The finished image must contain at least two layers, one of which must have an opacity setting of 50 % or less. The two layers should be complete scenes, NOT just an object pasted onto another image. The two layers should have some connection to each other; don't just choose two random images. DO NOT MERGE THE LAYERS UNTIL I HAVE SEEN THE WORK !   Scanned images should be adjusted for tonal values and / or color - corrected if needed, before compositing to layers.

This project has several requirements:

1. There must be a background layer and at least one additional layer above it.
2. All layers must be complete scenes: each layer needs to have a background and a subject. Pasting a separate object into an otherwise empty layer, does not qualify.
3. The viewer should be able to see through the top layer(s) all the way to the background. To achieve this, you will need to use the Layer Palette's Opacity Slider to decrease the opacity of all layers except the background.
4. The two scenes should have some kind of relationship to each other. There should be some kind of connection in terms of subject, meaning, or mood.
5. Make it visually interesting through the use of the Layer Palette's Blending Modes, filters, and other special effects.
6. Besides making it technically sophisticated, also incorporate concepts you've learned in your readings on design and color theory, so that it's aesthetically and compositionally strong.
7. Do NOT merge the layers until I have evaluated the work.

The most important points are:

1. There should be at least two separate layers, each of which is a complete scene, NOT just an object pasted in.
2. Each layer should also be somewhat transparent, so that you can see all the layers below it.

The purpose of this project is to learn to work with design by having to incorporate two distinctly different images while experimenting with Blending Modes and Opacity to create the effect photographers call "double exposure".

Regarding whether a layer is a complete scene: an easy way to check - look at all your layer thumbnails in the Layers Palette. If you see the checkerboard pattern in them, then your project is not fulfilling the assignment because the checkerboard signifies pure transparency. The ENTIRE thumbnail should be filled with an image.

You should begin looking through your photos to find suitable images. If you don't have enough photos, one way to create a background for a scene with a pasted object is to make a new layer BELOW the pasted object, then fill it with a gradient and pattern, then merge these two layers.

An especially effective background is a gradient applied multiple times using the Difference Gradient effect. See my tutorial on this subject if you're not sure how to do it.

Remember to think about design, which will be part of the evaluation of this project. Use motifs, repeated elements that help unify the picture. Employ the various techniques used to draw attention to a focal point - scale, value, color differences. Think about the balance of one element against another. Analyze the positive shapes against the negative space. In short, you should be incorporating concepts into your work from your readings in Design and Color Theory.

When finished, save this project as " yourname_layers ", where yourname = your last name.

A large part of this assignment, just as for any assignment for any class, is following the instructions given. If the project does not meet the given criteria, it will obviously not achieve as high a grade, and may not even be accepted at all. If there is anything about this assignment that isn't absolutely clear, it's my job to clarify, so please don't hesitate to ask.