{"id":927,"date":"2026-05-24T18:00:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T18:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~AliciaZ\/?page_id=927"},"modified":"2026-07-22T06:52:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T06:52:57","slug":"explorations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~AliciaZ\/explorations\/","title":{"rendered":"Explorations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For our Junior Explorations project, we explored our own interests and practiced a skill we wanted to improve. The project had two parts: one creative project of our choice, and one English poem that I turned into a video. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

CREATIVE PROJECT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Title: Lost in the Layers of Myself<\/strong>

Have you wondered if a normal place could become a mirror for your thoughts, fears, or memories?

For my Explorations project, I created a series of surreal self portraits in Photoshop. I took normal photos from my life and transformed them into strange, dreamlike scenes that reflect something deeper than what they look like.

Why I Chose This Project<\/strong>
I chose this project because I wanted to improve my Photoshop skills, especially using layers, cutting out images, blending, shadows, and color.

This project connects to creativity and visual literacy because I had to keep changing my ideas when something looked too fake, too messy, or too obvious. I kept experimenting, failing, and refined my work until it felt more intentional.

My Process<\/strong>
I created three final images, each exploring a different \u201clayer\u201d of myself.

For Part 1, I used a photo from the Ice Cream Museum in San Francisco. At first, I added too many elements like a wanted poster, eyes, and text, which made the image feel messy. I changed direction and created a darker, Backrooms-style scene with a shadowy exit, watching eyes, a ghost version of myself, and a missing person poster. The image became a story about someone searching for a missing person, not realizing they are trapped.

For Part 2, I used a photo from a restaurant and added mini versions of myself into the scene. At first, they looked fake because they didn\u2019t match the lighting. I improved this by adding shadows and using blending modes like Multiply, Lighten, Darken, and Overlay to make them feel more realistic and connected to the environment.

For Part 3, I used a photo from outside my house and turned the chimney area into a shadow of myself looking at the sky. I wanted to show a feeling of admiration or love, but the hearts I added at first looked too obvious. I kept simplifying them until they became subtle, almost hidden shapes in the clouds.

What I Learned<\/strong>
I learned that surreal art is not just about adding random elements. It\u2019s about making intentional choices. Sometimes removing details makes the image stronger. I also learned that shadows, lighting, color, and blending modes are what make an image feel believable, even when it\u2019s unrealistic.

This project helped me see Photoshop as a storytelling tool. I learned how to turn normal photos into surreal images that feel strange, emotional, and connected to real memories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n