A Level Media Studies

1. Question 6
What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?

2. What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?
Hardware
- Nikon camera
- iMac
- Strobe light
- SD card
- Keyboard
- Soft box
- Horseshoe flash trigger
Software
- Photoshop
- Wordpress
- Safari
- Microsoft Powerpoint

3. Apple iMac – 2Ghz
I used an Apple iMac that has a 8GB hard drive (RAM) and
this allows me to run softwares like Photoshop and
Powerpoint. The iMac allows me to do this successfully
without the computer crashing.
The 8GB hard drive means I can save the photos I took in
the studio and then import them onto my magazine.
 What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?

4. At every point of this process I used the keyboard and mouse,
making them so important to my coursework. Especially in regards
to my written work, I used the keyboard for all of it.
The keyboard wasn’t just used to type, it also helped me with
shortcuts like a screenshot (cmd+ shift+ 4).
Without the mouse I simply wouldn’t of been able to control my
computer meaning that nothing would have been done, highlighting
the importance of the mouse.
Keyboard and Mouse
 What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?

5. While taking photos for my magazine, I used a nikon camera whiched
allowed me take high quality photos which heightened the standards
of my of my overall product.
The Nikon’s high ISO meant that it would decrease the sum of blurred
images when the subject is moving or in low light. Settings – manual
aperture f11 – shutter speed 1/300th
Nikon camera D3100 – Digital
SLR
 What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?

6. Another piece of equipment used was a horse shoe flash
trigger. This sends a signal to the strobe lights to flash when a
photo is taken at exactly the same time.
This means that it gives the image a boost of light and allows
the detail and quality of the photo to be increased.
Horse shoe flash trigger.
 What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?

7. Good lighting is key to a good photo and ideal to ensure my magazine is
of a high standard. The lighting really enhances a photo and highlights
detail. The dial on the back allows me to change the output to suit my
individual need.
The SD card
The SD card allowed me to transport my photos from the
camera to my computer which meant that I could import
them and use them on my magazine.
Hemisphere 300 Strobe flash
and SD card
 What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?

8. A software I used a lot was Photoshop. It allowed me to change the
brightness and saturation of a photo and really intensify the colours. I
changed the gap between lines of writing a lot, and this was done on
Photoshop.
I used the lassoo magnetic tool also to cut
around photos.
Photoshop
Using Photoshop, I have been able to move items on
my magazine and position them in the best places that
I feel make the magazine look detailed.
To do this I used the move tool which meant I could
click and place things where I wanted them.

9. More on Photoshop…
A stroke creates a line around
text, forcing it to stand out.
Also in this menu you can
create shadows which create
depth on the page.
Layers help to organise
the page and place
things exactly where you
need them.
You can also change the
opacity of a layer to make
content partially
transparent.
Once you are editing on one
layer, anything you click on
that’s not included on the layer
won’t be effected. Auto-Select
allows you to click anything
without having to select the
layer on the right.

10. To document the process of making my magazine I have been
using Wordpress, which is a blogging website. I was able to
include images and Powerpoints, aswell as Prezis and videos.
I also made pages on my blog to make it easier for people to
find certain bits of work on my blog.
Wordpress
 What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?
 What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?

11. Microsoft Powerpoint was a software that I used when evaluating my
magazine. It is a software programed into my iMac and is an easy but
attractive way of presenting information and images. Images allow me to
make it more visually pleasing for the reader. Powerpoint is also very easy
to use:
Microsoft Powerpoint
This is at the top of the page and
allows me to change the font size and
colour of any text.
This makes it able for me to add slides where
I see fit and edit the layout of it when I want
to.
Using this box means I can add any
image or shape at any time.

12. Safari was the software that allowed me to access the internet, which
enabled me to search magazines and the website for my blog.
Research was a big part of my coursework and I needed to look and
analyse other magazines before creating my own to create the best
product I could. Without safari I couldn’t have viewed the construction
of other articles, contents pages or articles.
Safari
 What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?