During this task I learned how to significantly alter the colour of a darker chocolate bar into a milk chocolate bar using the Gradient Map Tool with Leighs assistance. Starting by clipping a gradient map adjustment layer to the original image, from there, this tool allows you to choose the colours within the gradient, for this job I used creamy, yellow hues, like you would see in white chocolate. The gradient map tool then uses the original image to match the highlights, mid-tones and shadows so the entire image is tinted realistically. This is very useful when trying to drastically discolour a detailed object. This new skill is relevant to the course because it gave me a better understanding of the gradient map tool, gradient uses in general and expanded my knowledge of the colour manipulation possibilities of photoshop. In the future it will help me to be more accurate with colour and detail in my digital illustrations.

My second insight is how to make the candy pieces appear embedded within the white chocolate. 

1. Find appealing image of a cube shape object

2. Crop image

3. Use the dust and scratches filter to reduce the appearance of imperfections. 

4. Hue/Saturation Tool to alter the colour so I had four different coloured cubes.

5. Place cubes onto my white chocolate bar, adjusted the size and organised the composition.

6. Used the eraser tool to edit them so only part of each cube was exposed to make it look like it was sticking out of the white chocolate

7. At first they weren't looking realistic, after experimenting I realised the cubes needed to be cropped using straight lines.

8. To complete the task I then added a subtle drop shadow using a dark red, green, blue and yellow colour for each different cube. 

Learning this process is relevant to the course because it gave me an opportunity to practise my compositing skills learned earlier in the course and also tested my ability to problem solve independently. Because I was the only one in my class with this exact bar I had to draw on my own skills and a bit of trial and error. In the future this will help me to have more confidence and work more independently as well as composite shapes more realistically.

My insights as well as what I have been taught in class for this project have really broadened my photoshop knowledge base. Many of these new specific skills/tools have exposed different areas of Photoshop I hadn't used before that I can now experiment with in future projects. They have improved my knowledge of typography, illustration and image editing abilities which are key areas of a graphic designers job. For illustration, often a combination of software is used and my practise of changing between both Photoshop and Illustrator was helpful and making sure I was staying organised and used accurate file naming so my process was efficient. Organisation is vital in this industry and this project helped me to improve my techniques. Enhancing typography on Photoshop was new to me and will be something I can now use to improve my design work.