Photography Class
Ryan Wakefield • April 24, 2022
I was recently looking through old family pictures when I spotted something I created for a photography class many years ago. During my first year of college, we were asked to shoot a photo that looked as if it was taken during a different decade. My grandfather served in the US Army during WWII and fought in the European campaign. I remembered my mother showing me his photo and thought it would be great to use for this project.
I carefully placed his photo in front of what looked like an antique radio and Coca-Cola can. I also draped my stepfather's dog tags across the photo and added my great grandfather's pocket watch in the bottom right-hand corner for the final touch. All of those elements helped create a photo that looked as if it was taken during the height of WWII.
My mom also enjoys displaying this photo on social media to honor my grandfather's service every Veterans Day.
The USF Department of Mechanical Engineering asked me to convert a PowerPoint presentation into an animated information video. This information video displays important information about the new Aerospace Engineering program that will be available in Fall 2025. I made great use of motion graphics related to the aerospace industry including jets, drones, and satellites.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Belmont Elementary for inviting me to speak about my preteen fantasy novel, Journey to Jumbalot, on January 30! It was a joy to meet so many enthusiastic elementary students who were eager to learn about my book and my writing process. We had a great time discussing how I used to draw animal hybrids with crayons and markers when I was their age, and how some of those early creations inspired characters in my novel. Additionally, I shared insights about my role as a multimedia designer at the USF College of Engineering. The students were particularly excited about two projects I showcased: the COE Sizzle Reel video and the Rocky mascot augmented reality Poster! COE Sizzle Reel: https://youtu.be/SLgICHgGa3I Rocky AR Poster: https://youtube.com/shorts/KMProROL7hQ?si=QwEkPs7rS2yoVvTE
Dr. Daniel Yeh, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida, was in need of a videographer to record and edit a video to be played at the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Ceremony . Dr. Yeh was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his creation of the NEWgenerator water filtration device. The NEWgenerator works by using a novel bioreactor to break down waste organic matter using microorganisms, followed by a fine-pore microscopic membrane filter that traps bacteria and viruses. Clean water that passes through is then disinfected with chlorine, similar to municipal drinking water. The recycled water can also be used for toilet flushing in the sanitation facilities and for irrigation, allowing plants to grow, even in a drought. Congratulations to Dr. Yeh for winning this prestigious award!
Augmented reality (AR) has proven to be incredibly entertaining. I envisioned transforming a new poster design that showcases the University of South Florida's mascot, Rocky the Bull, into a superhero akin to Iron Man. Having recently started learning an AR-related program, I decided to make the poster interactive. Now, by scanning the QR code with a smartphone, one can activate a 3D animated version of the poster complete with music and a video backdrop.
I was recently tasked with creating a sizzle reel for the USF College of Engineering. The video featured action shots of faculty and students working in various labs. I shot most of the footage and synchronized each scene to the beat of an uplifting music track. It's incredible to see engineering students building and improving robots, drones, automated vehicles, and even a small satellite that was launched by NASA.
I had the opportunity to generate new ideas for social media graphics and I envisioned a USF engineering student flying in a futuristic mechanical-drone suit. My supervisor liked the graphic and recommended converting it into a face-in-hole board. This new board will be used for photo opportunities at upcoming USF College of Engineering events. My niece was recently in town and posed for a quick photo.
Each year, I’ve had the pleasure of crafting social media graphics to promote events, holidays, and various updates for the USF College of Engineering. Here are three examples of reels I’ve created using Photoshop AI, enhanced with a touch of animation via video software. AI + animation + music = creative magic!
It's been a while since I dived into the world of web design, and I recently had the pleasure of creating a new digital home for the TECO Clean Energy Research Center (CERC). Specializing in solar and hydrothermal energy research, CERC wanted to update their outdated site with a modern, clean look using USF’s preferred CMS, Omni Update. They also requested new photos of faculty and students working within their lab, so I organized a photoshoot and captured those images myself. The CERC team was thrilled with the new look, and it was wonderful to return to web design, a field I used to work in regularly. View site: TECO Clean Energy Research Center | University of South Florida (usf.edu)
When I was a boy, my mom told me that my grandfather was a great baseball player (pitcher). Scouts from the majors wanted him to play, but WW2 forever changed those plans. He lived in Chicago most of his life and he was a devoted Cubs fan. I'm sure that he imagined himself standing on that pitcher's mound whenever he watched his beloved team play. I created the illustration below in Adobe Photoshop as a gift to my mom for her birthday.
This is a New Year's social media animation created for the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR). Since CUTR's logo is circular in shape, I thought it would be interesting to somehow add it to a moving car. The moving car represents driving into the new year and Adobe After Effects enabled me to track CUTR's logo to a moving wheel in the video background.