Semelhante a Question 7 looking back at your preliminary task what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to your final media product (20)
4. Progression
The improvements I wished to change from my preliminary task to my final product are
as follows:
The differentiation between both my contents and front page in my preliminary task
was very minimal, with the two models being maintained for both documents. This
didn’t follow conventions as the same model rarely appears twice as the main
image throughout the magazine. Similarly, a serious lack of lighting and other
features was prominent. With the only technology used being the camera, the
image was basic and relatively unprofessional. Also, due to a lack of experience
with Photoshop, I was unable to use any adjustments on the image (e.g.
Brightness & Contrast) meaning the amateur aspect of the images were enhanced.
Changes were made in my final production,
otherwise it would have been a very
unprofessional. Firstly, obviously you can
see I used different models and therefore
gained two completely separate and
unique images. Also, enhancing the image
quality was important, so lighting and
adjustments from Photoshop were used,
this enabled me to create a professional
image which embraced the use of
shadows. A final crucial point of
improvement (besides the general
improvement of the product) is the use of
fonts, as I carefully chose multiple
variations to follow conventions and create
a professional product.
5. Improving my skills
One of the most influential, crucial and changeable skills I had to use
was the ability to use Photoshop. For example, effects on texts were
relatively important, as often the text didn’t suit the background
contrast, so an effect like “drop shadow” needed to be used.
Similarly, stretching the font and changing the size of the gaps
between the letters was vital, especially on my front cover.
Also, as mentioned on the previous slide, the use of the adjustments tool
was a very useful one. Changing the contrast was important in order to
create a fully professional and eye catching image, as it meant the
image would stand out from the background. Finally, the use of the spot
heal tool was useful as it eliminated the chance of the images looking
unprofessional and also enhanced the idea that the audience could
perhaps idolise these artists.
6. The complexity of my layout has changed also, as I learnt
how to add and move layers. Before I was clueless of the
concept, which meant I kept as few as possible, now I
included more and produced a final product of structure
and different layers. The complexity has increased also
by learning how to include conventions which I never
knew during the preliminary task. The techniques I
wished use I was able to learn how to include, for
example quotes and minimal text in the columns of the
contents page.
By following my own advice from the preliminary to the final
production, I managed to stick to a structure when
creating, always referring to research, as I learnt that
going with the flow creates a mess that includes no
conventions or any professional image. To do this I spoke
to a target audience on decision making so I didn’t differ
between options.
7. Effectiveness of Mastheads
In my preliminary task, the masthead was poor
and didn’t follow the conventions of (hip-hop)
magazines. It was a bleak colour, the font
wasn’t eye catching and it lay nowhere near
the image. I realised the importance of a
masthead once researching into the
conventions, I realised that this was the icon
of your magazine, and would be important for
it to be eye catching and professional. So i
therefore used appropiate fonts, contrasting
and vibrant colours that appeal to both
genders and located the masthead according
to the conventions.
8. All the things I learnt from producing my preliminary, final front cover
and final contents page I was then able to take on board and include in
my double page spread.
9. In conclusion the final production had a much
increase in quality compared to my first
preliminary task. This was mainly because of
the skills I acquired and the techniques I learnt
and included. For example the lighting and
use of manual settings on a digital slr camera
meant I could produce a better image once
learning how to do so from tutorials. Other
factors contributed including the learning of
conventions, variety of fonts, consistency in
colours, timing, pre structural and design
planning and all in all learning how to use the
software Photoshop to its full extent, as I
would not have been able to produce such a
fine quality product without learning these
attributes.
