#027 Two more images for virtual and real photo-montage & video record of the process

Continuing my idea on the virtual and real photo-montage, I needed to create 2 more images so that it will fit the arrangement of the frames I have in mind. When I referred back to the old photos, I noticed that my dad and I had photos taken during Christmas. Therefore while having a video conference with my dad I asked him to share photos that he took in China that showcase some kind of festive season so he sent me 2 photos taken during Christmas with his friends.

So I dressed up in my winter coat and scarf together with a Christmas cap while imaging myself in a cold country hearing Christmas jingles, but in actual fact it was really warm and I perspired like crazy as the heat was transmitted from the projection where I stood to take the photo running back and forth from the projection to the camera in order to check how the photo turned out.

For example: In this photo the cap I was wearing is black and made the image appear dark and my arm got cropped off at the side. So I had to reduce the size of the projection.

So I when to change to a red Christmas cap so that the image looks more bright and cheerful but this time round, I blocked my dad's face. So I had to readjust my poise and position.

Finally, after all the adjustment I managed to not block my dad neither did my arm got cut-off. For example as presented below, I have two images that fitted to the criteria of being selected. So I based my final selection by the expressions and poise of each figures hence I preferred the second image 'Christmas 2' instead of the first as my expression mimicked my dad's smile. These images that I have presented here are just one third of the total images I took for one projected image. Despite it being a tiring process, I enjoy it as I get to practice making decision by being critical in the selection of images in terms of the image that best represent what I want to say or portray.

Christmas 1

Christmas 2

Adding the Christmas photo-montage into the overall arrangement:

As Paul had suggested that instead of just projecting an image, I could project a video record of the process of creating my family portrait. Therefore I did a recording for my family portrait photo-montage. Because of the size of the file I cannot upload here so I will show the snapshots of it.

Referring to the family portraits taken when I was young I noticed that my dad is usually at right side, mum at the left and I am in the middle so I incorporated the same seating arrangement for our current virtual family portrait too.

I decided to select this photo (below) from all the other photos taken during the shoot because I like the poise of how my mum and I are sitting close to each other as I wrapped my hand around her shoulder also considering the similarities of our expression and smile. The first image is the original photo taken thereafter I cropped it so that the black strip and the text box is not shown.

Original Image

Edited Image (Finalized)

After looking at the image taken, I am concern and a little disappointed about the projection of my dad. It appeared rather murky and blur due to the quality of my dad's webcam and perhaps because our video conference was held at night the quality of the image is affected. On the other hand, I am not very sure whether I should use the video but I would just prepare it and consult Paul about it again...