Surreal Self Portrait

Inspired by Italian photographer and digital media artist Andrea Constantini, create a self portrait designed to review tools and techniques available in Photoshop while pushing the boundaries of realism.

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Project Introduction Slides

Student Progress Slides (Great for managing remote progress!)

Demonstration Tutorial

Project Self Evaluation

Photopea Instructions (for remote on Chromebook)

Student Examples

 

Andrea Constantini Self Portrait Project Requirements:

• Simple backgrounds

• Head and shoulders portrait

• Blended items=Layer Modes

• Illusion of 3D=Layer Styles

• Repeating elements

• Frame or compositional element

• At least 5 items included (in addition to portrait)
   

Create a new document to build in. Go to FILE>NEW, then PRINT>LETTER.  Your image should be 8.5 x 11inches and 300resolution. Choose Portrait orientation.  Name your file and save it to your drive.

 

Locate and open your photo(s).
 

Use SELECTION tools to select items.

*The arrowhead/triangle in the corner of each tool means there are more tools hidden underneath the

  active tool.

*Controls for each tools can be found in the options bar once you click on them.

*Try going to the menu and SELECT>SUBJECT.  On a high resolution image with a simple background this

  to make Photoshop do the work for you​

 

After making your selection go to SELECT AND MASK in the control bar. Use the refine edge brush to add to your

selection.  There are some powerful tools in the top right of this panel. You can toggle different settings for each

tool on your right too.

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Using the MOVE TOOL drag your items onto the new  document. Before you move things around make sure that

AUTO SELECT and SHOW TRANSFORM CONTROLS is clicked in the option bar when you have the move tool active.

You DO NOT need to hold SHIFT to change the size of items proportionally. Apply transformations (changes in size)

by double clicking or clicking the check mark in the option bar.

 

​​If at any time you make a mistake or don’t like what you’ve done you can use CTRL Z to go back or locate the HISTORY

panel and go back in your history.

 

Add LAYER STYLES by clicking on the FX at the bottom of the LAYERS PANEL to give the illusion of depth (like drop

shadows and glows). 

 

Add LAYER MODES by clicking on the word NORMAL near the top of the layers panel.  You can use your cursor to

scroll through the options and see how the modes will blend your layers together. 

 

The mode to this highlighted layer is set to lighten. Layer modes blend layers together.

 

Consider using a repeated element to aid in balancing your composition and creating rhythm.  Andrea Constantini likes to use clouds to break up his composition but you can use any type of brush or image.

 

Experiment with the order of your layers.  This is a great opportunity to push the illusion of depth in your work. Overlap items by making them touch and adjusting their position in the layers panel and try erasing from items to give the illusion that they are both in front, and in back, of other items.

 

Consider the IMAGE>ADJUSTMENT menu to make sure that all images used in your composite have similar tone, value, brightness, contrast and color.

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