MM110 - Demo - Photomontage

  • Introduction to Video

    • Instructor: Curtis Stage from Los Angeles Mission College.
    • Topic: Photoshop demo focusing on photo montage techniques inspired by Hannah Höch's collage.
    • Purpose: Create a composition similar to the inspiration collages, utilizing Photoshop tools.

  • Setting Up Photoshop

    • Open Photoshop and create a new document (File > New or Create New).
    • Document settings:
    • Size: 8.5 x 11 inches
    • Resolution: 200 DPI
    • Color Mode: RGB, 16-bit, with a white background.
    • Workspace Setup:
    • Ensure the Toolbar and Layers panel are visible (Window > Layers).
    • Optionally reset workspace to Essentials if needed for a simpler layout.
    • Organize the workspace to optimize for ease of access during editing.

  • Saving Your Project

    • Immediately save your document (File > Save As) to avoid data loss.
    • File type: Photoshop document (.PSD) to retain layers.
    • Suggested naming: "montage.psd" for clarity.

  • Opening Images for Montage

    • Use downloaded images from the course resources or drag images to the Photoshop icon on the dock to open them.
    • Open all necessary images in new tabs for easy access during composition.

  • Creating the Background

    • Select colors from the images, such as a blue texture for the background.
    • Use the Move Tool to drag colors/textures into the main canvas and create layers for each element.
    • Arrange layers to design your background pattern, using transformation (Command/Ctrl + T) to adjust size and rotation.

  • Incorporating Elements and Faces

    • Use selection tools (Polygonal Lasso, Freeform Lasso) to select specific parts of images (e.g., a face, legs) for montage.
    • Invert selections (Select > Inverse) to retain only the desired portion and delete the remainder.

  • Layer Management

    • Adjust the order of layers in the Layers panel to foreground or background elements appropriately.
    • Utilize transformation techniques (holding Shift during resizing, rotating) for compositional balance.

  • Final Adjustments

    • Use cut tools to enhance overlap between elements (e.g., cutting an arm from one layer to cover another).
    • Consider composition principles, including space, scale, and balance, while placing elements.
    • Explore themes for the project—historical references like women’s identity or current political themes can be effective.

  • Conclusion and Invitation for Practice

    • Encourage students to experiment with creating their unique photo montage pieces.
    • Offer support via Canvas or in-person during lab times for additional guidance.
    • Mention lab hours and resources available for practice in multimedia labs at LA Mission College.
    • End with an invitation for further tutorials or sessions focusing on advanced techniques.