Q6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?- Steph Blanchard

1. What have you learnt
about technologies from
the process of
constructing this
product?

2. New technologies
Throughout the process of creating and researching my magazine I have
discovered many new methods and techniques, which have helped me to
produce my final product. Without learning new techniques I would not have
been able to produce my final front cover, contents page and double page
spread in such a professional image

3. Photoshop
Photoshop was essential for making and designing my
magazine. However, when I started my coursework it
was the first time I had used Photoshop, so I was very
unsure of how to use it. After experimenting with
different tools on my mock ups, I started to adapt to
the way Photoshop works.
I found Photoshop very useful as you can crop, edit and move parts of the photo out that
wasn`t required. Using Photoshop is a quick and easy way of editing a photo to put on my
magazine, an example of this would be the use of the magic wand tool.

4. The camera I used and the set up of
the studio
I have used the spot lights and
flood lighting, as spot light
focuses on one area which can
create shadows and which
also adds contrast . Flood
lighting covers the
background. Lighting was used
to add effect to my image
which made my final photo
look more professional.
This is an image of me taking
the photos of my model and
the setting of the photo shoot.
This is a photo of me using
the camera, taking
different shots and using
different angles without
the tripod. The camera I
used is a Cannon DSLR.
I have used the green screen
to make the editing process
easier, as the green screen
contrasts with the model so it
makes it easier on Photoshop
to cut around her. Green
screens also allow the floor
and walls to be covered
This shot is one of the images
that I chose not to use, as I
thought my model had the
wrong type of clothing and
didn’t suit my double page
spread.

5. Eraser Tool
The eraser tool is a very quick way to remove parts of the image that you don’t want. It
is also very useful as my models hair is down and natural, so I need to use a feathered
eraser whilst going around her hair, this gives a softer effect, and it doesn’t give a sharp
edge around her head. On the image above you can see the difference between the
feathered eraser (left) and hard edge eraser (right).
To change the hardness
and size of the eraser, I
used this box to enable
me to get the right size.

6. Crop Tool
I used the crop tool to cut out parts of an image/wording that I wanted to use. To
enable me to use this tool I had to click on the icon on the left hand side, drag the
arrows to the part that I wanted to crop and then pressed the tick on the top right
hand side. The image above shows an example of how to use this tool.

7. Magic Wand Tool
I used the magic wand tool a lot as it is quick, easy, and effective. It is also useful if you want to
change the colour of parts of the image. To use this tool, I duplicated the image, clicked on the icon
on the left hand side, pressed on the part of the image that I didn’t want, and then pressed delete
on the keyboard, which left a transparent background. If I had wanted the magic wand tool to select
more than it did, I would have clicked select at the top of Photoshop and then pressed similar. To
cancel the magic tool wand I pressed select and then clicked deselect.
AfterBefore

8. Layers
Layers are very important when I was creating my front
cover, contents page and double page spread, as I had to
learn how to use them effectively. The layers are found at
the right hand side, near the bottom of the page. If I
needed to make a part of the magazine appear over the top
of another, I had to drag that layer above the other layers.
For Example: my front cover image is in front of my mast head
The layers
My Front Cover

9. I used Blogger to organise and show all of my research, planning/designs, and my
final products all in one area. Through using blogger for my coursework, I have
learnt how to make new posts, and change the dates of my posts, therefore I can
put them all in order to make my blog look professional. I have also learnt how to
embed videos, upload photos and other content onto my blog, this makes it more
interesting and attractive. Personally, I feel that blogger has been very helpful as it
has kept my work tidy, presentable and organised. Blogger also allows me to keep
up to date with my course work, and repost any work that I could improve which
will enable me to obtain the best grade possible.

10. Prezi is an online programme that creates a presentation/power point, which I used a lot as it
made my blog look more attractive and interesting, with all the information being presented in
a unique way. I used Prezi when I was researching R&B music and artists costumes/make-up,
as it presents the information like a spider diagram, so bringing all my ideas together. Prezi is
very easy to use and I would definitely use this programme again.