Introspective, Expressive Self Portraits in Photoshop
Questions
?What is a self portrait?
An image of yourself that you have created.
?How is a self portrait different than a selfie?
A selfie is disposable and taken with a smart phone. A self portrait is thought out and contains information about the artist that is more than their
physical appearance and location. An artist invests TIME, thought and artistic planning into a self portrait.
?What more do you want to say about yourself in a self portrait?
Artist to Know
Frida Kahlo, Mexican painter (1907-1954)
Frida Kahlo was well known for her brutally honest self portrait paintings that provided information about her physical,
emotional and psychological state.
Your Self Portrait Project
You will be merging a photo of yourself (that you have taken) with another photo or drawing of a plant, animal or material
possession that you feel contributes to your definition of “self.” You will receive the highest amount of points if the second
photo/drawing is also yours, but if you decide to use an image from the web you MUST:
1. Site your source! This means you need to know the photographer’s name and include the URL of where you
found the image. This information must be included in the rubric section provided.
2. Only use the photo as 40% or less of your overall design.
3. Not use this final design in any art shows or competitions.
4. Use a good source. Find quality photography instead of clip art/Google image search results.
Technical Requirements
You must use the following tools/techniques in Photoshop:
-
Selection tools to cut out sections of your photo(s)
At least one Filter
Layer Blending
Steps to Take:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Make a brainstorming “web” to explore a few categories of your life. Include lists and sketches.
Create 3 thumbnail sketches that “merge” your face with some of those listed ideas.
Take a series of self portrait photos – try different angles so you have some options to work with.
Take any other photos or create any other drawings (of plants, animals, things) that you want to use in your design.
Upload all images to your student space.
Make sure you know how to do the following in Photoshop:
-use the Quick Selection tool
-blend layers together
-merge several photos into one
-Image>Adjustments
-use the Burn and Dodge tool
7. You will use all of your mad Photoshop skills to make your two (or more) photos into a cohesive design that
tells the viewer something about yourself.
Introspective, Expressive Self Portrait in Photoshop Rubric
Aspect Graded
1
2
3
4
5
Self Portrait
Photograph
No self portrait
I used a picture of myself
that was maybe not taken
by me…
I took a picture of myself,
yes
Self portrait looks good
Creative and interesting
self portrait taken
Photograph/Drawing
Of
No second
picture
Second picture is there, but
it doesn’t “fit” or make
sense as part of a self
portrait.
Second picture is mine or
not mine, but it might not
quite “fit” with the self
portrait photograph.
I may have used more than
40% of a photo that isn’t
mine or forgot to site it…:/
I may have used more
than 40% a photo that
isn’t mine….
Plant
Animal
Material Item
It could add more
meaning to overall design.
Craftsmanship
Super sloppy use
of PS tools
Use of Tools
Challenge and
Creativity
I forgot to try…
I included one of the
following:
I included 2 of the
following:
-Layer Blending
-Filter
-clean cut out areas
-Layer Blending
-Filter
-clean cut out areas
I should have spent more
time and brainpower on this
design.
I spent an adequate
amount of time and effort
on this project – it looks
good.
Second picture is creative
an interesting, but maybe
taken from the web.
Don’t worry, I sited it
and only used it as 40%
of my design.
It adds meaning to my
overall design.
I included Layer
Blending, a Filter, and
the cut out parts of my
photos look good. The
photos “fit” together
pretty well.
I am happy with how
this turned out—it is
unique and interesting!
Second picture is very
creative and is my own
creation.
It “fits” well with my
self portrait and adds
meaning to the overall
design.
I included Layer
Blending, a Filter, and
have well cut out parts
of my photos. The
photos “fit” together
cohesively.
I spent a lot of
brainpower and time in
Photoshop making this
design. It looks super
creative and unique!
Filters Used (name and describe the type of filter used and where you used it on your design): ____________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Why did you choose these images to accompany the image of yourself and what do they say about you?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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SITE YOUR SOURCES BELOW
Photograph Title/Description: _______________________________________________________________________________
Photographer: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Website URL where photo can be found: ______________________________________________________________________