Evaluation Question Seven

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

I have learnt how to plan, research and improve my work through my preliminary task, I have also learnt the importance of being focused and following a brief. Equally I have had to learn to work to a given deadline and working hard within a time frame, meaning I have had to be organised and prepared which is a valuable lesson that has helped me in creating my final media product.

By completing the preliminary task, I was able to develop an understanding of how to edit and manipulate images using software such as Photoshop, word, PowerPoint, and publisher, as well as learning the conventions that a magazine follows to appeal to an audience. I have also learnt how denotations create connotations and how this is used in media to communicate to the audience. I have tried to use these conventions in my final product to create a successful music magazine that represents the R&B music industry to my target audience.

In conclusion, the preliminary task was essential for me to learn how to produce my final product as I was able to pick up the required skills before I started on my media product. Furthermore the skills I have acquired such as working to a deadline, and following a brief have proven to be vital in completing my music magazine with confidence, and the skills I picked up using Photoshop I have used more confidently during my final task, as well as learning new techniques. Finally, although the preliminary task may have failed to teach me how to use a camera and card reader, it did allow me to develop an understanding of the sort of framing that is conventional for a magazine cover so I had an idea what type of image I wanted to take, while I still had to learn to use the equiptment.

PRELIMINARY TASK	FINAL PRODUCT	EVALUATION
		From my preliminary task, I learnt how to use Photoshop to remove the background of the images I have taken. I also learnt how to make a new page on Photoshop the size I desire, and then add an image or multiple images to edit, and also to adapt the size of the image to match to size of the page I have created. When I used this technique in my final product, I was able to make the end product look more professional and like an existing product. I was also able to experiment with new tools to manipulate my image.
		I learnt in the preliminary task how to add text and move it around the page to the position I want. I also learnt how to change the size colour and font, however I was able to understand through my preliminary task that existing products tend to use different fonts and styles for the cover which is a convention to make it more appealing to the audience who consume it.
		From my preliminary task 5to my final product, I have learnt how to use Photoshop to edit my photos, I have also learnt how to take photos that are conventional of a music magazine cover and understand which frame is most suitable, and which contact and colour schemes work best for the product I am creating. Equally I have developed my Photoshop skills to create a more conventional and attractive product. I have still included features I have learnt from the preliminary task such as the barcode, date, issue number, price, and the other conventions of the product I have learnt.

Evaluation Question Six

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

From constructing my media product, I have leant how to use the following technologies:

Camera	I used a camera to take the images for my media product, I used a Cannon for the cover and contents page images and a Samsung for the double page spread images. I learnt to adjust the light, contrast and how to frame images using this product.
Card reader	I had to use an SD card in the camera and an SD card reader to transfer my images onto the computer, I had not previously done this. The card reader is a useful product that I have used multiple times with all my images.
3 point lighting	Whilst using the green room, I had to set up and use 3 point lighting so my images would be of good quality and I could later edit them. The lights where essential in taking a detailed and quality image.
USB	I had to transfer, save and backup my work whilst working on it with an USB stick.
Mac	I used an apple mac to record my progress on Photoshop using quick time player, and publish the videos on my blog. I also used the mac for working on my blog from home.
PC	I used a PC to work on publisher during production of my double page spread. I also used Photoshop on the PC to edit my images. Most of my research was also conducted on a PC and I used PowerPoint to present my research.
Photoshop editing software	I have learnt to use the many features of Photoshop to edit my images for my product. For example, I have learnt to use; air brush, quick select, erase, brushes, colour swatching, filters, colour adjustments and many more features.
blogger	I have published all my work on y blog and learnt how to present my work in this format in a way that is creative and purposeful. I have learnt to add photos, videos and Prezi’s to my blog and used the different features to alter my blogs appearance.

DEVELOPMENTS
 

	First Draft	Final Draft	Development
COVER			From my original draft, I have developed my cover using Photoshop to make my product appear more professional and appealing. I used the colour adjustment, airbrushing, contrast / brightness adjustment, shapes, quick selection, text boxes and transformations to improve my cover.
CONTENTS PAGE			My original contents page didn’t look much like a finished product so I developed it using publisher and Photoshop to improve it and make it look more conventional.
DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD			I used publisher, PowerPoint and Photoshop to develop my double page spread and create my finished product. I also used a different camera to take new images for my double pay spread and used more direct lighting to put all the focus on my subject.