

Essential Question:  How can I tell a story with a digital collage in Photopea?

Today we will introduce our next project, a Multiple Mes Photoshop Collage. We will photograph ourselves or a friend or family member, and then build a scene in Photopea that tells a story using these photos. You will create your own background by combining images you have taken yourself with images you have found online.

Here are some examples of past student work:

Credit: Asher

Credit: Jeanelly

Credit: Mokhtar

Credit: Oliver

Credit: Madeline

Credit: Charlese

Credit: Alyssa

Credit: Akirah

Credit: Aleesa

Project Requirements:

• Created in Photopea or Photoshop
• Original, realistic scene created from a minimum of ten images
  • Minimum of 3 clones photographed by you or a friend/family member. This should either be you or people you know in real life. Do not use images you found on Google.
  • Background created from a variety of images taken by student or downloaded from the internet. Any internet images must be noticeably modified to create your own unique scene.
  • Realistic background, middle ground, and foreground created through use of Photopea layers
  • No copyrighted characters
• High Quality Craftsmanship
  • No pixelation
  • Background cleanly removed
  • Images Photographed from appropriate angles
  • Lighting matches up
  • Scale and proportion makes sense