Technology

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

2. Photoshop

3. Photoshop
Throughout the process of constructing my product the main technology
used was Photoshop. This was a media I was already used to, however I
have discovered many new tools and processes to make professional and
affective effects.
Using Photoshop enabled me to edit photos and create backgrounds that
helped my magazine pages look unique and original. As well as the front
cover, I also used Photoshop on the contents page and the double page
spread; to create effects and edit photos.
Therefore, without Photoshop I would not have been able to create the
magazine I have done and make it unique and individual to me and the
music genre Alternative Rock.

4. Photoshop tools
Main feature used throughout Photoshop was the use
of layers. Using Photoshop I began to understand why
layers are so important. This is because every item
created on the programme has its own layer, enabling
you to edit them without affecting the rest.
Through the use of layers I also then educated
on the process of ‘rasterize’ images. This was
used to turn layers such as text layers and
shapes into image layers. Once this was done
editing of the image, and erasing it became
more accessible.

5. Photoshop tools
Another part of the layers I learnt about during the
construction of my process was the merging of layers.
By merging the layers I was able to transform lots of
images into one single image. This was useful in the
making off my ‘puff’ as I could work with it as one
image. However it was a learning process when I had
some trouble with it, as once I merged the layers I
could not then individually edit them, that resulted in
me having to recreate things.
Blending options was a tool used which was
essential I learnt about. I used this mostly on
the editing of my masthead. This was important
as it helped me create a unique text that was
different from any other magazine. By having
this, I learnt what affects looked good on text
and what doesn’t. Therefore, it also helped my
skills as a designer as well as technically.

6. Photoshop tools
An important tool discovered and used on Photoshop
was the pen tool. Using the pen tool I learnt how to
neatly and professionally cut around shapes and
pictures on a close up proximity. This was important
in the creating of my front cover as I used it to cut
around my main cover star so she stood out from the
background. I also learnt that this was the easiest tool
to use when cutting out, however it did take a large
amount of time to do.
The smudge tool was a section of Photoshop I
learnt about which was used to blend the cut
out of my cover star into the background. I did
learn from the smudge tool that it does take
quite a lot of time to get it to blend effectively.

7. Photoshop tools
An important tool discovered and used on Photoshop
was the eraser tool. This allowed me to delete pieces
of photos I did not feel were necessary on my blog. I
used this on a close proximity once I have cut around
photos to make sure it had a finished look of it.
The background eraser tool helped me discover
how to erase large spaces of the Photoshop page
that consisted of mainly one colour. This helped
as it saved me time during the production of the
magazine pages.

8. Photoshop tools
An important tool discovered and used on Photoshop
was the pen tool. Using the pen tool I learnt how to
neatly and professionally cut around shapes and
pictures on a close up proximity. This was important
in the creating of my front cover as I used it to cut
around my main cover star so she stood out from the
background. I also learnt that this was the easiest tool
to use when cutting out, however it did take a large
amount of time to do.
I also learnt how to edit the photos using the
‘image - adjustments’ section. This allowed me
to then brighten up photographs and help the
appearance of them become more appealing.
The most used section and tool of this was the
‘brightness/contrast’.

9. Quark

10. Quark
Throughout the process of constructing my product the second main
technology used was Quark. This was a media I was not used to as I had
never used it before.
Using Quark enabled me to create two of the pages out of my magazine
such as my double page spread and contents page. Quark was useful as it
had columns which was essential for both pages.
Therefore, without Quark I would not have been able to create the double
page spread and contents page with so much organisation and ease.

11. Quark tools
I first learnt how to insert text, using the text tool. By
clicking the tool and dragging it enabled me to create
a text box were I could then type my words into. The
text was then edited and changed by using box at the
bottom of the screen that enabled you to change the
font, colour and size of the text.
I also learnt how to insert the photos using the
‘picture content tool.’ Clicking this, you could
then create a box and double click to insert the
photograph of choice. Ensuring the picture tool
was still chosen you could then move around
the photo/change the size of it to fit the box.
However I did learn, for the whole picture to be
moved around on the page the select button had
to be chosen, not the ‘picture content tool.’

12. Quark tools
I also learnt how to use the ‘rectangle box tool’ on
Quark, which was essential when creating frames on
my contents page and double page spread. Ensuring
the rectangle tool was selected you could then create
shapes, which could then be changed colour by
pressing the colour of selection shown on the right
hand side of the screen. This tool was most creatively
used on my double page spread; behind my title.
I also learnt how to create two pages next to
each other for the double page spread. Once the
page was created you then had to select the
small page thumbnail and drag it next to
primary page. Without the knowledge of this, I
would not have successfully known how to
create my double page spread.

13. Quark tools

14. Digital SLR Camera

15. Digital SLR Camera
The construction of my piece could not have been done without a Digital
SLR Camera, as my photos would not have been a high quality and
appropriate for my magazine.
Using the camera, I learnt how to focus the lens until the shot was clear and
not blurred, as well as understanding what lighting and conditions were
the best for taking a shot. I learnt that this was usually outside, or
somewhere that had a good use of light.
I also learnt how to use the camera on different settings such as ‘close up’
and ‘auto’. However, it came clear to me after my first photo-shoot that auto
was in fact the best setting to use.
I also learnt how beneficial the use of the flash could be, if the lighting was
not an adequate amount, or if the colours were not as bright when the flash
was not one.