One day National Geographic Project

After taking numerous photo's of both me and the others, I decided to use this image (cropped) as the image I'm using for my own National Geographic front cover. I wanted to make the front cover entirely my own, but using a header and subtitle that accurately show's who I am. I know that some people find it quite patronising when they are faced with Vegan ideals, but I felt the need to present who I am through my lifestyle choice. I also thought it was relevant to incorporate lizard skin on myself, mainly because I think it would be fun if it was in real life but I took this as the perfect opportunity.

I chose this image because I didn't actually want to use my face. Despite self confidence issues, I really liked this picture and decided to crop out beth (which to my knowledge used the same) and beginning trying out different styles and techniques for the best result.

I alter the selective colour and made the background as white as possible to then insert it onto the front cover. This worked, but I used a slightly different technique to the usual 'Selective Colour' until it's entirely white. I intact used the 'Quick Selection Tool' on the main background which made it the exact same white as the one on the National Geo Mag. I also altered the colour's in parts, by using the 'QST' technique and altering the saturation which is an effective way to brighten areas when you only want those specific section highly saturated. I used Dave's technique that he required (being "Crop > Duplicate Layer > (1) Lighter > (2) Darken > (1) 60% > (2) 40% > Gaussian Blur > Layer Mask > Eraser") which left me with a Blemish Free effect on my face. I simply used the eraser technique to delete the section's I didn't want blury.

I then merged the layers and made sure the top layer was apart so that I could edit it without ruining the original image. This also made it sharper and of higher quality.

I later went on to experimented with different filters. I tried the 'Cloud Effect', the 'Oil Paint' effect and changed the colour's up a lot but I decided they didn't quite work. So, as a result of experimentation, I figured the image I had previously edited, was completely adequate and was actually rather appealing. However, it did look slightly bland and it kinda sucked, so I went on to add some exciting idea's. 

I thought LIZARD SCALES. It looks really exciting and very, very cute. I somewhat want it in real life (ok, that would be slightly irresponsible) but still. It super exciting. What I did was, I used the below image, which I copied and pasted on top of the image in the section's I wanted it, changed the opacity to 20-30% and then used the eraser tool to rub out the section's I didn't want the scales.

(Source: http://orangetutorials.com/how-to-create-a-reptile-skin-texture-in-photoshop/)

Later, I then developed a template to insert my image on and the header.  Everything is to specific measurements that had to be accurate. It took me a while with my poor maths and measuring skills, but with a little help from Beth, Piotr and Rebecca, I eventually got there with accuracy! 

The header reads "HappyCow" "NotUrMom" because of the way dairy farms are proceeded and the torture dairy animals go through. The term "NotUrMom" is one of the latest terms for diary, because we aren't meant to consume the animals milk because they aren't our Mothers (a.k.a Not Your Mother, Not Your Milk To Drink.) The subtitle reads a quote from a famous individual who is also an animal rights activist. I did follow on to use the colour blue as the outline because the boarder (typically yellow on National Geo) would stand out but subtly. I slightly wish that I'd have done it in a green or red to match the central colours. I do think it's a pleasant, calming colour though.

This is the image now printed out and before I mounted it. I remembered to put the Track Marks on, which makes it a lot easier to know where to slice when using the craft knife, gloves and cutting board (safety.) I wish that it would have been a lot sharper and maybe slightly brighter, but over-all I think it looks relatively good and works compositionally.

The scales of my image definitely work and I blended as much as possible so that it works and looks realistic. The white background actually works and doesn't look like I've inserted an image. I even put it behind the flower to add a more realistic effect.