Computer experiments

Reduced Saturation



Process:

1. Open Photoshop CC 2014 and open your image.
2. Open the adjustments panel.
3. Reduce images saturation.
4. Increase images contrast until you have achieved a suitable level of tonal contrast.
5. Alter the images brightness and lightness until you feel that you have achieved a suitable result.

When to use this:
This technique can be used in order to give an image a nostalgic appearance often associated  with black and white photography or to give the image a striking and crisp appearance due to the high levels of contrast which will appear.

Increased Saturation


Process:

1. Open Photoshop CC 2014 and open your image.
2. Open the adjustments panel.
3. Increase the images saturation until you have achieved your desired result.
4. Increase the images contrast in order to enhance the effect.
5. Alter the images brightness and contrast until you are happy with your final image.

When to use this:

This technique can be used in order to give an image a lively and bright appearance often associated with youth and summer.  This technique can make an image appear more visually interesting without appearing surreal and garish if used minimally.

 Colour Gradient


Process:

1. Open Photoshop CC 2014 and open your image.
2. Crop image as desired.
3. Alter the images saturation, contrast, brightness and lightness using the brightness panel.
4. Open the rulers and evenly split your image into your desired number of section.
5. Create a new layer and select it.
6. Select the vector mask tool with the square mask.
7. Drag your mask until it is covering the first section of your image.  
8. Open the paintbrush tab and select your desired colour and fill your section you will be unable to draw over the lines.
9. Open the select tab and deselect the section.
10. Repeat steps 6-9 until you have filled your image.
11. Select the opacity tool and reduce your images opacity until you are happy with the visibility of your final image.

When to use this:

This technique can be used to create colour blocking in an image if you wish to show theme such as the rainbow being used as a symbol for LGBT equality and demonstrating the acceptance of youth.