Using InDesign, we will be creating picture stories on A3 page spreads using photographs edited from the St. Malo trip. Here are the settings we’re instructed to use for the page spreads.

This is what the layout of the page looks like with these settings. This is to aid arrangement of images on the page, and also to allow a border.

First page spread

I wanted to put these photographs together as they’re images that I have edited in Lightroom in a specific way.

By decreasing the vibrance, and increasing the saturation, it makes the image black and white but also saturates bright colours in the image. I planned on using all black and white for my images on my page spreads, but I think this makes some of the photographs more interesting, allowing certain colours to pop and grab attention. This also creates a red motif across this page spread, as most of the images I selected have red elements. As well as the red, there are also elements of blue and white which collectively create the colours of the French flag.

As an example, this is one of the images I used in this first page spread. It shows a before (left) and after (right) of the editing.

Second page spread

This is a screenshot of my first attempt at trying to select and arrange images on the page in an ordered fashion. However, it just looks disorganised and messy with no cohesion.

After some advice and experimentation, I arranged the images in a more organised and appealing way as well as adding text to fill any empty space. I creating a title ‘Inside The Wall’ for the page spread, referring to being inside the St. Malo wall which is where I took these photographs. As the title ran over the image on the page, I decided to make the ‘Wall’ part of the title white so that it stands out and is still eligible for readers.

This screenshot of my design doesn’t have many changes from the previous design above. However, I added a strip of black (seen off-centre on the page) as well as making the text white so it is still eligible for readers. This is a small change but is nice as it makes the spread a little more interesting and less uniform.

Third page spread

This page spread design shows my chosen layout of images and some added text to fill empty space. I like this layout and think it’s visually appealing as it is very neat and uniform.

This design is the same as above, with the addition of a title for the spread. I came up with ‘The Outsider’s Perspective’ as I was a visitor in St. Malo taking photographs, which are from my perspective as a tourist.

I wanted to add something to make it more exciting like the previous spread. So, I decided to add two diagonal black strips which form a cross. I also now had to make some of the text white so it can stand out against the black, which was quite time consuming. Overall, I think this change made the spread much more interesting and intriguing.

We have been using indesign to create story boards of our images which we look in St Malo, I created two designs with different backgrounds on to experiment and see which one i preferred i liked working on indesign as i was able to play around more with the layout and placements on the photographs more than if i was to do it on powerpoint, i liked how we were able to chose the size on the page we wanted and were able to adjust the images to fit the page well.

My Designs

I have been experimenting with photoshop Ai by using photoshop beta here are some examples of photos which i have used ai on.

original photo

edited

unedited

Edited

This is what i typed in to get the result of the photo i had to generate it twice till i got an outcome that I liked, the idea behind the photo was to make it more busy as there wasn’t much going on in the photo i thought it looked a bit isolated and simple so there for i wanted to add more to it.

first edit:

I started off by extending the picture before then adding a flower pot and sleeping cat.

second edit:

Once again, I started by extending the background and then added the car and man walking his dog.

How the experimentation works:

For each design I started out by arranging the images how I want them, leaving space to add a title and text.

Design 1:

Design 2:

Design 3:

For designs 2 & 3 I used the same layout but changed the images around.

Design 4:

For this design I used one of my images as the background. I did this by inserting an image and then changing the opacity.

Design 5:

I experimented with this layout as used the gradient tool to create the background.

I created this grid on indesign

To add the pictures I made these boxes first to help me choose the layout that I wanted. I then added in my text when i was happy with my pictures. For my text I picked the title of Souvenirs de St Malo which translates to memories of St Malo. and then I just put some history about St Malo that I found from google.

This is my final layout

Saint-Malo is a small port city in Brittany, in France’s northwest. Tall granite walls surround the old town, which was once a stronghold for privateers (pirates approved by the king). This is where we will be taking photographs.

Mind Map

Photoshoot Plan

Who

The people of St Malo, perhaps some tourists too as we will be visiting a popular tourist spot, in their natural environment.

What

We will be focussing on the streets of St Malo and documenting this with our cameras. In addition, any other interesting buildings or structures.

Where

St Malo, more specifically inside the wall so we can photograph some of the streets and shops, etc.

When

During a school organised day trip on Wednesday 14th June.

Why

To photograph the streets of St Malo (and perhaps any other interesting aspects of the city). This will be influenced by Henri Cartier-Bresson and ‘The Decisive Moment’ where you capture a spontaneous event with your camera. These photographs will be used for further work in coursework e.g. zines

Hypothesis:Photography and Truth: Can a photograph lie?

This famous quote about photography and truth is by American photographer Walker Evans, who said, “Stare. It is the way to educate your eye, and more. Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long.” This quote suggests that photography can be a way to capture the truth of a moment or a situation, by observing and documenting it in a way that is honest and authentic.

Photography was seen as a threat to traditional art forms as it was considered to be a mechanical and automated process that did not require the same level of skill and creativity as painting or drawing. Some artists and critics felt that photography lacked the human touch and artistic vision that was necessary to create truly great works of art. However, over time, photography has become widely recognized as a legitimate and important art form in its own right, with many photographers producing work that is highly regarded for its creativity, technical skill, and emotional impact.

Photography is an illusion because it creates an image that appears to be a direct representation of reality, but in fact, it is a highly mediated and selective version of reality. The camera lens, lighting, composition, and other factors all influence the way that a photograph looks, and the photographer’s choices about what to include or exclude from the frame can shape the viewer’s perception of the subject. Additionally, photographs can be manipulated through editing software or other means to create images that are completely different from the original scene. Therefore, while photography can capture real moments and events, it is always an interpretation of reality rather than a pure and objective representation.

AI, or artificial intelligence, is a new technology that has become increasingly important in our daily lives. AI refers to the ability of machines to perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. AI is already part of our lives in many ways, from the virtual assistants on our smartphones to the recommendation algorithms used by social media platforms and online retailers. AI is also used in industries such as healthcare, finance, and transportation to improve efficiency and accuracy. For example, AI is used in medical imaging to help doctors diagnose diseases, and in self-driving cars to help them navigate safely on the road. AI is also used in customer service to provide fast and personalized responses to customers. In short, AI is a powerful technology that is already changing the way we live and work.

However, there are also potential dangers associated with AI. One of the main concerns is that AI could lead to job displacement, as machines become more capable of performing tasks that were previously done by humans. This could lead to economic inequality and social unrest. Another concern is that AI could be used to create autonomous weapons, which could pose a threat to global security.

Photography in the past could be manipulated in many ways. One of the most common methods was to physically alter the image, either by painting over it or by cutting and pasting different parts of different images together. Another method was to use different lenses or filters to create a distorted or surreal effect. Additionally, photographers could use different lighting techniques to create a certain mood or atmosphere in the image. Finally, photographers could manipulate the subject of the photograph itself, either by posing them in a certain way or by using makeup or costumes to create a certain look. Overall, there were many ways that photographers could manipulate images in the past, although the technology available was much more limited than it is today.

One example of an image from the past where the truth was distorted is the photograph of the “Loch Ness Monster” that was taken in 1934 by a man named Robert Wilson. The photograph shows a large creature with a long neck and humps emerging from the water of Loch Ness in Scotland. However, it was later revealed that the photograph was a hoax, and that the “monster” was actually a model made from a toy submarine covered in a rubber and plastic material. The photograph became famous and helped to perpetuate the myth of the Loch Ness Monster, despite the fact that it was not a real creature. This is an example of how photography can be used to distort the truth and create a false narrative.

The image above is an Ai edited image of Donald Trump working in a fast food restaurant by Phillip Toledano. Toledano created this image using an Ai generated app, Midjourney. He believes that a photograph should be like an unfinished sentence. When creating these images Phillip Toledano focused on how Donald Trump portrays himself and generated the images to do the opposite. Trump has an obsession with showing off his his power and projecting his strength, however, the series of images which were made makes him look weak, and are degrading. This series of Donald Trump that Toledano created has no relation ship with either photography or the truth. However, it shows the creativity and skill that comes behind editing and the power that is held within Artificial intelligence.

Research

St. Malo, a beautiful and historic city in Brittany, France. It’s located right on the English Channel, and it’s known for its stunning beaches, charming architecture, and rich history. Some of the top attractions in St. Malo include the walled city, the St. Malo Cathedral, and the Fort National. The walled city is the most famous part of St. Malo, and it’s a great place to explore on foot. You can walk along the ramparts, visit the castle, and see the beautiful views of the sea. The St. Malo Cathedral is another must-see attraction in the city. It’s a stunning Gothic cathedral that was built in the 12th century, and it’s one of the most beautiful churches in France. Finally, the Fort National is a historic fort that was built in the 17th century to defend the city from the English. It’s a great place to learn about the history of St. Malo and the region.

In addition to these historic attractions, St. Malo is also known for its beautiful beaches. The Plage du Sillon is the most famous beach in the city, and it’s a great place to relax and soak up the sun. The beach is also a popular spot for water sports like surfing and windsurfing. Another great beach in St. Malo is the Plage de Bon Secours, which is located just outside the walled city. This beach is a bit quieter than the Plage du Sillon, and it’s a great place to go if you want to avoid the crowds.

St. Malo is also known for its delicious food. The region is famous for its seafood, and you’ll find plenty of great seafood restaurants in the city. Some of the top dishes to try in St. Malo include moules marinières (mussels in white wine), coquilles St. Jacques (scallops), and galettes (savory crepes).Overall, St. Malo is a beautiful and historic city that’s definitely worth a visit. Whether you’re interested in history, beaches, or food, there’s something for everyone in this charming French city.

Mood board