In this exercise, I first compiled a selection of images using my title words as prompts to search Unsplash. Then, after importing all the images into AdobePhotoshop (2025), I used an artboard to allow me to view them all without having them directly on the canvas. From there, it was an interative process of adding in an image by moving it into the canvas and seeing how Photoshop would crop or change it. I used layer modes and selection tools to allow aspects of each image to be viewed visually in the final piece, but also played around a lot with layering and cutting out specific areas. I decided to use Unsplash to find photos as it is a platform that allows photographers to share work able to be used both commercially and non-commercially, so it is less likely to have AI-generated work or mis-attributed than just Google Images. I also purposefully choose one-word prompts to see how the search algorithm would influence my image selection, and as a byproduct, my final collage. For example, I thought it was quite interesting that a religious sculpture came up when I searched "death" as one of my prompts, showing how we might associate certain kinds of art with even broader ideas and encode them with those values.
Bafande, Mahdi. black and gray corded headphones. Sept. 2021. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/black-and-gray-corded-headphones-TNRqF7R0G94. Accessed Mar. 2025.
The Baqalah. An image of three buildings. June 2019. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/gray-concrete-building-2EDPIDeHXpA. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Bishop, Jeremy. A large tree with sunlight in the background. Feb. 2018. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/sun-light-passing-through-green-leafed-tree-EwKXn5CapA4. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Davoti, Barnabas. Pécs Love Lock Wall: The Tradition of Locking Love on Fences in Downtown Pécs, Hungary. Nov. 2024. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/a-wall-covered-in-lots-of-different-kinds-of-shoes-kdv_4I-IkZE. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Dumlao, Nathan. An image of an hour glass, a book and flowers. Feb. 2018. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/clear-hour-glass-beside-pink-flowers-LPRrEJU2GbQ. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Hendriksen, Jorgen. A black and white image of a stag. Feb. 2022. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/a-black-and-white-photo-of-a-deer-laying-down-mvEQK9PzKQY. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Heymann, Laurenz. A life preserver tied to a railing. Mar. 2021. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/orange-and-white-round-plastic-toy-A81b6QQRz_M. Accessed Mar. 2025.
K15 Photos. Threading. Taken from Ifakara Hub - Morogoro, Tanzania. Nov. 2019. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/selective-focus-photography-of-white-threads-7_sQDeHKZTg. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Maass, Stefan. Inside the Medina. Jan. 2019. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/gray-asphalt-road-TaAEwFFEF4Y. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Marin, Fey. grayscale photography of gray tombstone. Feb. 2019. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/grayscale-photography-of-gray-tombstone-IjaKTePIu60. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Mohammed, Faris. Beige thread in a straight line pattern. May 2019. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/a-close-up-view-of-a-wooden-surface-Rqv4AWbvPjg. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Rautela, Deepak. Spools of teal thread in a line. Apr. 2021. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/green-and-white-striped-textile-w8-Vl-j2-Lc. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Reding, Mathias. A photo of a rose decaying. June 2018. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/red-rose-shallow-focus-photography-rPWsIbJDeX8. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Salander, Tixie. Sewing machine. July 2016. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/black-treadle-sewing-machine-Do6LC_sb2Eg. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Spratt, Annie. Aerial (drone) view of Arctic Icebergs aerial view,iceberg,ice berg,arctic,frozen,from above,climate change,global warming,. Mar. 2020. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/white-and-blue-abstract-painting-nQbaizoO5ew.
Stoppoloni, Rocco. An image of a needle with thread through it. Sept. 2020. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-wooden-clothes-pin-on-white-surface-C2QbMA_nHYE. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Takil, Alev. A woman sitting alone on a beach with two shadows behind her. Oct. 2021. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/a-person-laying-on-the-ground-with-a-kite-in-the-air-lt0tUtEMry8. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Trikutam, Pavan. vintage telephone on the wall. Oct. 2014. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/minimalist-photography-of-three-crank-phones-71CjSSB83Wo. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Waldemar. An image of a safety sign. May 2019. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/green-and-white-left-and-right-arrow-sign-765-VWEuk6M. Accessed Mar. 2025.
Whitty, Grant. A Catholic statue of Mary holding a deceased Jesus in dramatic lighting. Apr. 2020. Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/man-in-white-and-black-jacket-and-pants-sitting-on-black-surface-ExV72ahe4sE. Accessed Mar. 2025.