For this project, students were given the task to choose a tarot card they had interest in, and to create a version of said card that included a self portrait, and was made using collaged photograph elements combined with various Photoshop effects and alterations.
Process: Tarot card selection was the first step to the project, of course. We were given the choice of any of the major Arcana, the only requirement being to include our portrait somehow. I chose the Devil tarot card, enjoying the grungy vibe to it, as well as resonating with the two imps pictured on the original -- one male and one female -- reminding me of my pet cats at the time.
Recruiting help from classmates with cameras, I acquired pictures of myself in a similar position that the original Devil tarot card features. I did the same in order to achieve the proper posing needed for one of my cats, while the other I was able to use one of (very) many preexisting photographs. Some of the smaller or unattainable features in the card were entirely digitally fabricated, sometimes through the use of existing imagery and sometimes through Photoshop manipulation or effects. For example, the border of the tarot card was a two-dimensional design that was brought into Photoshop and given a textural effect.
Reflection: While I absolutely loved the result of this project, I do wish there had been a little more editing in small places to make the composition feel as realistic as possible. At the time of the project, I was battling some huge stressors after getting into a car accident; As a result, I learned from this project how to further handle work on top of stressful circumstances. Work doesn't pause for one employee!
