Photoshop experiment: Final composites

During a photoshop session with John, I began working on my final composites.

http://www.freestockphotos.biz/stockphoto/12188

There were a few reasons for choosing this image:

• The high key lighting on the models face makes her appear to have little complexion, therefore less natural.
• The hairstyle of the model has a cyberpunk style to it.
• The contrast between the background and the model suggest it might be aethetically pleasing in black and white.
• Although not quite following the conventional passport format, it still has similiar proportions.
• It is a large format, high-res image- 2848 x 4272

Final image- Female trans-human identity

As I have previously mentioned for this intended to combine the themes of surveillance and virtual reality in order to reinforce the dystopian possibilities that our interests in merging with technology as means evolving humanity may cause our human identities to change into that of a cyborg identity or trans-human. As a result of this, I wanted to develop the hypothetical possibility of human’s becoming merely duplicates of one set type of gender, monitored and maintained, distinguished only by varying bar code ID’s.

In order to do this I followed several steps:

• I started by using black and white, and varied the levels so as to make the skin appear to have less detail and highlight the tones within the model’s hair. Which I felt makes her skin appear more synthetic.
• I created a duplicate background layer, flipped the image horizontally and quick selected the outside of the left eye’s iris. I then cut the selection from the background copy and placed my image of a CCTV camera over the iris, between the original background and background copy so as to appear more natural.
• I then added a new layer with my image of an augmented reality contact lens, I scaled the object, desaturated it and emphasized the contrast so as to draw more attention to its appearance. So as to make it appear implanted into the eye, I warped the object and reshaped it to adapt to the natural shape of the right eye’s iris.
• Next, I created another new layer adding a GPS tracking device, again I desaturated it and transformed scale to appear integrated into the cheek. I changed the layer’s properties to overlay, blending it into the localised skin tones. I then used perspective and warp to adjust it to the natural stretching of the skin.
• The next layer was the medical monitoring device that I placed over the throat, then transformed the scale of the object and and reduced the opacity to once again adjust to the localised skin tones. I did try changing the layer properties to overlay but this reduced its visibility too much.
• I then began using the line tool to label each of the relevant trans-human qualities of image (contact lens, CCTV lens, GPS and monitoring device), I chose quite a pale white to as to contrast it against the low-key background, using quite small lines (size 2 pt) to avoid cluttering the overall image. I then added my chosen font- OCR A Extended, which I used based on its similarities to the fonts I had seen used in medical/technological diagrams, I decided on size 12pt as it worked proportionately to the rest of the image and again avoids cluttering it too much.
• I titled each section by its overall function or purpose such as augmented reality and directly below it stating it by its format such as implant. I thought this would be the most concise way of labelling each area of either surveillance or virtual reality.
• I then moved the overall image across into an A3 sized document, allowing it to fill half the background. I then created a copy of this layer and began to work on the varying bar codes. I used two fairly similar barcodes in the same position on each version the image, again scaling and warping them to make them appear to stretch naturally with the skin. I also decided to change the layer proporties to overlay which made the bar codes look embossed.

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1348198

 

I chose this image for several reasons:

• There is a greater emphasis on the model’s hand. For the male identity, I wanted to focus more on the virtual reality aspect of trans-humanism because I felt that the possibilities that VR offers to gaming technology would probably encourage a higher male orientated market. Therefore, because the image creates a focal point around the model’s hands, I could include a prototype of virtual reality gloves.
• It follows a similar format to that of previous image (high-key lighting, dark background, studio quality).
• It is a large format image-2585 x 3446 pixels.

Final image- Male trans-human identity.

This image follows almost all of the steps mentioned above for my female image, with the exception of using a medical monitoring device. As refered to above, I used a virtual reality glove over the model’s hand.

• I desaturated and resized the layer with free transform, I then warped the object, adjusting it to appear to be attached to the hand.

I have decided to title this series of work, “Trans-human identities”. The significant of the title comes from my intention to visually represent the transformation of the human identity into a trans-human/cyborg identity.

Overall, I think my both my application of research and photoshop skills have improved throughout the duration of this process. Despite my rather limited abilities prior to this project, I feel as though I have produced two composites which visual communicate some quite interesting theoretical possibilities in regards to humanity’s progress from man to machine.

Photoshop experiment- ‘passport’

As I discussed in my last post, now I had refined my ideas through research, I need to focus upon the portrait itself. I considered the ways in which associate our human identities, which lead me to the suggestion of a passport style portrait, with two portraits side by side which appear to be same person which the exception of their varying bar code ID’s. I thought this would clearly communicate my dystopian viewpoint, as it represents humans as dehumanized clones distinguished only by our new trans-human identity. I also wanted to define gender separations to as to have a representation of both and how they might vary.

Female identity-

Male identity-

 

For each the bar code, augmented reality lens and the GPS tracking device, I simply used the quick selection tool, desaturated each object, transformed scale and placed over where I felt were the appropriate positions. Once I’d done this I puppet warped the contact lens and GPS tracking device to make them appear as a part of the face.

For the CCTV camera lens, I duplicated the background layer, used the quick selection tool to highlight entire eye area and cut it from the background copy. I then free transformed the lens to make it the size of the model’s eye and moved it between the two layers so that appeared more natural.

I thought of the image as a fairly successful experiment, each of images represented a very bleak and clinical aspect of this form of identity. However there were a few problems with using this idea of a passport format. Firstly, due to the required resolution and size of the final composite, A3 at 200 to 300 dpi, there were issues with passport style image sources which generally are low-resolution. Also, for the targeted audience, this format would appear less proffessional. Therefore I needed to find both a male and female studio portraits which are high-resolution, adaptable to A3 and still reinforce the dehumanizing connotations I want to visually communicate.

This meant that the use of stock photos would be a logical suggestion.

Now I felt I had a fairly strong idea of what I wanted to visually represent with virtual reality, I needed to see what ways surveillance could be implemented into my final image. I still felt the use of a CCTV camera replaced the eye would still prove to be effective, as visually it appears de-humanising whilst still not straying too far from realistic possibilities because the existance of similiar technologies such as the bionic eye.

However, I was quite interested in possible ways of medically monitoring the body, as this could easily appear as invasive or controlling.

http://www.gizmag.com/skin-mounted-electronics/19517/

Extract from the article.

“Skin-mounted electronics that can be applied and worn like a temporary tattoo ”

“Wearable electronics generally take the form of clothing embedded with electronics or miniature electronic devices that can be worn close to the body for purposes such as medical monitoring and communications. Now engineers have developed a device that places electronic components onto an ultra-thin skin-like patch that can be mounted directly onto the skin, paving the way for skin-mounted electronics that could be used for sensing, medical diagnostics, communications and human-machine interfaces.

While the researchers have previously developed thin, flexible silicon electronics on silk substrates that almost completely dissolve when implanted inside the body, the new patches are initially mounted on a thin sheet of water-soluble plastic and are then laminated onto the skin with water, just like applying a temporary tattoo. The researchers say the electronic components could also be applied directly to a temporary tattoo itself to conceal the electronics. Because the circuits are fabricated as tiny, squiggled wires, their wavy, snakelike shape allows then to bend, twist, wrinkle and stretch with the mechanical properties of skin, while maintaining functionality.”

The researchers say skin-mounted electronics could be used to replace conventional EEG and EMG sensors for the monitoring of nerve and muscle activity without the need for conductive gel, tape, skin-penetrating pins or bulky wires.

Additionally, skin-mounted electronics could be used to let patients with muscular or neurological disorders to communicate or interface with computers or, when the sensors are applied to the skin of the throat, they can distinguish muscle movement for simple speech. The researchers have already used the electronic patches to control a video game to demonstrate the potential for human-computer interfacing.

“The blurring of electronics and biology is really the key point here,” said Yonggang Huang, a professor at Northwestern University who, with his group, collaborated with Rogers to create the patches. “All established forms of electronics are hard, rigid. Biology is soft, elastic. It’s two different worlds. This is a way to truly integrate them.”

I found this concept to have great of technological possibilities both positive and negative. From a dystopian perspective, this technology could use to regulate and alter people’s biological behaviour, again this invasion of personal privacy.

I think this concept also works visually as it appears clinical, almost sterile.

The next stage is decide upon the style of portrait I could to adapt this towards my intended audience (a gallery wall piece to exhibited during an humanity+UK conference, perhaps at Manchester’s science and industry museum) and conceptual ideas (trans-human identities).

Research: Virtual Reality

I found another website which I found useful when considering both theoretical and visual aspects to trans-human possibilities. Its runs through some of the research conducted at Bielefeld university since 1995, into the possible applications of virtual reality.

http://www.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de/ags/wbski/labor.html

“The research focus of this laboratory is on intelligent human-machine interaction in virtual worlds involving natural language, gesture, and facial expression. What are the roles played by emotion, attention in space, or knowledge of the dialog partner? How can they be captured in cognitive architectures? Technologies range from realtime processing of speech, gesture and gaze, over acoustic, visual and tactile stimulation to immersive interaction with virtual agents. System prototypes are developed that model cognitive performances and exploit them in technical applications.”

I found myself particularly interested in some of the interaction technologies.

An optical (cable-less) tracking system

Two optical (cable-less) 3 finger gloves with tactile feedback

Eye tracker with optical markers for head tracking

I particularly liked the visual aesthetic of the optical gloves with tactile feedback, which almost have a cyberpunk feel to them. This may be a possible link the use of augmened reality contact lenses, both relate to virtual reality and open the possibilities of distorting our perception of the world.

To emphasise my dystopian viewpoint, I might highlight both the themes of virtual reality and surveillance as perhaps the catalyst in the possibilites of our transformation from human to trans-human identities.

Research: ‘Augmented’ reality

I decided to research further into the concepts relating to augmented reality. I found a few websites discussing the design and applications of virtual reality contact lenses.

http://news.discovery.com/tech/augmented-reality-contact-lenses-120203.html

Extract from article:

THE GIST

• Contact lenses could enhance normal vision with 3D, high-res images.
• The lenses could be the ultimate computer interface for military troops — fully transparent and hands-free
• The eyewear could also help people with vision problems see more clearly.

The contact lenses could generate displays with a screen size equivalent to a 240-inch television, viewed at a distance of 10 feet.

Contact lenses that help enhance normal vision with megapixel 3D panoramic images are being designed by scientists using military funding.

For those who do not want to rely on contact lenses, future versions could involve lenses directly implanted within the eye, researchers added.

Over the decades, the video displays that everyone from fighter pilots to the general public use have grown increasingly complex. One possibility for advanced displays is a virtual reality (VR) system that replaces our view of the real world with computer-generated vistas. Another idea consists of augmented reality (AR) displays that overlay computer-generated images over real-world environments. However, these often require bulky apparatus such as oversized helmets.

http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/augmented-reality-heading-to-contact-lenses-1042670

Extract from article:

Researchers at the University of Washington and Aalto University in Finland have created a new type of contact lens which can contain electronic displays.

The technology has so far been used on rabbits, but scientists believe that the lenses are completely safe for humans.

The lenses incorporate an antenna which picks up power from an external source and then relays information to the contact lens.

Essentially the technology could pave the way for augmented reality in contact lenses and the creators of the lenses are hopeful that the technology could one day be used in gaming.

Live eyes

“We have demonstrated the operation of a contact lens display powered by a remote radio frequency transmitter in free space and on a live rabbit,” said Babak Praviz, who was part of the team which created the contact lens.

“This verifies that antennas, radio chips, control circuitry, and micrometre-scale light sources can be integrated into a contact lens and operated on live eyes.”

Perhaps I need to research a few visual prototypes and see which one might be most effective for my final image.

Research: ‘the future of user interfaces’

I found another useful website I found from which I could develop some visual ideas.

http://sixrevisions.com/user-interface/the-future-of-user-interfaces/

It covers several areas in which there are prototypes in trans-human development:

• Brain-Computer Interface

  What it is: In a brain-computer interface, a computer is controlled purely by thought (or, more accurately, brain waves). There are a few different approaches being pursued, including direct brain implants, full helmets, and headbands that capture and interpret brain waves.

Examples-

Army Mind-Control Projects-

According to an article in Time from September 2008, the American Army is actively pursuing “thought helmets” that could some day lead to secure mind-to-mind communication between soldiers. The goal, according to the article, is a system where entire military systems could be controlled by thought alone.

MEMS-Based Robotic Probe-

Researchers at Caltech are working on a MEMS-based robotic probe that can implant electrodes into your brain to interface with particular neurons. While it sounds very The Matrix-y, the idea is that it could allow for advanced control of prosthetic limbs or similar body-control.

OCZ’s Neural Impulse Actuator-

The NIA is a headband and controller that incorporates an electro-myogram, an electro-encephalogram, and an electro-oculogram to enable it to translate eye movements, facial muscle movements and brain waves. The most interesting part of the NIA is that it can be set up to work with virtually any game; the controller simply translates input into keystrokes.

• Augmented Reality-

Augmented reality consists of overlaying data about the real world over real-time images of that world. In current applications, a camera (generally attached to either a computer or cell phone) captures real-time images that are then superimposed with information gathered based on your location.

Augmented Reality in a Contact Lens-

One of the more interesting current projects with augmented reality consists of a display contained within a contact lens. The conduit between the eye and the brain is much faster than a high-speed internet connection—and the eye can perceive more than we realize— including millions of colors and tiny shifts in lighting.

Because of this, it makes sense that an interface that works directly with your eye would catch on.

The current proofs of concept include contact lenses being developed at the University of Washington. They’re crafting lenses with a built-in LED that can be powered wirelessly with Radio Frequency and other simple electronic circuits.

Eventually, these contact lenses will contain hundreds of tiny LEDs that can display images, words, and other information in front of the eye. It’s likely that these contact lenses will be the display for a separate control unit (such as a smartphone).

Privacy Concerns with Augmented Reality-

Of course, privacy specialists will have a field day with Augmented Reality applications. After all, what happens when you can easily look at a person and gain access to their personal information via facial recognition. The technology to do that isn’t too far off. You’ll simply look at a person across a crowded restaurant and their name, Facebook and Twitter accounts, phone number, and any other available information will be at your fingertips. In fact, technology like this is already starting to pop up.

• Gesture Recognition-

With gesture recognition, movements with the hands, feet, or other body parts are interpreted by a computer (often through the use of either a hand-held controller, a camera that captures movement, or some other input device like gloves) as commands.

Gesture recognition’s popularity is due to the video gaming industry, though there are a number of other potential uses.

Acceleglove: Gloves that Recognize Sign Language-

Researchers at the George Washington University have created a glove called the “Acceleglove” that will recognize American Sign Language gestures and translate them into text. It works by using a series of accelerometers on each finger of the glove along with other sensors on the shoulders and elbows to send electrical signals to a microcontroller than finds the correct work associated with the movement. The unit determines signs based on starting hand positioning, intervening movements, and the ending gesture, eliminating phrases at each step along the way. It takes milliseconds for the computer to output the correct word after the sign is completed.

I found the applications of these interfaces interesting because although each of them aim to enhance or improve humanity, there are possible negative connotation involved, particular with the idea of augmented reality, perhaps leading us to evolve from our human identities into a virtual cyber reality. As well as the privacy issues involved with such open access to our personal information.