Week 5

At this point we are half way through the module and I feel as though I have come a long way. I feel more comfortable with using Photoshop and less intimidated by my lack of knowledge. I think that I have a good grip of the layering system and know how to use some of the basic tools to adjust images.


So far each week the repetition of the setting up and saving of files is becoming familiar and nearly second nature. I have however moments where I lose myself and forget how I need to progress to the next stage. Even after playing around sometimes I still haven't worked it out. I revert back to my notes, which occasionally help, but sometimes I feel a bit left behind as the others race ahead. Maybe I over think things not sure. Or maybe it's because others seem to 'get it' way before I have. 





This week we covered Giffs or is it jiffs as the Americans pronounce them.


A giff /jiff was to be produced from an image of something that has movement attached in a mini animation kind of way. After looking at the examples I couldn't wait to get started so much so, when I was inputting my information I got carried away.


I made the animation side of things more complicated than it needed to be and so needed help! After some rescuing I proceeded to start another.

I thought I understood the process but obviously forgot a few bits. I understood and carried out the first parts of the giff with no problems. I carried out the movements by putting them onto different layers. I knew I had to merge the layers at some point after this was done. But wasn't sure which ones with which. I still struggle with this a bit.  

                                       

A mad old twitchy witch!

  

Second Giff was a strange little creature dancing.



             



I am really happy with my Giffs. Although I know I could have blended the background behind the moving parts a bit better I am delighted with the little creature.  

It was suggested I should work on another one maybe simpler, which I attempted at home after the evenings lecture and the following morning. I got so far and despite looking on Lynda.com supportive notes and my notes I still couldn't fathom why I couldn't get this one working. Part of this punk lady's hair is meant to lift up and down slightly Toupee like! I will have to try and work out where I went wrong.