Week 4: Collages - Craft Focus

The process of making this collage wasn’t that difficult but it did require much work. I made this by taking a picture of a chicken nugget, which I painted, than used the picture of it to create a collage. There were many steps in creating this. First, my classmate chose a picture from my album that could easily be isolated. The picture chosen was of a chicken nugget I painted to represent Ronald McDonald. Next I opened this picture with Photoshop. My first attempt in isolating this chicken nugget, I used the rectangular marquee tool and the polygonal lasso tool. This made it easy to delete the edges and background around the nugget. After learning what different tools did, I redid my cutout. In my final attempt in cutting out this nugget, I used the magic wand tool. This allowed me to easily delete the background which was all the same color. After only having a few areas to clear out, I used the eraser tool. This allowed me to erase everything else I wanted to be out of the picture. I was able to make a circle out of the chicken nugget which I wanted to do. Once I had my final cutout, I clicked Select then Select All. This allowed me to copy the cutout. After copying this, I opened a blank file on Photoshop. Going to Edit, I clicked paste six times. This gave me six layers. Having to change the background color, I unlocked the title background and chose hot pink for the background color. Once arranging the cutouts in rows of threes, I picked the top, middle nugget to be the one that stood out. I clicked on the layer and drug it to the top so it could be on top of the other layers, standing out more.  I wanted to change the contrast, specifically the color of this nugget. I chose the color blue and raised the saturation of it which intensified the color and also gave the nugget a different texture from the others. I arranged it this way because I wanted it to be neat and in order but have one of them standing out. I am controlling the viewers by changing the contrast on one specific nugget which will draw the viewer’s eye straight to it. This is a collage of chicken nuggets. There is no specific meaning. I am trying to say that by changing one specific element in a picture such as contrast, lines, or scale, it will draw the viewer to pay attention to that specific change.  

Week 3: Re-Shoot

This is a picture of a rubber chicken sitting on the toilet bowl. I made this by buying the rubber chicken and chicken nuggets then using the toilet to put it out of place, somewhere you would never see a chicken or nuggets. The necessary steps in making this were very easy. First I had to find a rubber chicken which I did find at a pet store. Next, I bought chicken nuggets from McDonalds. I placed the chicken nuggets in the toilet then put the rubber chicken sitting on the toilet. I also added toilet paper next to the chicken. I arranged things this way because I needed to find a way to make the chicken nuggets inside of the toilet visible. Placing the chicken further away and the toilet paper on the side of it allowed me to do this. I am controlling the viewer’s eye with contrast. The white toilet bowl really makes the chicken and chicken nuggets stand out. This is simply a picture of a rubber chicken going to the bathroom, leaving chicken nuggets behind. This doesn't exactly have a meaning but it does grab the viewer’s attention because this is not typically something anyone sees every day, or even at all. I am not really trying to say anything, it is just more of a joke; a chicken pooping out chicken nuggets on a toilet bowl.

Week 2: Shoot

 

I bought these chicken nuggets from McDonalds. First I opened the box of chicken nuggets. Having extra room on the side of the box I put my honey sauce and ketchup in there. I arranged it this way for easier access to my dipping sauce and less amount to throw away. I am controlling the viewer’s eye by making this a clear image of exactly what I was eating. It is zoomed in and very clear to see. It is also separated so the viewer can get an idea of what food plus what sauce I was using. This is a simple picture of an order of ten piece chicken nuggets from McDonalds with honey and ketchup on the side. I am trying to say that this was a delicious meal and that you can arrange the food anyway that will accommodate you.

Week 1: Introduction

Hello. My name is Erin Edwards and I am a freshman/resident here at Saint Xavier University. First coming into school, I declared my major as Undecided. I wanted to explore what SXU had to offer. I took courses in different fields of study to see what exactly I would want to major in. I now decided that I will be majoring in Early Childhood Education. Academically, I know SXU will provide me with the right classes and knowledge which will help me in becoming successful in my field of study. I cannot wait to advance in my major and one day become a Pre-School teacher.