Week #4 Reflection

Between PicMonkey & Pixlr Editor I found many features that surprisingly had a strong relationship to photoshop, but also equally limited when compared to the features of a current version of the professional program.  The Pixlr Editor seems to have the closest resemblance to Photoshop.  Layout and all.  There are definitely big differences between Pixlr Editor and Photoshop, but there is enough that carries over where one can become very savvy using either program by learning one or the other.   

These programs mainly accept JPEG files. I could not open a RAW or PSD (Photoshop file). The various file formats for saving were nice but limited. I did like the choice of file sizes to start with. Even though it is very basic, I was impressed with the quick adjustments within PicMonkey. But once an adjustment is made there is no undoing.  The PicMonkey app is very similar to aviary, a photo editor I use for my cellphone photography. I was happy to see blending modes as a feature for different overlay effects. I am used to lots of layers in photoshop, so whenever a program has that option, it gets a check in my book! A downfall with editing with these programs is that they can be slow with large files, and in the case of a crash there is no recovery of the file.

For my posters I based them off a project I am doing with my students now based around portrait transformations.  I experimented with the layer features and tools with both PicMonkey & Pixlr Editor.  Knowing how to manipulate layers is probably one of the most important elements of working in photoshop.

I will definitely introduce these apps to my students.  It's great to know that they have access to a program that is similar to photoshop, from any computer they sit at.  The biggest problem in my class is the limit to access equipment and programs.  I am hoping to get to a point where students can take my class online and if using the Pixlr Editor app as a substitute to needing photoshop, I think I can make that dream become a reality.  As an educator this app can be a reassurance that with their photography work, my students can always have access to the digital tools necessary for them to be successful in my class.

Creations

This week I was really excited to explore the different photo editors.  Being a photography teacher who teaches photoshop, I was really interested in putting these apps to the test.

Poster #1 Happy Halloween!

For this image I used a few different features in PicMonkey. Explored the texture overlay and the masking feature to Isolate the texture to my skin.  I used the text tool for the lettering, and explored the blending features to have the lettering blend as it overlaid the texture.
















Poster #2 Flow
I feel that I have come a long way in the 32 years I have been on this planet.  I have to say that where I am in my life now, on top of all that is piled up in my mountain of responsibilities and hobbies, the backbone of my flow comes from the support of my wife Jennifer and our loving dog Osi.  With them in mind, even though Jenn though it to be a bit creepy, I created this poster.

 Exploring the more advanced features in Pixlr Editor I wanted to see how close this app was to photoshop, and if it was something one could rely on for advanced edits.  To an extent it proved that one can.  I used layer masking and blending modes to blond the 2 portraits together.  Using the transformation tool I was able to size the one image perfectly inside the other.  I added the M as a symbol of our last name.  I used layer features to add the embossed effect and color.