John Northrop

This digital photo composite spotlights the keynote address at the 1901 Alabama constitutional convention. The piece consists of 11 stacked visual elements, arranged in Photoshop as “layers.” Content layers include a 1901 composite of convention delegate portraits (base layer), an 1895 map of Alabama, a copy of the delegate composite, and five typography layers. Cosmetic layers tweak brightness, contrast, and opacity in specific areas. Specific adjustments come via a Wacom Bamboo tablet and stylus.   Photoshop is a powerful medium offering multiple means to achieve a given outcome. Looking back, I might have achieved this outcome more efficiently, that is, with fewer layers and a final file smaller than 1.69 gigabytes. However, this piece, like most I’ve done, grew from exploration of content and technique. At the start I knew generally what I wanted to “say,” but I was less clear on exactly how to say it. I worked that out as much in Photoshop as in my head.