My goal for this project was to evoke a sense of nostalgia through different expressions of light. I experimented with sparklers, red light, and neon lighting to capture a range of moods and visual textures at my apartment. My boyfriend photographed me and used the long-exposure feature on my iPhone 16 Pro Max to take a series of images, which worked even better than I anticipated. This technique proved especially effective in enhancing the overall composition and capturing the luminous movement of light. In Photoshop, I further experimented with various brushes to create light streaks throughout the image—a process I really enjoyed because it allowed me to add motion, depth, and energy to the composition. I also applied adjustments such as color balance, hue and saturation, photo filters, and exposure to refine the atmosphere and unify the imagery.
The majority of the layers in my Photoshop file use blending modes such as Linear Dodge, Lighten, Screen, Color Dodge, Soft Light, and Linear Burn to create a cohesive and visually rich composition. I also experimented with different opacity levels, which became my favorite part of the entire process. It was fascinating to see how even subtle adjustments could dramatically transform the overall look and feel of the piece. The floating lights within the image introduce a sense of mystery and curiosity for the viewer. The focal point centers on me holding a sparkler, with particular emphasis on the glow it emits, highlighting its significance within the composition. Blended into the background are elements of a birthday cake with lit candles and hands reaching toward it—symbolizing celebration and memory. The same figure appears again in the distance behind the main subject, suggesting how we often look back on meaningful celebrations with a nostalgic gaze. Ultimately, the interplay of light, color, and layered imagery reinforces the theme of birthday celebration and the bittersweet warmth of reminiscence.
Sparkler Image
https://unsplash.com/photos/time-lapse-photography-of-fireworks-_g5ZyPj1mJg
A person holding a sparkler in their hand
https://unsplash.com/photos/a-person-holding-a-sparkler-in-their-hand-f9l2MQ2DqT0
Turned on red and blue lights
https://unsplash.com/photos/turned-on-red-and-blue-lights-Evp4iNF3DHQ
Purple Led
https://unsplash.com/photos/purple-led-heart-sign-t2bj6unVYoM
All images free to use under the unsplash license: https://unsplash.com/license
Critique: How were experiments with light and longer exposures treated and how did this effect the concept of the work? The experiments with light and long exposure are the very strong focal point of the work. There are also layers upon layers of different ways light can be captured, like bokeh and light trails, surrounding the person and focal point. The use of the sparkler to add a nostalgic effect is strong. The lights around the person add this "fuzziness" that comes with remembering past events.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job at executing your theme and meeting the parameters of the project. The birthday scene comes across very strongly, and I feel like that's a cool creative path to take this project that I wouldn't have thought of. The layered blurred light trails, flare spots, and color filters really help push the nostalgic feeling by making a scene that feels like a hazy memory.
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