EXPERIMENTAL COLLAGE:
Gathering separate elements and using digital tools
to collage an abstract image

Using a camera and copy stand, as well as the scanner, photograph various objects in composition and individually and collage together using techniques in Photoshop. You can build on your previous project, but you should alter it substantially. (Add at least one object that you photographed individually.)
 
Show all your selection skills, using full images in layers and masking on each layer. Do not leave areas “empty” but layer each texture to fill the space.
 
Make sure you can identify the following:
Open or closed composition
Activating the whole picture plane
Background shape and texture as interesting as foreground
Integration of foreground and background
Creating a sense of depth
Unity of elements
Focal point movement through the piece
Symmetrical or Asymmetrical Balance
Rhythm of elements
Complexity/ obsessive attention to detail
Surprise, mystery or unusualness
 
Make several of these compositions and choose the best for critique.  Put on Google Drive Critique folder.
 
For additional inspiration look at the design principles and elements presentation on the website and examples on this page.
 
Artists:
see artists from abstract formalism
 
​Experimental Collage: specific steps from class demo:

1. Photograph and scan new compositions or substantially change your first composition AND Photograph and Scan INDIVIDUAL objects for their FORMAL qualities, using contrasting background 
2. Transfer files to your computer
3. Open and sort files in Lightroom
   1. adjust qualities
   2. either export or open in photoshop from Lightroom
4. Create a document canvas in Photoshop that is approximately 8x10 inches at 300 dpi and copy and past image elements on different layers. Do not cut out elements before pasting into new document. Select and copy entire file and paste into new canvas on separate layers. 
   
5. If you  leave file as a smart object before resizing, you will not deteriorate the quality. You can change to a rasterized image if needed for certain filters. (lower opacity to position it)
6. To use just a portion of an image or one item, Select background on upper layer and mask it out:  either invert selection now, or invert mask after clicking on Mask button at the bottom of the layers palette. Clean up mask as needed.
7. Move masked object to desired position using move tool. Lower opacity if needed to see relative positions.
8. Repeat with all layers
9. You can duplicate layers as needed.
10. Use your masking skills to have the layers interact with each other. 
11. Add adjustment layers where you want to change colors, etc
    1. Choose the layer you want to affect.
    2. Click on adjustment layer symbol at bottom of layers palette (curves for instance)
    3. Change properties of adjustment layer in dialog box
    4. To affect just the one layer you have to link the adjustment layer to the layer below. To do so, click on the box with arrow symbol on bottom of properties panel or going to Layer/create clipping mask. If you place an adjustment layer in the stack of layers without a clipping mask, it will affect ALL layers below it.
12. You can group layers if you want to condense layers palette (folder icon bottom of layers palette)
13. You can temporarily hide them (eyeball).
14. You can change opacity of adjustment layers or other layers.
15. You can make a mask with a gradient (only seen on palette if you are in photography workspace) or make a selection first and then fill in the selection on the mask, etc
16. You can change the blending mode of layers to blend them in different ways
17. imagine that you are weaving the images into each other to bring the viewers eye throughout the image on the picture plane and deep into space. think about the principles of composition you have studied.