This project required a photo illustration (collage) presented as though it was part of an Atlantic Monthly magazine spread. Photoshop was used to create the illustration and then InDesign was used to format the spread text. The magazine layout was provided, so I just had to drop my image onto the page and then figure out my title design & move the body text around. I already had some experience with using the Quick Selection tool in Photoshop, but I had never used the Object Selection tool. I have never made a photo illustration like this before so it was fun to try to figure out where elements looked the best. 

I used Google to find inspiration for my photo illustration. The collages that interested me the most were the ones that featured people along with different objects, while keeping a sort of cohesive theme. 

I knew I wanted to use Stevie Nicks in my piece because she's one of my favorite artists and I enjoy reading about her/Fleetwood Mac/her solo career. Many people believe she must practice witchcraft because of her song lyrics + the way she typically wears flowing, black clothing. I thought that creating a collage focused around this rumor would allow me to create a kind of mystical, magic themed illustration. 

Here I am using the Object Selection tool to cut out the candle, and cleaning up the selection by using Quick Mask and the paintbrush tool. 

I am trying to decide where the candles should be placed and how many would look best. 

I added a photo of clouds as the background and tried to determine if the illustration would look better using a B&W filter or in color. 

At this point, I was finished with loading my photo elements onto the page and was making small final placement adjustments before moving on. 

I opened the magazine layout in InDesign and placed my work onto the page, then added my name into the author & illustrator credit lines.

I downloaded a somewhat 70s stylized font due to Stevie's popularity at that time, typed my article title & made the author's name the same font, changed the first letter to a drop cap, and finally moved the body text until I thought it was arranged nicely. (I ended up using a purple Pantone swatch for the article title & drop cap)

Here is my completed photo illustration & mock Atlantic spread on my presentation board.