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.

Week 3 Reflections

I'm fairly familiar with using Google blogger, or so I thought, until I discovered all the advanced settings you can control in the layout. I am really intrigued how you can transform the blogger into a fully functional website, which I had no idea it was capable of being.  I was really impressed with the ability to customize a banner but was having some trouble with the sizing. I was trying to have the banner stretch across the entire page but seems to stop one the left size.  I really enjoy having the feature of the color picker at the top of the Google chrome screen.  As these apps fill up is there a way to create a more organized pallet of tools?  The biggest challenge for me was the customization of the banner and I would assume that customizing other features with images along around the site based on pixels and what type of screen you're working with would be the most complicated.

The various resources for acquiring images for creative use is incredible. I love the refine search on some of the sites, and the high resolution images that you are able to download for free.  I do try to use my own images as often as I can, but for quick examples that students can work with, this is a great resource set of resources. I'm curious how I can get my photography on to some of the sites, and is it a decent source of income for the artists that submit their work for the world to use?

When it comes to the creative Commons I think it's a genius way to have digital artists and presenters know that they're getting and using images or other work legally.  This creates a worry free environment that can be more gratifying in the end knowing you couldn’t have pissed of the artist by not having their consent to use their work.

Reflecting on David wicks summary of the benefits of using a blog he touches on all the points of why I use a blog in my current classes.  He also shows me how utilizing a blog personally could benefit my own business or voice as an artist.

As far as choosing a blogger template or site to start your blog I think that comes down to personal choice. How much time do you want to invest in the creation and customizing of what your viewers are seeing clicking on. This will range from creator to creator. Educationally I think it's important to keep things fairly simple but not too dull. if things are visually loud and busy, the site could be distracting in it being hard for students to stay focused or even understand how to navigate through.

My Aspirations

We all aspire to do great things in life.  The level of greatness is set by each individual who may have different views of "setting the bar" with their goals.  Personally I hope to accomplish many things in life that are based on my continuing educational experiences, work, and my personal life.  Some of these things can overlap in terms of the individual accomplishments achieved, while others can be strictly focused in one area of my life.

One of my life aspirations is to be remembered for my teachings.  As an educator you have the ability to touch the minds of everyone you encounter in the world.  I know that even outside of my classroom, I look for or embrace opportunities to add some helpful insight to a particular learner, or even give myself the opportunity to learn something new from a complete stranger.  With this goal I have created lifelong opportunities to share who I am, what I know, and continually learn from others.  

As far as this class, I aspire to become more confident with using and incorporating the Chrome based apps in my own classroom, along with personal projects.  I aspire to use the skills learned in this course to help guide my students and fellow educators on how to utilize these tools in and out of the classroom. I know that there are many projects that I use more advanced programs for, but it would be extremely beneficial to know that programs like photoshop & illustrator are not always required for digital design.

One of the main things that attracted me to this class was the mention of creating 2D and 3D modeled objects that can be prototyped using 3D printers and laser cutters. I have been trying to collaborate with our career center class about this, but it would mainly be using the advanced programs that are not available to the everyday google user. I would like to be able to create designs for the collaboration without the need of having the tech class mapping everything for us.

As a final outcome I hope to be able to confidently bring my teachings, and students abilities to a higher level. As teachers master their craft it is important to find ways to challenge themselves to explore areas that may never have been thought they would teach in their own class, and in turn challenge their students to explore areas they may never thought they could learn about in their own class.