The third chapter found us working with selections and how we can move certain parts of images into a shadow box using several different selection tools. Starting off with the quick selection tool, we were able to outline the circumference of the sand dollar in order to indicate that it was the part of the image we would be changing or altering. Using the move tool, we were able to line up the sand dollar with its space in the shadow box as well as the space of its shadow. Next, we tried out the elliptical marque tool, which can expand and drag across a selection, in this case being the plate of shells, by dragging diagonally across in order to highlight the section of the selection we want to move. We also used this tool to give the plate a more ovular shape. The arrow keys could be used to move the selection by amplifying the edges of the silhouette. The rectangular marquee tool helped us to make certain selections in a rectangular form around the piece of coral, and the magic wand tool then removed all the white background pixels, making the image stand out giving it a much more polished and streamlined appearance. It is for those reasons that the magic wand tool was my favorite to work with in this chapter.
The polygonal lasso tool carefully dragged along the outline of the mussel, placing anchor points in the process, which provides for a distinct and specific choice for how we want the image to be moved. The mussel was then rotated using the two-headed arrow that appeared from the pointer. On the other hand, the magnetic lasso tool snapped automatically to the edge of the outline of the nautilus while simultaneously creating fastening points. The elliptical marquee tool was once again used, this time on the screw as we worked from the center outwards before highlighting the edge of the screw and moving it to its place place on the frame. By holding Alt and Shift, we were able to duplicate the screw and move three other copies top the four corners of the image. Finally we used the crop tool to adjust the frame size to a sustainable degree, adding the perfect finishing touch to the shadow box. I was then able to try out these skills independently on a shadow box of my own which can be seen below.
Custom Shadow Box
