Photography and Texture with Peter McKinnon (Episode 5) | The Brief | Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud
8 May 202403:28

TLDRIn this episode of 'The Brief' by Adobe, Peter McKinnon, a versatile photographer from Toronto, is presented with a challenge to create art inspired by a box filled with various items like a magnifying glass, air plant, driftwood, and a sand dollar. He decides to conduct a detective-style photo shoot with a film camera and strobe light, aiming to capture the essence of investigation and mystery. After shooting, McKinnon uses Adobe's generative AI fill and other tools to seamlessly blend the elements and create an illusion of an investigative office, removing any signs of it being a set. The final piece brings together natural textures and a detective theme, showcasing McKinnon's artistic style and the creative process behind his photography.

Takeaways

  • 📸 Peter McKinnon is a versatile photographer from Toronto, Ontario, who enjoys all types of photography, from landscapes to street photography.
  • 🎨 The Brief is a series by Adobe where creators receive boxes filled with items to inspire them to create art.
  • 🔍 McKinnon received a box with a magnifying glass, an air plant, driftwood, and a sand dollar, which sparked ideas for his art project.
  • 🕵️‍♂️ He decided to do a detective-style photo shoot using the magnifying glass and film, incorporating elements like strobe lighting and mystery.
  • 🎭 Peter noticed the limitations of his set, such as the visible roof, which broke the illusion of an investigative office.
  • 🧙‍♂️ To fix the set issue, he used generative AI fill with the lasso tool and the prompt 'wall' to extend the slat wall seamlessly.
  • 🖌 He utilized the clone stamp tool to blend the extended wall with the original, creating a more realistic and continuous background.
  • 🌈 A gradient was added to the image, and the select subject mask was used to separate the subject from the background without affecting the face.
  • 🔍 The final piece combined natural textures like driftwood with the magnifying glass to create a detective-themed art piece.
  • 🌟 Peter emphasized the importance of creating an illusion that the set is not just a set but a believable part of the art piece.
  • 📚 He encourages viewers to check out other episodes of The Brief on the Creative Cloud Channel and to try Adobe Creative Cloud with a free trial.

Q & A

  • Who is the host of The Brief series?

    -The host of The Brief series is Peter McKinnon.

  • What is the purpose of the boxes sent by Adobe in The Brief series?

    -The boxes sent by Adobe are filled with different items intended to spark inspiration for creators to produce art.

  • What type of photography does Peter McKinnon specialize in?

    -Peter McKinnon does not specialize in a particular type of photography; he loves all types, including landscapes, portraits, street, and making mundane subjects look interesting.

  • What items did Peter find inside the box in this episode?

    -Inside the box, Peter found a magnifying glass, an air plant, driftwood, and a sand dollar.

  • What mission was given to Peter McKinnon in this episode?

    -The mission given to Peter was to bring textures from the natural world together for a unique piece of art in his style.

  • What style of photo shoot did Peter decide to conduct?

    -Peter decided to conduct a detective-style photo shoot with a magnifying glass, incorporating elements of investigation, mystery, and a sense of the unknown.

  • What technique did Peter use to extend the slat wall in his photo?

    -Peter used generative AI fill with his lasso tool to select the roof and replace it with a 'wall' to extend the slat wall seamlessly.

  • What tool did Peter use to blend the line in his film shot?

    -Peter used the clone stamp tool to soften the line in his film shot and make it blend seamlessly with the grain of the film.

  • How did Peter remove the illusion of the set's roof in the photo?

    -Peter removed the illusion of the set's roof by using the select subject mask to isolate his subject and then deleting the gradient that went over the subject's face before adjusting the opacity.

  • What final theme did Peter decide on for his piece of art?

    -Peter decided on a final theme of a private detective going down the rabbit hole, incorporating magnifying glass, driftwood, and cabin vibes.

  • What is the name of the channel where other episodes of The Brief can be found?

    -Other episodes of The Brief can be found on the Creative Cloud Channel.

  • How can viewers try Adobe Creative Cloud for free?

    -Viewers can download a free trial of Adobe Creative Cloud by following the links provided below the video.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to The Brief Series

Peter McKinnon introduces himself as a photographer from Toronto, Ontario, with a love for all types of photography, including landscapes, portraits, and street photography. He is part of The Brief series by Adobe, where he receives a box filled with items intended to inspire him to create art. The contents of the box are unknown to him, and he expresses excitement about the potential for creative inspiration.

🔍 Unboxing and Creative Inspiration

Upon opening the box, Peter finds a magnifying glass, an air plant, driftwood, and a sand dollar. Each item sparks ideas and memories of different places and styles of photography. He decides to use the magnifying glass for a detective-themed photo shoot, incorporating film, strobe lighting, and elements of mystery and investigation.

🎬 Setting Up the Detective Photo Shoot

Peter sets up his photo shoot with a detective vibe, using a magnifying glass as a prop. He discusses the limitations of the set, such as the visible roof that breaks the illusion of an authentic investigative office. To overcome this, he uses generative AI fill with Adobe's lasso tool to extend the slat wall, creating a seamless and realistic background.

🖌️ Post-Processing and Final Touches

After shooting the film, Peter uses post-processing techniques to enhance the photo. He employs the clone stamp tool to blend the extended wall seamlessly, adds a gradient for depth, and uses the select subject mask to separate the subject from the background. He adjusts the opacity to maintain the illusion of the scene and ensure the set no longer appears artificial.

🌿 Bringing Natural Textures to Art

Peter's mission is to bring textures from the natural world into a unique piece of art in his style. He uses the magnifying glass, driftwood, and the concept of a private detective to create a final product that conveys a detective going down the rabbit hole. He emphasizes the importance of the natural elements and the storytelling aspect of his photography.

📸 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Peter concludes by reiterating his identity as a photographer and thanks the viewers for watching. He encourages them to check out other episodes of The Brief on the Creative Cloud Channel, to like and subscribe, and to download a free trial of Adobe Creative Cloud from the provided links.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Photography

Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. In the video, Peter McKinnon, a photographer from Toronto, Ontario, uses photography to express his creativity and to create art inspired by the items he finds in the box.

💡Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud is a subscription service that includes a set of software solutions for photography, graphic design, video editing, web development, and many other creative industries. In the context of the video, it is the platform that hosts 'The Brief' series, where creators like Peter McKinnon are inspired to produce content using Adobe's tools and services.

💡Magnifying Glass

A magnifying glass is a convex lens that is used to enlarge the appearance of small objects when they are placed close to the lens. In the video, Peter McKinnon finds a magnifying glass in the box and decides to use it as a prop for a detective-style photo shoot, which is part of his creative process inspired by the items in the box.

💡Air Plant

An air plant, also known as Tillandsia, is a type of plant that does not require soil for growth and can be mounted on various objects or displayed freely. In the video, Peter finds an air plant in the box, which triggers ideas and reminds him of Arizona, contributing to his creative process.

💡Driftwood

Driftwood is wood that has been washed ashore by the action of winds, tides, or waves. It is often used in art and decoration for its natural beauty and texture. In the video, driftwood is one of the items that inspire Peter to think of a cabin and create a piece of art with a natural, textured theme.

💡Sand Dollar

A sand dollar is a type of marine animal related to sea urchins, known for its round, flat, white or gray body. In the video, the sand dollar reminds Peter of Hawaii and contributes to the natural textures and themes he is incorporating into his art.

💡Generative AI Fill

Generative AI Fill is a technology that uses artificial intelligence to generate and fill in missing or unwanted parts of an image. Peter uses this technology to extend the wall in his photo set, creating a seamless and realistic background for his detective-style photo shoot.

💡Clone Stamp Tool

The Clone Stamp Tool is a feature in Adobe Photoshop and other image editing software that allows users to duplicate or clone a portion of an image and paint it over another area. Peter uses this tool to blend the line of the wall he added, making it look more natural and part of the original scene.

💡Gradient

A gradient in design refers to a gradual change from one color or shade to another. Peter uses a gradient to add depth and a sense of mystery to his detective-style photo, enhancing the atmosphere of the scene.

💡Select Subject

Select Subject is a feature in Adobe Photoshop that allows users to quickly and easily select a subject in their image. Peter uses this feature to isolate his subject from the background, allowing him to adjust the gradient and create a more immersive scene.

💡Texture

Texture in art refers to the visual and tactile quality of a surface. In the video, Peter is tasked with bringing textures from the natural world into his artwork. He uses items like driftwood and sand dollar, along with the magnifying glass, to create a unique piece of art that incorporates natural textures.

Highlights

Peter McKinnon is featured in 'The Brief', a series by Adobe that challenges creators to find inspiration in a box of unknown items.

McKinnon is a versatile photographer from Toronto, Ontario, with a passion for all types of photography, including landscapes, portraits, and street photography.

Inside the box, McKinnon finds a magnifying glass, air plant, driftwood, and a sand dollar, each item sparking new creative ideas.

The mission is to create a unique piece of art using textures from the natural world.

McKinnon chooses to use the magnifying glass and decides on a detective-style photo shoot with a film camera and strobe lighting.

He uses generative AI to extend a slat wall in a photo, demonstrating the power of technology in enhancing creative work.

The lasso tool and simple prompts like 'wall' are used to seamlessly integrate the AI-generated extension into the photo.

McKinnon employs the clone stamp tool to blend the AI-generated wall with the original photo, emphasizing the importance of detail in post-production.

A gradient is added to the photo to enhance the mood, with careful attention paid to maintaining the integrity of the subject's face.

The 'select subject' feature in Adobe Creative Cloud is used to isolate the subject from the background for a more dramatic effect.

The final piece is a detective-themed photograph that successfully incorporates natural textures and a cinematic feel.

McKinnon's process showcases the fusion of traditional photography with modern AI tools to create compelling art.

The episode concludes with a call to action for viewers to check out other episodes of 'The Brief' on the Creative Cloud Channel and to try Adobe Creative Cloud for free.

Peter McKinnon's episode demonstrates how to turn random objects into a source of artistic inspiration.

His creative process involves a mix of traditional photography techniques and innovative use of AI technology.

The importance of post-production in achieving a realistic and polished final image is highlighted.

McKinnon's work process is a testament to the idea that any object can be a source of inspiration for art.

The episode encourages viewers to embrace challenges and explore the creative potential within everyday items.

Adobe Creative Cloud's tools are showcased as essential in the modern creative workflow, from initial concept to final product.