3/1: Fantastical Landscape

Perhaps there is something in the nature of digital technologies that make us feel that there is always more we could learn. I noticed this even in our own class when asked who felt like an "expert" in Photoshop and almost no hands were raised, and if so, they were raised timidly. It turns out that many of us had had experience with Photoshop, so why were we hesitant to consider ourselves accomplished in it? With a program as vast and capable as Photoshop, perhaps one never feels like they can have mastered all of its capabilities. I have found this to be true for myself and part of the reason I might stick with something less digital when creating a project. When working by hand, I know where I'm at, what I can do, and how to trouble shoot any problems, with complex digital programs there is always the nagging questions...will I hit a snag? Do I know how to do use tools to accomplish my goal? Will it actually take me longer than a method I am more familiar with?

This collage project had its own challenges, with many experiments not working out so well and the constant deleting and adding of new layers, as well as more than a few "undo" commands, but regardless, it was fun. I tried a variety of effects I don't usually have a reason to use and under the flexible title of "fantastical" I got to try out new things. I do not know the fastest shortcuts, and I still am unsure what channels really do...but having time to play around in a medium usually leads to new findings and a gained sense of confidence. I appreciate thinking of Photoshop as another tool that can accomplish things I otherwise might not be able to dream up.