Evaluation: Question 7

Here is my response to the final evaluative question, which involves me commenting on what I feel that I have learnt during the progression from my preliminary task product to my final magazine product.

Evaluation - Question 7

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Evaluation: Question 6

Here is my response to the next evaluation question: What have I learnt about technologies from the process of constructing my product?
It is in the form of an Xtranormal animated video, which will talk through my response.



Below is a written script of the video commentary:

In order for any successful printed media product to be created and consequently placed into the current market, a vast range of computer and photography technologies are used during the creation process. It is a journey, starting with a general idea and image and then by using photography and various editing programs, the ‘perfect’ cover is created. The cover image will suit and define the genre of the music magazine.

It was suggested to me that I should use an Apple Mac desktop computer to create all my magazine artwork, I first had to learn how to effectively use the software that Apple has compared to a Windows PC. This was learnt during the preliminary task and I felt a lot more confident with using a Mac when it came to the final task. They are really efficient at running multiple software types and have quick processors, which is ideal for magazine creation. They are also widely used in the media industry’s publishing sector due to this. The iPhoto software proved particularly useful, as it allowed me to decide on the best photos for editing.

During the photography stage, technologies such as digital cameras are used to take high quality photos, to create the best artwork. From my preliminary task, I learnt how to manipulate light sources and backgrounds in order to make a photo more effective. I used more basic tools for the preliminary task photo, as the lighting was already of a good standard. However, I did learn how to use the ‘auto-brightness’ tool and used it again in my music magazine photos. I also learnt how to pose models to suit the image of the magazine. For example, for my final product, I posed Connie so that she looked in tune with her music and looked as though she was comfortable and happy in playing the guitar and singing. I also used the lack of eye contact in order to create a more interesting image, which doesn’t completely fit the existing image conventions and this means it creates a gap in the market for itself.

In order to begin the photograph editing process, technologies such as memory card readers and USB pen drives were used to upload a number of images onto my Mac computer, where they could then be viewed and opened for editing. The new Adobe Photoshop CS3 software is a highly effective program, which is used throughout the magazine industry. It enables visual editors to completely change the context and aesthetics of a photo, in order to suit the nature of their media product, be it magazine, newspaper or film. After using this program for the first time during the editing of my preliminary task photos, I was much more confident in using it for my final product task. I was able to open the image successfully and begin editing.

Whilst taking the photos, I used the ‘black and white filter’ on my digital camera to take the photo, which proved successful given the ‘rule of 3’ colour scheme I had decided to use. The gray scale of the photo was manipulated by using the ‘levels’ Photoshop tool, which I learnt to use briefly during my preliminary task editing process. In order to enhance the image quality, I used the ‘sharpen edges’ tool, rendered the light directions and used red eye removal. I had experience of these tools from the preliminary task. In terms of special effects, I used the ‘lens flare’ effect to add a more interesting visual effect and I also flipped the image horizontally to fit the layout of my front cover. The new skill I learnt during the main task was how to use the colour dropper tool to add a background shade to the palette and then I used a wide paintbrush tool to edit out imperfections in the image background, such as plug sockets and wall shadowing. I was also able to create interesting edited typography with Photoshop, by adding drop shadows, inner bevels and other visual features which I had used during the preliminary task.

Through using Adobe InDesign, I was able to create the basis of each of my products, including the double page spread. I was able to make layout decisions after inserting the images and adding the coverline text, which meant that it didn’t always match my drawn out flatplans, which I used a scanner to upload. However, these decisions were made during visual production and the outcomes improved as a result.

In order to present my evaluation work onto my blog in a dynamic and unique way, I used a range of computer and internet technologies. For example, I used ‘SlideShare’ in order to add a Microsoft power point presentations and word document essays to my blog and also convert them into online viewable slideshows. I had never used this software before and I quickly learnt how to use it. I also used ‘Xtranormal’ movie maker online to create an animated video which could audibly present my answers to evaluation questions. Alongside this, I used a ‘Prezi’ document to create an interactive mind map. These were all new technologies to me, however I have found them to be really useful and make the evaluation process more exciting for readers.